Vietnam News Today (Feb. 10): Vietnam, RoK Look to Deepen Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

	Vietnam News Today (Feb. 7): Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia leaders outline new cooperation orientations
	Vietnam News Today (Feb. 9): Vietnam’s GDP Ranks 32nd Globally, Per Capita Income Rises Sharply

At the talks between Party General Secretary To Lam and RoK President Lee Jae Myung in Seoul on August 11, 2025.

Vietnam, RoK look to deepen comprehensive strategic partnership

Vietnamese Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Thanh met with Ambassador of the Republic of Korea (RoK) to Vietnam Choi Young Sam in Hanoi on February 9.

At the meeting, Nguyen Thi Thanh extended New Year greetings to the ambassador, his spouse and staff of the RoK Embassy in Vietnam on the occasion of the upcoming Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026.

She congratulated the RoK on its achievements in 2025 and expressed confidence that, under the leadership of President Lee Jae Myung and National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik, the country would continue to develop steadily and make positive contributions to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and globally.

Nguyen Thi Thanh said Vietnam had recently concluded the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) successfully and was preparing to hold elections for deputies to the 16th legislature and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term in March 2026. She described the vote as a major political event that would enable voters nationwide to select representatives reflecting the will and aspirations of the people.

She noted that the RoK is also scheduled to hold local elections and midterm by-elections for the 22nd National Assembly in the coming period, and voiced confidence that these polls would be organised successfully, sustaining each country’s development momentum and contributing to closer bilateral cooperation.

Hailing the ambassador and embassy staff for their contributions to positive progress in Vietnam-RoK relations, Thanh called on the envoy to continue effectively implementing agreements reached by senior leaders of the two countries. She encouraged efforts to facilitate high-level exchanges to maintain and strengthen political trust and mutual understanding, while supporting cooperation in human resource training, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges to deepen links between the two nations, VOV reported.

For his part, Ambassador Choi Young Sam thanked the NA Vice Chairwoman for the meeting and expressed confidence that, building on the success of the 14th National Party Congress, Vietnam would continue moving forward in a new era across all fields.

Acknowledging Nguyen Thi Thanh’s contributions to strengthening bilateral ties, the ambassador said the Vietnam-RoK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is becoming increasingly substantive and effective.

He expressed hope that the two countries would continue to maintain the exchange of delegations and high-level contacts, as well as cooperation between parliamentary committees, agencies, lawmakers, young parliamentarians and women legislators, to make bilateral relations closer and more practical.

UN officially upgrades Vietnam’s peacekeeping police unit to Level 3

The Police Division under the United Nations Department of Peace Operations (DPO) has recently announced that Vietnam’s Formed Police Unit No. 1 (VNFPU1) has been officially approved for an upgrade from Level 2 to Level 3 under the UN Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System (PCRS).

It marks an important step forward in the unit’s capacity, credibility and sense of responsibility in global peacekeeping operations.

This achievement is a source of pride for the People’s Public Security Force and a vivid demonstration of Vietnam’s long-standing commitment to peace, stability and international cooperation amidst ongoing global uncertainties, VNA reported.

Officers of Peacekeeping Police Unit No. 1 demonstrate combat skills and tactical techniques, including responses to potential real-world operational scenarios. (Photo: VNA)

From an external relations perspective, attaining Level 3 gives VNFPU1 a more proactive position within the UN force generation mechanism, expanding its chances for early deployment to key mission areas. As a result, the voice and experience of Vietnam’s police force will continue to be amplified, contributing directly to security stabilisation and the strengthening of the rule of law in host countries, while also enhancing bilateral and multilateral security cooperation.

The upgrade is not merely the outcome of meeting technical criteria, but also carries strategic significance, underscoring the growing role and reputation of Vietnam’s police force within the global peacekeeping architecture.

It represents UN recognition of the unit’s comprehensive readiness in terms of organisation, personnel strength, command and staff work, as well as its operational capability, as demonstrated through on-site assessments and inspections.

