President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics Assoc. Prof. Dr. Doan Minh Huan (R) presents books to PT General Secretary Alberto Anaya Gutiérrez at their meeting in Hanoi on August 19. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Mexico seek to step up theoretical exchanges, personnel training cooperation

Politburo member and President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics Assoc. Prof. Dr. Doan Minh Huan hosted a reception in Hanoi on August 19 for Senator Alberto Anaya Gutiérrez, General Secretary of the Mexican Labor Party (PT).

Huan said the theory about Vietnam’s reform policy has become a third component of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV)’s ideological foundation, alongside Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought.

He praised the PT for sticking to its ideals and goals while flexibly adapting to the Latin American context, and thanked it for spreading Ho Chi Minh Thought and building statues of the late Vietnamese leader across Mexico.

The host proposed a formal mechanism for theoretical exchanges and joint personnel training, including sharing Party-building experience for young personnel. The academy will coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to submit the proposals to the Party's competent agencies for approval.

Gutiérrez, in reply, expressed his interest in Vietnam’s personnel training model, calling it a way to ensure the continuity of revolutionary thought and the theories underpinning the Doi Moi (renewal) policy.

He said Vietnam’s post-1986 reforms have made it a successful socialist model, with a socialist-oriented market economy delivering prosperity, freedom, and progress to its people while sustaining high growth.

To deepen ties between the two Parties, he suggested holding alternating theory workshops in Vietnam and Mexico and said he is ready to receive Vietnamese lecturers for academic exchanges, cited VNA.

The PT chief also said he wants works by President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnamese Party and State leaders to be republished for use as references at a conference of left-wing parties in Mexico in October, to help international audiences better understand Vietnam’s Doi Moi cause.

Both sides expressed their confidence that the visit would consolidate the CPV-PT relationship and drive more substantive, effective, and deeper cooperation between Vietnam and Mexico.

Economic, trade, investment ties should remain driver of Vietnam–US relations: Deputy PM

Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc received US Ambassador to Vietnam Jennifer Wicks, who came to pay a courtesy call on August 19 at the start of her tenure in Vietnam.

Tuc congratulated Wicks on her new assignment and spoke highly of her active engagement in various activities during the first weeks of her term, describing them as a sign of the importance the US attaches to its relations with Vietnam and its determination to promote bilateral cooperation.

The Deputy PM expressed his belief that with her extensive experience in the US administration and knowledge of the region, Wicks will have a successful tenure, making important contributions to the stable, substantive and effective development of the Vietnam–US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Vietnam consistently considers the US one of its most strategically important partners and wishes to fully realise the strategic value of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and deepen bilateral cooperation, he affirmed.

Economic, trade and investment ties should continue to serve as a driving force while science – technology, innovation and human resources development should become strategic and long-term areas of cooperation, Tuc went on.

He asked the ambassador to play a bridging role in promoting high-level exchanges and the substantive implementation of the agreements reached between the two sides, helping ensure that bilateral ties grow in a stable and sustainable manner for the benefit of the two peoples while contributing to peace, stability and development in the region.

The official said Vietnam is pursuing a new development model in which science – technology, innovation and digital transformation are identified as a key driver. It welcomes US businesses to make long-term investments in the country, particularly projects involving advanced technologies, technology transfer, human resources training and stronger links with Vietnamese firms.

Tuc also asked both sides to step up harmonious, sustainable and mutually beneficial economic and trade links, swiftly resolve outstanding issues, and soon conclude negotiations and sign a reciprocal, fair and balanced trade agreement to create a stable framework for their businesses to expand investment, production and business activities, according to VNA.

Thanking her host for the reception shortly after she began her tenure in Vietnam, Wicks recalled her meeting with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam, where she shared the view that Vietnam–US relations have never been better than they are today.

