Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang attend the ASEAN-U.S. Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting, Cebu, the Philippines, October 28, 2026 - Photo: VNA

General Phan Van Giang attends 20th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting in Cebu

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang attended the 20th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) in Cebu, the Philippines, on October 28.

At the meeting, Phan affirmed Viet Nam's strongest support for the Philippines in successfully fulfilling its responsibilities as the ASEAN Chair in 2026.

He underscored the need to further strengthen ASEAN solidarity and strength so that the bloc could respond flexibly and proactively to regional security challenges, with a view to building a peaceful, secure and resilient region.

The 20th ADMM issued the Joint Statement on Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and the 20th Anniversary of the ADMM: Navigating Our Future, Together. The Ministers also agreed on various new ADMM initiatives and activities.

ASEAN, U.S. to enhance defense cooperation

At the ASEAN-U.S. Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting held on the same day, Phan joined ASEAN defense ministers and U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to discuss challenges confronting the Indo-Pacific and the future of ASEAN-U.S. defense cooperation.

Addressing the event, the Vietnamese official highlighted that ASEAN-U.S. relations have developed substantially and comprehensively over nearly half a century.

The elevation of ASEAN-U.S. relations into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022 and the adoption of the ASEAN-U.S. Joint Vision Statement in October 2025 reflect both sides' strong commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous region, noted Phan.

ASEAN attaches importance to the U.S.' consistent support for bolc's centrality and its active participation in ASEAN-led mechanisms, particularly the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), he stated.

Thought the global and regional situation continues to evolve in a complex and unpredictable manner, Phan affirmed Viet Nam remains steadfast with its position that all disputes must be settled by peaceful means on the basis of international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

All parties should fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and work towards the early conclusion of a substantive, effective and efficient Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) that is consistent with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.

To further deepen ASEAN-US defense cooperation and make it more substantive and effective, he called for maintaining engagement channels and strategic dialogues, cited VGP.

The ASEAN-U.S. Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting provides an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on issues of mutual concern, thereby enhancing mutual understanding and building trust while helping shape the direction of ASEAN-U.S. defense cooperation, shared Phan.

He suggested both sides improve the effectiveness of practical cooperation activities, including the ASEAN-U.S. Maritime Exercise, the ASEAN Young Leaders Program and initiatives to support capacity-building for ASEAN member states.

The Vietnamese official expressed his hope that the U.S. would continue to participate and support the ADMM-Plus Experts' Working Groups.

Phan underlined the need to foster stronger ties in addressing non-traditional security challenges and emerging technologies.

He also called for expanding collaboration in areas such as maritime security, including enhancing maritime domain awareness, search and rescue capabilities, and maritime law enforcement; climate change response; providing equipment and sharing advanced technologies; cybersecurity; AI; and coping with chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incidents.

He expressed confidence that building on existing commitments and joint efforts, ASEAN-U.S. defense cooperation would continue to develop substantively and contribute effectively to the ASEAN-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, helping safeguard regional peace, stability and shared prosperity.

Viet Nam, Cambodia boost border management, crime prevention

The Border Guard Command of Viet Nam's Lam Dong province and the Gendarmerie Command of Mondulkiri province of Cambodia have agreed to strengthen cooperation in border management, protection and crime prevention.

The consensus was reached at their talks held on October 29 in Nam Gia Nghia ward, Lam Dong province, to review coordination efforts in 2025–2026 and discuss cooperation priorities for the coming period.

The two sides said they had regularly exchanged information on border management and protection, and coordinated efforts to prevent, detect and combat crimes and other violations. These activities have helped maintain security and order along the shared border between the two provinces.

The two forces have also maintained visits and exchanges on traditional holidays and festivals, while sharing professional experience. Such activities have strengthened solidarity, friendship and mutual understanding and trust between their officers and personnel.

Building on these results, the two sides agreed to continue information sharing and coordinate border management and protection in line with border agreements and documents signed by the two governments.

They also pledged to intensify efforts to prevent and combat crimes, particularly illegal entry and exit, smuggling, illicit goods transportation, human trafficking, drug-related offences, arms and explosives trafficking, and illegal resource exploitation, according to VNA.

Representatives from the Lam Dong provincial Border Guard Command and the Mondulkiri provincial Gendarmerie Command sign the minutes of the talks. (Photo published by VNA)

For Vietnamese citizens who violate the law in Mondulkiri but whose cases do not warrant legal proceedings under Cambodian law, the two sides proposed coordinating their handover through border gates so Vietnamese authorities can receive and handle the cases in accordance with Vietnamese law.

The two sides also agreed to advise their superiors and local authorities on expanding twinning activities between residential communities on both sides of the border. The initiative aims to promote people-to-people exchanges, support socio-economic development and poverty reduction, and improve living standards, while further strengthening traditional friendship among border communities.

