3rd Floor, Building No. 12-16 Doc Ngu Street, Ngoc Ha Ward, Hanoi City, Vietnam

Contact

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/10/2/534764_5601898044100905_gi.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Office of the National Assembly's&nbsp;Vice Chairman Phạm Đình Toản had talks with&nbsp;Mexican Chamber of Deputies, Ana Karina Rojo Pimentel, Chairwoman of the Mexico–Việt Nam Parliamentary Friendship Group and Chairwoman of the Chamber’s Welfare Committee. — VNA/VNS Photo</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>MEXICO CITY —&nbsp;A delegation from the Office of the National Assembly (NA), led by the office’s Vice Chairman Phạm Đình Toản, is paying a working visit to Mexico from September 28 to October 2 as part of the Vietnamese legislature’s external relations activities in 2026.The visit focuses on sharing experience between the two legislative bodies in organising parliamentary activities, strengthening the capacity of agencies providing advisory and support services for the legislature, running parliamentary sessions, training personnel and boosting digital transformation.Receiving the delegation at the headquarters of the Mexican Chamber of Deputies, Ana Karina Rojo Pimentel, Chairwoman of the Mexico–Việt Nam Parliamentary Friendship Group and Chairwoman of the Chamber’s Welfare Committee, expressed her admiration for Việt Nam's history, culture and people.She said the visit helps translate the two parliaments' agenda into concrete activities, contributing to more substantive parliamentary diplomacy.Rojo Pimentel also briefed the Vietnamese delegation on the structure of the Chamber of Deputies and the organisation of its sessions, sharing practical experience from the Mexican legislature.At a meeting with Pedro Vazquez Gonzalez, Chairman of the Chamber’s Foreign Affairs Committee, the two sides discussed parliamentary diplomacy and ways to strengthen cooperation between the two legislatures.Gonzalo Badillo, Technical Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced the mechanisms supporting the Chamber’s parliamentary diplomatic activities.Speaking at the meetings, Toản&nbsp;said the visit aimed to study the organisational models and operations of agencies providing advisory and support services for Mexico’s legislature, and to identify experience that could be considered in improving such work for the Vietnamese NA.The delegation toured the Chamber of Deputies and attended a plenary session to gain first-hand insight into parliamentary proceedings.The delegation also visited the Mexican Senate and held a working session with Yeidckol Polevnsky, Chairwoman of the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee for Asia-Pacific Affairs. The two sides discussed the operation of Mexico’s legislature, coordination mechanisms among Senate agencies and support for parliamentary diplomatic activities.They agreed that greater professional-level exchanges will help strengthen mutual understanding and provide a stronger foundation for parliamentary cooperation between Việt Nam and Mexico.Toản thanked the Mexican side for its in-depth exchanges with the delegation and spoke highly of the experience shared in organisational structure, procedures for supporting parliamentary sessions, information management, human resources development and digital technology application.Polevnsky described the visit as an opportunity for parliamentary agencies of the two countries to enhance professional exchanges, stressing the important role of advisory and support bodies in ensuring the effective operation of legislatures.Earlier, the delegation met with the Vietnamese Embassy in Mexico and laid flowers at the monument to President Hồ Chí&nbsp;Minh in Freedom Park for the Peoples in central Mexico City. — VNA/VNS

MEXICO CITY —&nbsp;A delegation from the Office of the National Assembly (NA), led by the office’s Vice Chairman Phạm Đình Toản, is paying a working visit to Mexico from September 28 to October 2 as part of the Vietnamese legislature’s external relations activities in 2026.

Việt Nam, Mexico seek to deepen substantive parliamentary cooperation

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/10/2/534769_5601901381699970_nguy.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Delegates at the 9th meeting between Việt Nam's Ministry of National Defence and the National Council of the Solidarity Front for the Development of Cambodia Motherland (SFDCM) in HCM City on October 2 to review projects to build, repair and renovate Việt Nam–Cambodia Friendship Monuments in Cambodia. — VNA/VNS Photo</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HCM CITY — Việt Nam's Ministry of National Defence and the National Council of the Solidarity Front for the Development of Cambodia Motherland (SFDCM) held their ninth meeting in HCM City on Friday to review projects to build, repair and renovate Việt Nam–Cambodia Friendship Monuments in Cambodia.At the meeting, Deputy Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Nguyễ, head of the Vietnamese delegation, said bilateral relations have continued to develop effectively in recent years despite various difficulties and challenges, with political ties being constantly strengthened.The achievements made by the two countries have provided an important and practical foundation for cooperation in safeguarding independence and sovereignty, promoting prosperity and enhancing each country’s position, while contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world, he said.Samdech Men Sam An, President of the SFDCM National Council, affirmed that Cambodia attaches importance to the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, built on the principles of good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability.Cambodia will always remember the assistance and support provided by Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and people, who helped liberate the Cambodian people from the genocidal Pol Pot regime, prevent its return and support Cambodia in rebuilding the country, she stressed.The head of the Cambodian delegation said the Friendship Monuments, whose construction was agreed upon by the leaders of the two countries, are symbols commemorating their historic friendship, comprehensive cooperation and mutual support in the cause of bringing peace to Cambodia.Cambodia is committed to managing, protecting, repairing and renovating the Việt Nam–Cambodia Friendship Monuments, while promoting their significance and messages among people of both countries, she affirmed.At the meeting, the two sides reviewed the implementation of projects to build, repair and renovate the monuments and spoke highly of the results achieved under the minutes of the eighth meeting, signed in HCM City on October 15, 2025. They agreed that the projects had been carried out on schedule and with good results.The two sides noted that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence and the Cambodian National Council of the SFDCM had closely coordinated in inspecting and urging relevant agencies, units and localities to implement the projects.Since 2015, Việt Nam has provided funding for Cambodia to build, repair and renovate 24 Việt Nam–Cambodia Friendship Monuments, as well as upgrade the council’s office and provide equipment and other material support.The two sides will continue promoting the significance of the monuments as symbols of solidarity and friendship between the two countries.They also agreed to actively implement a memorandum of understanding on protecting and promoting the value of the Việt Nam–Cambodia Friendship Monuments in Cambodia after it is signed by the two governments.Both sides expressed confidence that based on the strong foundation of good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability, they will successfully implement the two governments’ policy of protecting and promoting the value of the monuments. — VNA/VNS

Cambodia is committed to managing, protecting, repairing and renovating the Việt Nam–Cambodia Friendship Monuments, while promoting their significance and messages among people of both countries.

Việt Nam, Cambodia work to preserve and promote friendship

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/10/2/534817_chut%20tich%20duma%20quoc%20gia%20Nga.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of Russia. —IRNA/VNA Photo</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HÀ NỘI — National Assembly President Trần Thanh Mẫn on Thursday sent a congratulatory letter to Vyacheslav Volodin on his re-election as Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of Russia. — VNA/VNS

National Assembly President Trần Thanh Mẫn on Thursday sent a congratulatory letter to Vyacheslav Volodin on his re-election as Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of Russia.

