Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam leaves lasting imprint at AMM-59: Deputy FM

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang has spotlighted key outcomes of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM-59) and related meetings in Manila, the Philippines from July 20-24, adding that Vietnam has left a lasting imprint across nearly 20 sessions.

Talking with Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reporters present in the Philippines, Giang said the meetings wrapped up successfully, adopting a raft of key documents that turned political commitments into practical cooperation.

Ministers welcomed progress in ASEAN cooperation over the first seven months and agreed to fast-track the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and priorities of the 2026 Chairmanship Year, Giang said. They vowed to deliver on pledges made at the 48th ASEAN Summit and fully carry out the leaders’ declaration on responding to the Middle East crisis.

ASEAN deepened and widened its external relations, with more partners seeking to establish or upgrade ties and boost their role in ASEAN-led mechanisms. The bloc admitted Turkey as its 12th Dialogue Partner, approved Germany and Qatar as Sectoral Dialogue Partners, and greenlit the UK’s entry into the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). The moves underscored ASEAN’s rising pull and central role as a hub for aligning interests, coordinating cooperation and shaping regional processes, Giang said.

Celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) reaffirmed the lasting relevance of ASEAN’s norms and principles, he said, with participants calling the TAC the foundational code guiding relations among countries both within and outside the region.

The accession of Romania, Poland, Sweden and Lithuania pushed the number of TAC High Contracting Parties to 62, and more interest from other nations demonstrated the treaty’s enduring vitality and role, he said.

Giang also pointed to the Mekong-Japan and Mekong-RoK foreign ministers’ meetings, which reaffirmed long-term partner commitment to Mekong sub-regional cooperation.

The discussions zeroed in on shared challenges, particularly energy security and cybercrime, while delivering practical benefits to citizens and businesses across the Mekong and supporting ASEAN Community-building process.

On Vietnam’s participation, Giang said the delegation led by Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung embodied the foreign policy line of the 14th National Party Congress by acting proactively, responsibly and with leadership inside ASEAN.

“Vietnam didn’t just attend, but also proactively shaped debates and contributed solutions”, he said.

Vietnam worked closely with the Philippines - ASEAN Chair and other member states to build unity and consensus, while backing the effective rollout of the Chair’s priorities and initiatives. It also put forward a raft of proposals to bolster ASEAN’s resilience, cohesion and connectivity.

As the only ASEAN member now coordinating ties with two Dialogue Partners, Vietnam made notable contributions to advancing regional cooperation with both the UK and New Zealand.

Vietnam chaired negotiations that resulted in the adoption of the ASEAN-UK Plan of Action 2027-2031 and the ASEAN-UK Joint Ministerial Statement on Cooperation on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). It also helped forge ASEAN consensus on admitting the UK as the ARF’s 28th member.

The country also led negotiations and secured the adoption of the ASEAN-New Zealand Joint Statement on Strengthening Regional Resilience, while pushing for the rollout of the ASEAN-New Zealand Plan of Action 2026-2030, with an emphasis on quality over quantity.

Vietnam also actively contributed to the East Sea discussions, stressing the need to maintain peace, security and stability, while ensuring ASEAN's principled stance on the issue was fully reflected in the documents, cited VNA.

Co-chaired by Trung, the 17th Mekong-Japan Foreign Ministers’ Meeting agreed to resume the Mekong-Japan Summit at the earliest suitable opportunity.

According to Giang, Trung held around 15 bilateral meetings with counterparts. Partners praised Vietnam’s growing role, international standing and development record, calling the country an increasingly important global and regional player.

Many expressed strong interest in Vietnam’s ambitious reform agenda, achievements after 40 years of Doi Moi (Renewal), and its development vision through 2030 and 2045.

The discussions reflected a shift in bilateral ties from establishing cooperation frameworks toward following agreements and delivering tangible outcomes.

Both Vietnam and its partners expressed a desire to expand high-level exchanges, accelerate existing agreements, settle existing issues and broaden cooperation in priority areas, including sci-tech, innovation, digital transformation, energy, green transition, blue economy, supply chain resilience and quality workforce training.

The meetings also covered accelerating negotiations, signing and rollout of free trade agreements, establishing new frameworks for green growth and sustainable finance, boosting business connectivity, expanding investment cooperation, developing capital markets and enhancing workforce training.

