Vietnam News Today (Jul. 3): Vietnamese Party leader, US President Talk Bilateral Ties, Trade Issues

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Party General Secretary To Lam in the phone talks with US President Donald Trump on July 2 evening (Hanoi time) (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese Party leader, US President talk bilateral ties, trade issues

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam held phone talks with US President Donald Trump on July 2 evening (Hanoi time) to discuss the two countries' relations and reciprocal tariff negotiations.

The two leaders expressed their delight at the strong and positive development of bilateral ties. They welcomed the two negotiating delegations reaching consensus on a Vietnam - US joint statement concerning a fair and balanced reciprocal trade agreement framework.

The US President highly valued Vietnam’s commitment to granting preferential market access for US goods, including large-engine automobiles.

He affirmed that the US will significantly reduce reciprocal tariffs on many Vietnamese exports, and will continue to work with Vietnam to resolve outstanding trade-related issues, particularly in priority areas of both sides.

General Secretary Lam called on the US to soon recognize Vietnam as a market economy and lift export restrictions on certain high-tech products, cited VNA.

The Party chief and President Trump also discussed a number of major directions and measures to promote the two countries’ Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the coming years. The two leaders agreed to increase delegation exchanges and contacts at all levels, and promote cooperation in the fields of economy, trade and investment, especially in key and breakthrough areas such as science and high technology.

On this occasion, the top Vietnamese leader reiterated his invitation to the US President and his spouse to visit Vietnam and expressed his wish to meet Trump again in the near future. Trump thanked Lam for the invitation and showed his desire to meet the Vietnamese leader again soon.

Vietnam-Canada friendship: Toward a more prosperous future

At a Canada Day gathering in Ho Chi Minh City, officials have highlighted the steady growth of Vietnam–Canada relations and the strong people-to-people ties that continue to deepen cooperation across trade, education, and cultural exchange.

The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations (HUFO) held a gathering on July 2 to mark Canada Day (July 1, 1867–July 1, 2025), celebrating the friendship between the two countries.

In her congratulatory remarks, Nguyen The Thanh, Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam–Canada Friendship Association, noted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1973, the Vietnam–Canada relationship has continued to grow steadily, substantively and effectively across various fields including politics, diplomacy, trade, investment, development cooperation, education and training, and people-to-people exchanges. In November 2017, the two countries elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Partnership.

In terms of economic and trade relations, Canada is currently Vietnam’s second-largest trading partner in the Americas. Conversely, Vietnam is Canada’s largest trading partner in ASEAN and one of Canada’s top 40 trading partners in the Indo-Pacific region. These outcomes show the great cooperation potential between the two economies as well as the reliable and productive relationship between their business communities.

Canada is also a favored destination for Vietnamese students, with around 20,000 currently studying at Canadian educational institutions. The Vietnamese community in Canada, numbering approximately 275,000, is well integrated and actively contributes to local economic, cultural, and social life, serving as a lasting and humanistic bridge between the two nations, according to VOV.

Nguyen The Thanh, Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam–Canada Friendship Association, delivers remarks celebrating Canada Day (Photo:VNA)

Amid the positive momentum in bilateral relations, Nguyen The Thanh expressed hope that HUFO would continue to receive strong cooperation from Canadian partners, including the Consulate General, friendship organizations, business associations, and non-governmental organizations. Such collaboration is expected to enhance multi-sectoral cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, while further strengthening the bond between the people of Ho Chi Minh City and Canada.

Annie Dube, Consul General of Canada in Ho Chi Minh City, thanked HUFO for organizing this meaningful event, which provided an opportunity for "Vietnamese friends of Canada" and "Canadian friends of Vietnam" to connect, contributing to the promotion of bilateral friendship as well as Vietnam–Canada relations.

She affirmed that the activities of Canada’s diplomatic missions in Vietnam are part of Canada's broader effort to reinforce its ties with trusted allies, trading partners, development partners, and global collaborators, from government to civil society, to promote shared prosperity and cooperation worldwide. These efforts include advancing the Indo-Pacific Strategy and engaging in trade negotiations with ASEAN, of which Vietnam is a member.

Consul General Annie Dube expressed her pride in Canada’s multiculturalism, solidarity, and connectivity. Marking Canada Day, she remarked that the nation’s past has shaped its identity, today’s challenges offer an opportunity for strength and renewal, and working together can open a path toward a more stable and prosperous future.

PM stresses army's key role in strengthening people-based national defense

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended and delivered remarks at the national military-political conference held by the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense on July 2.

The conference reviewed the army’s performance in the first half of 2025 and outlined key tasks for the remainder of the year. It was organised in person at the ministry's headquarters and connected virtually to over 3,000 delegates across military units nationwide.

In his speech, PM Chinh commended the military’s comprehensive achievements, particularly in maintaining national defense and security across all domains – land, sea, air, border, and cyberspace. He acknowledged its proactive role in building an all-people national defense posture closely linked to the people-based security posture while fulfilling its functions as a fighting force, a working force, and a production force.

Looking ahead to the second half of 2025, when there remains much to be done and important events will take place, including the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and the National Day (September 2) and all-level Party congresses in the run up to the 14th National Party Congress, the PM asked the army to accelerate efforts to fulfil all assigned tasks.

