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Prof. Dr. Boviengkham Vongdala, President of the Laos–Vietnam Friendship Association (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam–Laos Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation remains cornerstone of bilateral ties: Lao scholar

The Vietnam–Laos Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation has remained the political and legal foundation underpinning the two countries’ special relationship over the past 49 years, according to Prof. Dr. Boviengkham Vongdala, President of the Laos–Vietnam Friendship Association.

Speaking to Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Laos on the occasion of the 49th anniversary of the signing of the treaty (July 18, 1977–2026), Boviengkham, former member of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and former Minister of Technology and Communications, described the landmark document as one of strategic significance and supreme importance to the safeguarding of the autonomy, existence and development of both nations.

He recalled that the treaty was signed at a time when the regional and international situation was highly complex, shortly after the establishment of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic on December 2, 1975. Against that backdrop, the agreement provided a comprehensive framework that enabled Laos and Vietnam to overcome numerous challenges together over the past nearly five decades.

According to the professor, it has served as the core legal framework for expanding the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries across all crucial fields. These include the successful completion of land border demarcation and marker planting, closer political cooperation, stronger defence and security ties, deeper collaboration in the economy, culture, education, science – technology, and effective coordination at regional and international forums.

He highlighted the most recent milestone in bilateral relations – the decision by the two countries’ top leaders during Party General Secretary To Lam’s state visit to Laos in December 2025 to elevate bilateral ties to a new level, with the addition of the “strategic cohesion” dimension. The upgrade, he said, provides a solid foundation for advancing more practical and substantive cooperation that delivers greater benefits to the two peoples, cited VNA.

In the context of growing global and regional uncertainties, Boviengkham stressed the importance of translating the “strategic cohesion” dimension into concrete actions. Priority should be given to aligning development strategies and policies, strengthening transport and logistics connectivity, developing high-quality human resources, and educating younger generations about the unique relationship between the two countries.

He also called for more flexible and effective cooperation mechanisms to improve the quality and efficiency of this "strategic cohesion" to bring about maximum benefits to the two peoples.

As President of the Laos–Vietnam Friendship Association, Boviengkham pledged to further promote people-to-people exchanges and public education, particularly among young people, to deepen their understanding of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation and other bilateral cooperation agreements.

He said these efforts will also help prepare for major commemorative events in 2027, marking the 50th anniversary of the treaty and the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Laos and Vietnam.

Reaffirming his commitment, the Lao scholar said he will continue working to preserve and strengthen the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between the two Parties, States and peoples, ensuring that Laos–Vietnam relations remain evergreen and enduring.

Association to push ahead with Vietnam–Russia people-to-people diplomacy

The Vietnam–Russia Friendship Association held its 18th national conference in the northern province of Ninh Binh on July 18 to review performance over the recent past and outline orientations and tasks for the time ahead.

The event drew representatives from the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), the association's central leadership, heads of 24 provincial and municipal chapters, alongside 19 member sub-chapters nationwide.

Addressing the conference, Phan Chi Hieu, Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee for Legal and Judicial Affairs and Chairman of the Vietnam–Russia Friendship Association, said that the meeting aimed to devise measures to improve the quality and efficiency of the association's operations, share best practices and effective models, and update members on the Party and State’s foreign policy directives, as well as current international and Russian affairs.

He asked association members to continue thoroughly grasping and effectively implementing the Party and State’s policy on people-to-people diplomacy regarding the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Russia. He also stressed the importance of aligning actions with the objectives and guiding viewpoints of the Politburo's Resolution No. 59 on international integration in the new context, and Resolution No. 06 on the implementation of the foreign policy set at the 14th National Party Congress.

In addition, the association must proactively innovate its activities, improve operational efficiency, foster exchanges between the younger generations of Vietnam and Russia, and support the youth to preserve and promote the long-standing relations between the two countries, Hieu noted.

The association reported that since the beginning of 2026, its operations have yielded significant results across various fields, including in promoting solidarity, friendship, people-to-people exchanges and mutual visits. It has continued to serve as a bridge for bilateral cooperation in economic, cultural, educational, and communication affairs, according to VNA.

The 18th national conference of the Vietnam–Russia Friendship Association takes place in Ninh Binh province on July 18, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Several reforms have been introduced to diversify and enrich its activities while strengthening its members’ ties with the Russian Embassy and the Russian Center of Science and Culture in Hanoi.

