| Vietnam News Today (Aug. 7) notable headlines Party chief calls for stronger Vietnam–India cooperation in various areas President Luong Cuong’s Angola visit adds fresh impetus to bilateral cooperation Vietnam posts trade surplus of 10.18 billion USD in seven months Foreign tourist numbers up 22.5%, air arrivals dominate growth Tay Ninh sounds out investment opportunities in Japan Intellectuals, scientists, artists urged to shape Vietnam’s development path forward Vietnam reaffirms commitment to ASEAN+3 tourism cooperation |
Party chief calls for stronger Vietnam–India cooperation in various areas
Party General Secretary To Lam hosted a reception for Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Sandeep Arya on August 6 in Hanoi, during which the Party chief called for stronger cooperation between the two countries in science-technology, innovation, culture, education, religion, and tourism.
General Secretary Lam congratulated Indian people on the occasion of India's 79th Independence Day (August 15, 1947 – 2025), and praised the remarkable achievements the country has made over the years, particularly in socio-economic development, science and technology, and its increasing position in the region and the world.
He thanked India for its support for Vietnam during the country's struggle for national independence in the past, as well as in its current national construction, affirming that Vietnam values its traditional friendship with India.
The Party leader highly valued the sound development of bilateral relations across fields, affirming that India is one of Vietnam’s leading comprehensive strategic partners in the region.
He emphasized the strong political trust, shared strategic interests, and deep-rooted cultural ties between the two countries as key foundations for advancing their comprehensive strategic partnership more effectively and substantially.
He called on the Indian diplomat to further promote bilateral cooperation, especially delegation exchanges at all levels, effective implementation of existing agreements, defense-security collaboration, economic connectivity, and efforts to raise two-way trade to 20 billion USD and double mutual investment.
He took the occasion to extend his greetings to Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and invite Indian leaders to visit Vietnam at a convenient time.
Ambassador Sandeep Arya thanked the Party chief for his strong support and goodwill toward India and the India-Vietnam relationship. He affirmed that India regards Vietnam as one of its top important partners in the region, according to VNA.
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| Party General Secretary To Lam (R) shakes hands with Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Sandeep Arya at their meeting in Hanoi on August 6, 2025. (Photo: VNA) |
He admired the country’s socio-economic development achievements in recent times, and praised the strategic vision and strong determination of the Vietnamese Party and State in promoting reforms with a new development strategy to usher the country into a new era - that of the nation's rise.
The Ambassador expressed his belief that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), headed by General Secretary To Lam, Vietnam will achieve its goal of becoming a developed country by 2045.
He briefed the host on the positive developments in the multifaceted cooperation between the two countries in recent times, noting that both sides are working together to implement high-level agreements and the Action Program for the comprehensive strategic partnership for the 2024–2028 period.
He underscored India's strengths in science and technology, information technology, artificial intelligence, and its willingness to share experience and boost cooperation with Vietnam to achieve shared development goals in the new period.
Echoing the views of General Secretary Lam, the diplomat affirmed that India will continue working closely with Vietnamese ministries, sectors, and localities to further promote bilateral cooperation, particularly in key areas such as defense, security, trade, science-technology, people-to-people exchange, education, training, and tourism, aiming to deepen the bilateral relations in line with the potential and political trust between Vietnam and India.
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| Angola’s Ambassador to Vietnam Fernando Miguel. (Photo: MoET) |
President Luong Cuong’s Angola visit adds fresh impetus to bilateral cooperation
President Luong Cuong and his spouse are scheduled to pay a State visit to Angola from August 6-9 at the invitation of President Joao Manuel Gonçalves Lourenco and his spouse.
Talking to the press in Hanoi recently, Ambassador Miguel affirmed that this is the highest-level visit by a Vietnamese leader to Angola in nearly two decades. The visit marks a turning point in the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Angola as both countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1975–2025).
During the visit, he said, both sides will hold high-level meetings between leaders, ministries, and enterprises, and sign several important cooperation agreements. These activities will allow the two countries to review the implementation of existing agreements, define new priorities, and establish favorable legal frameworks for future cooperation initiatives.
According to the Ambassador, the economic potential between Vietnam and Angola remains underutilised. With a population of nearly 36 million, Angola is one of Africa’s largest consumer markets having strong demand for products in sectors such as processed agricultural goods, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, and technology that all match Vietnam’s strengths in manufacturing and exports.
