Vietnam always gives top priority to strengthening relations with Laos: Top leader
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and State President To Lam on July 28 received President of the Supreme People's Court of Laos Phayvy Syboualypha who is paying an official visit to Vietnam.
Welcoming the Lao official, the Vietnamese leader congratulated him on his appointment as President of the Supreme People's Court of Laos, describing the position as particularly important at a time when Laos is restructuring its government apparatus, consolidating its local administrations, building an independent and self-reliant economy, and strengthening its socialist rule-of-law state.
He expressed his confidence that Phayvy and the leadership of the Lao Supreme People's Court would successfully fulfil their responsibilities and contribute to Laos's national development. He believed that the visit would help implement high-level agreements reached by the two Parties and States while further deepening cooperation between the judicial systems of the two countries.
General Secretary and President Lam reaffirmed that Vietnam consistently gives top priority to strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion with Laos, describing the relationship as an invaluable asset shared by the two nations and their revolutionary causes.
He stressed that amid rapid and complex regional and global developments, the two countries should continue fostering political trust, maintaining special solidarity, coordinating closely and supporting each other at regional and international forums to help preserve a peaceful and stable environment for development, according to VNA.
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| General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and State President To Lam (R) and President of the Supreme People's Court of Laos Phayvy Syboualypha. (Photo: VNA) |
Highlighting the positive results of cooperation between the supreme courts of Vietnam and Laos, General Secretary and President Lam said judicial cooperation is one of the key pillars in building a rule-of-law state, ensuring justice, protecting the legitimate rights and interests of organisations and citizens, and creating a stable legal environment for socio-economic development and international integration.
He called on the two court systems to effectively implement high-level agreements, expand cooperation in digital transformation and information technology, particularly in developing electronic courts, and organise specialized training programs for judges and legal professionals.
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| Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (R) and Cambodian National Assembly President Samdech Khuon Sudary pose for a photo ahead of their meeting in Hanoi on July 28, 2026. (Photo: VGP) |
Vietnam and Cambodia deepen ties with focus on economic connectivity
Vietnam and Cambodia will strengthen economic connectivity by expanding cooperation in infrastructure, trade, investment and innovation, as the two countries seek to deepen practical cooperation and promote sustainable long-term growth.
The agreement was reached during a meeting in Hanoi on July 28 between Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Cambodian National Assembly President Samdech Khuon Sudary, as part of her official visit to Vietnam.
Prime Minister Hung described the visit as an important milestone in reinforcing political trust and strengthening cooperation between the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the Cambodian People's Party (CPP), as well as between the two states and their peoples, adding fresh momentum to the continued development of Vietnam–Cambodia relations.
Congratulating Cambodia on its recent development achievements, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that, under the leadership of the Cambodian People's Party, together with the Government, the National Assembly and the Senate, Cambodia would continue to enjoy peace, stability and prosperity.
Looking ahead, he stressed the importance of translating high-level agreements into concrete outcomes by further strengthening economic connectivity between the two countries.
He said both sides should expand cooperation in transport infrastructure, telecommunications, finance and banking, establish new cooperation mechanisms to facilitate economic integration, accelerate the development of the Ho Chi Minh City–Moc Bai and Bavet–Phnom Penh expressway corridor, and expedite the revision and signing of agreements that would facilitate cross-border trade and border management.
Responding to Cambodia's proposal to enhance cooperation in science, technology and innovation, the Prime Minister shared Vietnam's new development orientation following the 3rd plenum of the 14th Party Central Committee, under which science, technology and innovation have been identified as key drivers of future growth.
He said the two countries possess complementary strengths in these sectors and welcomed greater investment by Vietnamese enterprises in Cambodia.
For her part, National Assembly President Khuon Sudary congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic achievements, describing the country's development as not only a source of pride for Vietnam but also an inspiration and valuable experience for Cambodia.
