Party General Secretary and State President To Lam (R) and Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo SL Oban Jr. during their meeting in Hanoi on August 20.

Vietnam, Philippines to make enhanced Strategic Partnership more substantive

Vietnam and the Philippines are moving to translate their newly upgraded Enhanced Strategic Partnership into concrete cooperation in security, maritime affairs and ASEAN coordination, alongside strengthening strategic consultations and political trust.

The direction was underscored by Party General Secretary and State President To Lam during his reception for Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo SL Oban Jr. in Hanoi on August 20.

Against a backdrop of complex regional and global developments, the two countries share common interests in maintaining peace and stability, strengthening resilience and coordinating on regional issues.

The Vietnamese leader called for stronger political trust, more exchanges at all levels and more effective use of existing cooperation mechanisms. He urged the two sides to accelerate the signing of an Action Program to implement the Enhanced Strategic Partnership.

The program is expected to provide a framework for turning high-level agreements into concrete areas of cooperation. The two countries upgraded their relationship during the leader’s state visit to the Philippines from May 31 to June 1, 2026.

Deepening security and maritime cooperation

Security and maritime cooperation are among the areas receiving particular attention under the new framework.

The two sides were encouraged to strengthen existing maritime cooperation mechanisms while expanding security cooperation into areas such as search and rescue and the application of science and technology to address both traditional and non-traditional security challenges.

These include transnational crime, climate change, water security, energy security and food security.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam also called on Vietnam and the Philippines to continue coordinating their positions on issues of common concern in the East Sea, contributing to peace and stability in the region.

Vietnam is ready to support the Philippines and contribute to maritime cooperation initiatives under ASEAN, while working toward a Code of Conduct in the East Sea that is effective, substantive and consistent with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), cited VOV.

Oban agreed with the proposed directions, noting that the Philippines and Vietnam share common interests in maintaining peace and stability, strengthening dialogue and resolving differences and disputes peacefully on the basis of international law and UNCLOS 1982.

He said he would work to advance the Enhanced Strategic Partnership in a substantive and effective manner, including in security cooperation.

Strengthening ASEAN coordination

ASEAN provides another important avenue for the two countries to work together, particularly as the Philippines holds the ASEAN chairmanship in 2026.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam congratulated the Philippines on its role as ASEAN Chair and its efforts to advance the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. He reaffirmed Vietnam’s readiness to work with the Philippines and other ASEAN members to strengthen peace and security, connectivity and inclusive, sustainable development with people at the centre.

The two sides agreed to step up coordination and mutual support for initiatives within ASEAN and other regional mechanisms, while strengthening consultations on strategic regional and global issues.

The year 2026 also marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Philippines, giving added significance to efforts to develop the new partnership framework.

Building on that foundation, closer cooperation between agencies and security forces is expected to help turn the Enhanced Strategic Partnership into practical arrangements, and create additional channels for the two countries to address challenges affecting regional peace, security and development.

Key Party leader's visit to lay foundation for Vietnam-Singapore new-generation strategic relationship

The official visit to Singapore by Member of the Political Bureau and Standing Member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Tran Cam Tu and his co-chairing of the first Vietnam-Singapore Strategic Dialogue on August 24-25, carry landmark significance at the strategic, political and practical levels, said Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Tran Phuoc Anh.

First, the visit will open a new channel for strategic-level exchanges between the two countries - the Party-to-Party channel. This marks a shift from a “good relationship” towards a “strategic relationship”, enabling the two sides to engage in frank and in-depth discussions on long-term issues, including national development orientations, State building, economic development, social governance, personnel training, as well as regional and global developments, he told Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Singapore.

Second, the visit will provide an important political foundation for turning the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) into concrete collaboration programs. The first strategic dialogue will help the two sides identify new areas of cooperation beyond traditional fields such as trade, investment, education and defence-security. Particularly, Singapore has extensive experience in areas of interest to Vietnam, including artificial intelligence (AI), the digital economy, innovation, urban governance, human resource development, logistics, finance, and international connectivity.

Third, the visit offers an opportunity for the two sides to advance bilateral relations into practical areas aligned with Vietnam’s development priorities. Vietnam-Singapore cooperation in the coming period could move beyond the model of Singapore investing in Vietnam towards a deeper partnership model based on joint research, joint innovation, joint technology development, and joint participation in regional and global value chains.

Finally, Phuoc Anh said the most significant aspect of the visit is that it will create a new “architecture” for Vietnam-Singapore relations. Whereas bilateral ties have previously been driven mainly through Government-to-Government mechanisms and economic projects, a multi-layered structure could now emerge encompassing Party-to-Party, State-to-State, Government-to-Government, legislature-to-legislature, locality-to-locality and people-to-people ties, with the strategic dialogue serving as a bridge at the political-strategic level.

“I expect the dialogue to become not merely a high-level policy exchange mechanism, but a genuine new driving force for turning the major orientations of the two countries into concrete, breakthrough cooperation programs and projects that create long-term value,” he said.