NA President congratulates re-elected Russian State Duma Chairman

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/9/25/533044_5595979761596096_image.png" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>National Assembly President Trần Thanh Mẫn&nbsp;addresses a meeting with voters from 12 wards in HCM City on Friday. The meeting takes place ahead of the 16th legislature’s second session, which is due to start on October 17. — VNA/VNS Photo Doãn Tấn</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HCM CITY — National Assembly (NA) President Trần Thanh Mẫn and a delegation of NA deputies in HCM City met with voters from 12 wards on Friday ahead of the 16th legislature’s second session.At the meeting, voters raised a range of issues concerning education and training, grassroots democracy, oversight, administrative reform and lawmaking.Lê&nbsp;Thị&nbsp;Yến Nhi, a voter from Bến Thành Ward, called on the NA delegation to pay greater attention to mechanisms enabling residents to participate in the southern economic hub’s development process.Phạm Thị&nbsp;Huệ, from Xuân Hòa Ward, urged the Ministry of Education and Training to adjust school textbook programmes to help students&nbsp;integrate internationally while retaining core Vietnamese values.Voters from Sài Gòn Ward proposed that the NA establish a regular, full-term oversight programme for the education and healthcare sectors.After listening to voters’ opinions and recommendations, NA President Mẫn asked the city to classify them so that issues under each ward's authority&nbsp;are proactively addressed by grassroots administrations immediately after the meeting.The city's authorities should handle matters under&nbsp;its&nbsp;jurisdiction, and recommendations under central-level agencies' authority should be compiled for submission to the NA&nbsp;at the upcoming second session.The legislature has recently passed the Law on Oversight Activities of the NA and People’s Councils, and the draft law on fostering democracy at grassroots level is being finalised for submission to the second session, according to Mẫn."The move aims to concretise the principle that people should be informed, consulted, empowered to oversee and inspect, and entitled to benefit from development," he said.Emphasising the need to further put people at the centre of resolving all grassroots issues, NA President Mẫn&nbsp;called for stronger roles for people’s inspection boards, community investment supervision boards and other grassroots oversight mechanisms.The top legislator spoke highly of HCM City’s achievements in socio-economic development, defence and security, political system building, the fight against corruption, waste and other negative practices, as well as international integration.He urged the city to continue giving due attention to education and training, and science and technology, describing them as areas of decisive importance to growth quality and competitiveness in the new development period.On urban infrastructure development, the leader noted that the NA has passed the Law on Urban Development, which will take effect on October 1. On that basis, the city should strongly promote decentralisation and delegation of powers, proactively make decisions, organise implementation and take responsibility for matters within its jurisdiction.Alongside infrastructure development, NA President Mẫn called on the city to focus on issues directly affecting residents’ lives, including flooding and traffic congestion.With respect to environmental protection, he stressed that this was not solely the responsibility of state management agencies, but required the mobilisation of the strength, awareness and responsibility of more than 10 million residents in HCM City.The second session will be held in person at the NA building in Hà Nội in two phases,&nbsp;starting on October 17&nbsp;and is expected to end on November 20.During the session, the legislature is expected to consider and pass 43 laws and normative resolutions, and give initial opinions on two draft laws.It will also consider and decide on 10 groups of issues concerning socio-economic development, state budget, oversight and other matters within its jurisdiction, as well as conduct question-and-answer sessions between NA deputies and Government officials. — VNA/VNS

National Assembly President Trần Thanh Mẫn&nbsp;called for stronger roles for people’s inspection boards, community investment supervision boards and other grassroots oversight mechanisms as he met with voters in HCM City on Friday.

Top legislator orders putting people at centre of resolving grassroots issues

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/9/25/533047_5595991461207247_image.png" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>National Assembly President Trần Thanh Mẫn addresses the conference with the Standing Board of the Party Committee of HCM City in the southern metropolis on Friday. — VNA/VNS Photo Doãn Tấn</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HCM CITY — Decentralisation must make the apparatus faster, closer to the people and more effective, but must not lead to fragmented responsibility or create wide disparities in quality among localities, Politburo member and President of the National Assembly (NA) Trần Thanh Mẫn said on Friday.The NA President, who is head of the Inspection and Supervision Team No. 220 of the Party Central Committee’s Politburo and Secretariat, made the statement while chairing a conference in HCM City to adopt a draft report on the third round of inspection and supervision of the municipal Party Committee’s Standing Board.He requested the municipal Party Committee to move from “having studied, disseminated and issued programmes” to determining “what changes and products have been created and what problems have been solved”."Each solution&nbsp;must be accompanied by clear targets, expected products, responsible agencies, resources, timelines, impact indicators and regular evaluation mechanisms, ensuring that resolutions are translated into substantive results and narrowing the gap between political determination and implementation capacity," he said.Regarding personnel management and quality, the NA President acknowledged that decentralisation and delegation of authority have enabled grassroots-level agencies to be more proactive in organisational arrangements, personnel deployment and work performance.However, he noted that some localities still face shortages of advisory personnel and specialised staff in science and technology, data and digital transformation.He therefore called on the municipal Party Committee’s Standing Board to review the entire decentralisation mechanism based on the principle that authority must be accompanied by the conditions necessary to exercise it.Agencies directly managing, assigning and employing personnel must bear the prime&nbsp;responsibility for their assessment and performance, while the municipal Party Committee’s advisory bodies should strengthen guidance, supervision and early risk warnings, he said.NA President Mẫn also urged the city to make more substantive use of performance-based personnel assessment.While welcoming the application of products, timelines, quality criteria and key performance indicators (KPIs), he said assessment results must be linked to personnel planning, training, appointment, commendation, screening and replacement."Otherwise, assessment will have limited impact on personnel decisions," he said.He further called for stronger inspection and supervision, power control and digital transformation, noting that specialised self-inspections remain irregular in some local Party Committees, while data for monitoring and power control has yet to be fully interconnected.HCM City has made progress in digitising documents, developing Party member databases and using electronic Party member handbooks, but digital transformation should go beyond digitising existing procedures to support governance, forecasting and early risk warning, according to Mẫn."Given the city’s particularly important role, the requirements for its personnel work must also be higher," he added."The ultimate purpose of inspection and supervision is not merely to determine whether procedures are right or wrong, but to help identify areas requiring consolidation, bottlenecks that need to be removed and issues that must be raised to build a contingent of officials with the qualities and capacity to implement the city’s development goals." — VNA/VNS

Top legislator Trần Thanh Mẫn chaired a conference in HCM City to adopt a draft report on the third round of inspection and supervision of the municipal Party Committee’s Standing Board on Friday.

Decentralisation must not lead to fragmented responsibility: NA President

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/9/25/533050_5596018934043579_image.png" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>National Assembly&nbsp;Vice President Nguyễn Khắc Định&nbsp;chaired an online meeting with the Russian Federation Council’s group for cooperation in Hà Nội on Friday. — Photo&nbsp;quochoi.vn</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HÀ NỘI —&nbsp;National Assembly (NA) Vice President Nguyễn Khắc Định, who is also Chairman of the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group, chaired an online meeting with the Russian Federation Council’s group for cooperation with the Vietnamese NA in Hà Nội on Friday.The meeting took place as the two sides prepare for high-level exchanges between their legislative bodies, providing an opportunity to review cooperation, discuss issues of shared concern and agree on directions for future coordination.Định congratulated Russia on the successful election to the ninth State Duma and expressed his belief that the Federation Council will continue to make positive contributions to strengthening the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between Việt Nam and Russia, including cooperation between the two legislative bodies.First Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Andrey Vladimirovich Yatskin, who is also head of its group for cooperation with the Vietnamese NA, thanked the Vietnamese NA Vice President and the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group for their active contributions to bilateral relations and parliamentary cooperation.He proposed the two sides focus on parliamentary collaboration, agree on joint activities for the 2026-28 period and coordinate their implementation through diplomatic channels.Định stressed that cooperation between the Vietnamese NA and the Russian Federation Council, including activities between their respective groups, has received appreciation from the leaders of both countries.The two sides held frank, open and constructive discussions on the situation and future directions of cooperation, affirming their determination to further promote the parliamentary channel as a contribution to strengthening the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership.They agreed to effectively implement existing cooperation frameworks and mechanisms, enhance coordination between the two parliamentarians’ groups and relevant agencies, and make thorough preparations for external relations activities between the two legislative bodies. Cooperation will be further concretised through programmes and plans consistent with each side’s functions, responsibilities and authority.The two sides also pledged to promote cooperation between Vietnamese and Russian localities, thereby helping broaden and deepen bilateral ties.Định affirmed that the Vietnamese NA attaches importance to cooperation with the Russian Federation Council and expressed his hope that the two friendship parliamentarians’ groups will continue to serve as a bridge, enhancing exchanges and coordination and contributing to stronger legislative collaboration.Yatskin shared the view, expressing his belief that Việt Nam-Russia relations, including parliamentary cooperation, will become increasingly substantive and effective. — VNA/VNS

National Assembly Vice President Nguyễn Khắc Định on Friday chaired an online meeting with the Russian Federation Council’s group for cooperation as the two sides prepare for high-level legislative exchanges.

