Vietnam News Today (July 9): Vietnam, Japan seek new strides in defense cooperation; Vietnam and Mexico move towards new bilateral partnership framework; Vietnamese, Chinese firms deepen cooperation across multiple sectors; Vietnam emerging as new destination for Halal tourism.

On July 7, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations, the Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam–France Friendship Association, and the Institute for Cultural Exchange with France (IDECAF) jointly organized a program celebrating the National Day of the French Republic and opening the exhibition “Vietnam-France Artistic Exchange 2026.”

On July 7 in Hanoi, the Party Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) and Central Mass Organizations convened an expanded meeting of its Executive Committee. The meeting identified key priorities for the remainder of the year, including continuing to reorganize the organizational structure, streamline public service units and press agencies, accelerate digital transformation, and standardize databases in line with the directives of the Party Central Committee.

Party General Secretary and President To Lam received in Hanoi on July 6 the newly accredited ambassadors of Portugal, Iran, Mongolia, the US and Myanmar, as they presented their credentials, officially beginning their diplomatic missions in Vietnam.