She expressed her honor to be entrusted by President Donald Trump with the task of promoting bilateral relations, and voiced her confidence that the two sides will achieve practical results in implementing their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The ambassador underlined the US commitment to supporting a strong, independent, resilient and prosperous Vietnam, stressing that economic and trade cooperation remains a top priority during her tenure, alongside efforts to expand collaboration across other areas.

Wicks highly valued the Vietnamese Government's efforts to improve the legal framework and the investment and business environment, as well as to strengthen dialogue to advance cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

She pledged to work closely with Vietnamese authorities to facilitate specific cooperation projects and called on the two sides to maintain positive exchanges to soon reach a high-standard, reciprocal, fair and balanced trade agreement, thereby creating more economic and investment opportunities for both countries.

She also appreciated the Vietnamese Government's attention to promoting the joint priorities and pledged all-out efforts to help the Vietnam–US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership thrive even more in the time ahead.

Hebei steps up agricultural cooperation with Vietnam

Vietnam and China’s Hebei Province are looking to expand agricultural trade, particularly in fruit and vegetables, by leveraging complementary products, growing market demand and improved logistics links while promoting value-added processing and more sustainable supply chains.

The potential was highlighted at the Hebei–Vietnam Agricultural Cooperation Promotion Program in Hanoi on August 19, jointly organized by Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Hebei province, China.

Hebei is one of China’s major agricultural provinces, with 6 million hectares of cultivated land. In 2025, the province produced more than 58 million tonnes of vegetables and 12.5 million tonnes of fruit, while agricultural exports reached US$2.57 billion to 174 countries and territories.

The province is known for products including pears, chestnuts, grapes and a wide range of processed agricultural goods. Its pear production accounts for a significant share of China’s total output.

Li Dan, head of the International Cooperation Division of Hebei’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, said Vietnam and the province have clear complementary strengths in agricultural products. In particular, the ASEAN freight train service linking Jize and Handan with Hanoi, launched on March 5, 2025, operates in both directions and has reduced transit times from 12–15 days to just 5–7 days, creating more favourable conditions for agricultural trade.

Delegates attend the Hebei–Vietnam Agricultural Cooperation Promotion Programme in Hanoi on August 19 (Photo: Mekong ASEAN)

Nguyen Minh Tien, director of the Agricultural Trade Promotion Centre under Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, said there is substantial room for Hebei and Vietnam to expand agricultural trade cooperation.

He highlighted the rail logistics connection between Hebei and Hanoi as a notable advantage. The link is expected to help shorten transport times, reduce costs, improve preservation conditions and enhance the stability of agricultural supply chains, reported VOV.

To make effective use of these opportunities, he suggested that businesses on both sides focus on quality, food safety, traceability, growing area codes, packaging, phytosanitary requirements and logistics, alongside increasing direct exchanges on market demand.

Beyond trade in goods, the two sides were encouraged to expand cooperation in deep processing, technology transfer, the utilization of agricultural by-products and the development of higher value-added products.

Meanwhile, Hoang Van Du, deputy director of the Agricultural Trade Promotion Centre, suggested that to expand trade, both sides increase capacity on the Hebei-Hanoi rail service, develop cold-storage systems and facilitate customs clearance for agricultural products. At the same time, quality standards should be strengthened from the production areas onward, with greater use of traceability and more systematic sharing of market information.

The two sides should also promote long-term, formal commercial contracts between businesses and cooperatives, helping reduce intermediaries and risks while gradually building stable, greener and more sustainable fruit and vegetable supply chains.

At the program, several Hebei businesses involved in agricultural processing, fruits and vegetables, plant-based extracts, cold storage and the circular economy presented their capabilities and explored potential partnerships with Vietnamese companies.

Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore build on friendship to drive new cooperation

Building on decades of friendship, Ho Chi Minh City and Singapore are looking to broaden cooperation in areas tied to new development needs, including the green economy, digital transformation, innovation, education, human resource development and people-to-people exchanges.

