Vietnam and Mexico move towards new bilateral partnership framework
Vietnam and Mexico will strengthen cooperation across a wide range of sectors and work towards establishing a new bilateral partnership framework, reflecting the growing scope of their relations and shared commitment to expanding ties in the Asia-Pacific and Latin America.
The agreement was reached during a phone conversation on July 8 between Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung and Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs Roberto Velasco Álvarez.
During the talks, Velasco Álvarez conveyed greetings from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to General Secretary and State President To Lam and expressed Mexico’s desire to build a strategic and long-term friendship and cooperation with Vietnam.
He praised Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements and its growing international standing, affirming that Mexico attaches great importance to relations with Vietnam as part of its broader engagement with ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific region.
Trung, for his part, conveyed General Secretary and State President To Lam’s greetings to President Claudia Sheinbaum and an invitation to her to pay an official visit to Vietnam at a mutually convenient time.
He reaffirmed that Vietnam values its traditional friendship with Latin American countries, with Mexico regarded as one of its most important partners in the region.
Vietnam, he said, wishes to promote practical and effective cooperation across all areas while working towards the early establishment of a new bilateral partnership framework commensurate with the growing stature of relations between the two countries.
Trung also voiced Vietnam's support for Mexico's efforts to strengthen its engagement with ASEAN, expressing confidence that closer ties would contribute to peace, cooperation and sustainable development in both regions.
The two foreign ministers noted that bilateral relations have continued to develop positively in recent years. Existing cooperation mechanisms, including political consultations between the two foreign ministries and the Joint Committee on Economic, Trade and Investment Cooperation, have been maintained regularly, while negotiations on new legal agreements are also progressing, according to VOV.
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| Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung and other Vietnamese diplomats during a phone conversation on July 8 with Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs Roberto Velasco Álvarez. (Photo: MOFA) |
Economic and trade cooperation has likewise continued to expand, supported by the effective implementation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), of which both Vietnam and Mexico are members.
Trung proposed that Mexico continue facilitating greater market access for goods from both countries in order to better realise the potential for bilateral economic cooperation.
The two sides also agreed to increase high-level exchanges, make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, accelerate negotiations and the signing of key agreements, and strengthen coordination at multilateral forums.
Particular emphasis was placed on cooperation within the framework of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), as Vietnam and Mexico are set to host the APEC Year in 2027 and 2028, respectively.
Vietnamese, Chinese firms deepen cooperation across multiple sectors
A business networking conference between China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Vietnam's Quang Ninh province was held in Nanning city on July 7 to explore opportunities for expanding bilateral cooperation.
The event brought together representatives from more than 110 enterprises from both sides.
At the conference, 11 pairs of businesses from Guangxi and Quang Ninh signed cooperation agreements in areas including smart border gate development, logistics infrastructure, trade in agricultural, forestry and fishery products, cross-border cultural tourism, and testing and inspection services, to enhance connectivity between Guangxi's industrial and supply chains and those of Vietnam.
Notably, five tourism and cultural enterprises from Guangxi signed cooperation deals with travel companies in Quang Ninh to promote two-way tourist exchanges, leverage the complementary tourism resources of both sides, and foster the development of the Vietnam-China cross-border tourism market, cited VNA.
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| On the sidelines of the conference, 11 memoranda of understanding (MoUs), cooperation agreements, and commercial contracts were signed between businesses from Vietnam's Quang Ninh Province and China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Photo: baoquangninh.vn) |
Yang Qian, General Director of Guangxi Jinxiu Dongyue Co. Ltd., said his company has recruited more than 200 Vietnamese workers for enterprises in Guangxi since March this year.
Given the growing prospects for bilateral labour cooperation, the company plans to visit Vietnam later this month to conduct a market survey, he said.
According to Yang, Vietnam has a strong demand for high-quality human resources in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), adding that the company is considering supplying AI specialists to the Vietnamese market in the near future.
Statistics from Guangxi authorities showed that trade between Guangxi and Vietnam exceeded 300 billion CNY (about 41.8 billion USD) in 2025.
Sharing a border with Quang Ninh province, Guangxi has maintained close cooperation with the Vietnamese locality in the fields of politics, economy and trade. Major cross-border projects, including the Dongxing (China) – Mong Cai (Vietnam) cross-border economic cooperation zone and the Dongxing–Mong Cai smart border gate, are progressing smoothly.
Once completed, these projects are expected to provide fresh momentum for cross-border trade and investment between businesses from the two sides.