According to UN evaluations, VNFPU1’s equipment, technical assets, self-sustainment in logistics and medical services, communications capacity and training all meet international standards and are well suited to mission environments. Notably, its Level 3 unit is trained in an integrated manner based on mission scenarios, with the ability to coordinate effectively, handle complex situations, and strictly comply with UN principles and regulations.

At the strategic level, achieving PCRS Level 3 reflects Vietnam’s strong commitment and high credibility as a troop- and police-contributing country to UN peacekeeping. It is regarded as an important stepping stone toward actual deployment, while affirming the professionalism, discipline and international integration capacity of the People’s Public Security Force.

Spring Fair 2026 highlights strong potential for Australia–Vietnam business cooperation

Cooperation potential between Australian and Vietnamese businesses remains substantial, particularly following the upgrade of bilateral ties to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, said Do Van Long, founder and CEO of Auschain PTY LTD, in an interview with Vietnam News Agency reporters in Sydney on the occasion of the ongoing Spring Fair in Vietnam.

According to Long, Vietnam holds strengths in manufacturing, agriculture, exports and rapid digital transformation, while Australia offers high standards, transparent markets and strong international governance experience, making the two economies highly complementary.

As CEO of Auschain PTY LTD – a pioneer in product authentication solutions for Australian exports, he noted significant opportunities for bilateral cooperation in applying technology to support trade and supply chains, especially in origin authentication and product information transparency. These solutions, he said, would help Vietnamese goods gain easier access to developed markets such as Australia.

However, Long cautioned that challenges remain, including differences in product standards, legal regulations, inspection procedures, consumer culture and market-entry approaches, requiring careful preparation by businesses. For technology start-ups, compliance costs, initial investment and lengthy market entry timelines also pose notable hurdles.

Assessing the role of trade fairs such as the Spring Fair and the earlier Autumn Fair, Long said the events play a positive role in business networking, product promotion and improving consumer understanding of both domestic and international goods. For foreign companies and overseas Vietnamese enterprises, they offer valuable opportunities to study market trends, consumer behavior and direct feedback, allowing businesses to refine their market strategies, according to VNA.

Do Van Long, founder and CEO of Auschain PTY LTD (Photo: VNA)

To maximize long-term impact, he stressed the need to integrate more in-depth activities, including B2B matchmaking, export standards briefings, origin traceability and technology solutions that support foreign firms entering Vietnam and help Vietnamese enterprises meet international requirements. Greater participation of foreign products in Vietnam, he added, is an inevitable trend that will foster healthy competition, encouraging local businesses to improve quality, design, transparency and production standards.

International competition, Long noted, also raises demands for traceability, quality certification and market trust. This is where technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence and Internet of Things can help Vietnamese enterprises compete more effectively at home and expand exports with greater confidence.

From his perspective, promoting sustainable Vietnam–Australia business cooperation requires stronger practical linkages between enterprises in areas such as trade, agriculture, food and trade-support technologies. He also highlighted the importance of encouraging pilot and sandbox programmes for new technologies, including product authentication and supply-chain traceability, with regulatory support to reduce risks and provide real-world data for policy refinement.

Long added that Auschain PTY LTD stands ready to contribute its experience, technological solutions and connectivity resources to help promote transparent trade, enhance product value and deliver long-term benefits for both Vietnam and Australia.

High-tech FDI in Vietnam shifts to strategic, long-term investment

Vietnam is emerging as a priority destination in the selective relocation strategies of global high-tech investors, supported by its stable manufacturing environment, competitive cost structure, and strong integration into global supply chains, according to experts.

This shift is exemplified by the recent investment decision of UNIVACCO Technology Inc., a global technology group, which has leased nearly 30,000 square metres of land at Long Thanh Industrial Park, Dong Nai province. The move formally positions Vietnam as UNIVACCO’s strategic production base in Southeast Asia.

This trend is reflected in the recent decision by UNIVACCO Technology Inc., a global technology group, to lease nearly 30,000 square meters of land at Long Thanh Industrial Park, Dong Nai province, officially designating Vietnam as its strategic production base in Southeast Asia.

Established in 1990 and headquartered in Taiwan (China), UNIVACCO Technology Inc. specialises in vacuum metal coating and advanced surface treatment technologies serving the printing, packaging, and high-tech materials sectors. The company’s products are distributed across key markets in the Americas, Europe, and Asia.