Speaking at the meeting, Colonel Nguyen Thanh Dinh, Commander of the Lam Dong Border Guard Command, expressed his hope that the two forces would continue to promote solidarity, friendship and close coordination to improve border management and protection and maintain security and order along the Viet Nam-Cambodia border, contributing to a peaceful, friendly and cooperative border.

UK, Viet Nam aim for high-income, high-value economy under vision 2045

The UK-Viet Nam Business Forum 2026 convened in Ho Chi Minh City on the morning of October 29 under the theme “Vision 2045: Creating a High-Income, High-Value Economy.”

This year’s forum, organized annually by the British Chamber of Commerce in Viet Nam (BritCham Vietnam) with support from the British Embassy in Hanoi and the British Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City, partnered with the Ho Chi Minh City Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (HCMC C4IR) as part of the Ho Chi Minh City Autumn Economic Forum 2026.

The event aimed to promote sustainable regional growth and closer economic connectivity under the spirit of cooperation in a new era.

Opening the forum, Nguyen Cong Vinh, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, stated that the event brought together policymakers, business leaders, and experts to seek new drivers for bilateral trade and investment.

He noted that the UK holds strong complementary advantages for Viet Nam in financial services, capital markets, professional advisory, education, and clean energy. Bilateral trade reached approximately US$9.4 billion in 2025, an increase of 11.3% from the previous year, thanks to the bilateral free trade agreement and the upgraded Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Vinh outlined four cooperative priorities: attracting high-quality investment linked with technology transfer and local supply chain integration; developing capital markets and an international financial center in the city; building green supply chains and advancing renewable energy; and fostering talent alongside sustainable urban development through 2045.

British Ambassador to Viet Nam Iain Frew affirmed the UK's readiness to partner with Viet Nam in mobilizing capital for growth, advancing technology and innovation to enhance national competitiveness, and supporting green transition efforts across renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, green construction, and climate tech, reported VOV.

The forum is the largest annual economic dialogue event hosted by BritCham.

Mariam J. Sherman, World Bank Country Director for Viet Nam, Cambodia, and Laos, praised Viet Nam’s economic performance, saying that growth exceeded 9% during the nine-month period of the year despite global volatility, placing the country among the world's fastest-growing economies.

However, Sherman cautioned that the growth model that brought Viet Nam to its current standing will not suffice to propel the nation into high-income status. She pointed to three structural challenges: peak working-age demographics, low productivity growth, and loose linkages between foreign direct investment (FDI) and domestic enterprises.

To resolve these hurdles, Sherman proposed mutually reinforcing priorities, including creating higher-quality jobs, connecting markets, people, and regions; turning climate risks into growth opportunities; and strengthening institutional capacity, noting that each priority offers a clear area for UK cooperation.

Sherman also shared her perspective that Viet Nam stands on the threshold of its second major transformation, noting that while the first moved workers from farms to factories, the second must elevate enterprises up the value chain, connect workers to better jobs, and shift the State from a managerial role to a driver of national development.

Viet Nam’s trade surpasses 1 trillion USD in 10 months

Viet Nam’s total goods trade reached an estimated 1.01 trillion USD in the first 10 months of 2026, up 32.3% from a year earlier, surpassing the 1 trillion USD mark for the first time, the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Agency of Foreign Trade said on October 29.

Trade turnover in October alone was estimated at 122.2 billion USD, up 47.6% year-on-year.

Exports continued to post strong growth, reaching an estimated 499 billion USD in the January-October period, jumping 27.4%. The performance has put Viet Nam on track to meet or exceed its full-year 2026 export growth target of 15-16%.

According to the agency, export growth was recorded in both the domestic and foreign-invested sectors. Processed and manufactured goods remained the mainstay, accounting for 87.4% of total exports. Shipments also grew strongly to major markets, including China, the United States, the European Union, the Republic of Korea and ASEAN.

Viet Nam recorded a trade surplus of an estimated 6.8 billion USD in October, marking the second consecutive month of surplus and narrowing the cumulative trade deficit for the first 10 months to around 12.7 billion USD.

The results underscore the continued momentum in trade and its important contribution to economic growth.

The agency said that the Ministry of Industry and Trade is drafting a goods import-export strategy through 2030, with a vision to 2045.

The strategy aims to drive strong export and import growth to support Viet Nam’s ambition of achieving double-digit economic growth in 2026-2030. It targets average annual export growth of 15-16% over the period, with Viet Nam aspiring to rank among the world’s 10 largest exporting nations by 2045.

Imports are targeted to grow by an average of 12-13% annually in 2026-2030, naming Viet Nam in the world’s top 10 importers by 2045.

The strategy seeks to establish a sustainable trade surplus in 2026-2030, with the surplus equivalent to an average of 3-6% of total exports during the period, rising to 7-10% by 2045.

