Vietnam, Uganda promote cooperation in sustainable coffee development

Vietnam and Uganda held a dialogue in Hanoi on August 11 to promote sustainable coffee development within the South–South cooperation framework, focusing on climate resilience, forest protection, and quality and value addition across the coffee value chain.

The event brought together representatives of Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Uganda's Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, IDH organization, international organizations, businesses and coffee value-chain partners of the two countries.

Speaking at the event, Pham Ngoc Mau, Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, said coffee plays an important role in both countries, involving millions of people in production and value chains. Beyond being an agricultural and trade commodity, coffee is closely linked to livelihoods, rural development and opportunities to raise farmers’ incomes.

However, he noted, the sector faces growing requirements related to climate change, resource efficiency, product quality and safety, traceability and increasingly stringent international market standards. These challenges require a shift towards more sustainable production and development models.

Mau noted that coffee value is generated not only on farms but also through science – technology, processing, branding, market development and linkages across the value chain. Vietnam is therefore increasingly focusing not only on productivity but also on quality, added value, sustainability and climate resilience.

According to the official, Vietnam has experience in developing production areas, organising coffee value chains, processing, raising product value and expanding markets. Meanwhile, Uganda has its own strengths, potential and development priorities. Given this, the two sides should focus on sharing experience and identifying measures suited to each country’s conditions rather than seeking a single model applied to both.

Ugandan Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries Frank K. Tumwebaze said coffee is essential to the livelihoods of millions of Ugandan farmers. Their future depends on the balance of productivity, sustainability and resilience.

Cooperation with Vietnam and IDH will offer Uganda a chance to learn from its partners while advancing a resilient and deforestation-free coffee sector, he added.

Daan Wensing, CEO of IDH, said sustainable transformation in the coffee industry cannot be achieved through isolated efforts. Cooperation and co-investment are essential to securing sustainable coffee supplies amid climate pressures and rising market requirements.

The dialogue also marked the first expression of intent by the two governments to cooperate, with IDH support, in developing a sustainable, climate-resilient and deforestation-free coffee sector. It represents a new step in South–South cooperation between two leading Robusta coffee producers, VNA reported.

A farmer tends to his coffee farm that applies a smart cultivation model. (Photo: VNA)

By combining the experience, strengths and resources of the two sides, Vietnam–Uganda cooperation is expected to help build sustainable and resilient coffee value chains while creating long-term value for producers, businesses and markets.

At the event, IDH also officially launched the Resilient Coffee Program (RCP) in Vietnam. With Germany’s ALDI SÜD as the pioneering investor, the program aims to develop a verifiable supply of regenerative Robusta coffee in the next four years. It targets about 75,000 coffee farmers, with 70% of participating households expected to adopt regenerative farming practices, helping reduce 240,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions and raise farmers’ incomes by 15%.

Results will be transparently reported through measurement, reporting and verification (MRV), traceability and co-claiming mechanisms, contributing to forming a climate-resilient Robusta coffee supply chain that meets increasingly demanding international market requirements.

Vietnam–Spain Friendship Association looks to strengthen people-to-people ties

The Vietnam–Spain Friendship Association will step up people-to-people diplomacy to strengthen friendship and cooperation between the two countries, as highlighted at its fourth National Congress for the 2026–2031 term in Hanoi on August 11.

Addressing the congress, Nguyen Duc Loi, President of the Vietnam–Spain Friendship Association for the 2021–2026 term, said Vietnam–Spain relations have continued to develop positively across various fields, with political ties increasingly strengthened and cooperation in trade, education, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

The two countries are preparing to organise activities to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2027, creating opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation. In this context, people-to-people diplomacy remains an important channel for enhancing mutual understanding and consolidating the social foundation of bilateral relations, Loi said.

Loi shared that the association’s work last term thrived thanks to favourable conditions, like guidance from the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), backing from the Spanish Embassy in Vietnam and other partners, plus the dedication of its executive board and members. He expressed his confidence that, under the spirit of “Solidarity - Friendship - Cooperation - Development,” delegates will take an active, responsible role in the congress, helping make it a success.