Giang said the conversations highlighted diplomacy’s growing role in marshaling external resources to back national development.

Vietnam also shared its experience in upgrading its market economy framework, fostering private sector development and overhauling its growth model, helping partners pinpoint future cooperation areas that match Vietnam’s priorities and their own strengths.

Another standout outcome, Giang said, is growing recognition of Vietnam’s role and credibility within ASEAN and the broader international community.

Vietnam is widely seen as a balanced, responsible partner able to link external players with ASEAN while contributing to peace, stability, maritime security, freedom of navigation, respect for international law and collective responses to shared challenges.

Those outcomes reflect Vietnam’s ongoing push to follow the foreign policy direction of the 14th National Party Congress, Resolutions 59 and 06, and other Politburo strategic resolutions by translating policy into concrete, practical results, he said.

Vietnam, Bloomberg seek deeper ties to boost financial market development

Deputy Minister of Finance Tran Quoc Phuong held a working session with Bing Li, Head of Asia-Pacific for Bloomberg, in Hanoi to discuss bilateral cooperation in financial market development, international investor connectivity, and preparations for APEC 2027.

Both sides agreed to foster comprehensive collaboration to better connect Vietnam’s financial market with the global ecosystem.

At the working session, Phuong highlighted Bloomberg’s extensive global scale and network, and expressed his high expectations that two sides will expand partnership across multiple domains, particularly in advancing Vietnam's financial market infrastructure.

Phuong emphasized that Vietnam is pressing ahead with the development of the International Financial Centre in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. While the regulatory framework and organizational structure are gradually taking shape, their successful operation requires high-quality human resources, financial technology (fintech) capabilities, and direct integration into global capital markets. The centre is envisioned as an international gateway facilitating two-way capital flows between Vietnam and the world.

Regarding APEC 2027, which Vietnam will host, Phuong noted that the Ministry of Finance will lead several key events, including deputy-ministerial and ministerial meetings, as well as specialised capital market discussions. He invited Bloomberg to partner with the ministry by sharing international expertise, offering media support, and promoting Vietnam’s initiatives to the global financial community, according to VNA.

Deputy Minister of Finance Tran Quoc Phuong holds a working session with Bing Li, Head of Asia-Pacific for Bloomberg in Hanoi. (Photo: tapchitaichinh.vn)

Furthermore, the ministry is currently drafting a master scheme for the development of Vietnam's financial market. Phuong welcomed Bloomberg’s technical insights during the drafting process and reaffirmed the ministry's readiness to cooperate in linking foreign investors with the domestic market.

For his part, Bing noted that 2026 marks 30 years of Bloomberg’s presence in Vietnam. He affirmed the group’s commitment to long-term collaboration across frontier sectors such as fintech, artificial intelligence, education, and financial community development.

On APEC 2027, Bing Li said Bloomberg stands ready to mobilise its full range of resources to support Vietnam, from media coverage and technological capabilities to sharing international expertise and connecting the country with the global investment community.

Bloomberg looks forward to a long-term partnership with Vietnam in pioneering fields like fintech, AI, education, and financial market ecosystem building, he said.

Vietnam strengthens science diplomacy with Austria

Science diplomacy is emerging as a key pillar of Vietnam's international integration strategy, helping connect scientific research with policymaking while strengthening global partnerships for sustainable development.

That message was highlighted during a working visit by a delegation from the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) to Austria from July 19 to 23.

During the visit, the delegation held discussions with leading scientific institutions, including the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), the Austrian Academy of Sciences, TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Embassy of Vietnam in Austria and members of the Vietnamese scientific community.

As global challenges such as climate change, energy security, digital transformation and sustainable development increasingly transcend national borders, science diplomacy is becoming an essential bridge linking scientific knowledge, public policy and international cooperation.

Science as a bridge for international cooperation

A key event of the visit was the Science and Technology Diplomacy Forum, jointly organised by VAST, the Embassy of Vietnam in Austria and IIASA in Vienna.

Speaking at the forum, Prof. Dr. Tran Tuan Anh, vice president of VAST, emphasized that research institutions should play a broader role than conducting scientific studies alone.

As development challenges become increasingly interdisciplinary and transnational, he said, research organizations must also facilitate knowledge exchange and strengthen dialogue between scientists and policymakers.