Việt Nam, Russia agree to strengthen parliamentary cooperation

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/9/18/531225_5589711005828997_ocea.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Delegates at the 15th Ocean Dialogue held on September 18 in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HÀ NỘI — More than 140 Vietnamese and international delegates gathered in Hà Nội on Friday for the 15th Ocean Dialogue, focusing on how to move from commitments under the BBNJ Agreement to concrete measures for equitable and effective ocean governance.Themed “From Agreement to Action: Implementing BBNJ for Equitable and Effective Ocean Governance,” the dialogue was jointly organised by the Diplomatic Academy of Việt Nam, the Foundation for East Sea Studies (FESS), the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) and the Australian Embassy in Việt Nam.Discussions focused on translating commitments under the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)&nbsp;on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, commonly known as the BBNJ Agreement, into concrete legal, institutional and cooperation frameworks.At the opening, Associate Professor Dr Nguyễn Thị Lan Anh, Vice President of the Diplomatic Academy of Việt Nam, said the BBNJ Agreement had helped establish a comprehensive framework for conserving and sustainably using marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.As an agreement implemented within the framework of the UNCLOS, the BBNJ Agreement needs to be implemented consistently with UNCLOS and existing global, regional and sectoral cooperation mechanisms, she said.Lan Anh stressed that effective implementation needs to begin at the national level, supported by international cooperation as well as science and technology.She said Việt Nam's Resolution No. 20-NQ/TW, issued by the Party Central Committee on July 28, 2026, identifies the goal of building and developing Việt Nam into a strong maritime nation, while emphasising modern ocean governance, marine science and technology, and a healthy and sustainable marine environment.These orientations are consistent with the objectives of implementing the BBNJ Agreement and reaffirm Việt Nam's commitment to international law, including UNCLOS, she said.Australian Ambassador to Việt Nam Gillian Bird said the theme of this year's Ocean Dialogue was particularly relevant as oceans and marine ecosystems face growing pressures from climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.Australia considers a healthy, safe and sustainable ocean essential to national prosperity and security, she said.Ambassador Bird said Australia was ready to ratify the BBNJ Agreement and participate in the first meeting of its members in January 2027 as a State Party.Australia would also support countries in the region in preparing for implementation of the Agreement, including through experience-sharing in marine protected areas, environmental impact assessments and ocean governance, she said.Among Australia's initiatives is the AU$160 million Southeast Asia Maritime Security Partnerships, which aims to support Việt Nam and regional partners in strengthening maritime cooperation, governance and capabilities.Meanwhile, Lewe Paul, Representative of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in Việt Nam, said Germany regarded marine biodiversity protection, ocean conservation and the maintenance of a rules-based international order as important areas of international cooperation.Germany had actively supported the negotiations on the BBNJ Agreement and continued to promote its effective implementation through concrete actions, he said.Paul noted that Germany had developed, amended and adopted relevant legislation, including the Act on the Ratification of the BBNJ Agreement and legislation concerning its implementation, to fulfil international commitments and prepare its domestic legal framework.He said the Ocean Dialogue provided an important platform for exchanging perspectives, connecting law with policy, international commitments with national implementation, and science with policymaking.The event drew 17 international delegates from 10 countries, around 40 representatives from foreign diplomatic missions in Việt Nam, and about 80 representatives from Vietnamese central-level agencies, research institutes, universities and media organisations.The 15th Ocean Dialogue was structured around three sessions –&nbsp;“Aligning the BBNJ Agreement with National Legal and Institutional Frameworks,”&nbsp;“Operationalising International Cooperation under the BBNJ Framework,” and&nbsp;“Institutional Mechanisms and Enabling Frameworks for an Effective Implementation of BBNJ.”— VNS

As an agreement implemented within the framework of the UNCLOS, the BBNJ Agreement needs to be implemented consistently with UNCLOS and existing global, regional and sectoral cooperation mechanism.

Việt Nam forum highlights need to turn high seas treaty commitments into action

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/9/18/531330_nguyet.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Vietnamese Ambassador to Bulgaria Nguyễn Thị Minh Nguyệt speaks at the event. — VNA/VNS Photo Việt Thắng</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese Ambassador to Bulgaria Nguyễn Thị Minh Nguyệt said Bulgaria holds a special place in Việt Nam’s development journey, having been among the first nations to establish diplomatic ties in 1950 and standing by the country during its challenging times.Thousands of Vietnamese studied and worked in Bulgaria, helping build strong bonds between the people of the two countries, she added.Speaking at a recent ceremony marking the 81st anniversary of Việt Nam’s National Day (September 2, 1945 – 2026), attended by more than 350 delegates, the ambassador highlighted the establishment of the Việt Nam-Bulgaria Strategic Partnership during General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee Tô&nbsp;Lâm’s official visit to Bulgaria in October last year as opening a new chapter in bilateral relations.Reviewing the country’s 81-year journey of national construction and development, Nguyệt&nbsp;noted that the Vietnamese economy expanded 8.02 per cent last year, with gross domestic product (GDP) reaching approximately US$514 billion and total goods trade exceeding $930 billion.Việt Nam is working towards becoming a developed and prosperous country by the middle of the 21st century, with science and technology, innovation and high-quality human resources serving as key drivers of development.“For more than seven decades, Việt Nam and Bulgaria have built trust. Today, it is our responsibility to turn that trust into concrete results,” the ambassador said.She called for stronger cooperation between the parliaments and agencies of the two countries, greater connectivity among businesses, universities, research institutes and localities, and expanded exchanges among young people. These efforts, she said, would help translate the potential of the Strategic Partnership into practical programmes, projects and benefits for people and businesses.Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister Christo Polendakov affirmed that Bulgaria attaches great importance to its traditional friendship with Việt Nam, which has lasted for more than 75 years.He spoke highly of Việt Nam’s robust development, describing it as a dynamic economy and an important development centre in Southeast Asia. He said the two countries have substantial room to expand cooperation in the digital and green economies.Polendakov noted that the elevation of Việt Nam-Bulgaria relations to a Strategic Partnership last year had brought bilateral ties to “the highest level of Bulgaria’s relations with any country in Asia” and made it one of the few strategic partnerships Bulgaria has established with other countries.He affirmed that Bulgaria will continue promoting EU-Việt Nam and EU-ASEAN relations and work with Việt Nam to further develop their Strategic Partnership.Ambassador Nguyệt reiterated Việt Nam pursues a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, and development, and multilateralisation and diversification of external ties, while respecting international law, upholding multilateralism, and resolving differences and disputes via peaceful measures.She expressed gratitude to Bulgarian agencies, partners and friends, diplomatic colleagues and the Vietnamese community in Bulgaria for their friendship, cooperation and valuable support for Việt Nam.She affirmed that the trust and friendship nurtured by previous generations are being further enriched with new areas of cooperation under the Strategic Partnership, towards more practical outcomes for the peoples of both countries.As part of activities marking Việt Nam’s 81st National Day, the Vietnamese community in Bulgaria also organised a friendly football match drawing the participation of numerous community members, young people and students, helping strengthen community solidarity and express their affection towards the homeland. — VNA/VNS

Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister Christo Polendakov affirmed that Bulgaria attaches great importance to its traditional friendship with Việt Nam, which has lasted for more than 75 years.