UNIVACCO’s project in Vietnam is expected to adhere to international manufacturing standards, integrating advanced production technologies, optimising logistics systems, and enhancing supply capacity for high-end packaging, digital applications, and environmentally friendly materials, cited VOV.

High-tech FDI in Vietnam shifts toward long-term strategic investment (Photo: Illustrative image)

According to Savills Vietnam, UNIVACCO’s investment decision illustrates a broader shift toward more selective and strategic relocation among high-tech enterprises, with Vietnam increasingly favoured for its production stability, cost competitiveness, and deep integration into global value chains.

Phan Cuu Chi, Manager of Industrial Services at Savills Ho Chi Minh City, said high-tech foreign investment in Vietnam is moving away from opportunistic decisions toward a long-term strategic approach, with investors such as UNIVACCO selecting the country not just as a manufacturing base but as an integrated platform for sustained production and innovation.

Similar observations were highlighted in Cushman & Wakefield Vietnam’s fourth-quarter 2025 report on the industrial real estate market in the Northern Key Economic Region.

“We are seeing more selective decision-making among leasing businesses. Beyond pricing, investors are increasingly prioritizing locations with long-term expansion potential, integrated infrastructure, and a transparent legal framework”, said Nguyen Phuoc Thuan, Director, National Head of Tenant Representation at Cushman & Wakefield Vietnam.

Thuan added that localities with large land reserves and improving connectivity hold a clear advantage as manufacturers plan not only to enter Vietnam but also to scale operations over the next five to ten years.

Experts also emphasize that policy coherence and infrastructure readiness are becoming as important as land availability. Together, these factors help create a transparent and efficient investment environment capable of attracting the next generation of manufacturing, electronics, and logistics enterprises.

Vietnam continues to strengthen its position as a leading destination for global, particularly high-tech, foreign direct investment. Despite ongoing global economic uncertainty, total registered foreign investment in 2025 reached US$38.42 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 0.5%.

Disbursed FDI amounted to US$27.62 billion, a 9% increase from the previous year and the highest level recorded during the 2021–2025 period. The processing and manufacturing sector remained the main magnet for investment, attracting US$9.80 billion, or 56.5% of total registered capital.

Con Dao named among top honeymoon destinations for 2026

Con Dao was named among the world’s best honeymoon destinations for 2026, according to a list released recently by Vogue.

The Vietnamese island ranked 5th worldwide and Vietnam is the travel destination on everyone's lips for 2026, and for those eager to experience the Southeast Asian country's most marvelous landscapes, minus the crowds, Con Dao is just the ticket.

This island off the southern coast (just a 45-minute flight from Ho Chi Minh City) is honeymoon fodder: dense jungle, pristine beaches, and five-star luxury resorts.

Among the recommended properties is the five-star Six Senses Con Dao, featuring 50 private villas with infinity pools and spa services. Weekday rates start from about VND 28 million (nearly US$1,100) per night.

More budget-friendly accommodation options are also available, with prices ranging from VND 700,000 to VND 3.5 million per night, located within 0.5–1.7 km from the town center, cited VGP.

Aerial view of Vietnam's Con Dao Island.

Con Dao is an island located 180km from Vung Tau city in the former Ba Ria-Vung Tau province (now part of Ho Chi Minh City). The best time to visit Con Dao is from March to September, when seas are calm and winds are light. July to September is also the sea turtle nesting season, offering visitors a chance to join conservation tours and observe turtles laying eggs.

The island, famous for its pristine nature and quiet charm, is launching six electric bus routes to connect the airport, market, tourist attractions and residential areas.

Travelers can reach Con Dao via air or sea. While there are large passenger ships with over 1,000 seats operating from downtown Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao, waterway travel depends heavily on weather conditions. Con Dao Airport currently operates at level 3C, serving only small aircraft such as the ATR-72. Annual capacity is capped at around 400,000 passengers.

Other destinations on the 2026 honeymoon list include Italy, New Zealand, Switzerland, Morocco, the US, Maldives, Portugal and Greece.

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