Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has suggested that Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) should promote cooperation in all fields, including defence, security, economy, e-commerce, labour, innovation and creativity towards the target of 100 billion USD in two-way trade by 2020.
During a reception in Hanoi on December 26 for Korean Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Yoon Soon-gu, who is also head of SOM ASEAN of the RoK, Minh spoke highly of the positive development of ASEAN- RoK ties over the past years, affirming that Vietnam and ASEAN treasure relations with the RoK and hoping that both sides will continue stepping up their practical and effective ties for the sake of peace and prosperity in the region.
Towards the 30th founding anniversary of ASEAN-RoK dialogue relations in 2019, Minh stressed that Vietnam supports the organisation of the ASEAN-RoK Commemorative Summit and will work closely with ASEAN member states to ensure its success.
He also expected that Vietnam would continue receiving the RoK’s support as the country will assume the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020.
Yoon, for his part, affirmed that the RoK values ties with Vietnam and ASEAN in general. He highlighted Vietnam’s importance in the implementation of the New Southern Policy of Korean President Moon Jae-in and in the development of relations between the RoK and ASEAN nations.
According to statistics, Vietnam leads Southeast Asia in two-way trade, investment and people-to-people exchange with the RoK.
He expressed hope that Vietnam will continue boosting bilateral ties with the RoK via multilateral mechanisms such as the ASEAN-RoK, Mekong-RoK and joint work with the RoK in regional issues of shared concern.
Earlier, Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister and head of SOM ASEAN Nguyen Quoc Dung held a working session with the Korean delegation.
Dung said Vietnam in particular and ASEAN in general attach importance to the initiative to hold the ASEAN-RoK Commemorative Summit, considering it an important milestone in the relationship with the RoK and a practical contribution to building an East Asia region of peace, stability and prosperity.
He pledged to work with other ASEAN states to realize these initiatives, thereby further enhancing ASEAN-RoK relations.
Yoon talked about preparations for the ASEAN-RoK Commemorative Summit scheduled to take place in late 2019 in the RoK, saying that a series of events within its framework will afford both sides a chance to outline orientations for the development of bilateral ties in the future.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam has demanded a shift from passive preservation to actively shaping national memory, with each generation responsible not only for inheriting the past but also creating and safeguarding values that may become heritage for centuries.
The Government has identified three major objectives: promptly institutionalising Party policies on land, private-sector development and national digital transformation; addressing urgent practical obstacles to unlock resources and support the goal of double-digit economic growth; and building a modern, streamlined and effective land management system through stronger decentralisation and administrative reform.
General Secretary and President Lam said the most worthy tribute to previous generations is the responsibility and action of today's generation, while the greatest responsibility toward future generations is to create solid foundations and better conditions for the country's continued advancement.
Participants looked into 11 draft laws and one draft resolution, including laws amending and supplementing several articles of laws on non-agricultural land use tax and corporate income tax; natural resources tax; securities; accounting and independent auditing; the Labour Code; and laws on archives, gender equality, Red Cross activities and employment.
National Assembly (NA) President Tran Thanh Man on August 17 called for tighter safeguards and clear accountability in the banking sector, stressing that the management agency role of commercial banks must not become a “safety certificate” for corporate bonds.
The Ministry of Science and Technology said its top priority through end-2026 is a decisive shift from building institutional framework to delivering products, technologies and measurable results.
The two sides said the elevation of Vietnam-New Zealand ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has created an important political foundation for deepening cooperation between their research and academic institutions.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President of Vietnam To Lam on August 14 sent a message of congratulations to András Baka on his election as President of Hungary.
Reports, articles and assessments published on August 12-13 highlighted that Vietnam-New Zealand relations are shifting strongly from high-level political commitments to concrete cooperation programmes, with a focus on trade, investment, education, agriculture, science and technology, defence and security, and climate change response.
The Governor-General highlighted the historic significance of the visit as the first time a Vietnamese leader has visited New Zealand in both capacities of General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and President of the State.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Vietnam–New Zealand relations have continued to grow strongly, with substantive cooperation in numerous areas and further expansion in education and agriculture, generating fresh momentum for bilateral ties.
Regarding administrative reform, amendments to the Law on Radio Frequencies will remove licensing requirements deemed unnecessary or already regulated under other laws.
The ceremony was conducted in accordance with protocol for foreign heads of state visiting New Zealand, incorporating a traditional Māori welcome ceremony and an official greeting.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and President To Lam described overseas Vietnamese as “ambassadors” who help promote Vietnam's positive image internationally, and urged them to maintain solidarity, preserve national pride and cultural traditions, and make practical contributions to the country's development.
The Party leader stressed that the passing of NA President Xaysomphone is a great loss to the Lao Party, State and people, while Vietnam has also lost a great friend and a close, loyal comrade who had always held deep affection for the country, offered valuable support, and worked tirelessly to nurture and consolidate the Vietnam-Laos great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion.
Highlighting positive outcomes in Vietnam-Singapore cooperation across all areas, particularly since bilateral ties were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2025, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung proposed that the two sides maintain and step up high-level visits and exchanges at all levels.
Australia attaches great importance to its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam and highly values the substantive progress in bilateral relations, said Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong.
According to Government proposals submitted to the legislature, Quang Ninh and Bac Ninh cities will be formed based on the respective natural areas, populations and numbers of commune-level administrative units of the two provinces. Both proposals meet all five conditions stipulated in the Law on Organisation of Local Administration No. 72/2025/QH15 and all seven criteria for establishing centrally-run cities under Resolution No. 112/2025/UBTVQH15.
Xaysomphone Phomvihane was a capable revolutionary intellectual with broad knowledge and a strategic vision. Throughout his career, he remained committed to the Party's ideals and objectives, and demonstrated responsibility, flexibility and discipline in carrying out his assigned tasks.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung asked the Israeli Government to continue creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese people living, studying and working in Israel at a meeting with outgoing Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam Yaron Mayer in Hanoi on August 12.