First, in the areas of green economy and energy transition, Vietnam wishes to draw on Singapore’s strengths in technology, green finance, governance and international connectivity to jointly promote clean energy, carbon credit and circular economy projects. A strategically significant avenue for cooperation will be to connect Vietnam’s energy production centres with Singapore’s financial, technological and market ecosystems, thereby developing cooperation models that could be replicated across the region.

Second, digital transformation, AI and innovation will form an important pillar. Singapore boasts extensive experience in developing digital government, data governance, AI and innovation ecosystems, while Vietnam has a large market, an increasingly strong technology workforce and substantial demand for digital transformation.

The two sides could go beyond experience-sharing towards jointly developing solutions, innovation centres, human resources training programs and AI, data and digital technology projects serving public administration and businesses, the ambassador recommended.

Third, the dialogue could help remove bottlenecks in investment cooperation and business connectivity. Singapore is currently one of the largest investors in Vietnam, but there remains considerable room for further joint work, particularly in high technology, semiconductors, logistics, finance, smart cities, healthcare, education and emerging industries, according to VNA.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Tran Phuoc Anh in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency (Photo: VNA)

Finally, Phuoc Anh said the greatest value of the strategic dialogue lies in helping the sides anticipate new development trends in the region together, rather than simply addressing existing bilateral issues. With their CSP, high level of political trust and strong economic complementarity, the two countries are well placed to become ASEAN pioneers in green economy, digital transformation, AI, clean energy and innovation.

“If we can achieve this, the strategic dialogue will not only generate new projects, but, more importantly, create new models of cooperation, making a practical contribution to building a more dynamic, more creative, greener and more competitive ASEAN,” he said.

The ambassador noted that the visit and the dialogue carry significance beyond the bilateral framework, as they also represent a practical contribution to ASEAN solidarity, unity and centrality.

Vietnam and Singapore share core interests in building a united, self-reliant and adaptable ASEAN that plays a proactive role in the regional architecture. The dialogue will provide an additional channel for the two sides to discuss strategic issues, narrow differences, strengthen trust and coordinate more closely within ASEAN, he added.

Tightening ties with China remains top priority in Vietnam’s foreign policy: Deputy PM

Vietnam considers strengthening relations with China a top priority in its overall foreign policy, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra told Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam He Wei on August 20.

At their meeting, Tra spoke highly of the ambassador’s and the embassy’s positive contributions to the development of Vietnam-China relations, particularly their successful coordination in arranging high-level diplomatic activities, including the General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and President To Lam’s state visit to China and a phone call between Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

Highlighting the long-standing friendship between the two countries' Parties, States and people, she noted that amid complex, rapid and unpredictable developments in the regional and international situation, the two sides should effectively implement important common perceptions reached by their top leaders, and continuously consolidate and develop bilateral ties, especially in areas of substantive cooperation, reported VNA.

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra (R) receives Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam He Wei on August 20. (Photo: chinhphu.vn)

Briefing the ambassador on Vietnam’s recent situation, particularly the issuance, dissemination and implementation of key strategic resolutions for the country’s new development period, Tra called on the two sides to maintain close coordination, efficiently carry out cooperation agreements, promote exchanges at all levels, enhance the effectiveness of practical collaboration across fields, and support each other in realising development goals.

Congratulating China on its development achievements under the leadership of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, with General Secretary and President Xi Jinping at its core, the Deputy PM spoke highly of the country’s development experience. She expressed her hope that the two sides will increase exchanges and share experience in areas such as apparatus organisation, high-quality human resources development, talent attraction and utilisation, tourism, cultural industries, health care, particularly traditional medicine, and other social fields.

For his part, He affirmed that relations between the two Parties and countries are enjoying a period of strong development, with frequent high-level contacts, practical cooperation across various fields, and particularly robust growth in trade, investment and tourism, alongside vibrant people-to-people exchanges.

He congratulated Vietnam on its development achievements, especially its strong reforms in numerous fields under the leadership of the CPV Central Committee headed by General Secretary and President To Lam. He affirmed that China stands ready to work with Vietnam to strengthen exchanges and share experience, jointly advance the cause of socialism development in each country, and deliver tangible benefits to their people.

Vietnamese exports eye deeper foothold in South American markets

Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay are opening new opportunities for Vietnamese exporters as demand grows for machinery, equipment, electronics, supporting industries and processed foods.

South America is emerging as a market with considerable room for Vietnamese goods, with Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay offering different demand patterns and strategic advantages.

In the first six months of 2026, Argentina exported around US$1.8 billion to Vietnam and imported US$469 million from the Southeast Asian nation, giving Argentina a trade surplus of about US$1.33 billion. Recent economic reforms, streamlined procedures and the easing of some trade barriers are creating more favorable conditions for foreign goods to enter the market, reported VOV.

