Vietnam News Today (July 11): Vietnam and Laos Agree to Enhance Defense Cooperation

	Vietnam News Today (July 9): Vietnam, Japan Seek New Strides in Defense Cooperation
	Vietnam News Today (July 10): Third Vietnam-Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange Gets Underway

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra (R) meets with Governor of Japan's Aichi prefecture Omura Hideaki in Hanoi on July 10, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Japan’s Aichi prefecture, Vietnamese localities urged to promote cooperation

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra on July 10 received Omura Hideaki, visiting Governor of Japan's Aichi prefecture, and his delegation during their working visit to Vietnam.

At the meeting, Tra expressed her satisfaction with the strong development of the Vietnam – Japan friendship and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Recognising Aichi’s strengths and its existing cooperation with Vietnamese localities, she suggested that Omura continue promoting partnerships between Aichi and Vietnamese provinces and cities beyond Ho Chi Minh City, particularly Hanoi and Phu Tho, thereby contributing further to bilateral relations.

The Deputy PM encouraged the governor to continue calling on Aichi's businesses and corporations to explore investment opportunities in Vietnam and participate in social initiatives supporting local socio-economic development, cited VNA.

She also expressed her hope that both sides would strengthen cooperation in training high-quality human resources in science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation through partnerships between the prefecture, Vietnam's Ministry of Education and Training, and Vietnamese universities and educational institutions.

For his part, Omura voiced his confidence that cooperation between Aichi and Vietnam would continue to flourish.

According to the Japanese governor, Aichi is Japan's leading manufacturing hub, home to Toyota and numerous automotive and machinery companies. More than 200 Aichi-based enterprises are currently investing in Vietnam.

The locality is also home to Japan's largest Vietnamese community, about 71,000.

Its Chubu International Airport operates direct flights to both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, helping promote people-to-people exchanges, as well as trade and investment ties. In addition, the Vietnam Festival in Nagoya, held annually for many years, has attracted large crowds, contributing to strengthening cultural exchanges and mutual understanding between the two countries.

Omura noted that Aichi has maintained economic cooperation and exchanges with Vietnam for more than a decade, including the establishment of the Aichi Desk under a memorandum of understanding signed with Vietnam's former Ministry of Planning and Investment (now Ministry of Finance) to support businesses, as well as a 10-year friendship cooperation agreement with Ho Chi Minh City.

Before arriving in Hanoi, he said, he had held productive meetings with the People's Committee and relevant agencies of the southern hub.

Agreeing with the Deputy PM on the importance of developing high-quality human resources, the governor affirmed that Aichi would continue promoting cooperation with Vietnamese universities and research institutes.

He noted that manufacturers in Aichi and Japan as a whole are facing severe labour shortages, making cooperation in training and recruiting Vietnamese workers particularly valuable.

The Japanese official also introduced Station AI, Aichi's innovation and startup hub, and expressed his desire to deepen exchanges with Vietnamese ministries and agencies and foster partnerships with leading universities such as the Hanoi University of Science and Technology and the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology in the fields of startups and innovation.

On the occasion, Omura announced that the prefecture will host the 20th Asian Games (ASIAD) and the 5th Asian Para Games in September and October this year. The events are expected to attract around 20,000 athletes from 45 Asian countries and territories, including Vietnam.

Tra expressed her hope that the governor would continue accompanying and contributing to the development of Vietnamese localities and to the growing friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Japan.

Vietnamese firms urged to enhance competitiveness to tap US market opportunities

Vietnamese businesses need to enhance their competitiveness, meet increasingly stringent standards and adopt effective market-entry strategies to seize opportunities arising from the deepening Vietnam – US economic ties and global supply chain shifts, experts said at a forum in Ho Chi Minh City on July 10.

The "Vietnam – US Business Connection" forum was jointly organized by the Investment and Trade Promotion Centre of Ho Chi Minh City (ITPC), the US – Vietnam Business Council (UVBC), and the Association of Vietnamese Students and Professionals in the US (AVSPUS).

ITPC Deputy Director Cao Thi Phi Van said economic relations between Vietnam and the US have maintained positive growth momentum, reflecting their economies' resilience and adaptability amid continued volatility in global trade.

She noted that US trade policies are undergoing significant adjustments, particularly regarding import tariffs and technical barriers, requiring businesses of both sides to adopt more flexible approaches, diversify cooperation methods and explore new business models to build long-term and sustainable links.

Trade remedy measures targeting Vietnamese exports are also increasing, particularly in the steel, wood, agricultural and fisheries sectors. Wood exports to the US fell 6.5% in the first half of 2026 from a year earlier despite overall growth in Vietnam's wood exports.

Businesses were advised to improve transparency in product origin, comply with import regulations and diversify export markets to reduce risks and support sustainable growth.

Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City attracted more than 80 million USD in newly registered and additional capital from US investors during the January–June period, according to VNA.

