Vietnam News Today (Jul. 7): Vietnam to Report Achievements in Implementation of Int’l Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

	Vietnam News Today (Jul. 4): Vietnamese PM to Attend BRICS Summit in Brazil
	Vietnam News Today (Jul. 5): Vietnam, Thailand Pledge to Deepen Military Ties

Prime Minister attends Vietnam-Brazil Business Forum

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended Vietnam-Brazil Business Forum that took place in Rio de Janeiro, on July 5.

The event, with the participation of around 50 businesses from Vietnam and 30 enterprises from Brazil, serves as a bridge for the business communities and promotes economic, trade, and investment cooperation between the two sides.

It is also regarded as a vivid testament to the friendship, strategic partnership, and development cooperation between the two nations, contributing to deepening the overall Vietnam–Brazil relations.

Brazil is Vietnam's largest trading partner in the Latin American region and the second largest in the Americas. In 2024, bilateral trade reached nearly US$8 billion, an increase of 12.2 percent compared to 2023, accounting for over 34 percent of Vietnam's total trade with Latin America.

In the first five months of 2025, two-way trade amounted to US$3.33 billion. Both countries have reaffirmed their commitment to raising trade volume to US$15 billion by 2030.

Addressing the event, Pham said, both countries hold important positions and roles in South America and Southeast Asia respectively. He expressed his hope that the two nations will continue to serve as bridges between the two dynamic and developing regions.

He called on businesses from both sides to focus on three key areas including agriculture; science-technology, innovation, digital transformation, telecommunications; and mineral exploitation and processing.

The Prime Minister noted that on this occasion, Brazil exported its first shipment of beef to Vietnam, while the Southeast Asian nation shipped pangasius, basa, and tilapia to Brazil, VGP reported.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh addresses Viet Nam-Brazil Business Forum, Rio de Janeiro, July 5, 2025. Photo: VGP

Brazilian side affirmed its willingness to increase imports of Vietnamese seafood and rice. The two sides vowed to sign an agreement to ensure stable and long-term food security for Brazil, under which Vietnam will export rice to help stabilize Brazil's food supply.

Both sides also pledged to conclude the free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations between Vietnam and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) in the second half of 2025, and promote a bilateral FTA between Vietnam and Brazil, thereby supporting each other amid current global challenges.

The two countries will work to improve the legal framework for cooperation in investment and labor, facilitate visa procedures, and expand direct flight routes to further strengthen business collaboration.

The Prime Minister urged both sides' businesses to carry out economic measures, enhance business linkages, and deepen economic integration, affirming that the Vietnamese Government is committed to creating all favorable conditions for Brazilian investors.

The Prime Minister witnessed the signing of several cooperation agreements, including a seafood cooperation agreementbetween Nam Viet Corporation (NAVICO) and AV09 Comercio Exporter Ltd; an investment cooperation agreement worth US$200 million between Trong Khoi One Member Limited Liability Company and Brazil's Fujikura Quail Genetics in the field of quail farming; and a three-year contract between Ho Chi Minh City Football Club and Gremio Football Club for the training of young football players.

Vietnam to report achievements in implementation of Int’l Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

All efforts as well as results of Vietnam in the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), one of the world’s most important human rights treaties, will be reported by a Vietnamese delegation during a dialogue on its country report, held from July 7-8 in Geneva, Switzerland, within the framework of the 144th session of the Human Rights Committee (HRC).

Talking to the press, Deputy Minister of Justice Nguyen Thanh Tinh said that Vietnam acceded to the ICCPR on September 24, 1982. The country submitted its fourth report covering 2019 to 2022 to the HRC on March 22, 2023, and responded to the committee’s list of issues on December 19, 2024.

To prepare for this dialogue, the Ministry of Justice submitted to the Prime Minister (PM) for approval the fourth plan for the protection of the ICCPR. Based on the PM’s approval, it established an inter-ministerial working group comprising representatives from nine relevant ministries and sectors.

Considering the dialogue an opportunity to introduce Vietnam’s efforts and achieved results, the Vietnamese delegation will participate in the session with an open, sincere, cooperative, and constructive spirit.

Key messages to be conveyed include the acceleration of the implementation of revolutionary breakthroughs to lead the country into a new era of development, including reforms in the process of law-making and law enforcement, and continuing to build a socialist rule-of-law state of the people, by the people, and for the people.