Vietnam is among Argentina’s trading partners with which the country runs a large trade surplus.

Demand in Argentina is growing for electronics and components, machinery, equipment for energy and mining, logistics and infrastructure, areas where Vietnamese manufacturers have growing capabilities.

Uruguay, meanwhile, offers a favorable business environment and a strategic logistics position within the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), potentially providing Vietnamese companies with a platform for reaching wider South American markets.

Paraguay has significant demand for agricultural machinery, industrial equipment, spare parts and products used in processing, creating another avenue for Vietnamese exporters.

Beyond selling products, joining supply chains

Against these different market profiles, product groups seen as having growth potential during 2026-2030 include phones and electronic components, machinery and equipment, supporting industries, seafood and processed foods.

Vietnamese consumer goods such as garments and footwear have already established a presence in these markets. However, they face competition from other suppliers as well as manufacturers within Mercosur. Rather than pursuing volume alone, Vietnamese businesses may therefore find greater opportunities by targeting segments where they have stronger competitive advantages. Official trade data also show that Vietnamese electronics, machinery, footwear and other manufactured products already have a presence in Argentina but with room to expand their market share.

For agricultural products, the strong farming sectors of Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay make it difficult for Vietnamese goods to compete directly in common commodities.

The stronger opportunities may instead lie in processed coffee, pepper, foods made from tropical agricultural products, beverages, organic products and other higher-value goods.

Crucially, opportunities in these markets are not limited to final consumer demand. Argentina needs equipment for energy, mining and infrastructure projects; Paraguay has room for agricultural machinery and processing equipment; while Uruguay’s logistics position within Mercosur could give Vietnamese businesses access to wider regional markets.

These areas could allow Vietnamese companies to move from selling individual consignments to becoming longer-term suppliers.

A bigger market requires a different approach

Turning these opportunities into actual export growth will require Vietnamese businesses to build long-term partnerships, understand the regulations and market characteristics of each country and connect exports with local projects and supply chains.

Instead of focusing primarily on short-term orders, companies could target opportunities to supply machinery, components, materials or processed products for sectors where Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay are increasing investment and production capacity.

This approach reflects the distinct strengths of the three markets, with Argentina offering opportunities in machinery, energy and mining; Paraguay having potential in agriculture and food processing; and Uruguay having advantages in regional services and logistics.

By taking advantage of these differences, Vietnamese goods could not only strengthen their presence in individual markets but also reach neighboring economies through the wider Mercosur network.

Tropical depression may become Storm No. 4 in Gulf of Tonkin

A tropical depression north of China’s Hainan Island is moving toward the Gulf of Tonkin and could strengthen into a storm within the next 24 hours, bringing rough seas and winds gusting up to 102kph.

A tropical depression near Hainan Island is forecast to enter the Gulf of Tonkin and could intensify into the fourth storm to form over the East Sea this year, according to Vietnam’s National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

At 1pm on August 20, the center of the tropical depression was over the northern part of Hainan Island, China.

Maximum sustained winds near its center were at 39-49kph, with gusts reaching a higher level.

The system was moving west at a relatively slow speed of 5-10kph.

Over the next 24 hours, the tropical depression is forecast to shift west-northwest at 5-10kph, enter the Gulf of Tonkin and potentially strengthen into a storm.

By 1pm on August 21, the storm’s center is expected to be over the eastern waters of the Gulf of Tonkin, with sustained winds of 62-74kph and gusts of up to 89-102kph.

If the system develops into a storm as forecast, it will become Storm No. 4 in the East Sea in 2026, VNN reported.

A Level 3 disaster risk warning has been issued for waters in the northwestern part of the northern East Sea and the Gulf of Tonkin.

Storm expected to move slowly after entering Gulf of Tonkin

During the following 24 hours, the system is forecast to turn west and move even more slowly, at just 3-5kph, while gradually weakening.

By 1pm on August 22, its center is expected to be over the northern Gulf of Tonkin, with sustained winds of 50-61kph and gusts of up to 75-88kph.

A Level 3 disaster risk warning will remain in effect for the Gulf of Tonkin.

Over the following 48-72 hours, the tropical depression is forecast to continue moving west at around 3-5kph, with sustained winds of 39-61kph and stronger gusts.

The system’s slow movement means hazardous marine conditions could persist across affected waters.

In the northwestern waters of the northern East Sea, winds are forecast at 39-49kph with stronger gusts. Waves could reach 2-4 meters, leaving the sea rough.

From the evening of August 20, conditions in the Gulf of Tonkin are expected to deteriorate, with winds strengthening to 39-61kph.

Near the storm’s center, winds could reach 62-74kph, with gusts of up to 89-102kph. Waves are forecast to rise to 2.5-3.5 meters, producing very rough seas.

Authorities warned that vessels operating in the affected areas could face thunderstorms, waterspouts, strong winds and high waves.

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