Việt Nam, Bulgaria seek to turn Strategic Partnership into tangible results

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/9/18/531341_tolam.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee and President Tô Lâm gives instruction at the ceremony. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HÀ NỘI — General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee and President Tô Lâm on Friday chaired a ceremony in Hà Nội to present appointment decisions to two Vietnamese ambassadors to foreign countries.Also attending were Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Hoài Trung, and member of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of the Office of the President Lê Khánh Hải.Under the decisions, Phạm Bình Đàm, Director-General of the Secretariat of APEC 2027 under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was appointed Ambassador to Timor-Leste. Meanwhile, Nguyễn Văn Hiệu, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of Middle East and Africa, was appointed Ambassador to Angola, Congo, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe, and Cabo Verde.Speaking at the ceremony, Đàm expressed his honour at the appointment, saying it reflected the trust placed by Party and State leaders in the diplomatic sector and the two ambassadors. He pledged to make every effort to fulfil the tasks entrusted to him and contribute to implementing the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress and other Party resolutions.He noted that the sector's responsibilities are growing in the new development era, requiring it to contribute not only to peace and stability but also to opening new development opportunities, mobilising external resources, promoting the country's standing, and supporting national development goals.Presenting the decisions and assigning tasks to the officials, General Secretary and President Lâm said the appointments recognise their contributions to the country’s foreign affairs and international integration while entrusting them with important responsibilities.He stressed that ambassadors represent Việt Nam and its image abroad, with their work closely linked to national prestige and interests and reflecting the Party’s foreign policy.Amid a rapidly changing and complex world, the top leader asked the diplomatic sector, particularly ambassadors, to remain steadfast in principles while being flexible in tactics, maintain independence and self-reliance, proactively safeguard national interests, and seek new advantages and opportunities for the country while contributing to common peace and development.He urged the ambassadors to consolidate and deepen Việt Nam’s relations with Timor-Leste, Angola and the countries to which they are concurrently accredited.For Timor-Leste, he called for practical cooperation in the new period, new investment opportunities for Vietnamese businesses and continued support for the country’s ASEAN integration process.For Angola and the other countries, he requested the early formulation of focused work plans to promote traditional cooperation, expand markets and explore new cooperation areas of mutual strength.The leader affirmed that the Party and the State will continue improving institutions and mechanisms and creating favourable conditions for foreign affairs. He expressed confidence that the ambassadors will fulfil their responsibilities, contributing to a peaceful environment, safeguarding national interests, mobilising external resources and enhancing Việt Nam’s international position. — VNA/VNS

General Secretary and President Tô Lâm said the appointments recognise their contributions to the country’s foreign affairs and international integration while entrusting them with important responsibilities.

Top leader hands over appointment decisions to two Vietnamese ambassadors

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/9/4/527814_5577680262192318_vna_potal_pho_thu_tuong_ho_quoc_dung_hop_ve_ve_ke_hoach_phuc_hoi_cac_nguon_nuoc_bi_suy_thoai_can_kiet_va_o_nhiem_stand.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Deputy Prime Minister Hồ Quốc Dũng speaks at the meeting to implement a pilot scheme to restore degraded, depleted and polluted water resources in the Bắc Hưng Hải, Nhuệ-Đáy and Ngũ Huyện Khê river systems. VAN/VNS Photo</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister Hồ Quốc Dũng on Friday called for coordinated mechanisms among localities and clear task assignments to implement a pilot programme to restore degraded, depleted and polluted water resources in the Bắc Hưng Hải, Nhuệ-Đáy and Ngũ Huyện Khê river systems.Chairing a meeting on Friday, he said its goal should go beyond restoring water resources to creating new development spaces and a new look for urban areas along the rivers.Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyễn Hoàng Hiệp told the meeting that the ministry had worked with other ministries, agencies, localities and leading experts to draft the pilot scheme.The draft identifies three main objectives.First, by 2035, surface water resources are expected to be regulated, distributed, restored and developed through solutions that prioritise gravity-fed water flows. These include bringing up to 120cu.m per second from the Red River into the Bắc Hưng Hải system, up to 28cu.m per second from the Đuống River into the Ngũ Huyện Khê system, and up to 200cu.m per second from the Đà River into the Nhuệ-Đáy system.Second, pollution sources affecting surface water in the three river systems will be strictly controlled, while wastewater collection and treatment will be implemented before discharge into water bodies.By 2035, the scheme aims for all industrial parks and industrial clusters in the area to have centralised wastewater collection and treatment systems meeting environmental technical standards. It also targets the collection and treatment of 70 per cent of urban domestic wastewater and the treatment of more than 45 per cent of rural domestic wastewater through appropriate centralised or decentralised systems.Third, the pilot scheme will introduce mechanisms and policies to mobilise social resources, particularly private-sector participation, in water restoration and rehabilitation, with a focus on efficiency, cost-effectiveness and sustainability.The proposed measures are strategic and designed to fundamentally improve the condition of the river systems by addressing water-resource issues across entire river basins in a comprehensive and sustainable manner.Representatives from the localities broadly agreed on the need for the scheme, as well as its objectives, principles, tasks and solutions. They said local authorities had already been taking various measures and allocating resources to tackle pollution and improve water quality.Bùi Duy Cường, Vice Chairman of the Hà Nội People’s Committee, said Hà Nội had proactively implemented a number of measures for the Bắc Hưng Hải system, including plans to address pollution in the Cầu Bây River.The city’s People’s Council has approved an investment policy for the project, with total investment of VNĐ11 trillion (US$417 million) under a public-private partnership (PPP) model using a build-transfer (BT) contract. Construction is expected to begin in September 2026.For the Nhuệ River, the city’s People’s Council has approved an investment policy for environmental rehabilitation, pollution treatment and landscape improvement. The project has an estimated investment of VNĐ75 trillion and is currently under preparation, with construction expected to begin in November 2026.Trần Văn Quân, Vice Chairman of the Hải Phòng People’s Committee, said the city had implemented an ODA-funded wastewater collection and treatment project in the former Hải Phòng area, with funding of about VNĐ1.6 trillion.The city is also implementing wastewater treatment projects in Vĩnh Bảo and Tiên Lãng communes and around hospitals, while completing investment procedures for an embankment system along the Sắt River.A total of 25 projects are being implemented in the Bắc Hưng Hải river system, alongside a number of wastewater treatment plants in districts and concentrated residential areas, he said.Concluding the meeting, Deputy PM Dũng stressed that the Bắc Hưng Hải, Nhuệ-Đáy and Ngũ Huyện Khê river systems play an important role in water security and in supporting daily life and production.They are also decisive to the environmental carrying capacity and development space of the entire Red River Delta and Hà Nội, he said.However, climate change, economic development pressures and shortcomings in management have pushed the river systems beyond their carrying capacity, creating serious environmental risks and leaving them with limited ability to naturally purify themselves.The Deputy PM noted that the scheme covers a broad area involving five provinces and cities, requiring restoration efforts to be carried out under a comprehensive plan.He asked the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to clarify three major issues in the scheme: a prioritised list of projects; specific funding sources, including State investment and socialised capital; and operating mechanisms once the projects are completed.For water-regulation projects, he called for feasible solutions linked to improving water flows and creating better landscapes. Monitoring systems should be modern, integrated and supported by advanced technology, he said.Local authorities were asked to thoroughly review and assess relevant planning for the river systems to ensure consistency and coordination.“This is an interconnected system, so planning and implementation arrangements in one locality cannot conflict or overlap with those in another,” he said.Localities must also strictly manage and make effective use of land formed through the restoration of the river systems, estimated at about 2,100ha, preventing encroachment and inefficient use while generating additional resources for river restoration.Alongside water rehabilitation, localities should develop plans to improve landscapes and reorganise development space along the rivers, he said.Priority should be given to urban landscapes, green corridors, public spaces and riverside economic development, while improving residents’ quality of life.The approach, Deputy PM Dũng said, should ensure that restoring the rivers is not only an environmental task but also an opportunity to reshape urban spaces and create new drivers of development for the region. — VNS

Deputy PM Hồ Quốc Dũng noted that the scheme covers a broad area involving five provinces and cities, requiring restoration efforts to be carried out under a comprehensive plan.

Deputy PM Dũng calls for water restoration tied to new development spaces

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/9/4/527820_1788497289500_5719638622451150580_5719638622451150580_a1907236d9cb13241fec4e0e91b596f2.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Phạm Dứt Điểm, director of the HCM City Department of Foreign Affairs, speaks at the press conference in HCM City on September 4. — Photo courtesy of the organiser</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HCM CITY — The 3rd HCM City Friendship Dialogue 2026 (FD 2026) will take place from September 10 to 12 in the city's Vũng Tàu Ward, aiming to strengthen friendship and co-operation with the city's sister localities and global partners, said Phạm Dứt Điểm, director of the HCM City Department of Foreign Affairs,&nbsp;at a press conference in the city on September 4.HCM City Friendship Dialogue known as a sub-national political and diplomatic forum with international scope, held biennially by the HCM City People's Committee since 2022.Themed "City Diplomacy: A Driving Force for Innovation and Sustainable Development", this year event is expected to feature around 500 domestic and international delegates, including nearly 40 delegations from sister localities and global partners of the city.&nbsp;A major highlight of the programme is the mayors' conference on September 11, focusing on the proactive role of localities in national foreign policy.During the conference, delegates will share lessons from international urban networks such as chain PORT, World Cities Culture Forum, C40, Metropolis, UCLG or CityNet, on leveraging urban diplomacy to attract investment, transfer technology and develop human resources for sustainable growth.The conference will also host two thematic discussion sessions: one on the role of local institutions in encouraging enterprise investment in research and development (R&amp;D) and transforming innovation outcomes into commercial products, and another on green port cooperation.Other activities include thematic discussions, friendship networking events, public diplomacy programmes and local field trips.Through these initiatives, FD 2026 also targets to mobilise high-quality international resources, foster innovation, enhance competitiveness, and contribute to HCM City's goals of rapid and sustainable growth. — VNS

The 3rd HCM City Friendship Dialogue 2026 (FD 2026) will take place from September 10 to 12 in the city's Vũng Tàu Ward, aiming to strengthen friendship and co-operation with the city's sister localities and global partners, said Phạm Dứt Điểm, director of the HCM City Department of Foreign Affairs,&nbsp;at a press conference in the city on September 4.

