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Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung (L) and President of the Thai Senate Mongkol Surasajja at their meeting in Bangkok on August 21. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam – Thailand parliamentary cooperation continues to grow in depth

Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung on August 21 paid a courtesy call on President of the Thai Senate Mongkol Surasajja, who acknowledged progress in bilateral cooperation across all fields.

Mongkol Surasajja expressed delight at the continued substantive and in-depth development of relations between the two legislatures through regular delegation exchanges, coordination and mutual support at multilateral parliamentary forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA). He also noted that the two countries’ parliamentary friendship groups have maintained close cooperation.

He commended the upgrade of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in May and the two sides’ preparations to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year.

The Senate President appreciated Vietnam’s attention to and support for Thai businesses operating in the country, and hoped the two sides will soon achieve the trade target of 25 billion USD.

He said Vietnam remains an attractive destination for Thai tourists, and that cultural similarities form an important foundation for strengthening mutual understanding and bonds between the two peoples, cited VNA.

For his part, Hung affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to further consolidating and enhancing the two countries' friendship and cooperation, including the ties between their legislatures.

The ambassador expressed his hope that the Thai parliament will encourage Thai enterprises to expand investment in Vietnam’s priority sectors and promote balanced and sustainable trade relations.

On the occasion, the diplomat thanked the Thai parliament for its support for the Vietnamese community in Thailand, which he described as an important bridge for reinforcing the countries' friendship and mutual understanding.

Vietnam upgrades and deepens partnerships with 11 countries in first 7 months

In the first seven months of 2025, Vietnam's foreign affairs activities have made significant strides, with the country upgrading and deepening its cooperative relations with 11 international partners, bringing the total number of partnership frameworks to 38.

This information was shared by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang at a rapporteur conference hosted by the Information, Education and Mass Mobilization Service of the Government's Party Committee, in Hanoi on August 22.

Vietnam has now maintained partnerships with 13 comprehensive strategic partners, 10 strategic partners, and 15 comprehensive partners, reflecting the country’s increasingly elevated international status. Notably, Vietnam officially became a BRICS partner this year, a milestone that opens up new avenues for cooperation.

According to Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang, in the first seven months of the year, Vietnam’s foreign affairs activities helped maintain a favorable diplomatic landscape; uphold a peaceful and stable environment; firmly protect sovereignty and territorial integrity; and create resources and strategic space for development.

Vietnam has upgraded and deepened its cooperative relations with 11 international partners in the first seven months of 2025.

Foreign affairs efforts were comprehensively implemented across key pillars, including Party diplomacy, state diplomacy, people-to-people diplomacy, and parliamentary diplomacy, contributing to raising Vietnam’s position and role in international mechanisms, notably within ASEAN and the United Nations, according to VOV

A total of 55 high-level diplomatic activities were carried out, with a marked increase in the number of international visitors to Vietnam. On the occasion of Vietnam’s 80th National Day (September 2), seven high-level international delegations are expected to visit the country, including both official visits and ceremonial participation.

Citizen protection efforts also yielded strong results, with over 2,000 Vietnamese citizens successfully repatriated from illegal gambling operations in Cambodia, conflict zones in Myanmar, and war-affected areas in the Middle East.

Looking ahead, Hang said, Vietnam will continue to effectively capitalize on the momentum of upgraded partnerships, while promoting economic diplomacy and science-technology diplomacy to attract vital knowledge and technological resources for national development, supporting the goal of achieving at least 8% GDP growth in 2025.

Vietnam, Laos promote tradition of attachment, solidarity

Laos’ peace, stability, and prosperity today are owed in large part to the deep, sincere, and wholehearted support and cooperation from Vietnam, said Lao Ambassador to Australia Chatoulong Bouasisavath.

Leading a delegation to the Vietnamese Embassy in Sydney on August 22 to extend congratulations on the occasion of Vietnam’s 80th National Day (September 2), he congratulated the Party, State, and people of Vietnam on their tremendous achievements over the past eight decades, and underlined the significance of the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations.

He said as the world is facing many challenges that significantly affect the socio-economic situation and people’s lives, the Vietnamese and Lao governments and people remain determined to stand side by side and support each other, thereby demonstrating the bond of comradeship and brotherhood as well as the tradition of mutual assistance, reported VNA.

Lao Ambassador to Australia Chatoulong Bouasisavath (L) and Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Pham Hung Tam at the event (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Pham Hung Tam expressed delight at the important achievements in development and international integration that the Lao Party, State, and people have gained, as well as the remarkable outcomes of Vietnam–Laos cooperation across all fields.