The message was highlighted at a gathering in Ho Chi Minh City on August 19 to mark Singapore’s 61st National Day, where representatives of the Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam-Singapore Friendship Association and the Singapore Consulate General discussed ways to turn the long-standing friendship between the two sides into more concrete cooperation.

From friendship to new growth opportunities

Lam Dung Tien, chairman of the Vietnam-Singapore Friendship Association - Ho Chi Minh City chapter, said Vietnam-Singapore relations have developed substantially over more than half a century, particularly since the two countries upgraded ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2025.

For Ho Chi Minh City, he noted, this creates room to expand engagement in technology, high-quality services, logistics, finance, trade, green development and innovation, alongside established cooperation in education, culture and people-to-people exchanges.

Taking the floor, Singapore Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Pang Te Cheng said recent cooperation in education, science and technology, advanced manufacturing, agricultural trade, innovation and human resource development showed that bilateral ties were becoming increasingly substantive, with Ho Chi Minh City serving as an important location for turning these areas into practical initiatives, cited VOV.

Lam Dung Tien, chairman of the Vietnam-Singapore Friendship Association - Ho Chi Minh City chapter, highlights cooperation potential between Vietnam and Singapore, as well as between Ho Chi Minh City and Singapore.

The two sides are also exploring cooperation in agriculture and sustainable development, including links between industry associations and a proposal to develop rice-drying and silo-storage systems in the Mekong Delta to improve post-harvest preservation and stabilise agricultural supply.

These efforts reflect a broader shift from building connections to creating tangible value from them, with business links, technology and innovation increasingly complementing traditional areas of cooperation.

Bringing closer ties to the people

People-to-people exchanges remain an important foundation for sustaining the relationship at the local level.

The Singapore Consulate General and Ho Chi Minh City authorities have organised cultural and educational activities, alumni networking, scholarships, community initiatives and business exchanges, helping strengthen links between the two societies.

The Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam-Singapore Friendship Association also hopes to establish a Vietnam-Singapore culture and friendship space as a venue for community exchanges and a platform connecting entrepreneurs, students, academics and social organisations.

Tien said friendship should translate into practical opportunities, allowing businesses to find partners, students and academics to expand exchanges, and people from both sides to gain a better understanding of each other’s cultures and societies.

Education and human resource development are seen as particularly promising. Internship programs, academic exchanges, alumni networks and partnerships between educational institutions could help build a generation of professionals familiar with both Vietnam and Singapore, creating long-term connections in technology, finance, management, innovation and entrepreneurship.

From economic and technology links to community and educational exchanges, Ho Chi Minh City-Singapore ties are gaining new momentum, with long-standing friendship increasingly serving as a foundation for more practical and sustainable cooperation.

Vietnam tops global culinary destinations ranking: NZ Herald

According to the international travel publication NZ Herald, Vietnam stands out with a distinctive culinary identity built around fresh flavors, aromatic herbs, diverse textures and rich broths.

From bustling street stalls and local eateries to lively cafés, food is deeply woven into everyday life and has become an integral part of exploring the Southeast Asian country, it noted.

Iconic dishes such as pho, banh mi, spring rolls, banh xeo, various noodle dishes and rice-based specialties can be found throughout local neighborhoods, traditional markets and eateries.

NZ Herald recommends that visitors explore traditional markets and join cooking classes to discover local ingredients, preparation techniques and the stories behind Vietnamese cuisine.

Vietnam has been named the world’s No. 1 culinary destination for 2026 in the NZ Herald Travel Readers’ Choice Awards. (Photo: TITC)

Another defining strength is the striking diversity between Vietnam's three major culinary regions.

Northern cuisine, represented by Ha Noi, is known for its delicate and refined flavours.

Central cuisine, particularly that of Hue, is noted for its bold, spicy flavours and elaborate dishes rooted in royal culinary traditions.

Southern cuisine tends to be richer and sweeter, with generous use of fresh herbs.

The ranking underscores Vietnam's growing appeal as a culinary tourism destination.

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