She also welcomed the growing momentum in bilateral relations, noting that recent high-level exchanges, including Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet's visit to Vietnam, have further strengthened cooperation between the two countries.
The Cambodian leader reaffirmed Cambodia's commitment to working closely with Vietnam to deepen cooperation in economic development, innovation and people-to-people exchanges.
Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the steady progress in bilateral relations, underpinned by growing political trust and frequent high-level exchanges between the two parties and governments.
They also agreed to continue implementing high-level commitments, maintain regular exchanges of delegations, strengthen defense and security cooperation, enhance coordination in combating transnational crime, and uphold the principle of not allowing any hostile forces to use one country's territory against the other.
The two sides further agreed to accelerate land border demarcation and marker planting, build a peaceful, friendly and cooperative border, and continue creating favourable conditions for people of Vietnamese origin living in Cambodia to contribute to bilateral friendship.
Ahead of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Cambodia in 2027, both sides pledged to coordinate commemorative activities and promote public awareness, particularly among younger generations, of the long-standing friendship between the two countries.
On regional and international issues, Prime Minister Hung and National Assembly President Sudary agreed to maintain the two countries’ close coordination within ASEAN, the United Nations and Mekong cooperation mechanisms, support ASEAN centrality and promote the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, contributing to peace, stability and sustainable development in the region.
Vietnam, Australia expand cooperation in high-quality human resources development
Politburo member, President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA) Doan Minh Huan received MP Anne Aly, Australian Minister for Small Business, Minister for International Development, and Minister for Multicultural Affairs in Hanoi on July 28 during her working visit to Vietnam.
Huan spoke highly of the positive development of the Vietnam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, affirming that the two countries still have substantial potential for cooperation in high-quality human resources development, science and technology, innovation, national governance and sustainable development. These areas are of strategic importance, helping to consolidate political trust and promote increasingly substantive and effective bilateral collaboration, he said.
The official acknowledged the achievements of the Vietnam-Australia Centre (VAC), describing it as an effective model for bilateral cooperation in leadership development, governance capacity building, knowledge connectivity and policy dialogue.
Sharing Vietnam’s goals and priorities in its new development stage, Huan expressed his hope that the HCMA will expand cooperation with Australian partners in high-quality human resources training and development, research and policy dialogue.
He proposed organising policy forums on national governance, innovation, digital transformation and green transition, and strengthening links with Australian government agencies, universities and research institutes to facilitate knowledge-sharing and exchanges of modern governance experience, so as to contribute to the effective implementation of the Vietnam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, reported VNA.
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| Politburo member, President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics Doan Minh Huan (R) receives MP Anne Aly, Australian Minister for Small Business, Minister for International Development, and Minister for Multicultural Affairs in Hanoi on July 28. (Photo: VNA) |
Huan suggested the two sides continue developing the VAC during the 2027-2035 period and promote cooperation in human resources development and human rights education through expert exchanges, research, training and experience-sharing to help enhance mutual understanding, strengthen academic links and improve the capacity of officials, lecturers and researchers from both sides.
For her part, Aly expressed her impression of the HCMA’s strategic vision and affirmed that Australia remains a reliable partner, and is ready to accompany Vietnam in its human resources development priorities.
Investment in human resources, particularly in the context of rapid technological change, digital transformation and public governance, is essential to ensuring inclusive development, social equity and public trust in the administration, she said.
The Australian minister spoke highly of the outcomes achieved through the VAC and expressed strong support for the academy’s proposals. She affirmed Australia’s readiness to cooperate with Vietnam in areas where it has strengths and that align with Vietnam’s development vision. These include expanding training links for public-sector officials, improving the capacity of lecturers, and conducting joint research on gender equality, green transition and human rights in the digital era.
The two sides also shared common academic interests and backgrounds in anthropology and sociology, helping foster closer connections and deeper mutual understanding.
IMF backs Vietnam's double-digit growth ambition, pledges continued support
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has voiced support for Vietnam's ambition to achieve double-digit economic growth, pledging continued policy advice and technical cooperation to help the country pursue rapid yet sustainable development.