For the second half of 2026, the Vietnam–Russia Friendship Association is set to press on with effectively implementing its cooperation agreement with the Russia–Vietnam Friendship Association for 2025–2030. It will also organise friendship exchanges and experience-sharing sessions among local chapters and sub-chapters to elevate the profile of the association and enhance people-to-people diplomacy between the two countries.

Diplomacy opens new pathways for Vietnam’s development

As Vietnam’s foreign affairs continue to chart new paths, its expanding bilateral and multilateral relations actively contribute to maintaining a peaceful environment, broadening market access, attracting development resources, and elevating the nation’s global standing.

Recent diplomatic activities show that the foreign policy guidelines of the Party’s 14th National Congress are being put into practice, reaffirming that foreign affairs constitute a "vital and regular" task alongside national defence and security.

The recent meeting between Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis extended far beyond consolidating traditional friendly relations. The focus centered on accelerating economic, trade, and investment cooperation, while effectively exploiting the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

Key agendas included strengthening business-to-business connectivity and expanding cooperation in the maritime economy, logistics, shipbuilding, renewable energy, science and technology, alongside exploring a direct air route between the two countries.

Political ties are being turned into concrete cooperation programs capable of generating additional growth for both nations.

In parallel with bilateral relations, Vietnam further asserts its role within ASEAN-EU relations. As the coordinator for ASEAN-EU economic relations, one of the few ASEAN nations to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EU, and a participant in the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), Vietnam actively bolster cooperation in the digital economy, energy transition, sustainable development, and trade. This aligns with the mandates of Resolution No. 06 of the Political Bureau, which requires the nation not only to participate in existing cooperation mechanisms but also to progressively shape new spaces for stronger cooperation.

Friendly relations with Mauritania, an African nation, clearly illustrate the current direction of Vietnamese diplomacy. Rather than limiting exchanges to traditional friendship, both sides anchor cooperation in sectors of mutual strength and demand, including agriculture, telecommunications, mining, oil and gas, education, healthcare, and aquaculture—a synergy that deepens bilateral ties while generating new growth opportunities for both nations.

This trend is equally evident at the local level. Working with Lang Son province, PM Le Minh Hung urged the locality to fully leverage its border gate advantages, focusing on the development of logistics, cross-border trade, cross-border economic cooperation zones, and smart border gates.

In the first half of 2026, import-export turnover through the province reached US$57.69 billion, a 42% increase and accounting for roughly 11% of the country’s total. These figures demonstrate that when foreign policy advantages are effectively capitalized on, border gates expand far beyond customs clearance points to become hubs for market connectivity, investment attraction, and growth.

In border areas, building boundaries of peace, friendship, and cooperation has become a regular task for the entire political system. In Dak Lak, the Fatherland Front of Dak Lak province and its Cambodian counterpart in Mondulkiri province signed a new memorandum of understanding for cooperation.

The agreement expands joint coordination from protecting borderlines and landmarks to developing border economies, people-to-people exchanges, human resource training, and social welfare in border regions. During the recent period alone, competent forces organized 125 educational campaigns with over 7,530 participants, consolidating public awareness, strengthening consensus, and maintaining stability from the grassroots level.

Regarding international and regional issues, Vietnam and its partners continue to reaffirm a consistent stance on maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and aviation.

The country advocates settling disputes through peaceful measures based on international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Steadfast adherence to this principle safeguards a peaceful environment for national development while building trust and regional stability, reported VOV.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung receives Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis on July 17, 2026 (Photo: VNA)

This embodies the philosophy of "defending the country early and from afar," which extends beyond traditional security issues. This is why the Party determined that foreign affairs must stand at the frontline and cannot be the sole task of the diplomatic sector. Recalling President Ho Chi Minh’s teaching: "National strength is the gong, diplomacy is the sound. Only when the gong is good can the sound echo far," General Secretary and State President To Lam recently emphasized: "By performing their tasks well, each ministry, sector, and locality makes a worthy contribution to the nation’s overall foreign affairs."

Practical realities have proven this principle. A locality with good administrative reforms attracts investors. A well-organized business that honors its commitments raises the reputation of Vietnamese goods. A high-performing university expands international cooperation. Every positive action contributes to the nation's prestige.