HCM City to hold 3rd Friendship Dialogue this month

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/9/4/527829_5577730967714181_tolam%20(1).jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee and President Tô Lâm. VNA/VNS Photo</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HÀ NỘI — General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee and President Tô Lâm, his spouse, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation will pay a state visit to Russia and an official visit to France, and attend the International Space Summit in Paris from September 7 to 12.The visits will be made at the invitations of Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. — VNA/VNS

The visits will be made at the invitations of Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Top leader and spouse to visit Russia, France

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/8/21/525104_Nguyen%20Manh%20Cuong.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyễn Mạnh Cường. — VNA/VNS Photo An Đăng</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HÀ NỘI — Politburo member and Permanent Member of the Communist Party of Việt Nam (CPV) Central Committee’s Secretariat Trần Cẩm Tú will pay an official visit to Singapore and co-chair the first Vietnam-Singapore Strategic Dialogue on August 24-25, at the invitation of the Central Executive Committee of the People’s Action Party (PAP) of Singapore.Speaking to the press ahead of the visit, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyễn Mạnh Cường said the visit marks several first milestones, as it will be the first official visit to Singapore by a Permanent Member of the CPV Central Committee’s Secretariat.It will also inaugurate the Việt Nam-Singapore Strategic Dialogue mechanism, which the two countries’ leaders agreed to establish during General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and President Tô Lâm’s state visit to Singapore in May.Việt Nam is the first Southeast Asian country to establish such a mechanism with the PAP, he noted, describing these milestones as reflecting a new qualitative development step in relations between the two Parties and creating stronger political foundations and momentum for deepening the Việt Nam-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.Cường expressed his expectation that the Strategic Dialogue will provide a direct, regular and substantive channel for exchanges on Party building, policymaking, governance and national development, as well as other strategic issues of shared interest.The two sides are also hoped to discuss key areas of cooperation, including technology connectivity and human resources training.Assessing the bilateral relations, the official said that more than five decades after diplomatic ties were established in 1973, Việt Nam and Singapore have developed increasingly strong political trust, closely aligned interests and dynamic cooperation.Political trust has been increasingly translated into practical benefits, reflected in the establishment of the Strategic Partnership in 2013 and its upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2025.Recent high-level visits, including those by General Secretary and President Lâm to Singapore in 2025 and 2026, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s visit to Việt Nam in 2025, and the upcoming trip by Tú have demonstrated the high level of political trust between the two Parties and countries.Cường went on to say that economic, trade and investment cooperation remains a key pillar.Singapore is among Việt Nam’s most important economic partners and its second-largest foreign investor, with more than 4,500 valid projects worth approximately US$97 billion in registered capital across various fields such as manufacturing, logistics, finance and high technology.The network of 28 Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIP) across the country stands as a prominent symbol of bilateral collaboration, combining Singapore’s expertise in planning, management and international connectivity with Việt Nam’s resources and development potential.The two countries are also expanding cooperation in emerging fields, including artificial intelligence, innovation, clean energy, green finance, data centres and semiconductor technology.Cooperation between the CPV and PAP has likewise become increasingly substantive, particularly in personnel training and capacity building, he said.The upcoming visit is expected to generate tangible progress in three areas, the deputy minister stated.First, it will elevate strategic exchanges and coordination between the two Parties, strengthening political trust and promoting experience sharing in Party building, leadership and governance.Second, the two sides aim to make breakthroughs in technology connectivity by turning the “three-party model” involving the State, businesses and researchers from both countries into concrete projects, moving beyond technology transfer towards joint development of technologies, products and ecosystems.Third, the two sides are expected to elevate cooperation in personnel training, making it a key pillar of the bilateral relations and an important contribution to developing high-quality human resources.The ultimate goal is to translate common perceptions between the two Parties into concrete programmes, projects and outcomes, Cường said, adding that the coming trip as well as the first Strategic Dialogue will provide fresh momentum for deepening the Việt Nam-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in a substantive, effective and sustainable manner, for the benefit of both nations' people and a united and prosperous ASEAN. — VNA/VNS

Speaking to the press ahead of the visit of Politburo member and Permanent Member of the Communist Party of Việt Nam (CPV) Central Committee’s Secretariat Trần Cẩm Tú to Singapore, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyễn Mạnh Cường said the visit marks several first milestones, as it will be the first official visit to Singapore by a Permanent Member of the CPV Central Committee’s Secretariat.

Việt Nam-Singapore Strategic Dialogue - New development step in bilateral relations

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/8/21/525108_vna_potal_khai_tru_ra_khoi_dang_doi_voi_nguyen_thu_truong_bo_nong_nghiep_va_moi_truong_tran_quy_kien_8971285.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Trần Quý Kiên, former member of the Standing Board of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MoAE) and former MoAE Deputy Minister. —VNA/VNS Photos</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HÀ NỘI&nbsp;— The Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee’s Secretariat on Friday considered a proposal from the committee’s Commission for Inspection on disciplinary measures against Party members who committed violations.The Secretariat found that Trần Quý Kiên, former member of the Standing Board of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MoAE) and former MoAE Deputy Minister; Nguyễn Văn Dũng, member of the Bắc Ninh Provincial Party Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee and Director of the provincial Department of Science and Technology, and former Secretary of the Việt Yên District Party Committee in Bắc Giang Province (now part of Bắc Ninh); and Nguyễn Thị Gái, former member of the Party Committee of Đồng Nai Province, Secretary of the Party Committee and General Director of Đồng Nai Rubber Corporation, have shown signs of deterioration in political ideology, morality and lifestyle.They were also found to have violated the Party's regulations and the State's laws in performing their assigned duties and responsibilities, as well as in preventing and combating corruption, waste&nbsp;and other negative practices.<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/8/21/525107_vna_potal_khai_tru_ra_khoi_dang_doi_voi_nguyen_thu_truong_bo_nong_nghiep_va_moi_truong_tran_quy_kien_8971324.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Nguyễn Văn Dũng, member of the Bắc Ninh Provincial Party Committee.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>They also breached regulations on things that Party members are not permitted to do and the responsibility to set an example.Their violations caused very serious consequences, provoked public concern and severely affected the reputation of Party organisations, localities and agencies where they worked.Taking into account the nature, severity, consequences and causes of the violations, as well as Party regulations on disciplinary action against Party members, the Secretariat decided to expel Trần Quý Kiên, Nguyễn Văn Dũng and Nguyễn Thị Gái from the Party.Competent agencies were requested to promptly enforce administrative penalties in line with the Party's disciplinary measures.&nbsp;— VNA/VNS

Their violations caused very serious consequences, provoked public concern and severely affected the reputation of Party organisations, localities and agencies where they worked.