Delegates reviewed the association’s performance during the 2021–2026 term, identified shortcomings and areas requiring further innovation, and set orientations, goals, and tasks for the new term. The congress also adopted key documents and amended the association’s statutes.

It elected a 22-member executive board for the 2026–2031 term, with Loi, who is also a former member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, former General Director of the Vietnam News Agency, and Standing Vice President of the Vietnam Journalists Association, re-elected as President of the VSFA for the 2026-2031 tenure.

Congratulating the congress, VUFO Vice President Nguyen Ngoc Hung urged the association to further enhance its role in promoting friendship between the two nations' people.

He called for stronger use of digital technology, modern communications, and social media to promote Vietnam’s image, improve the effectiveness of external information activities, and encourage greater participation, particularly among young people, in friendship activities.

The executive board of the Vietnam–Spain Friendship Association for the 2026–2031 term makes debut at the congress. (Photo: VNA)

He also stressed the need to turn bilateral cooperation frameworks at the national level into practical connections among localities, schools, businesses, social organizations, and people of the two countries, bringing the bilateral relationship closer to their communities.

Spanish Ambassador to Vietnam Carmen Cano de Lasala affirmed that Spain values Vietnam as a dynamic and potential country and seeks to strengthen bilateral relations with the Southeast Asian nation. The congress provided an important opportunity to promote ties between agencies and organizations from the two countries, including cooperation between the Spanish Embassy in Vietnam and the VSFA in organising joint activities, she said.

Loi, for his part, pledged that the association would continue renewing its activities to serve as a bridge of friendship, cooperation, and connectivity between the people of Vietnam and Spain.

Ho Chi Minh City to stage fireworks at 7 locations for National Day

Ho Chi Minh City will stage fireworks at seven locations across the city from 9pm to 9.15pm on September 2, including three sites featuring both high- and low-altitude displays and four offering low-altitude shows.

The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has issued a directive to municipal departments and agencies on organizing fireworks displays for Vietnam’s National Day on September 2.

Accordingly, the fireworks will last 15 minutes, from 9pm to 9.15pm on September 2, at seven locations across the city.

Three sites will feature a combination of high- and low-altitude fireworks. At the Saigon River Tunnel entrance area in An Khanh Ward, the display will include 1,000 high-altitude shells, 200 low-altitude shells, 60 G25 racks and 30 DBG racks.

At the New City Center area in Binh Duong Ward, the display will feature 420 high-altitude shells, 80 low-altitude shells and 60 G25 racks.

At Tam Thang Tower Square in Vung Tau Ward, the display will also feature 420 high-altitude shells, 80 low-altitude shells and 60 G25 racks.

The four remaining locations will stage low-altitude fireworks: Ba Ria Square Park in Ba Ria Ward, Dam Sen Cultural Park in Binh Thoi Ward, the SAIGON MARINA IFC tower in Sai Gon Ward, and the Kim Long villa area in Nha Be Commune, VNN reported.

Fireworks light up the Ho Chi Minh City skyline during celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the city bearing President Ho Chi Minh’s name. Photo: Nguyen Hue

To ensure safety, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has assigned the city’s Military Command to coordinate with Chemical Company 21 under the Ministry of National Defence to prepare the fireworks, develop transportation plans and carry out the displays.

Ho Chi Minh City Police will coordinate with relevant agencies to manage road traffic while clearing moored vessels and temporarily suspending waterway traffic around the fireworks sites from 8.30pm to 9.30pm on September 2.

Scorching heat bakes large parts of Vietnam despite start of autumn

Despite the start of autumn, scorching heat continues to grip northern and central Vietnam, with temperatures commonly reaching 35-37°C and exceeding 38°C in some places, while El Niño is strengthening over the Pacific and is expected to intensify further in the coming months.

Widespread heat from northern to central Vietnam

On August 11, hot weather continued across northern Vietnam, except Lai Chau and Dien Bien provinces, as well as from Thanh Hoa province to Da Nang city and from Quang Ngai to Gia Lai provinces in the central region. Maximum temperatures commonly ranged from 35-37°C, with some areas exceeding 38°C, while minimum relative humidity stood at around 55-60%.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, several areas recorded exceptionally high temperatures on August 10. Temperatures reached 38°C in Phu Tho, 38.8°C in Lao Cai, 38.1°C in Lang Son, 38.8°C in Hanoi and 38.7°C in Ninh Binh.