Jochen Schmittmann, the outgoing IMF Resident Representative for Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, made the statement during his meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung in Hanoi on July 28. Fazurin Jamaludin, who will assume the role of IMF Resident Representative for Vietnam and Laos from August 23, 2026, also attended the meeting.
Schmittmann commended Vietnam's economic performance in recent years, noting that the country has maintained robust growth, weathered external shocks effectively and implemented a series of important reforms to support long-term development.
He also praised Vietnam's strategic focus on science and technology, innovation and digital transformation, saying the country still has considerable room to accelerate growth through a balanced mix of fiscal and monetary policies, supported by other macroeconomic measures that safeguard stability, cited VOV.
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| Jochen Schmittmann, the outgoing IMF Resident Representative for Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, hails Vietnam's development orientations aiming to achieve double-digit economic growth in 2026 and beyond, during his meeting with Prime Minister Le Minh Hung in Hanoi on July 28. |
Against this backdrop, Schmittmann said the IMF fully supports Vietnam's double-digit growth objective and will continue sharing assessments and policy recommendations on economic prospects as well as fiscal, monetary and banking issues to assist the country in achieving its development goals.
Incoming Resident Representative Fazurin Jamaludin likewise said Vietnam is entering a promising new stage of development and expressed confidence in the country's ambitious growth strategy. He affirmed that the IMF would remain a trusted partner and it would work closely with Vietnam to support its long-term development priorities.
For his part, Prime Minister Hung briefed the IMF representatives on Vietnam's new development orientation following the 3rd plenum of the 14th Party Central Committee, which adopted a resolution on reforming the country's development model as part of broader efforts to achieve its long-term national development objectives.
The Prime Minister said the government's consistent approach is to pursue growth while preserving macroeconomic stability, ensuring the safety of the financial and banking system, strengthening fiscal discipline and developing capital markets to gradually reduce the economy's reliance on bank credit.
Vietnam will never sacrifice macroeconomic stability or the safety of its financial and banking system for short-term, unsustainable growth, he stressed.
Hung also noted that the National Assembly is expected to consider and adopt a number of important laws at its upcoming session to further improve the legal and institutional framework in line with international standards and practices, thereby enhancing Vietnam's investment climate and strengthening business confidence.
Describing the IMF as a strategic policy adviser and a trusted development partner, the Prime Minister said the Vietnamese government highly values the fund's reports and recommendations as important references in formulating and implementing economic policies.
He expressed hope that the IMF's representative office would continue serving as an effective bridge for regular policy dialogue and provide practical recommendations to help Vietnam achieve rapid, sustainable growth in its new stage of development.
Hanoi, Rome sign Joint Declaration to promote substantive cooperation
Hanoi and Rome signed a Joint Declaration on the establishment of a framework to promote substantive cooperation between the two capitals in the coming years.
The document was inked by Vice Chairman of Hanoi Municipal People's Committee Bui Duy Cuong and President of the Rome City Council Svetlana Celli in Rome, Italy, on July 27, reported VOV.
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| Vice Chairman of Ha Noi's People's Committee Bui Duy Cuong and President of the Rome City Council Svetlana Celli sign a Joint Declaration on the establishment of a framework to promote substantive cooperation between the two capitals, Rome, Italy, July 27, 2026 - Photo: VNA |
The Joint Declaration focuses on six priority areas, including urban management and regeneration; environmental protection and sustainable development; education and culture; social development; integration and innovation; and economics, trade, and investment.
The two sides will strengthen the exchange of experience in conservation, restoration, and promotion of the value of architectural works and historical-cultural heritage sites.
The Joint Declaration covers practical areas of cooperation that align with Hanoi's development orientation in the new phase, while also enabling the Vietnamese capital to learn from Italy's experience in preserving historic cities by harmonizing heritage conservation with sustainable urban development.
