His Majesty
President Phuc congratulated Bhutan on its sustainable development achievements under the wise leadership of the King, applauding the country’s unique development model that prioritizes Gross National Happiness as a measure of progress, balancing people, nature, culture, and societal happiness, and placing people at the core of development.
Bhutan has gained global recognition for its pioneering use of the Happiness Index as a metric for national progress instead of traditional economic indicators. In 2023, the Happiness Index revealed that 93.6% of Bhutan’s population considered themselves happy.
The Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) attributed the concept of Gross National Happiness to the fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who, in the late 1970s, proclaimed, “Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross Domestic Product.” This concept underscores the need for a holistic approach to sustainable development, emphasizing the non-economic dimensions of happiness and well-being.
Since then, the idea of Gross National Happiness has significantly influenced Bhutan’s development policies and garnered international attention. In creating the Gross National Happiness Index, Bhutan aims to provide a valuable tool for policy formulation while encouraging governments, NGOs, and businesses to promote social welfare and community happiness.
The Gross National Happiness Index encompasses traditional economic and social domains such as living standards, health, and education, as well as less conventional aspects like culture, community vitality, and spiritual happiness. It offers a comprehensive measurement of the overall well-being of Bhutan’s citizens, going beyond a subjective ranking of “happiness.”
During the talks with President Phuc, His Majesty the King expressed his delight in visiting Vietnam for the first time, admiring the country’s tremendous achievements over 80 years of national independence and development. The King expressed his confidence in Vietnam’s ability to attain its sustainable development goals and his desire to learn from Vietnam’s governance model and economic development experience.
According to IMF data, in 2024, Bhutan’s GDP stood at approximately USD 3.09 billion, ranking 161st globally, while Vietnam’s GDP reached USD 459 billion, ranking 33rd.
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck affirmed Bhutan’s respect for Vietnam’s role and position in the Asia-Pacific region, expressing his desire to strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual strength and potential for the benefit of their peoples and the region’s peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperity.
Highlighting the significant potential for economic, trade, and investment cooperation between the two countries, President Phuc and King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck agreed to encourage relevant agencies, ministries, and businesses to facilitate the entry of each other’s优势 products into their respective markets, aiming to diversify supply chains and significantly increase bilateral trade in the coming years.
They also emphasized the need to expand collaboration in crucial areas such as agriculture, science and technology, innovation, education, culture, and arts; encouraged their national airlines to consider establishing direct air links to promote cultural, religious, and people-to-people exchanges; shared experiences in honoring their traditional cultural heritages; and agreed to explore new areas of cooperation toward sustainable development to enhance the material and spiritual lives of their peoples.
The High-Speed Deo Ca Project: Racing to Set a New Record in Vietnam’s Transportation History
“With the unwavering determination of all parties involved, we are proud to announce that the project is set to be completed a full year ahead of schedule. This is an unprecedented achievement and a landmark moment in the history of Vietnam’s transportation sector.”
Proposed Regional Minimum Wage Increase for 2026
The Ministry of Home Affairs is seeking feedback on a draft decree that proposes to set a minimum wage for employees working under labor contracts.
“Vingroup Completes a Top-10 World Wonder in Just 10 Months: The Power of Private Enterprise in Achieving the Unimaginable.”
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“The Festival City: A Visionary Urban Model by Hoang Huy Group at the 2025 National Exhibition”
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The Archway of Fortune: A Glimpse at Quảng Ngãi Province’s First Steel Arch Bridge
After nearly three years of construction, the Trà Khúc 3 Bridge (Phước Lộc Bridge) with its unique steel arch design spanning the Trà Khúc River is finally complete and set to open to traffic tomorrow (August 19). This remarkable structure serves not only as a vital transportation link but also as a stunning architectural landmark for Quảng Ngãi, with its distinctive arch promising to become an iconic symbol for the region.