As Vietnam's representative institution at IIASA, VAST aims to promote the application of systems analysis in policy advice and expand links between Vietnamese researchers and international programmes focusing on strategic technologies and sustainable development.

According to Prof. Dr. Anh, stronger international cooperation will also help broaden Vietnam's research network across Southeast Asia, where many countries are facing similar development and transformation challenges.

Science diplomacy connects knowledge with policymaking

Vietnamese Ambassador to Austria Vu Le Thai Hoang described science and technology as an increasingly important pillar of modern diplomacy.

He said no country can address today's global challenges alone, making science diplomacy an important mechanism for connecting scientists, research institutions and policymakers while fostering international cooperation built on knowledge and mutual trust.

The ambassador also noted Austria's unique position within the global scientific community, hosting major international organizations such as IIASA and the IAEA, providing Vietnam with valuable opportunities to deepen cooperation with European and international research networks.

Delegates attend the Science and Technology Diplomacy Forum, jointly organised by the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology VAST, the Embassy of Vietnam in Austria and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis IIASA in Vienna.

Representing IIASA, Karen Lips said that throughout its more than five decades of operation, the institute has been committed to using interdisciplinary research and international collaboration to connect countries through science.

Meanwhile, Susie Kitchens, director of Science Diplomacy at IIASA, emphasized that trust remains the foundation of effective scientific cooperation.

Science diplomacy begins with building trust between people. Academic dialogue and expert networks create the foundation for long-term partnerships and evidence-based policymaking, she said.

Expanding international networks for sustainable development

Alongside academic activities, the VAST delegation also met representatives of the Vietnam-Austria Friendship Association, the Austria-Vietnam Friendship Association, and Vietnamese scientists, researchers and professionals living and working in Austria.

According to VAST, these engagements demonstrate that international scientific cooperation today extends beyond research institutes and universities, requiring active participation from diplomatic missions, friendship organizations and overseas Vietnamese intellectual networks.

The Embassy of Vietnam in Austria will continue serving as a bridge connecting Vietnamese scientific institutions with international partners and facilitating new collaborative research programmes in areas of mutual interest.

Through joint research projects and international cooperation, VAST hopes to strengthen Vietnam's research capacity, develop high-quality scientific talent and mobilise global resources to support national development.

The initiatives also contribute to implementing the Politburo’s Resolution 57 on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation, as well as the Politburo’s Resolution 59 on international integration in the new era.

Vietnam-Bangladesh business forum unlocks economic potential

More than 280 businesses from Vietnam and Bangladesh took part in the Bangladesh–Vietnam Business Forum and B2B Matchmaking Event 2026 on July 25, seeking to expand trade, investment and long-term business partnerships between two of Asia's dynamic emerging economies.

The event brought together 33 Bangladeshi companies attending in person, around 90 participating online, and nearly 200 Vietnamese enterprises representing sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, food processing, technology, logistics, textiles, construction and services.

Designed to strengthen engagement between businesses, government agencies and diplomatic representatives from both countries, the forum created opportunities for companies to identify partners, explore new markets and translate commercial potential into concrete cooperation projects.

Significant room for growth

Bangladesh is currently Vietnam's second-largest trading partner in South Asia. The two countries are seen as having complementary strengths, with Bangladesh offering a large consumer market and a gateway to South Asia, while Vietnam has competitive advantages in manufacturing, processing, agriculture, food, consumer goods, textiles, technology and logistics, VOV reported.

An overview of the Vietnam-Bangladesh business forum on July 25, 2026.

Speaking virtually at the forum, Vietnamese Ambassador to Bangladesh Nguyen Manh Cuong said the strong political relationship between the two countries has provided a solid foundation for expanding economic, trade and investment cooperation.

Despite global economic uncertainties, bilateral trade has been stable at between US$1 billion and US$1.5 billion annually. However, he noted that current trade volumes still fall well short of the potential offered by the two economies.

According to the ambassador, Vietnam and Bangladesh have considerable scope to deepen cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, technology, healthcare and tourism.

The key is for businesses from both countries to build greater mutual trust and gain a better understanding of each other's markets, turning opportunities into concrete and sustainable business partnerships, Ambassador Cuong said.

Bangladeshi Ambassador to Vietnam Md. Lutfor Rahman described both countries as dynamic Asian economies that have demonstrated strong resilience while integrating more deeply into global value chains.

