The Khanh Binh International Border Gate in An Giang province plays a crucial role in connecting trade between Viet Nam and Cambodia. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese PM’s upcoming Cambodia visit to tighten bond: Minister

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung's upcoming visit to Cambodia holds significance, giving the two neighbours a chance to consolidate and expand their good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability as they enter a new growth phase.

Dr. So Naro, Minister Delegate Attached to the Cambodian PM in charge of ASEAN Affairs, told the Viet Nam News Agency that it will be PM Hung's first official visit to Cambodia since taking office. He previously met with Cambodian PM Hun Manet in Hanoi and Cebu, the Philippines.

The visit marks a new step forward, continuing the regular high-level exchanges and visits between the two countries’ leaders. It comes as Cambodia posts gains in socio-economic development, particularly exports, and steps up a crackdown on transnational criminal networks, notably online scams. The country recently hosted an international conference on the issue. At the same time, it is working to promote peace and address the Cambodia-Thailand border issue on the basis of international law and existing agreements, cited VNA.

Viet Nam, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV), has undertaken a historic wave of large-scale institutional reforms, with economic growth picking up speed as it pursues the strategic goals laid out by the CPV for 2030 and 2045.

Naro mentioned that the trip aims to implement strategic guidance agreed in February by Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen and General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and President To Lam. The two nations are gearing up to celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2027, with their prime ministers set to exchange views on global and regional matters of mutual interest and concern.

Viet Nam sees Panama as key partner in Latin America: Top legislator

Viet Nam attaches importance to its traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Panama, regarding it as a key partner in Latin America, said National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man.

He made the statement in Hanoi on October 7 while meeting with President of Panama José Raúl Mulino Quintero and a high-ranking Panamanian delegation who is on a four-day official visit to Viet Nam.

Warmly welcoming President José Raúl Mulino and the high-ranking Panamanian delegation, the top legislator expressed appreciation for the support the Panamanian people have given to the Vietnamese people during their past struggle for national liberation, as well as in the cause of national defense, construction and development today.

President Mulino thanked NA President Man for receiving the delegation, affirming that the Panamanian people remember and are grateful to Viet Nam for being the first country to sign the Protocol to the Treaty Concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the Panama Canal in 1979, according to VNA

National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man meets with President of Panama José Raúl Mulino Quintero in Hanoi on October 7, 2026. Photo: VNA

Panama places great importance on its good relations of friendship and cooperation with Viet Nam and wishes to deepen and further substantiate bilateral ties, he said.

Briefing the host on the outcomes of his talks with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and President To Lam and the documents signed during his visit, President Mulino expressed his hope that the Vietnamese National Assembly would support major orientations to strengthen bilateral relations and the implementation of agreements reached, producing concrete results for the development and interests of the two countries’ people.

The Panamanian President also expressed his wish to welcome NA President Man on an official visit to Panama to help further strengthen bilateral ties.

NA President Man shared information on the role of the legislature in Vietnam’s political system and the country’s development process. He said the Vietnamese legislature is shifting its legislative approach from management to enabling and guiding development, improving legislative quality and comprehensively completing institutions to create an optimal environment for rapid and sustainable development.

He informed the guest that the Vietnamese NA has established the Viet Nam-Panama Parliamentary Friendship Group, affirming that strengthening ties between the two legislatures is an important pillar of bilateral relations, helping consolidate political trust, promote and oversee the implementation of high-level agreements, and support the bilateral agenda.

The Vietnamese NA strongly supports the directions and measures agreed upon to strengthen bilateral relations, as well as the agreements signed during the Panamanian President’s visit, he said, adding that it would work alongside the Government to create a favorable legal framework for implementing bilateral agreements and realize the two countries’ significant untapped potential for cooperation.

President Mulino expressed his wish that two countries will continue to consolidate political trust through delegation exchanges and contacts at all levels, especially the high level, while making greater use of bilateral cooperation mechanisms.

He also called for continued efforts to build a favorable and stable legal framework for bilateral cooperation, particularly in areas with potential such as trade, investment, finance and banking, tourism, agriculture, aviation, science-technology, digital transformation, and education-training.

Regarding cooperation between the two legislatures, President Mulino also agreed to support stronger delegation exchanges, as well as the sharing of legislative experience and the activities of committees and other legislative bodies in the two countries.

He also backed further enhancing the role of the legislatures in creating a favorable legal framework for bilateral relations, facilitating connections among government agencies, localities and businesses, and helping address bottlenecks and promote specific cooperation opportunities.

On the occasion, NA President Man extended an invitation to Panamanian National Assembly President Shirley Castañedas to pay an official visit to Viet Nam. President Mulino expressed his appreciation and said he would convey his invitation to the country’s top legislator.

Viet Nam, ASEAN highlight people-centered social development

Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the UN has emphasized Viet Nam's consistent policy of placing people at the center of development, coupling economic growth with social security and enhanced social service quality.

On October 6, the annual general debate of the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee (Third Committee) of the 81st United Nations General Assembly took place at UN headquarters in New York.

Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the UN, delivered a speech on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) under the agenda item on social development.

