Politburo member and Minister of Public Security General Luong Tam Quang (R) welcomes Secretary of State at the Cambodian Ministry of Interior Santibindit Chan Ean in Hanoi on August 4. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Cambodia strengthen security cooperation, law enforcement coordination

Politburo member and Minister of Public Security General Luong Tam Quang received Santibindit Chan Ean, Secretary of State at the Cambodian Ministry of Interior, in Hanoi on August 4, on the occasion of the latter’s working visit to Vietnam.

Welcoming the Cambodian delegation, Quang expressed his pleasure at the regular meetings between senior leaders of the two ministries, which provide opportunities to exchange views on issues of shared concern, share experience and support one another across various fields.

He affirmed that Vietnam-Cambodia relations have continued to be strengthened and developed positively, with political ties playing a leading role, and Party-to-Party cooperation receiving due attention, helping provide overall strategic direction for bilateral ties.

Regarding cooperation between the two ministries, Quang said that, based on high-level agreements between the two countries and the ministries’ 2026 cooperation plan, the two sides have closely coordinated to ensure security and safety during major political events and high-level visits in each country. They have also worked to prevent individuals and organizations from using one country’s territory to undermine the security and interests of the other.

The two sides have established a joint working group to step up the fight against transnational crime. Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security has also deployed a permanent working team to Cambodia, coordinating with local authorities in dismantling major cases involving online fraud and drug-related crime, cited VNA.

Quang spoke highly of the annual conference of the Ministers of Public Security/Interior of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, describing it as an important cooperation mechanism for strengthening coordination in safeguarding national security and maintaining social order and safety, thereby contributing to a stable environment for socio-economic development.

He proposed further enhancing training and Vietnamese and Khmer language skills among law enforcement personnel, particularly those in border localities, to improve information sharing and enable the two sides to promptly address security and public order issues at the grassroots level.

The minister also expressed his readiness to share Vietnam’s experience in streamlining the organizational apparatus, saying such experience could provide useful references for Cambodia as it works to improve the efficiency of its state apparatus.

For his part, Chan Ean thanked Quang and the Ministry of Public Security for sharing valuable practical experience in organizational restructuring, state management, and maintaining security and public order.

He expressed his hope that the two ministries will continue exchanges and experience-sharing and strengthen cooperation in combating transnational crime, particularly online fraud and drug-related offences, thereby contributing to security and order and further deepening the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia.

Parliamentary cooperation forms key pillar of Vietnam–Thailand comprehensive strategic partnership

Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung has highlighted parliamentary cooperation between the National Assemblies of Vietnam and Thailand as a key pillar of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

He shared this view in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency’s correspondents in Bangkok, ahead of the official visit to Vietnam from August 5–7 by Sophon Zaram, President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand.

According to the ambassador, the trip, to be made at the invitation of National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man, comes as the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations (August 6, 1976–2026). It also follows just over two months after Party General Secretary and State President To Lam paid an official visit to Thailand (May 27–28) and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited Vietnam (June 8–9). Hung said the upcoming visit reflects Thailand's high regard for its relationship with Vietnam and reaffirms the determination of the two legislatures to promote parliamentary diplomacy. It will also help implement agreements reached by senior leaders, as well as the 2023–2028 cooperation agreement between Vietnam's NA and Thailand's House of Representatives.

It will provide an opportunity for both sides to strengthen exchanges in legislation, oversight and decision-making on major national issues, promote delegation exchanges at all levels, and continue coordinating and supporting each other at regional and international parliamentary forums such as the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

“I hope the visit will provide fresh momentum for both sides to review and accelerate the implementation of existing cooperation agreements, while discussing broad directions to expand collaboration in economy, trade, investment, connectivity, education, science-technology, innovation, people-to-people exchanges, and closer coordination within regional mechanisms, particularly ASEAN,” Hung said.