Some experts at the Vietnam – US Business Connection forum held in Ho Chi Minh City on July 10, 2026 (Photo: VNA)

Joe Trung Trinh, Executive Director of the UVBC, said the figures reflect US businesses' continued confidence in Vietnam's investment environment, particularly in technology, manufacturing and services.

Dr Huynh The Du, a lecturer at Indiana University and Chairman of the AVSPUS, said the trade structures of Vietnam and the US are highly complementary, with Vietnam mainly exporting manufactured goods while the US supplies advanced technology, equipment and high-value agricultural products.

He said the ongoing "China+1" supply chain diversification strategy presents major opportunities for Vietnam to attract high-tech investments, especially in semiconductors and clean energy.

Major US corporations, including Intel and suppliers in Apple's supply chain, have helped position Vietnam as an important manufacturing base for high-tech electronic components. Boeing is boosting collaboration to develop its aviation supply chains and manpower training while FedEx, UPS and many logistics infrastructure investment funds are also expanding their presence in the country.

However, the lecturer stressed that to convert these opportunities into growth, it is a must for Vietnam to continue improving its investment climate, upgrading logistics and energy infrastructure, accelerating digital transformation and developing a highly skilled workforce that meets requirement of emerging technology sectors.

Businesses should also enhance supply chain transparency, comply with increasingly stringent technical and environmental standards, diversify products and increase value-added content to maintain competitiveness, he went on, adding that selectively attracting high-tech FDI projects, bolstering technology transfer, and maintaining dialogue will also help advance bilateral economic relations in a balanced, stable, and mutually beneficial manner.

Huynh Triet, a trade and investment specialist at the US Commercial Service in Ho Chi Minh City, introduced SelectUSA, the US Government's foreign direct investment promotion program, which provides foreign companies with investment advice, regulatory guidance and connections with states and economic development organisations in the US.

Meanwhile, Ionah Hang Nguyen, Director of the VUS Advisory Network of the AVSPUS, recommended that Vietnamese firms adopt suitable market-entry models, including direct exports, distributor partnerships, e-commerce, franchising, joint ventures or establishment of US subsidiaries, depending on their scale and business strategy.

For companies seeking to test the market at a lower cost, the Employer of Record (EOR) model enables the recruitment of employees in the US without establishing a legal entity.

For the business-to-consumer market, she suggested them first target niche markets or the community of 4.5 million Vietnamese in the US before expanding further. They should also move beyond selling products to building strong "Made in Vietnam" brands centred on quality, identity and customer experience to secure long-term competitiveness.

Vietnam and Laos agree to enhance defense cooperation

Vietnam and Laos will further deepen bilateral defense cooperation, expand border security coordination and strengthen military exchanges, considering defense ties as a key pillar of the special relationship between the two neighboring countries.

The agreement was reached during talks in Vietnam’s Nghe An province on July 10 between Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang and his Lao counterpart Khamliang Outhakaysone as part of the third Vietnam-Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange.

Expanding practical defense cooperation

During the talks, the two ministers reviewed recent cooperation and agreed on a number of priorities aimed at making bilateral defense ties more substantive and effective.

Gen. Giang described the Border Defense Friendship Exchange as a distinctive cooperation model that has translated the special strategic relationship between the two Parties, two States and two militaries into practical activities.

He said the program has strengthened political trust while fostering closer ties between border protection forces, local authorities and communities on both sides of the frontier, contributing to the shared goal of building a peaceful, friendly, stable and cooperative border.

Reviewing bilateral cooperation, the Vietnamese minister said defense collaboration had continued to serve as one of the most important pillars of Vietnam-Laos relations.

The two sides have maintained high-level exchanges, regular defense dialogue mechanisms, strategic information sharing, personnel training, defense industry cooperation and coordination between border management forces.

Based on the defense cooperation protocol and the 2026 defense cooperation plan already signed, Gen. Giang proposed that both sides continue prioritising senior-level exchanges, expand military education and training, promote defense industry and military trade cooperation, and strengthen coordination within multilateral defense frameworks.

Strengthening border security and strategic connectivity

The Vietnamese minister also highlighted the strategic importance of the Thanh Thuy (Nghe An)-Nam On (Bolykhamxay) border crossing, which will connect the future Hanoi-Vientiane expressway.

According to him, the route will not only boost economic development but also improve defense and security connectivity, facilitate people-to-people exchanges and support Laos' strategy of expanding transport access to the sea.

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang and his Lao counterpart Khamliang Outhakaysone hold talks in Nghe An province on July 10 as part of the third Vietnam-Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange. (Photo: PANO)

Regarding border cooperation, both sides agreed to further enhance joint patrols, intelligence sharing and cooperation in combating transnational crime, while strengthening the protection of border markers and expanding twinning programs between border guard stations and neighboring communities.

Laos reaffirms commitment to special relationship

Gen. Outhakaysone for his part described the third Border Defense Friendship Exchange as vivid evidence of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.

He said defense cooperation during the first half of 2026 has produced positive results across multiple areas, including delegation exchanges, institutional cooperation, officer training, infrastructure support projects in Laos and people-to-people exchanges in border areas.