Disciplinary action imposed against Party members with violations

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/8/21/525110_Pham%20Thanh%20Binh.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Vietnamese Ambassador to China Phạm Thanh Bình speaks at the event in Beijing, China. — VNA/VNS Photo Công Tuyên</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>BEIJING — The Vietnamese Embassy and Ministry of Public Security’s representative office in China hosted a ceremony on Friday marking the 81st anniversary of the August Revolution, the Traditional Day of the People’s Public Security forces (August 19) and diplomatic sector (August 28).Vietnamese Ambassador Phạm Thanh Bình said the diplomatic and public security sectors have made remarkable contributions to the Vietnamese Party and nation’s achievements over the past 81 years.With Việt Nam entering a new era, he said the sectors face substantial work and need closer coordination, including timely policy advice on major guidelines and policies to the Party and the State and strict alignment with development strategies in the new situation.That would help them better fulfil responsibilities entrusted by the Party, the State and people, he said.Nguyễn Văn Kiển, head of the ministry’s representative office, said the People’s Public Security forces have matured over 81 years and secured major gains in safeguarding national security and maintaining social safety and order, contributing to a stable, peaceful and secure environment for national development and global integration.He credited those results to the Party’s absolute, comprehensive, direct and regular leadership, unified state management, internal solidarity, public trust and support, and close coordination among ministries and agencies.Looking ahead, Kiển said the people's public security forces, and the ministry's representative office in China in particular will continue to closely work with ministries, the embassy and Vietnamese missions abroad, thereby making more contributions to national development.The embassy also hosted pickleball competitions, which provided a platform to reinforce ties among embassy staff, Vietnamese agencies and Vietnamese press in China while improving participants’ health and ability to perform their duties. — VNA/VNS

Vietnamese Ambassador Phạm Thanh Bình said the diplomatic and public security sectors have made remarkable contributions to the Vietnamese Party and nation’s achievements over the past 81 years.

Vietnamese diplomatic, public security missions in China mark August Revolution’s 81st anniversary

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/8/7/521910_aus.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Australian Ambassador to Việt Nam Gillian Bird and Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HÀ NỘI — The upcoming State visit to Australia by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee and State President Tô Lâm is expected to give fresh impetus to the Việt Nam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, opening up new opportunities for deeper, more substantive and effective collaboration.As the highest-level external activity of the Vietnamese Party and State, and the first State visit by a Vietnamese State President to Australia, the trip holds particular historical significance, serving as an important milestone to translate high-level political commitments into concrete outcomes and further strengthen political trust between the two countries.Amid rapid and complex changes in the regional and global landscape, the visit demonstrates the leaders’ determination to inject fresh momentum into bilateral ties and make the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership increasingly substantive, effective and sustainable.Ahead of the visit, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his expectation of welcoming the Vietnamese Party and State leader and discussing ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation. He emphasised that the relationship is firmly grounded in deep strategic trust, shared interests and common aspirations for the future of the region. The two countries also enjoy strong people-to-people links, with around 350,000 Australians of Vietnamese origin living in Australia.Australian Ambassador to Việt Nam Gillian Bird said the timing of the visit reflects the growing aspiration for and momentum in bilateral relations. She noted that cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has expanded across trade and investment, defence and security, education, digital transformation and energy transition, with the visit expected to turn commitments into practical results and further promote shared prosperity.Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Phạm Hùng Tâm agreed that the visit is not only a milestone ushering in a new phase of bilateral relations and reflecting the strategic vision and determination of the two countries’ leaders to build increasingly effective ties based on trust, mutual respect and mutual benefit, but also represents an important step in implementing the foreign policy set out at the 14th National Party Congress, helping concretise the policy of deepening relations with comprehensive strategic partners in a substantive, effective and sustainable manner.The partnership has already delivered substantial results. More than two years after the two countries upgraded their ties in March 2024, all six pillars of the 2024-2027 Action Programme have been implemented on schedule, with 96 per cent of the 180 action lines completed.Economic cooperation remains a key pillar. Australia is Việt Nam’s seventh-largest trading partner, while Việt Nam is an increasingly dynamic economic partner for Australia in Southeast Asia. Bilateral trade reached US$8.1 billion in the first half of this year, up nearly 22 per cent year-on-year, with Việt Nam’s exports to Australia rising more than 25 per cent to $3.8 billion. Australia has also pledged AUD98.3 million ($69.1 million) in grant official development assistance (ODA) to Việt Nam for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, bringing total Australian assistance since the establishment of diplomatic ties to more than AUD3 billion.Science, technology and education are emerging as new drivers. The two sides are implementing the second phase of Aus4Innovation and cooperation on innovation, while the Việt Nam-Australia Centre for Strategic Technology, established in Hà Nội in June last year, focuses on frontier fields such as 5G, 6G, artificial intelligence and semiconductors. Nearly 25,000 Vietnamese students are studying in Australia this year, making Việt Nam the fourth-largest source of international students there.The upcoming visit is expected to advance cooperation in digital transformation, science and technology and the digital economy; build resilient and sustainable supply chains; and generate new momentum for trade, investment, education, training and healthcare. The two sides also aim to realise the goal of doubling two-way investment.The significance of the trip extends beyond bilateral ties. Việt Nam and Australia share a strong commitment to ASEAN centrality, multilateralism and an international order based on the UN Charter and international law. Their coordination at multilateral forums, including the United Nations, ASEAN and Mekong subregional mechanisms, will be particularly important as Việt Nam prepares to host APEC 2027.With deep strategic trust, complementary economic strengths and strong people-to-people ties, the Việt Nam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is well positioned to enter a new chapter of cooperation, contributing to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world. — VNA/VNS

The trip holds particular historical significance, serving as an important milestone to translate high-level political commitments into concrete outcomes and further strengthen political trust between the two countries.

Việt Nam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership set for new breakthrough after top leader’s Australia visit

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/8/7/521917_gift.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>The spouse of Vietnamese State President Lương Cường&nbsp;presents a gift to Australia’s Governor-General Sam Mostyn at the official reception held in honour of Governor-General and her spouse during their State visit to Việt Nam in September, 2025. — VNA/VNS Photo Phạm Kiên</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>SYDNEY — Official websites of the Australian Government and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday carried messages warmly welcoming the upcoming state visit to Australia by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam (CPV) Central Committee and State President Tô Lâm from August 9-12.The messages posted on Australian Government media platforms highlighted Australia and Việt Nam as close regional partners with a long-standing friendship. This will be General Secretary and President Lâm’s first visit to Australia since being appointed as President in April and it is also the first in-person meeting between the two leaders.A notice on the Australian Prime Minister’s official website confirmed that Albanese will host an official welcome ceremony and hold talks with the Vietnamese leader.Highlighting the significance of the visit, Albanese said he looked forward to welcoming General Secretary and President Lâm to Australia and discussing ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation."I look forward to welcoming General Secretary and President Tô Lâm to Australia and discussing how we can strengthen cooperation between our two nations." “The Việt Nam-Australia relationship is grounded in deep strategic trust, mutual interests and a shared ambition for the future of our region,” he wrote.Alongside the welcome message, the Australian Government’s website reviewed major achievements in bilateral ties since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1973. Australia is now one of Việt Nam’s leading trading partners. The two countries have developed close and comprehensive cooperation across key areas, including defence and security, economy and trade, digital transformation, climate change response and coordination at multilateral forums.Following the official announcement of the visit, major Australian newswires and international news organisations, including Reuters, The Canberra Times, the Australian Associated Press (AAP) and The Wellington Times, also reported on the upcoming trip and Albanese’s welcoming remarks. — VNA/VNS

The Việt Nam-Australia relationship is grounded in deep strategic trust, mutual interests and a shared ambition for the future of our region.