He noted that Vietnam and Bangladesh have signed nearly 40 agreements, memoranda of understanding and joint declarations, providing an important institutional framework for bilateral cooperation. Nevertheless, trade turnover remains modest compared with the size of both markets and their long-term economic potential.

Beyond trade toward broader investment

Ambassador Rahman highlighted recent progress in market access, noting that Vietnam has opened its market to fresh potatoes from Bangladesh, while Bangladeshi products such as pharmaceuticals, jute, leather and duck feathers have gradually entered the Vietnamese market.

To elevate bilateral economic cooperation, he proposed that both sides accelerate negotiations on a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), as well as expanding collaboration in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food processing, textiles, information technology, the digital economy, renewable energy, logistics and halal products.

He also stressed the importance of strengthening connections between chambers of commerce, business associations and financial institutions, while exploring the possibility of launching direct flights between the two countries to facilitate trade, investment and tourism.

Turning potential into practical cooperation

Representing Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vo Hong Anh, deputy director of the Department of Foreign Market Development, said Bangladesh is one of South Asia’s most dynamic markets, while Vietnam continues to strengthen its position as a major manufacturing and export hub in Southeast Asia.

She noted that the strengths of the two economies are largely complementary rather than directly competitive, creating favourable conditions for businesses to participate more deeply in regional supply chains.

The real question is no longer how much potential exists, but how we can transform that potential into tangible cooperation. That begins with trust, mutual understanding and direct business connections, she said.

Throughout the forum, companies participated in a series of B2B sessions to present their capabilities, identify potential partners and discuss opportunities in trade, distribution, investment and market development. Follow-up business meetings and site visits are expected to continue after the event to help translate initial discussions into concrete commercial outcomes.

Typhoon Noul enters East Sea, rapidly intensifies

Noul, the second storm to enter the East Sea this year, could rapidly strengthen to force 11-12 as it tracks west-northwest toward southern China.

Typhoon Noul has entered the northeastern waters of the northern East Sea, becoming the second storm of 2026. Over the next 24 hours, it is forecast to intensify rapidly, potentially reaching force 12 as it heads toward Guangdong province in China.

According to the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, Noul officially moved into the East Sea on the night of July 24, becoming the second storm of the year.

At 10 p.m., the center of the storm was over the northeastern waters of the northern East Sea, about 710 km southeast of Hong Kong, China.

Maximum sustained winds near the center reached force 10, or 89-102 km/h, with gusts at force 12. The storm was moving west-northwest at about 25 km/h, VNN reported.

Forecast track and intensity of Typhoon Noul at 11 p.m. on July 24, 2026. Source: National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting.

Under the current forecast, Noul will continue moving mainly west-northwest, with a probability of more than 80% that it will make landfall in Guangdong province, China. It is considered unlikely to directly affect Vietnam's mainland.

Over the next 24 hours, the storm is expected to maintain a speed of 20-25 km/h.

By 10 p.m. on July 25, its center is forecast to remain over the northeastern waters of the northern East Sea, about 230 km east-southeast of Hong Kong.

Noul could strengthen to force 11-12, with gusts reaching force 14. The natural disaster risk level is 3 for the northeastern waters of the northern East Sea.

Noul expected to weaken after landfall in Guangdong

Over the following 24 hours, the storm is forecast to maintain its west-northwest track at 15-20 km/h.

By 10 p.m. on July 26, its center is expected to be over land in Guangdong province, China, with winds weakening to force 8 and gusts at force 10.

The natural disaster risk level remains at 3 for the northeastern waters of the northern East Sea.

Noul will then move north-northwest at 15-20 km/h.

By 10 a.m. on July 27, the storm center is forecast to remain over Guangdong province. It is expected to weaken gradually into a tropical depression and later into a low-pressure area, with winds below force 6.

Noul is forecast to bring strong winds of force 6-7 to the northeastern waters of the northern East Sea, increasing later to force 8-10, with waves of 4-6 meters.

Near the storm center, winds could reach force 11-12 with gusts at force 14, while waves may rise to 5-7 meters. Seas will be extremely rough.

Vessels operating in the affected areas could face thunderstorms, tornadoes, strong winds and high waves.

Vietnam News Today (July 21): Standard Chartered Raises 2026 GDP Growth Forecast for Vietnam to 9.5%

Vietnam News Today (July 22): Vietnam Reaffirms Commitment to Human Rights at AMM-59