He noted that relations between Vietnam's NA and Thailand's House of Representatives have continued to grow in recent years through high-level visits, professional exchanges and the sharing of experience in law-making, oversight and decision-making on major national issues. The two sides have also maintained close coordination and mutual support at regional and international parliamentary forums, including AIPA and IPU, helping enhance each country's voice and role in addressing regional and global issues, according to VNA.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung (Photo: VNA)

With bilateral ties having been elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership, the legislatures of both countries now play an even more important role, not only in improving the legal framework to facilitate the implementation of bilateral agreements, but also in strengthening oversight and promoting the fulfilment of commitments made by high-ranking leaders. This, he said, will help ensure that bilateral relations become increasingly substantive, effective and beneficial to the people of both countries.

Hung also expressed confidence that the series of high-level exchanges between Vietnam and Thailand this year would usher in a new phase in their partnership, taking bilateral cooperation to greater depth and delivering more tangible outcomes.

He added that the visits would strengthen political trust, deepen strategic cohesion and maintain the positive momentum in bilateral cooperation. Economic cooperation is expected to see stronger progress, particularly in trade, investment, logistics, digital transformation, green transition, high-tech agriculture and emerging technology sectors. At the same time, joint work in culture, education, tourism, local-level connectivity and youth exchanges will continue to expand, helping reinforce the social foundations of the relationship and strengthen ties between the two countries' people.

Vietnam, China expand connectivity to generate growth drivers

Vietnam and China are expanding cooperation across multiple fields, from trade, investment, and infrastructure connectivity to agricultural exports, which, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Thanh Binh, serve as vital engines promoting growth and national development.

The 33rd Diplomatic Conference takes place at a time when Vietnam enters a new development phase aimed at maintaining high economic growth and laying the groundwork to fulfill its development targets for 2030 and 2045. This places a requirement on the diplomatic sector to continue asserting its pioneering role in mobilizing external resources, expanding markets, attracting investment and technology, and accompanying localities and businesses to serve national development.

Practical efforts in China, Vietnam's largest trading partner, show that economic diplomacy is being turned into increasingly substantive cooperation outcomes.

Vietnamese diplomatic missions not only promote trade, investment, and infrastructure connectivity, but also act as a bridge connecting ministries, sectors, localities, and enterprises with Chinese partners, thereby contributing to materializing high-level agreements, reported VOV.

Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Thanh Binh

According to Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Thanh Binh, during the five-month period of 2026, two-way trade turnover reached US$122.6 billion, up 32.2% year-on-year. China continued to lead in the number of new investment projects in Vietnam with 462 projects during the past four months, totaling US$1.09 billion. China was also Vietnam's largest source of international tourists, with 1.85 million arrivals during the reviewed period.

Economic diplomacy accompanies growth targets

Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh states that the Embassy of Vietnam in China has actively coordinated with domestic agencies to position economic and trade cooperation as a central focus in bilateral diplomatic activities, particularly high-level visits and contacts.

Notably, the Embassy coordinated preparations for the State visit to China by General Secretary and President To Lam, contributing to the signing of 32 cooperation documents across various fields. Among these, agreements on customs and phytosanitary inspections have created more favorable conditions for Vietnam's exports of pomelo, lime, and several other agricultural products to China.

Additionally, the Embassy supported over 30 working delegations from Vietnamese ministries, sectors, and localities, as well as Chinese delegations, thus promoting trade, investment, and business matching.

Another key highlight is the advancement of strategic connectivity projects, particularly three railway routes connecting the two countries. To date, the Chinese side has handed over the draft Initial Report for the feasibility study of the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway route; concurrently, both sides signed a Technical Assistance Agreement for planning the Dong Dang - Hanoi and Mong Cai - Ha Long - Hai Phong routes.

Furthermore, the Embassy maintains relations with local authorities, business associations, and major Chinese corporations such as Sunwah, ZTE, TCL, and Zhongguancun; it also organizes trade and investment promotion events such as “Phở Day” and the Vietnam - China Green Industry Cooperation and Exchange Program, thereby strengthening ties between the two business communities.

Sharing future orientations, the Vietnamese diplomat emphasizes: “In the coming period, to help achieve double-digit growth after the 14th National Party Congress and realize the two centennial goals in 2030 and 2045, economic diplomacy must shift from 'quantity' to 'quality,' enhancing implementation efficiency, especially in operationalizing bilateral agreements.”

According to the Ambassador, economic diplomacy needs to focus more strongly on new growth engines such as science and technology, digital economy, semiconductors, and innovation; while continuing to promote its bridging role between ministries, sectors, localities, and businesses with foreign partners to effectively capitalize on resources for national development.