Việt Nam, Australia to further strenthern cooperation

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/8/7/521950_dien.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>National Assembly Vice Chairman Nguyễn Hồng Diên chairs the session. — VNA/VNS Photo Doãn Tấn</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HÀ NỘI — Deputies to the 16th National Assembly (NA) on Friday discussed a draft resolution providing special mechanisms and policies to address difficulties facing projects serving the 2027 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in Phú Quốc special zone of An Giang Province.They agreed on the need to issue the resolution, stressing that it is a special legislative measure designed to address exceptional circumstances arising from a particularly important national political and diplomatic task.Concluding the discussion, NA Vice Chairman Nguyễn Hồng Diên said most deputies supported the adoption of the resolution and praised the drafting and verification bodies for proactively preparing, updating, and supplementing documents and conducting the appraisal in accordance with the law.The deputies, he noted, pointed to the need for revisions to ensure the draft is legally sound, consistent, and feasible.They stressed the necessity to clarify the political, legal, and practical bases for each proposed mechanism and policy, ensuring that the measures address difficulties while maintaining legal discipline and accountability. The resolution must not legitimise violations for personal gain or exempt organisations or individuals from responsibility for such violations, if any.They also called on the drafting body to clearly lay out the scope, eligible parties, and implementation guidelines, and to share the list or criteria for determining which projects and works qualify for the special policies. These measures should only cover projects related to APEC 2027 that have received in-principle approval from relevant authorities, and should not be broadened in scope or set a precedent for similar situations.Lawmakers demanded the clarification of the resolution’s effective and expiry dates and the introduction of transitional provisions for procedures still underway when it expires. They also requested a clear legal basis for allowing projects to continue until completion, ensuring consistency with the resolution’s objectives.Diên tasked the NA Secretary General and Chairman of the NA Office, in coordination with the permanent members of the NA Committee for Economic and Financial Affairs, with compiling comments from deputies for the Government and relevant agencies to study and fine-tune the draft.The Government was asked to direct the drafting body to closely coordinate with relevant agencies to thoroughly consider and respond to deputies’ recommendations and the appraisal report of the Committee for Economic and Financial Affairs, and finalise the draft for submission to the NA Standing Committee before seeking the parliament's approval at the end of the ongoing first extraordinary sitting. — VNA/VNS

Legislators agreed on the need to adopt the resolution, stressing that it is a special legislative measure designed to address exceptional circumstances arising from a particularly important national political and diplomatic task.

Criteria on APEC 2027 projects should be made public: lawmakers

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/7/31/520307_thuongco.PNG" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony takes place in Hà Nội on Friday. VNA/VNS Photos</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HÀ NỘI – An ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony took place in Hà Nội on Friday to mark the bloc’s 59th anniversary (August 8, 1967–2026) and the 31st anniversary of Việt Nam’s accession to ASEAN (July 28, 1995–2026).The event saw the presence of ambassadors and chargé d’affaires of ASEAN member states and partner countries, along with officials from the National Assembly, Government agencies and the Hà Nội People’s Committee.In his speech, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Hoài Trung hailed the ASEAN flag a symbol of shared identity, solidarity and common aspiration. He said this year’s event carries added significance as it coincides with Việt Nam’s 81st August Revolution anniversary (August 19, 1945–2026), reinforcing the enduring values of independence, self-reliance, solidarity and cooperation.He said ASEAN has grown from a historic decision to replace division with dialogue and confrontation with cooperation into a community of peace, progress, and shared prosperity, with an economy worth US$3.9 trillion and a population of nearly 700 million. It is emerging as a dynamic single market powered by integration, innovation, connectivity and competitiveness.<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="http://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/7/31/520308_bo%20truong.PNG" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung delivers a speech at the ceremony on Friday.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>Facing a world of intensifying competition and volatility, ASEAN is entering a new era that demands stronger collective effort under the Philippines’ chairmanship and the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together”, Trung said, noting the grouping has made headway in the first year of delivering the Community Vision 2045 across three pillars of peace and security, prosperity, and empowering people.To shape its future and maintain autonomy in the face of changes beyond its control, he laid out three core priorities, including results, resilience and readiness.On “results”, he said the bloc’s success must be measured by practical outcomes, turning commitments into seamless trade, stronger connectivity, better jobs and improved public services. That requires ASEAN to make a sharp pivot from processes to outcomes, from consultation to coordinated action, and from consensus in principle to consensus in action.“Resilience”, he said, remains the cornerstone of ASEAN’s strength, enabling it to absorb geopolitical shocks, safeguard common interests and maintain strategic autonomy, especially as the bloc marks the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) this year."Readiness", the minister added, will define a future-oriented ASEAN by proactively embracing change, fueling innovation, developing the workforce and responsibly applying technology to maintain competitiveness, flexibility and preparedness. By building trust, deepening cooperation and developing homegrown regional solutions, ASEAN can further reinforce its role not merely as a contributor to regional stability but as a shaper of the regional order.Marking 31 years since Việt Nam joined ASEAN, Trung affirmed the bloc as not only a strategic priority and a central pillar of Việt Nam’s foreign policy, but also a common home and an inseparable part of the country’s global integration.<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/7/31/520309_123.PNG" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>The event saw the presence of ambassadors and chargé d’affaires of ASEAN member states and partner countries, along with officials from the National Assembly, Government agencies and the Hà Nội People’s Committee.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>As Việt Nam enters a new era with aspirations to achieve its two centenary goals of becoming a country with modern industry by 2030 and a developed, high-income country by 2045, the future of Việt Nam and fellow member states is tightly intertwined with ASEAN’s shared success.A strong ASEAN will create greater opportunities for Việt Nam while a strong Việt Nam will make more meaningful contributions to the ASEAN Community, he said, adding that Việt Nam will continue to grow together with ASEAN and contribute to the shared vision of a resilient, innovative, dynamic and people-centred ASEAN Community.On the occasion, Trung called on countries to keep fostering partnerships, embrace innovation and work together to ensure that ASEAN remains a steadfast anchor for peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world. VNA/VNS

An ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony took place in Hà Nội on Friday&nbsp;to mark the bloc’s 59th anniversary (August 8, 1967–2026) and the 31st anniversary of Việt Nam’s accession to ASEAN (July 28, 1995–2026).

Flag-hoisting ceremony marks ASEAN’s 59th anniversary in Hà Nội

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/7/31/520434_5547557797251414_vna_potal_phat_dong_sang_tac_bo_nhan_dien_apec_viet_nam_2027_8925688.jpeg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>The launch ceremony of the APEC Viet Nam 2027 Logo and Visual Identity Contest.&nbsp;— VNA/VNS Photo</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Friday launched a nationwide competition to design the official logo and visual identity for APEC Viet Nam 2027.Speaking at the launch ceremony, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê&nbsp;Thị&nbsp;Thu Hằng, head of the Communications and Culture Subcommittee under the National Committee for APEC 2027, described the contest as one of the first key preparations for APEC 2027, marking the start of efforts to build the event’s branding and communications for one of the largest and most significant multilateral diplomatic events Việt Nam&nbsp;will host in the coming years.Hosting APEC 2027, she said, reflects the confidence APEC member economies have in Việt Nam while underscoring the country's growing role, standing and contributions to Asia-Pacific economic cooperation and integration. It also provides an opportunity to showcase Việt Nam&nbsp;as a peaceful, stable, dynamic and innovative nation with a rich cultural identity, a vibrant economy and a strong commitment to international integration for peace, cooperation and development.Hằng stressed that the logo and visual identity would serve as the official image of APEC 2027 across all meetings, events, communication products and promotional activities, creating a unified, professional and distinctive identity throughout the host year.A successful logo is not only an attractive design but also the most concise visual language for telling Việt Nam's story to the Asia-Pacific region and the wider international community. It should embody APEC's spirit of cooperation, connectivity, innovation and sustainable development while reflecting Việt Nam's cultural identity, development aspirations and vision for the future, she said.Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Tạ&nbsp;Quang Đông, Deputy Head of the Communications and Culture Subcommittee, said the ministry will organise a wide range of cultural promotion activities during APEC 2027, including art performances, exhibitions, film screenings, heritage showcases, culinary promotions, tourism campaigns and other cultural events, enabling international delegates to gain a deeper appreciation of Việt Nam's culture, creativity and vitality beyond the conference agenda.He noted that the design competition also offers Vietnamese artists, designers and the wider creative community an opportunity to contribute their talent and expertise to a major diplomatic event.The competition is open to Vietnamese organisations and individuals, as well as foreign nationals legally residing and working in Việt Nam, with no limit on the number of entries.Entries should reflect APEC's spirit of cooperation, resilience, economic integration and shared prosperity while portraying Việt Nam as a culturally rich, innovative and forward-looking nation. Designs must include the words APEC VIET NAM 2027 and must not use the national flag, national emblem or map of Việt Nam. They should be original, highly symbolic, modern, visually distinctive, suitable for use across multiple media and remain recognisable in monochrome as well as alongside APEC's official logo.The competition offers one first prize worth VNĐ50 million (nearlyUS$&nbsp;2,000) and two consolation prizes worth VNĐ5 million each, all accompanied by certificates. The winning design will form the basis for the official visual identity of APEC Việt Nam 2027.Entries will be accepted until August 25, 2026. Hard-copy submissions should be sent to the Exhibition and Applied Arts Division under the Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition at No. 38&nbsp;Cao Bá&nbsp;Quát Street, Điện Biên&nbsp;Ward, Hà Nội, while electronic submissions should be emailed to phongtrienlam@gmail.com. — VNA/VNS

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Tạ&nbsp;Quang Đông, Deputy Head of the Communications and Culture Subcommittee, said the ministry will organise a wide range of cultural promotion activities during APEC 2027, including art performances, exhibitions, film screenings, heritage showcases, culinary promotions, tourism campaigns and other cultural events, enabling international delegates to gain a deeper appreciation of Việt Nam's culture, creativity and vitality beyond the conference agenda.