Welcoming Vietnam’s proposals, the Lao Defense Minister called for continued efforts to educate younger generations about the two countries' special relationship, expand military training cooperation, intensify joint border patrols, preserve historical sites and coordinate activities marking the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in 2027.

At the conclusion of the talks, both sides pledged to fully implement existing defense agreements and further deepen bilateral defense ties as a cornerstone of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

Vietnam proposes a roadmap for future ASEAN-India tourism cooperation

Vietnam has proposed a series of initiatives to foster tourism cooperation between ASEAN and India, including stronger regional connectivity, digital transformation, sustainable tourism development and greater resilience against emerging challenges facing the tourism industry.

The proposals were presented by Nguyen Thi Hoa Mai, deputy director of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), during the 35th Meeting of the ASEAN-India Tourism Working Group as part of the 64th ASEAN National Tourism Organisations and Related Meetings, held in Singapore on July 9.

The meeting reviewed progress in implementing the ASEAN-India Tourism Work Plan 2023-2027 while discussing new measures to strengthen regional cooperation and promote a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient tourism sector.

Mai held that ASEAN and India should continue working together to facilitate travel through more convenient visa policies, stronger air connectivity, joint tourism promotion campaigns and the development of multi-country tourism products linking destinations across the region.

She also reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to implementing the ASEAN-India Tourism Work Plan 2023-2027, particularly in areas such as tourism workforce development, joint destination marketing, cruise and maritime tourism, and sustainable tourism initiatives.

She suggested that future cooperation should focus on four strategic priorities, namely innovation, resilience, sustainability and inclusiveness, to improve the competitiveness and long-term growth of tourism across the region.

She emphasised that artificial intelligence and digital technologies are creating new opportunities in destination management, tourism promotion and visitor services. At the same time, countries should strengthen digital skills, improve data governance and provide greater support for small and medium-sized tourism enterprises during the digital transition.

The Vietnamese delegation further highlighted the potential for expanding tourism products centred on cultural heritage, gastronomy, wellness and sustainability, helping preserve local traditions while creating greater economic opportunities for communities, VOV reported.

Nguyen Thi Hoa Mai, deputy director of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, puts forward proposals to foster ASEAN-India tourism cooperation at 35th Meeting of the ASEAN-India Tourism Working Group in Singapore on July 9. (Photo: VNAT)

According to Mai, India has become one of Vietnam’s fastest-growing international visitor markets. During the first six months of 2026, Vietnam welcomed nearly 500,000 Indian visitors, an increase of 45.6% compared with the same period last year.

She said the strong growth demonstrates both the significant potential of the Indian market and the effectiveness of existing ASEAN-India tourism cooperation, adding that closer coordination among member states would further sustain the momentum.

Representatives from ASEAN and India agreed that regional tourism faces growing challenges arising from geopolitical uncertainties, global economic volatility and supply chain disruptions.

Mrithinjai Srikanthan, first secretary ò commerce at the High Commission of India in Singapore and head of the Indian delegation, said the ASEAN-India Leaders' Joint Statement on Sustainable Tourism, adopted at the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit in 2025, provides an important framework for building a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient tourism partnership.

Tourism cooperation between ASEAN and India continues to expand under the ASEAN-India Tourism Work Plan 2023-2027. Recent initiatives include the ASEAN-India Cruise Tourism Dialogue in Chennai, tourism expert exchange programmes, joint destination marketing campaigns targeting Indian travellers and the ASEAN-India Tourism Forum 2025 in Bangkok.

These initiatives are expected to strengthen regional tourism connectivity, expand business opportunities and support the long-term development of a more competitive and sustainable tourism industry.

Typhoon Bavi shifts north, likely to make landfall in eastern China

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, as of 7 a.m. on July 10, the center of Typhoon Bavi was about 650 km southeast of Taiwan (China) and approximately 1,000 km southeast of Fujian Province, China. Compared with a day earlier, the storm had weakened by two categories to Category 14.

Over the next 24 hours, the typhoon is forecast to move mainly northwest at around 25 km/h while continuing to weaken.

Over the following two to three days, Bavi is expected to gradually turn northward, shifting farther toward the north. Forecasts indicate the storm will make landfall between Fujian and Zhejiang provinces late on July 11 or in the early hours of July 12. By the time it reaches land, it is expected to weaken to Category 10 - 12, with gusts up to Category 14.

Although Bavi is not forecast to enter the East Sea, its outer circulation will continue to affect waters from Khanh Hoa Province to Vinh Long Province, as well as the central and southern East Sea - including the Truong Sa Special Zone - bringing sustained winds of Category 6 with gusts of Category 7 - 8 and rough seas, cited VNN.

Typhoon Bavi weakens as it approaches Taiwan (China). Source: Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority (VNDMS)

In the northeastern East Sea, winds are expected to strengthen to Category 6, with gusts reaching Category 8. Waves are forecast to reach 2 - 4 m, with rough sea conditions.

Authorities advised residents and vessels operating in the affected waters to closely monitor weather forecasts and warnings and take appropriate precautions.

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