In addition, the expansion of democracy and the creation of conditions for people to participate more actively in state management are receiving increasing attention, thus ensuring better protection and guarantee of citizens’ civil and political rights. Vietnam reaffirms its consistent commitment to prioritising the best possible resources and taking comprehensive measures to promote, protect, and better ensure the enjoyment of civil and political rights, cited VNA.

The information and evidence presented in the report as well as during the dialogue will serve as a clear response, refuting distorted information about the human rights situation in the country, the deputy minister stated.

For issues raised that are inaccurate or not objective regarding the domestic human rights situation, the delegation will engage in frank and straightforward dialogue without ignorance, Tinh said, adding that for matters that are clear, they will provide information immediately; but for issues where information is insufficient, they will request additional details in order to verify and respond later.

Regarding the issue of ensuring and promoting human rights in Vietnam, the official affirmed that this is a consistent and overarching viewpoint of the Party and State. The Party and State always pursue the policy of building a rule-of-law state with the aim of ensuring human rights, individual freedom, and promoting fairness and equality within society. From this stance, in the process of developing and improving the legal system, enforcing laws, and advancing judicial reform, the Party has issued numerous resolutions and conclusions to promote and protect human rights.

Notably, the viewpoint that places human beings at the centre, as the subject, the most important resource, and the goal of development has been fully institutionalised in Vietnam’s Constitution and legal system.

In recent years, the National Assembly has adopted numerous laws and resolutions related to human rights and citizens' rights, thereby contributing to the concretisation of the provisions of the Constitution as well as the international human rights treaties to which Vietnam is a party.

In addition, the country has actively worked to improve the relevant legal framework to create conditions for individuals to enjoy their rights to the fullest extent possible. At the same time, it has continuously refined the legal framework on the organisation of the state apparatus, enhanced the effectiveness of law enforcement, and accelerated administrative reforms, all aimed at the ultimate goal of better serving the needs of the people, businesses, and society, added Tinh.

Swiss firms pin high hopes on Vietnam’s international financial hubs

Under Resolution No. 222 passed by the National Assembly on June 27 and set to take effect from September 1, Vietnam will establish and operate international financial centers in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. The plan includes controlled pilot programs for digital assets and regulatory sandboxes. This initiative marks a bold step forward in Vietnam’s efforts to develop modern financial hubs alongside an ongoing wave of major administrative reform. It has captured major attention not only from the domestic public but also from international businesses, including those from Switzerland.

On this occasion, Stefan Winzenried, founder and CEO of Swiss tech firm JANZZ.technology, shared his views with the press on Vietnam’s transformation and the expectations of foreign enterprises, reported VOV.

Stefan Winzenried, founder and CEO of Swiss tech firm JANZZ.technology (Photo: VNA)

From an investor’s standpoint, Mr. Winzenried said he has long taken a keen interest in Vietnam, with a particular affinity for Ho Chi Minh City. Around 25 years ago, JANZZ.technology chose the city as its first location in Southeast Asia and opened its first overseas office outside its Zurich headquarters.

Beyond personal ties, Winzenried pointed to several strategic reasons why Ho Chi Minh City stands out as a leading choice for an international financial center: excellent connectivity to other markets in the region, a large and dynamic workforce, a relatively streamlined company registration process, and promising access to Vietnam’s fast-growing market.

He emphasized that Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s economic engine and international gateway, continues to offer expanding opportunities for tech firms like JANZZ.technology. Following recent administrative restructuring, he expressed hope that the city will further strengthen its position, cut red tape, and promote a more enabling environment for long-term investment.

In addition to Ho Chi Minh City, Winzenried sees Da Nang as a key location in the company’s growth strategy. He recalled meeting with senior Da Nang officials in Zurich in 2023, an exchange that consolidated his belief in the city’s future role in JANZZ.technology’s Southeast Asian roadmap. With Da Nang aiming to develop into a regional financial center and actively optimizing its administrative system and inter-regional linkages, he believes the city holds strong potential for both tech and financial firms.

Winzenried went on to say that following the merger of Da Nang with central Quang Nam province, the city could greatly expand its development space, while gaining access to more land, a broader labor workforce, and deeper industrial and port connectivity. This will lay the groundwork for a new, larger-scale growth hub with outstanding investment appeal.

He added that streamlining administrative processes and standardizing procedures would allow companies like JANZZ.technology to more easily deploy workforce-related AI digital solutions, contributing to the development of high-quality human resources in Da Nang.