Despite this, two-way trade currently stands at a modest US$150–200 million annually. Angola has strong interest in sectors where Vietnam has practical experience, such as oil and gas, telecommunications, agriculture, healthcare, and vocational training.
The two countries are negotiating key documents, including one on investment promotion and protection; double tax avoidance; and trade, agriculture, and industry cooperation. These legal instruments will offer businesses long-term security and encourage greater investment and partnership, he stressed.
Angola is currently implementing its 2023-2027 national development strategy, focusing on industrialisation, sustainable agriculture, and digital transformation – the areas where Vietnam can contribute through a “co-development” model rather than simple trade exchange, according to the diplomat.
The Angolan government has introduced investment-friendly policies, including simplified licensing procedures, tax incentives for priority projects, special economic zones with a one-stop-shop mechanism, and a stabilized national currency (Kwanza), which facilitates profit repatriation, cited VOV.
Ambassador Miguel therefore encouraged Vietnamese enterprises to penetrate Angola as a long-term strategic partner and collaborate in building sustainable value chains in Africa.
Vietnam has approximately 8,000 people living and working in Angola, the largest overseas community in Africa. They are active in construction, trade, education, healthcare, and electronics, and their diligence, creativity, and strong adaptability have enabled them to secure a firm position in the local economy.
The Ambassador expressed his belief President Luong Cuong’s would generate new political momentum to comprehensively promote bilateral cooperation across all areas.
Vietnam posts trade surplus of 10.18 billion USD in seven months
Vietnam’s export earnings grew by 14.8% to 262.44 billion USD in the first seven months of this year, while its import turnover rose by 17.9% to 252.26 billion USD, resulting in a trade surplus of 10.18 billion USD, the National Statistics Office (NSO) reported on August 6.
The country's total import-export turnover reached 514.7 billion USD in the period, marking an increase of 16.3% year-on-year.
The domestic economic sector posted a growth rate of 6.7%% to 67.48 billion USD in exports, while the foreign-invested sector, including crude oil, increased by 17.9% to 194.96 billion USD.
The exports of processed industrial goods stood at 232.37 billion USD, accounting for 88.6% of the total export turnover. Agricultural and forestry products reached 22.4 billion USD, accounting for 8.5%; aquatic products 6.08 billion USD or 2.3%; and fuel and mineral products 1.59 billion USD, making up 0.6%.
Meanwhile, the imports of production materials were estimated at 236.57 billion USD, making up 93.8% of the total import turnover. Consumer goods hit 15.69 billion USD, accounting for 6.2%, reported VNA.
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| Vietnam posts trade surplus of 10.18 billion USD in the first seven months of 2025. (Photo: VNA) |
Vietnam ran a trade surplus of 22.3 billion USD with the EU in the first seven months, marking a 9.9% increase year-on-year, while the surplus with Japan rose 21% to 1.3 billion USD.
China remained Vietnam’s largest import market in the preriod, with turnover reaching 101.5 billion USD. Vietnam recorded a trade deficit of 66.5 billion USD with the neighbouirng country, up 41.1% year-on-year.
The trade deficit with the Republic of Korea stood at 17.4 billion USD, slightly down 0.2%, while the deficit with ASEAN rose sharply by 63% to 8.5 billion USD.
Foreign tourist numbers up 22.5%, air arrivals dominate growth
Vietnam recorded a robust surge in international tourism in the first seven months of the year, with 12.23 million foreign visitors visiting the country, up 22.5% compared to the same period last year, the National Statistics Office (NSO) reported on August 6.
Notably, air travel accounted for the majority, with 10.4 million arrivals, or 85.1% of the total, reflecting a 23.8% year-on-year increase.
Tourism by road also experienced strong growth, reaching 1.6 million visitors, up 15.8%, while sea arrivals rose to 183,900, representing an 11.1% increase.
In July alone, Vietnam welcomed 1.56 million international visitors, up 6.8% from June and 35.7% higher than the same month last year, VOV reported.
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| Tourists from Kazakhstan arrive at Cam Ranh International Airport, Khanh Hoa |
According to the GSO, the impressive growth is credited to favorable visa policies, enhanced tourism promotion campaigns, and festive activities celebrating national holidays.
The domestic travel industry earned VND52.8 trillion in revenue in seven months, marking a year-on-year increase of 20%. Leading the growth were Dong Nai, up 31.5%; Lao Cai, up 28.4%; Ho Chi Minh City, up 23.4%; Hue, up 22.6%; and Hanoi, 18.8%.
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