Laos' sending of a military delegation to join the parade celebrating Vietnam’s 80th National Day is a vivid manifestation of the bilateral special solidarity, he noted.

Tam expressed his hope that the two embassies will tighten coordination and mutual support, contributing to deepening the sound relations between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs, while promoting more effective cooperation of each country with Australia and within regional and multilateral frameworks.

Vietnam braces for heavy rain as typhoon Kajiki heads to central coast

Vietnam’s central region is bracing for the arrival of typhoon Kajiki in the coming days, with authorities closely monitoring its path and preparing for significant impacts.

A tropical depression is moving into the East Sea and is forecast to strengthen into Typhoon Kajiki on August 23, said Mai Van Khiem, director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, at a meeting in Hanoi on August 22.

Kajiki, the fifth of its kind to hit the East Sea this stormy season, will be moving rapidly at approximately 20 km/h, and by August 24 it is expected to reach the Paracel Islands, packing winds of 89 – 117kph, with potential gusts up to 149kph, he added.

According to the meteorologist, favorable conditions such as warm sea surface temperatures and low vertical wind shear suggest further intensification as the typhoon heads towards the Gulf of Tonkin, with landfall projected for August 25.

Khiem warned that the storm’s large circulation area could impact coastal localities from Nghe An to Quang Tri, where winds of 89 – 117kph, with potential gusts up to 149kph, could be expected. Heavy rain is forecast from August 24 to 27, with accumulations ranging between 150–300 mm, and even exceeding 600 mm in some areas, cited VOV.

Typhoon Kajiki is likely to pound central Vietnam in the coming days. (Photo: VNDMS)

Rising river levels are anticipated between Thanh Hoa and Quang Tri, increasing the risk of flashfloods, landslides, and urban or low-lying flooding. Authorities are advised to implement flood-control plans, safeguard reservoirs, and evacuate at-risk residents.

At the meeting, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep urged the meteorological agency to enhance early warning capabilities, ensuring bulletins are issued up to one hour earlier than usual, enabling timely decisions to halt maritime operations and direct vessels to safety.

He also called for joint efforts to review dam safety, guide local authorities on public and tourist safety, and prepare for major events, including activities marking the 80th anniversary of National Day on September 2.

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting cautioned that for the remainder of the year, the frequency and intensity of storms and depressions in the East Sea may exceed historical averages, with rapidly evolving and unpredictable patterns.

Hanoi to stage five fireworks displayes for National Day

Hanoi will organize high- and low-altitude fireworks displays at five sites across the city on the evening of September 2 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the August Revolution and National Day.

Le Hong Son, Standing Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, on August 22 signed Plan No. 236/KH-UBND on organising fireworks displays to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the August Revolution (August 19, 1945–2025) and the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam (September 2, 1945–2025), cited NDO.

Brilliant fireworks lit up the sky at the art and political program “Fatherland in Our Hearts” held on the evening of August 10, 2025, at My Dinh Stadium. (Photo: Phuong Anh)

According to the plan, there will be five display sites comprising six locations for high- and low-altitude fireworks combined with pyrotechnics:

Specifically, fireworks displays combining both high- and low-altitude pyrotechnics will be organized in two locations. Location one is in front of the Hanoi Moi Newspaper Headquarters, Hoan Kiem Ward, and location two is in front of the Hanoi Post Office, Hoan Kiem Ward.

High-altitude fireworks combined with low-altitude will be organized in four locations, including location three at Coconut Island, Thong Nhat Park, Hai Ba Trung Ward; location four in front of the Water Sports Palace, National Sports Complex, Tu Liem Ward; location five at Lac Long Quan Flower Garden, Tay Ho Ward; and location six at Van Quan Lake, Ha Dong Ward.

The high-altitude fireworks will comprise a total of 3,600 shells (600 shells per site), and the low-altitude fireworks will include 540 racks (90 racks per site). The fireworks will last 15 minutes, from 9 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. on September 2.

The city has tasked the Hanoi Capital Command to coordinate with the City Public Security to ensure strict patrols, guard duty, public order, social safety, and fire prevention before, during, and after the fireworks displays.

The Hanoi Public Security will develop plans to ensure security, social order, and traffic safety. This includes directing and diverting traffic around the display areas, facilitating the transport of fireworks and technical equipment, and ensuring adequate fire prevention and firefighting forces and equipment.

The city also requested the People’s Committees of Hoan Kiem, Tu Liem, Tay Ho, and Hai Ba Trung Wards to conduct effective public information campaigns, organize cultural and artistic performances for residents at the fireworks display sites, and ensure timely handling of any arising situations.

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