Foreign visitors to Vietnam near 10.7 million in H1, half of full-year target

Vietnam welcomed nearly 10.7 million international arrivals in the first half of 2025, marking an increase of nearly 21% compared to the same period last year, and up 26% compared to 2019 – the ‘golden era’ of Vietnamese tourism before COVID-19 pandemic struck.

According to newly released data from the National Statistics Office, in June alone, Vietnam received nearly 1.5 million foreign visitors, down 4% from the previous month.

The H1 figure stood at 49% of the full-year target of 22-23 million tourists, but it should be noted that the peak international tourism season in Vietnam lasts from October to March.

Air travel remained dominant, with over 9 million arrivals by air (accounting for over 85% of the total number, and up by 22.7% year-on-year, followed by nearly 1.4 million by land, and the remainder arriving by sea.

Asia remained the largest market, accounting for over 8.41 million visitors (over 78%), marking a 21.1% increase year-on-year. Arrivals from Europe rose 26.5% to 1.34 million, while visitors from the Americas grew 8.6% to 582,800, cited VNA.

Cruise vessel Piano Land brings some 1,000 holidaymakers to Ha Long city in Quang Ninh province. (Photo: VNA)

Tourist numbers from Oceania reached 304,200, up 14.1%, whereas arrivals from Africa edged down 0.3% to 25,200.

Tourists from Northeast Asia account for 60% of total international visitors to Vietnam in the first half. Chinese tourists continue to top the list with over 2.7 million arrivals, followed by those from the Republic of Korea with 2.2 million. Next in line are visitors from Japan, Taiwan (China), the United States, and India.

In the opposite direction, more than 4 million Vietnamese traveled abroad in the past six months – a rise of nearly 54% compared to the same period last year.

“Transport and tourism activities have surged to meet consumer demand both regionally and globally, making a positive contribution to economic growth. The value added by the service sector in the first half of the year rose by over 8% year-on-year – the highest rate for the same period since 2011,” the statistics office noted.

According to a report by leading consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Vietnam ranks among the world’s top emerging tourism markets, alongside China, India, and Saudi Arabia. These markets are quickly overtaking traditional tourism powerhouses such as the US, the UK, and Germany.

The May edition of the World Tourism Barometer published by the US Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) revealed that in the first quarter of this year, Vietnam recorded the sixth-highest growth in international arrivals worldwide – up 30% from the same period in 2024. Within the Asia–Pacific region, Vietnam ranked first, followed by Japan and the Republic of Palau.

Bloomberg reported that Vietnam has emerged as the third most-visited country in Southeast Asia, with 17.5 million international visitors last year – surpassing Singapore and trailing only Malaysia (25 million visitors) and Thailand (35 million visitors).

Experts believe the growing number of direct flights from other countries to Vietnam is one of the key factors fuelling the country's tourism.

New developments on tropical storm Danas in East Sea

As of 1:00 p.m. on July 6, the storm's center was located near 22.1 degrees North latitude and 118.8 degrees East longitude, according to Vietnam’s National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF).

Wind speeds near the eye of the storm reached levels 11–12, ranging from 103 to 133 kilometers per hour, with gusts up to level 15. Danas is moving in a north-northeasterly direction at a speed of approximately 15 kilometers per hour.

In the next 72 hours, the storm is forecast to continue on its north-northeast track, gaining speed to 20–25 kilometers per hour as it moves toward the coastal waters of China’s Fujian province by the afternoon of July 7. Its intensity is expected to hold steady at level 11, with gusts up to level 14.

Forecast track and affected areas of Storm No. 2 as of 7:00 a.m. on July 6. (Source: NCHMF)

By the following day, the storm will likely slow down and shift slightly northwest, moving at 10 to 15 kilometers per hour while beginning to weaken. On July 9, it is forecast to change course again, turning west-southwest at around 10 kilometers per hour and weakening into a low-pressure area over Zhejiang province, China, VOV reported.

Severe weather conditions are currently affecting the northeastern waters of the northern East Sea, where strong winds ranging from level 7 to 9 are accompanied by stormy rain. Areas near the storm's center are experiencing even stronger winds at levels 10 to 12, with gusts up to level 15, and sea waves reaching heights of 4 to 6 meters, resulting in extremely rough seas.

Maritime vessels operating in the affected areas are urged to remain on high alert due to the risks of strong winds, high waves, waterspouts, and thunderstorms. Coastal authorities and relevant agencies are advised to proactively implement safety measures to ensure the protection of people and vessels at sea.

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