To improve the quality of trade growth and increase the value added from processing and technology, the draft strategy aims to raise the share of domestic firms in total exports to around 28-30% by 2030 and 38-40% by 2045.

Processed and refined goods are expected to account for 89-90% of total exports by 2030 and more than 92% by 2045. High-tech products are targeted to make up around 50% of processed and manufactured exports by 2030 and more than 55% by 2045.

The strategy also calls for broader market diversification to reduce concentration risks and strengthen resilience to trade shocks.

By 2030, no single export market should account for more than 25% of total exports, while no single import market should represent more than 35% of total imports, cited VNA.

Import and export goods at Lach Huyen Port in Hai Phong city. Photo: VNA

The combined share of Viet Nam’s three largest export markets or regions is targeted to fall below 55% by 2030 and below 50% by 2045.

Viet Nam aims to export more than 1 billion USD worth of goods to over 45 markets by 2030 and 55 markets by 2045. The share of exports to emerging markets in South Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America is targeted to reach around 10% by 2030 and 15% by 2045.

For the fourth quarter, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has identified export promotion, market diversification and stronger compliance capabilities as key priorities.

The ministry will seek to make more effective use of existing free trade agreements (FTAs) and expand access to new markets. It will also strengthen early-warning mechanisms for trade defence investigations, tariff barriers, green standards, traceability requirements and rules of origin.

Other priorities include helping businesses improve product quality, develop brands and enhance supply-chain transparency.

The ministry will also promote official export channels, expand agreements and protocols on agricultural quarantine, increase investment in cold-chain logistics infrastructure, and standardise growing areas and packing facilities to meet the requirements of individual trading partners.

Da Nang steps up tourism links to attract more Australian visitors

Da Nang, a famous tourist coastal city in central Viet Nam, is stepping up tourism promotion and partnerships with Australian travel and aviation organisations, aiming to attract more Australian visitors.

The city held the Da Nang Tourism Showcase & Networking Dinner 2026 in Sydney on October 28, bringing together tourism organisations, aviation representatives, Viet Nam Airlines and more than 30 travel companies and industry partners from Sydney and other parts of Australia.

The event was part of Da Nang’s tourism promotion programme in Australia from October 24 to 31, to raise the city’s profile, connect businesses and encourage two-way travel between the markets.

Connecting businesses and promoting tourism products in Central Viet Nam

The programme presented Da Nang and Central Viet Nam as destinations offering a diverse range of experiences, from beach holidays and premium accommodation to ecotourism, golf, cultural heritage and local cuisine.

Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was highlighted as a key attraction that could complement beach holidays with cultural exploration and heritage experiences.

Business-to-business sessions gave companies an opportunity to exchange market intelligence, discuss products and distribution channels, and explore tour packages tailored to Australian travellers. The discussions also sought to develop partnerships linking multiple destinations across Central Viet Nam.

Speaking at the event, Nguyen Thi Hoai An, deputy director of the Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, described Australia as a promising international market for Da Nang’s tourism sector. She said the city wants to introduce more of its distinctive experiences to Australian visitors while creating further opportunities for businesses on both sides to develop tourism products and increase two-way travel.

In addition to promotional activities and business networking, the programme featured traditional artistic performances, helping to introduce the cultural identity of Viet Nam to international guests.

Expanding cooperation with tourism and aviation partners

Beyond the showcase, the Da Nang delegation held a series of meetings in New South Wales to explore opportunities for longer-term cooperation.

The delegation on October 26 met Destination NSW, the state agency responsible for tourism development and marketing. Discussions covered destination branding, international marketing, market research, product development and the use of data in tourism promotion.

Both sides also explored opportunities to share market information, connect businesses, coordinate promotional activities and exchange professional expertise, cited VOV.

Representatives from the Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism meet and hold discussions with representatives from Western Sydney International Airport. (Photo: baovanhoa.vn)

The delegation also met representatives of Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) to discuss the airport’s development and its potential role in strengthening air connectivity in western Sydney.

A further meeting with the Western Sydney Tourism Taskforce focused on building on cooperation established in 2024. Discussions centred on business networking, market intelligence, destination marketing, product development and efforts to encourage visitor exchanges.

Australian visitors to Da Nang see positive growth

Da Nang welcomed 376,981 Australian visitors in the opening nine months of 2026, up 43.86% compared to the same period in 2025. This result highlights the market's growth potential, while also underscoring the need to further intensify promotional efforts, expand the network of travel partners, and improve connectivity to the destination.

Australian travelers show interest in a variety of segments, including beach vacations, golf, cultural and heritage exploration, gastronomy, and nature-based experiences. These product categories align well with Da Nang’s strategic focus on diversifying visitor experiences, enhancing service quality, and increasing tourism spending.

The city plans to continue promoting itself in promising international markets, working closely with local businesses and overseas partners to raise destination awareness, attract more international visitors and support sustainable tourism growth.

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