Contest launched to design APEC 2027 logo, visual identity

<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://api.commedia.vn/images/c4ca4238a0b923820dcc509a6f75849b(1)_20241107084507.jpg"></figure>VisionIt is the Commedia vision to be Vietnam’s leading marketing and communications agency, establishing a reputation for innovative communication solutions that alters people’s perceptions, transforms behavior and builds long - term relationships with brands. We succeed only when we meet and exceed the expectations of our customers. &nbsp;We have a passion for excellence and endeavor to set and deliver the highest standards of service, value, integrity, and responsiveness. &nbsp;We celebrate the diversity and power of people, ideas and cultures.MissionAlong with Commedia's dedication to providing news, entertainment and event through its digital platforms as well as with the resources of a visionary management or young, professional staff, Commedia provides the best data and services:<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Digital publishing and content management platforms, a video advertising platform, digital agency services and other digital media solutions to publishers and advertisers.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">The best solution to your brand. We have &nbsp;courage, strategic thinking, and a relentless commitment to strengthening your&nbsp;brands.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Innovative communication solutions that alter people’s perceptions; transforms behavior and builds lasting relationships with brands.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Building and positioning brands along with maximizing the exposure and results for their clients.</li></ul>Core value<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Results-oriented: Devote all of our efforts to the set goals; Offer&nbsp;solutions in all situations with the fastest time, lowest cost and highest efficiency.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Responsibility: Understand and maintain a sense of responsibility not only for yourself and for others to achieve results consistent with the organization's orientation.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Innovation: Always refresh&nbsp;solutions from combining existing values ​​and new ideas; Approach the problem in a unique way; Make&nbsp;a difference to increase the benefits for customers of Commedia.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Friendly attitude: Always communicate&nbsp;sincerely; Be proactive and open to others.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Service spirit:&nbsp;Identify and turn target customers into loyal customers; Always look&nbsp;for long-term cooperation through sharing and providing solutions that are beneficial to both parties; Always serve customers with the highest spirit of service. &nbsp;</li></ul><a href="https://api.commedia.vn/document/commedia%20da%20fix%201_20250310035519.pdf">Corporate capability statement</a>

Commedia's digital media products and services focus on providing innovative solutions to audiences, clients and any business looking to gain an edge in the shifting digital landscape.&nbsp;

About

<figure class="image"><img src="https://api.commedia.vn/images/c4ca4238a0b923820dcc509a6f75849b(2)_20241107084534.jpg"></figure>In Marketing, Events (or Event Marketing) are defined as marketing activities relating to educational events, product promotion or the dominant position of products - brands in the market.With a team of professional, responsible, thorough, scientific event staff, Commedia ensures to bring events to customers at an optimal cost, while ensuring the fastest organization actitivy and saving time.Making events on time, meeting the requirements, monitoring closely during the process of organizing, controlling and checking before operating events, organizing events professionally are the leading principles of our company.Besides, Commedia also provides, sets up events and offers unique and new ideas, always willing to consult customers to bring the best and most successful program.

In Marketing, Events (or Event Marketing) are defined as marketing activities relating to educational events, product promotion or the dominant position of products - brands in the market.With a team of professional, responsible, thorough, scientific event staff, Commedia ensures to bring events to customers at an optimal cost, while ensuring the fastest organization actitivy and saving time.

Events

Service

<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://api.commedia.vn/images/c4ca4238a0b923820dcc509a6f75849b(3)_20241107084604.jpg"></figure>With all the experience, passion and great creativity of the TVC production team, Commedia will provide businesses with effective solutions about advertising scripts, message delivery directions and brand image, the most appropriate cost to maximize the budget, and make gold ads to create the brand value that businesses want to.The effectiveness of TVC is calculated through the combined results of sale &amp; marketing and includes the calculation of investment in the production of marketing tools, including TVC production.

With all the experience, passion and great creativity of the TVC production team, Commedia will provide businesses with effective solutions about advertising scripts, message delivery directions and brand image, the most appropriate cost to maximize the budget, and make gold ads to create the brand value that businesses want to.

TVC making

<figure class="image"><img src="https://api.commedia.vn/images/6f8f57715090da2632453988d9a1501b (1)_20241107084626.jpg"></figure>If you want your business to find a new way to improve sales and consolidate its position in the market, digital marketing is the optimal solution for you.Building successful and effective Digital Marketing Strategy is extremely important. The work requires market understanding; having enough knowledge and skills to choose the right touch - points; multi-channel and multi-platform advertising; applying the most advanced technology and accurately evaluating the effectiveness of the campaign. Not all businesses can fulfill these criteria, but they rely on a professional digital marketing company.Commedia is a unit with strong experience in the field of Digital marketing, so we understand the necessary and sufficient conditions to achieve a perfect Digital Marketing strategy.

&nbsp;If you want your business to find a new way to improve sales and consolidate its position in the market, digital marketing is the optimal solution for you.Building successful and effective Digital

Digital marketing

News

<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://api.commedia.vn/images/c4ca4238a0b923820dcc509a6f75849b_20241107084643.png"></figure>Website is your open house on the Internet. The house must be beautiful and lively for many people to visit. Similarly, to attract more readers and partners, the website must have an eye-catching interface and suitable content.Not only that, you must create a "live website" by regularly updating, providing useful information to people. This is an important step to quickly increase your website rankings, while increasing the trust of people and will help you to attract traffic, including potential customers of the website.With a team of professional, enthusiastic, experienced website administrators, Commedia supports customers to optimize the website from source code to content and promote the website effectively.

Website is your open house on the Internet. The house must be beautiful and lively for many people to visit. Similarly, to attract more readers and partners, the website must have an eye-catching

Managing website

&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://api.commedia.vn/images/e358efa489f58062f10dd7316b65649e_20241107084702.jpg"></figure>Dedicated, experienced and skilled Commedia team always find and research the requirements and trends of customers as well as the online community to develop appropriate topics and content of the brand.We build, provide unique ideas, plan and implement execution plans for big corporations and companies on brand positioning, brand personality and content building through communication channels.

Dedicated, experienced and skilled Commedia team always find and research the requirements and trends of customers as well as the online community to develop appropriate topics and content of the brand.

Concept & Content Creation Development

&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://api.commedia.vn/images/c4ca4238a0b923820dcc509a6f75849b(4)_20241107084726.jpg"></figure>Every brand consists of two components:Reputation &nbsp;x &nbsp;Visibility = BrandOur branding services address both of these critical factors — raising the profile of your firm’s expertise.Bluewave brings a refreshing scientific approach to branding. Our advice and methodology are informed by our industry-leading research initiative to uncover the tools and techniques that actually work in the real world. Stop wasting your marketing budget and start building a brand that enhances your visibility and reputation.With our branding services, you gain access to an expert who is dedicated to helping you build your brand. This person will assess your business and work with you to bring your dreams to reality.Our professional&nbsp;team can help you design your logo, build your website, and develop other assets for you to drive your business. &nbsp;We will help you nail your branding once and for all, and never settle for average again.Here are a few things we do to help our clients build brand (not the entire list):&nbsp;<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Color Psychology</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Font Styling&nbsp;</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Brand Strategy</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Target Audience Research</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Tagline&nbsp;</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Name Assistant</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Logo Design&nbsp;</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Website Design</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Packaging</li><li style="text-align:justify;">&amp; More&nbsp;</li></ul>

Every brand consists of two components:Reputation &nbsp;x &nbsp;Visibility = BrandOur branding services address both of these critical factors — raising the profile of your firm’s expertise.Bluewave brings a refreshing