Hot weather is forecast to continue in northern Vietnam on August 11-12, except in Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Quang Ninh and Hai Phong. In central Vietnam, the heat is expected to persist for several more days.

The weather agency has placed the heatwave at Level 1 out of the five-level system for natural disaster risk. High temperatures combined with low humidity also increase the risk of fires and explosions, particularly in residential areas as electricity demand rises.

Although Vietnam has started autumn solar term (lập thu), weather conditions across many northern and central localities still show strong signs of summer. This is not a meteorological contradiction, as Lập Thu is one of the 24 traditional solar terms and does not mean temperatures will immediately fall after August 7.

What is driving the heat?

The current heatwave needs to be viewed against the backdrop of summer weather patterns that remain active, with northern and central Vietnam continuing to be affected by conditions favourable for high temperatures.

During heatwaves in northern and central Vietnam, the western hot low-pressure area and the foehn effect are often among the key factors driving temperatures higher. When hot air from the west expands eastward, combined with dry conditions and limited rainfall at certain times, temperatures can rise sharply in many areas, VOV reported.

Northern and central Vietnam are under scorching heat despite the start of autumn, while strengthening El Niño could affect weather patterns in coming months. (Illustrative image)

In major cities, the heat can feel even more intense because of the urban heat island effect. Concrete, asphalt and buildings absorb heat during the day and release it back into the surroundings, making temperatures in urban areas slower to fall, particularly on days with little cloud cover and light winds.

Notably, the current heatwave is unfolding against a backdrop of continued global warming and a major climate phenomenon over the Pacific that is moving into a stronger phase - El Niño.

How fast is El Niño strengthening?

According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), El Niño conditions have developed in 2026 and are gathering steam. In its July 9 assessment, NOAA said sea-surface temperatures across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific were above average over a broad area. The latest Niño-3.4 index stood at +1.2°C, while the Niño 1+2 region in the eastern Pacific reached +2.7°C.

NOAA forecast that El Niño would continue strengthening through the remainder of the year, with a 97% chance of persisting into early spring 2027. Notably, the probability of a very strong El Niño during October-December 2026 was put at 81%. If it develops, the event could rank among the strongest since reliable observations began in 1950.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has also said El Niño is developing and could influence weather and climate patterns around the world in the coming months. El Niño typically raises global average temperatures and can increase the likelihood of certain extreme weather events, including heatwaves and heavy rainfall.

However, this does not mean the current heatwave in Vietnam can be attributed entirely to El Niño.

Scientists note that El Niño's influence on temperatures and weather in many regions can come with a time lag. The heatwaves occurring in Vietnam during the summer of 2026 are also being shaped by elevated global temperatures and regional atmospheric patterns. The effects of El Niño are expected to become more apparent in the coming months, while the current heat is largely consistent with the broader long-term warming trend.

How long will the heat last?

In the immediate term, people in northern and central Vietnam should not expect cooler weather simply because the autumn solar term has begun.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, hot weather will continue in northern Vietnam on August 11-12, while the heat in central Vietnam is likely to persist for several more days. For the short term, high temperatures are therefore expected to be the dominant weather pattern in many areas.

Over a longer period, conditions will depend on changes in atmospheric patterns, thunderstorms and regional circulation. Meanwhile, El Niño is forecast to strengthen further and reach a higher intensity toward the end of the year.

Therefore, the arrival of the autumn solar term this year does not mean the hot season will immediately come to an end. People should stay prepared for further heatwaves in August, particularly in northern and central Vietnam.

During hot weather, the highest temperatures generally occur around midday and in the early afternoon. People, especially the elderly, children, outdoor workers and those with underlying health conditions, should limit direct exposure to the sun during the hottest hours, drink plenty of water and take precautions against heatstroke and dehydration.

As humidity falls and electricity demand rises, households should also pay particular attention to the risk of fires and explosions, check electrical equipment and avoid leaving heat-generating appliances operating in unsafe conditions.

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