Priorities include continuing to properly perform its role as a strategic advisory body for military and defense affairs of the Party and State, improving the research and forecasting capacity, flexibly and efficiently dealing with all circumstances, successfully responding to all types of war in the new context, and perfecting the legal framework on military and defense affairs.

He requested the army base on the people to efficiently implement the all-people national defense policy and resolutely prevent hostile forces from inciting the people.

The Government leader emphasized the importance of better combining national defense missions with socio-economic development tasks, especially in border and maritime areas, He also asked for improving the material and spiritual lives of both military personnel and their families, and actively participating in social welfare programs, particularly the elimination of temporary and dilapidated houses for revolution contributors before July 27, which is the War Invalids and Martyrs' Day.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended and delivered remarks at the national military-political conference held by the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense on July 2.

The conference reviewed the army’s performance in the first half of 2025 and outlined key tasks for the remainder of the year. It was organised in person at the ministry's headquarters and connected virtually to over 3,000 delegates across military units nationwide.

In his speech, PM Chinh commended the military’s comprehensive achievements, particularly in maintaining national defense and security across all domains – land, sea, air, border, and cyberspace. He acknowledged its proactive role in building an all-people national defense posture closely linked to the people-based security posture while fulfilling its functions as a fighting force, a working force, and a production force, VNA reported.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (front, left) attends the national military-political conference on July 2. (Photo: VNA)

Looking ahead to the second half of 2025, when there remains much to be done and important events will take place, including the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and the National Day (September 2) and all-level Party congresses in the run up to the 14th National Party Congress, the PM asked the army to accelerate efforts to fulfil all assigned tasks.

Priorities include continuing to properly perform its role as a strategic advisory body for military and defense affairs of the Party and State, improving the research and forecasting capacity, flexibly and efficiently dealing with all circumstances, successfully responding to all types of war in the new context, and perfecting the legal framework on military and defense affairs.

He requested the army base on the people to efficiently implement the all-people national defense policy and resolutely prevent hostile forces from inciting the people.

The Government leader emphasized the importance of better combining national defense missions with socio-economic development tasks, especially in border and maritime areas, He also asked for improving the material and spiritual lives of both military personnel and their families, and actively participating in social welfare programs, particularly the elimination of temporary and dilapidated houses for revolution contributors before July 27, which is the War Invalids and Martyrs' Day.

Vietnam stresses urgency of revitalizing int'l development cooperation

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc stressed the urgency of revitalizing international development cooperation to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Ho stressed the point while addressing the roundtable "Revitalizing international development cooperation" within the framework of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4).

International development cooperation represents a critical source of financing and support for sustainable development in many developing countries. However, rapidly rising demands coupled with recent shifts and reductions in ODA are putting scarce resources under increasing stress.

In addition, growing fragmentation is also increasing transaction costs and runs counter to long-standing effectiveness principles, VGP reported.

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc addresses the roundtable "Revitalizing international development cooperation" within the framework of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) in Sevilla, Spain, July 1, 2025.

This backdrop requires the international community to act together, uphold multilateralism, promote solidarity as well as fair and mutually-beneficial partnership, said the Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister.

He suggested that international development cooperation should be reformed towards multiple goals, not only to eliminate poverty and reduce hunger but also to serve transformation of economic structure in a sustainable manner.

Ho called for accelerating international financial architecture to turn it into a fair, inclusive and people-centric system; for building a more coordination mechanism between countries, development partners and private sector to enhance complementarity and synergy of resources.

The Deputy Prime Minister also called for giving priority to assisting the least developed countries, landlocked countries and countries that are most vulnerable to climate change and sea level rise; expanding South-South cooperation and tripartite cooperation through technology transfer.

He affirmed that Vietnam stands ready to join hands with development partners in ensuring food security and adapting to climate change for peace, cooperation and prosperity across the globe.

Da Nang partners with Singapore firm to develop international finance hub

The municipal People's Committee on July 2 signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a joint venture between Singapore’s Teme Holdings Pte. Ltd and The One Destination Company to co-operate in developing an international financial center in central Da Nang city.

Signatories to the MoU were Ho Ky Minh, permanent vice chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee, and Andy Khoo, CEO of Teme Holdings Pte. Ltd (Singapore).

As part of the collaboration, the joint venture also awarded 10 scholarships to support the training of high-quality personnel for the city. The training program, which will begin in Singapore this September, is designed for selected officials, civil servants, and public employees expected to play key roles in the future Da Nang International Financial Center.

The signing followed a working session held on June 25 between municipal leaders and representatives from Teme Holdings, The One Destination Company, and NHS Land Company. The session focused on joint efforts to develop the planned international finance center and a free trade zone in Da Nang, cited VOV.

Ho Ky Minh, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang City People's Committee (right), and Andy Khoo, CEO of Teme Holdings Pte. Ltd (Singapore), exchange the MoU on cooperation in developing an international finance center in Da Nang.

Under the agreement, the joint venture will work with the city to implement strategic investment projects across several key sectors, including finance, financial services, urban development, modern sports, and the free trade zone.

The Da Nang International Financial Center is envisioned as a regional financial hub aligned with Vietnam’s global integration goals, with a focus on facilitating international capital flows.

The center will operate in a dedicated zone with a flexible governance model and be granted special tax, financial, and legal incentives to attract global financial institutions.

Legal frameworks, planning, and preferential policies are currently being finalized, with construction expected to begin in the 2025–2030 period.

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