In his address, Ambassador Do Hung Viet stressed that ASEAN consistently regards social development as a high priority and has achieved numerous positive outcomes in recent years. He noted that as ASEAN enters the first year of realizing the ASEAN Vision 2045, the bloc is advancing a comprehensive and cohesive approach to social development, focusing on strengthening social security, narrowing the digital divide, proactively adapting to population aging, promoting youth engagement, and increasing the participation of persons with disabilities.

The Ambassador affirmed that ASEAN will continue coordinating closely with the UN under the framework of the ASEAN-UN Plan of Action for 2026-2030, contributing to translating social development commitments into concrete, sustainable results that bring practical transformations to the lives of people, particularly vulnerable groups, reported VOV.

Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the UN (Photo: VNA)

On the same day, speaking in his national capacity, Ambassador Do Hung Viet highlighted notable achievements recorded by Viet Nam, including the multidimensional poverty rate dropping to approximately 1.3% in 2025, health insurance coverage exceeding 95%, free public education spanning from kindergarten through high school, and nationwide implementation of routine health check-ups. He stated that Viet Nam is simultaneously accelerating digital transformation to broaden access to social services and gradually narrow disparities across localities and demographic groups.

Ambassador Do Hung Viet pointed out that effective implementation of commitments reached in Doha requires adequate, stable, and accessible financial resources for developing countries to sustain investments in social development.

He also called for enhanced international cooperation on technology transfer, digital infrastructure, data, and human resource development, leveraging South-South and triangular cooperation, while upholding the proactive role of each nation to ensure international support in line with specific national priorities and conditions. The Ambassador affirmed that Viet Nam will continue stepping up cooperation with the UN and partners, contributing to turning social development commitments into practical, sustainable outcomes for a better life for all.

JICA is designing new support package to assist Viet Nam's reforms

The JICA Chief Representative made the announcement while speaking at JICA Viet Nam Office's press conference for the second half of 2025 fiscal year and first half of 2026.

Kobayashi said Viet Nam's economic growth over the past years had been driven primarily by labor-intensive manufacturing, foreign direct investment (FDI) and deeper integration into the global economy, cited VGP.

JICA Chief Representative in Viet Nam Kobayashi Yosuke.

Viet Nam is now advancing a series of major reforms focused on science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, institutional modernization and strengthening the capacity of domestic enterprises, he said.

Against this backdrop, JICA is developing a new support package to assist Viet Nam in pursuing reforms toward a new growth model.

Four pillars of JICA's new support package

According to Kobayashi, the support package will focus on four key pillars.

The first is promoting science, technology, innovation and digital transformation, together with human resource development.

The second is supporting the growth of domestic enterprises and their deeper integration into global value chains.

The third is improving the investment environment.

The fourth is developing strategic infrastructure.

JICA is also discussing with the Vietnamese Government on the possibility of providing a new program loan to support the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation in Viet Nam.

Regarding ODA loans, Fukuda Chihiro, Deputy Chief Representative of the JICA Viet Nam Office in charge of loan projects, said that based on loan agreements (L/As) signed between October 2025 and September 2026, JICA's total commitments reached approximately ¥89 billion for three projects.

Two of the projects, committed in May 2026, focus on infrastructure development in mountainous and midland areas in northern Viet Nam.

The climate change-adapted infrastructure development project to support local production in the northern mountainous and midland areas has a total loan value of approximately ¥17 billion.

Meanwhile, the disaster-resilient rural development project is backed by a loan of approximately ¥22 billion.

Along with that is a loan of ¥50 billion for the green transformation support program committed in March 2026.

Viet Nam among top five trending fall destinations in 2026

Viet Nam has placed fourth on Lonely Planet’s list of the top 15 destinations shaping fall travel trends in 2026, recognized as an ideal choice for adventure travel amid favorable weather.

Travel guide publisher Lonely Planet recently unveiled its list of the 15 destinations shaping the biggest fall travel trends in 2026, based on guidebook sales from late August to late September.

According to Lonely Planet writer Chamidae Ford, the figures show that travellers are seeking cosy adventures in destinations known for spectacular fall foliage, as well as trips to the Southern Hemisphere for a little more warm weather. Asia dominates the list, accounting for four of the top five destinations, with Viet Nam ranking fourth.

Lonely Planet describes fall as a time when Viet Nam is at its best. Hanoi cools down, making it pleasant to explore its winding, lively streets, while dreamy Ha Long Bay is at its clearest, with warm waters ideal for swimming.

In Sa Pa and Ha Giang, the cascading rice terraces turn a mesmerising golden colour as the rice harvest approaches.

“Further south, warmer temperatures are balanced by rain, but don’t let a little unpredictable weather stop you from experiencing one of the most magical countries in the world”, says travel guide publisher.

With an umbrella at hand, it stressed, visitors can still enjoy pho on bustling street corners in Hanoi, ride motorbikes through Ho Chi Minh City and cycle through the countryside around historic Hoi An. Japan tops the list for its autumn foliage and cuisine, followed by Italy in second place and Thailand in third. South America ranks fifth.

International tourists visit Cai Rang floating market in Can Tho, one of the largest and most iconic examples of the Mekong Delta’s river culture (Photo: Viet Nam National Authority of Tourism)

Other Asian destinations featured include Sri Lanka in sixth place, India seventh, China eighth and the Philippines 14th.

The remaining destinations are Portugal in ninth place, New Zealand 10th, Australia 11th, Africa 12th, Norway 13th and New York in the United States 15th.

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