Market expansion elevates value of Vietnamese agricultural products

Alongside promoting trade, investment, and infrastructure connectivity, supporting agricultural exports remains a central pillar of economic diplomacy for the Embassy of Vietnam in China. While China is a vast consumer market for Vietnamese agricultural produce, it is also raising its standards regarding quality, traceability, and food safety.

According to Binh, Vietnam's exports of agricultural and aquatic products to China continued to register positive growth in the early months of 2026. By April, export turnover hit US$3.6 billion, a 22.4% increase year-on-year, accounting for 25.7% of Vietnam's total agricultural and aquatic exports worldwide. Fruit and vegetable exports alone stood at US$415.8 million, up 31.4%.

To assist businesses in better capitalizing on this market, the Embassy will continue to coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to effectively implement agreements on agricultural exports, advocate for market opening for new commodities, and address emerging difficulties during the export process.

Concurrently, the Embassy will provide timely updates on Chinese regulations, quality standards, and quarantine requirements; assist in connecting Vietnamese enterprises with distribution networks, import firms, logistics hubs, and e-commerce platforms in China; and expand exports to regions with high potential, such as Northern and Northwestern China.

Starting June 2026, the Embassy has been reinforced with an additional Agricultural Counselor to boost agricultural cooperation, align policies, and support agricultural export enterprises.

Assessing the potential of the Chinese market, Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh affirms, “The growth room for Vietnamese agricultural products in the Chinese market remains immense.” According to the Ambassador, to effectively leverage this potential, businesses and localities must improve product quality, strictly control production, processing, packaging, and traceability chains, and satisfy technical and food safety standards. Furthermore, it is necessary to step up deep processing, improve packaging, develop cold storage systems and logistics, and effectively utilize cooperation frameworks such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area 3.0 (ACFTA 3.0) to enhance the competitiveness of Vietnamese agricultural products.

Promoting local connectivity, expanding tourism cooperation

Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh stresses that realizing the high-level common perception on launching the Vietnam - China Tourism Year 2026-2027, the Embassy will continue to boost tourism cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and local connectivity.

Moving forward, the Embassy will coordinate with ministries, sectors, and localities to effectively implement the Vietnam - China Cultural and Tourism Cooperation Plan for the 2023-2027 period; maintain ties with relevant Chinese authorities; and support the organization of cultural, artistic, and promotional events during diplomatic activities.

The Embassy will also support expanding connections between localities with potential for tourism and trade cooperation; promote the establishment and deepening of local cooperation mechanisms; and boost youth exchanges and delegation exchange programs. In addition, research will be conducted on leveraging popular digital platforms and social media networks in China to promote Vietnamese tourism.

The Embassy of Vietnam in China will continue to actively promote people-to-people exchanges, tourism cooperation, and bilateral local connectivity, Binh adds.

According to the Ambassador, strengthening ties between localities, businesses, and people will create further opportunities for trade, investment, and tourism cooperation, thereby deepening the Vietnam - China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership.

The achievements in the first half of 2026 demonstrate that when closely synchronized with national development imperatives and the needs of localities and enterprises, economic diplomacy not only helps expand markets and attract investment, but also creates favorable conditions to execute cooperation agreements, advance infrastructure connectivity, support exports, and boost local cooperation.

These vital directions help the diplomatic sector continue fulfilling its role in serving national development in the new period.

Vietnam welcomes nearly 14 million foreign arrivals in January-July period

Vietnam welcomed 13.9 million international visitors in the first seven months of 2026, a 13.8 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

In July alone, 1.67 million international visitors arrived in Vietnam, up 6.6 percent year-on-year.

The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) attributed the sustained double-digit growth to the country's increasing attractiveness as a destination, supported by more favorable visa policies, expanded international flight networks, stronger tourism promotion efforts, and continuous improvements in tourism products and service quality.

The strong performance comes despite ongoing uncertainties in the global tourism industry and Vietnam's traditional low season for international travel.

China remained Vietnam's largest source market during the January–July period, with approximately 3.1 million visitors, accounting for 22.2 percent of total arrivals. South Korea ranked second with 2.4 million visitors.