The Vietnam Summer Camp 2026 serves as a vivid example. More than 100 overseas Vietnamese youths and students from 32 countries and territories traveled nearly 1,500 kilometers across the country to learn about Vietnam’s history, culture, and people. Such activities nurture a love for the homeland, generating additional resources for national construction and development.

People-to-people diplomacy is also deployed through highly practical actions. These ranged from the 250th anniversary of US Independence Day in Ho Chi Minh City, the 73rd anniversary of the assault on Cuba’s Moncada Barracks, to the 55th anniversary of Vietnam-Chile diplomatic relations. The highlights centered on expanding people-to-people exchanges and connecting cooperation among localities, businesses, and the younger generation.

A recent unfortunate accident involving Indian citizens also demonstrated Vietnam’s responsible conduct. Competent forces acted urgently in rescue operations, supporting the victims and the Indian side. This response contributes to the reputation of a humane and responsible diplomacy.

The diplomatic activities carried out over the past week indicate that the foreign policy lines of the 14th National Congress are progressively entering daily life. From high-level diplomacy, economic diplomacy, local foreign affairs, to people-to-people diplomacy and handling regional and international issues, all goals are directed toward maintaining a peaceful environment, leveraging external resources, and elevating the nation’s standing.

This marks a new development in the Party’s foreign policy thinking. All activities must serve national development and the lives of the people. When every diplomatic activity brings an additional cooperation opportunity, a new market, a new resource, or an additional trusted friend, the foreign policy guidelines of the 14th National Congress are successfully realized into concrete outcomes.

Vietnam wins four golds at 2026 International Chemistry Olympiad

All four members of Vietnam’s team at the 2026 International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) won gold medals, as announced by the Ministry of Education and Training.

The gold medallists are Nguyen Manh Tuan, Nguyen The Minh, and Tran Hoang Nam from the Ha Noi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted in Ha Noi, and Dinh Xuan Phuc from Vinh Phuc High School for the Gifted in Phu Tho Province.

With four gold medals, Vietnam shared first place with China and India in the overall gold medal standings.

The result further reinforces Vietnam’s position among the world’s best performers at IChO and extends the country’s impressive record of success at international science competitions in recent years.

The 58th International Chemistry Olympiad was held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from July 10 to 19, bringing together 368 outstanding high school students from 93 countries and territories, NDO reported.

All four Vietnamese students have won gold medals at the 2026 International Chemistry Olympiad.

Contestants competed in two five-hour examinations: a theoretical paper and a practical laboratory test. Together, the two components assessed their subject knowledge, scientific thinking, and analytical and problem-solving abilities, as well as their precision in conducting chemical experiments.

The examination papers at IChO 2026 were designed with a modern approach, focusing on advanced fields of chemistry and materials science, including ammonia production, nuclear chemistry, and carbon dioxide utilisation.

Between 2020 and 2026, Vietnam has won a total of 25 gold medals and three silver medals at IChO events.

Hanoi named world’s second friendliest city for customer service

Vietnam has consistently ranked among the world’s top 10 most hospitable nations in recent years, Malaysia’s The Star newspaper reports.

While Southeast Asia is widely celebrated as one of the world’s most welcoming regions, where locals from Thailand to Indonesia are known for their warm smiles, Vietnam frequently stands out as the ultimate destination for international travelers seeking genuine hospitality.

St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Hanoi, a popular destination for both locals and tourists to visit and take photos.

Highlighting this reputation, a recent study by the price comparison platform MoneySuperMarket titled "World’s Top Ten Cities with the Friendliest Customer Service" named Hanoi the sole Southeast Asian representative in the top 10, securing the prestigious second place globally.

The study praised Vietnam’s capital for its welcoming hospitality staff and dedicated customer service. This exceptional warmth is largely attributed to a deeply rooted culture centered on community ties and social cohesion, alongside a long-standing tradition of hospitality, cited VOV.

The global index was compiled by analyzing customer reviews for businesses, including restaurants, entertainment venues, attractions, and activities, across 107 cities worldwide.

Edinburgh, Scotland (UK) topped the rankings with a 59% friendliness score. Hanoi followed closely at 58.6%, with Liverpool (UK) taking third place at 58.3%.

Rounding out the top 10 were Paris, France (57.5%); Dublin, Ireland (57.3%); Montreal, Canada (56.8%); Vienna, Austria (55.6%); and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (55.3%). The final two spots went to the UK cities of Birmingham (54.2%) and Bristol (53.7%).

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