Russia continued to rank third, with 864,000 arrivals, marking a remarkable 174 percent increase from a year earlier and making it Vietnam's largest European source market. According to the VNAT, the sharp rebound was driven by the restoration of direct air routes, increased flight frequencies, and growing demand among Russian travelers for Vietnam's beach destinations.

Europe remained the fastest-growing region, with visitor arrivals increasing by an average of 53.4 percent year-on-year. Besides Russia, arrivals from Poland rose 51.3 percent, the Czech Republic up 28.6 percent, Sweden up 24.7 percent, and Switzerland up 21.7 percent. All four markets benefit from Vietnam's visa exemption policy, underscoring the effectiveness of measures aimed at facilitating travel and attracting high-spending visitors, VGP reported.

Vietnam targets to attract 25 million foreign arrivals in 2026.

Among Asian markets, the Philippines recorded the strongest growth, with arrivals surging 63.6 percent, followed by India (up 42.9 percent), Cambodia (up 40.8 percent), Singapore (up 31 percent), Indonesia (up 27.3 percent), and Malaysia (up 21.6 percent). Asia continued to be a major growth engine, supported by geographic proximity, expanding air connectivity, and increasing demand for regional travel.

Long-haul markets also posted healthy gains. Visitor arrivals from the U.S. increased 18.3 percent, Canada up 25.1 percent, Australia up 22.5 percent, and New Zealand up 22.4 percent. These markets contributed significantly to tourism revenue, as their visitors generally have longer stays and higher spending levels.

Looking ahead, the VNAT expects international arrivals to continue rising as the peak travel season begins in the third quarter and extends through the end of the year. The agency plans to sustain growth by leveraging visa facilitation measures, expanding international air services, diversifying tourism offerings, and intensifying promotional campaigns in key overseas markets, with the aim of achieving the target of 25 million international visitors in 2026.

Northern and north-central Vietnam warned of torrential rain

Weather forecasters have warned of widespread heavy rain across northern Vietnam, with some areas expected to receive more than 300 mm over three days.

Northern Vietnam and parts of the north-central region are expected to experience widespread heavy rainfall from August 4 to August 6, with some locations forecast to receive more than 300 millimeters of rain, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

Weather forecaster Le Thi Hong Van of the center's Weather Forecast Department said the rainfall event will begin on the afternoon of August 4 and continue through August 6, affecting most northern provinces as well as the area stretching from Thanh Hoa to Ha Tinh.

Rainfall could exceed 300 mm

Total rainfall during the three-day period is forecast to reach 100-200 mm across much of the affected region, while isolated locations may receive more than 300 mm.

The heaviest downpours are expected during the late afternoon, evening, overnight and early morning hours.

Forecast rainfall includes:

Afternoon of August 4 through August 5: 40-80 mm, with isolated totals above 130 mm and rainfall intensity exceeding 100 mm within three hours.

Night of August 5 through August 6: 60-120 mm, with isolated areas receiving more than 170 mm.

Photo caption: Heavy rain is forecast to affect large parts of northern Vietnam. Photo: Hoang Minh.

Ten provinces face the highest risk

Forecasters identified 10 provinces and municipalities as having the highest likelihood of experiencing heavy rainfall: Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Ninh Binh, Phu Tho, Son La, Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Tuyen Quang, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An.

Before the main weather system arrives, scattered thunderstorms and locally heavy rain are expected from the evening of August 3 through the morning of August 4 across northern Vietnam, Thanh Hoa and Nghe An, cited VNN.

Heavy rain is forecast to affect large parts of northern Vietnam. Photo: Hoang Minh.

Rainfall during that period is forecast to range from 10-35 mm, although some locations could receive more than 100 mm, particularly in Phu Tho, Son La, Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Lao Cai and Tuyen Quang.

Flooding and landslide threats

The national weather agency warned that thunderstorms may be accompanied by lightning, hail, strong wind gusts and localized severe weather.

Intense rainfall over short periods could trigger urban flooding in low-lying districts, industrial zones and densely populated areas.

Mountainous communities have also been urged to remain alert for flash floods along small rivers and streams, as well as landslides on steep slopes.

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