Vietnam emerging as new destination for Halal tourism
Vietnam has significant opportunities to strengthen its position in the global Halal market, heard at a conference in the central province of Khanh Hoa on July 8.
The conference, themed "Vietnam: A New Destination of Halal Tourism", was jointly organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Khanh Hoa People's Committee. The country is described as a safe destination with a rich cultural heritage, diverse natural landscapes, distinctive cuisine and a strategic geographical location linking Southeast Asia with Northeast Asia, South Asia and the Middle East.
Addressing the conference, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang said that despite Vietnam's strong tourism potential, Halal tourism remains largely underdeveloped. Of the 21 million international visitors welcomed in the country last year, just over 600,000 were Muslim travellers, accounting for nearly 3% of the total, reported VNA.
In recent years, she noted, the Halal market has been recognized as one of the world's fastest-growing tourism segments. With more than 2 billion Muslims living across over 100 countries and territories, demand for Halal-friendly travel continues to grow in both scale and sophistication, particularly in key markets including Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, India, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and other Middle Eastern countries.
Dr H. Zuraimi Jumaat, a senior adviser to Halal Hub Vietnam, said Vietnam is internationally recognized for its strengths in agriculture, seafood, food processing, manufacturing and tourism.
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| UAE Ambassador to Vietnam Bader Almatrooshi speaks at the conference, themed "Vietnam: A New Destination of Halal Tourism", held in Khanh Hoa province on July 8, 2026. (Photo: VNA) |
He said Halal Hub Vietnam's primary objective is to establish the country as a trusted exporter of Halal-certified agricultural products, seafood and processed foods. At the same time, expanding Halal-friendly tourism services will help position the country as an attractive destination for Muslim travellers worldwide.
Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong said Vietnam will continue to improve institutional frameworks and standards, develop human resources, expand Halal-certified services, strengthen international cooperation, promote business partnerships, and build the country's brand as a new destination for Halal tourism.
He stressed that achieving this goal requires coordinated efforts from ministries, local authorities, businesses and international partners, rather than the tourism sector alone.
In Khanh Hoa, authorities are encouraging businesses to invest in Halal-compliant restaurants, hotels and resorts, establish prayer facilities at airports, accommodation providers and tourist attractions, and improve services for Muslim visitors.
Nguyen Long Bien, Standing Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee, said Khanh Hoa considers Halal tourism an important direction to diversify international visitor markets, enhance the destination's competitiveness and create new opportunities for tourism growth.
The provincial administration is also stepping up promotional activities in key markets, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, the Middle East and South Asia. It is developing specialised Halal tourism products, including wellness and spa holidays, golf tourism, MICE tourism, Cham cultural experiences, community-based tourism and ecotourism tailored to the needs of Muslim travellers, he added.
More than 300mm of rain forecast for parts of northern Vietnam
Heavy rain is returning to northern Vietnam, prompting warnings of flash floods, landslides and hazardous weather across mountainous provinces.
Heavy rain is forecast to affect northern Vietnam's mountainous and midland regions, along with Quang Ninh Province, from the evening of July 8 through July 10, with localized rainfall expected to exceed 300mm. Meteorologists have warned of flooding, flash floods and landslides.
Northern Vietnam braces for torrential rain, with over 100mm possible in three hours
According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, a low-pressure trough stretching across northern Vietnam remains active, bringing widespread moderate to heavy rainfall across much of the region.
During July 8, showers and thunderstorms developed across the northern mountainous and midland provinces as well as Quang Ninh, with some locations experiencing heavy to very heavy rainfall.
"Residents in Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Lao Cai, Hoa Binh, Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, Lang Son, Bac Ninh, Ninh Binh, Hung Yen and neighboring provinces should closely monitor weather developments this afternoon and adjust travel plans accordingly," the meteorological agency said.
From the evening of July 8 through July 10, moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected to continue across the northern mountains, midlands and Quang Ninh, with widespread rainfall totals of 70-150mm and isolated areas receiving more than 300mm.
Forecasters also warned of extremely intense downpours, with rainfall exceeding 100mm within just three hours in some locations. Strong thunderstorms are also expected over the Gulf of Tonkin during the next two days, bringing the risk of squalls, waterspouts and damaging wind gusts, VNN reported.
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| Northern Vietnam is expected to experience another spell of heavy rain over the coming days. Photo: Hoang Minh |
Elsewhere across northern Vietnam, scattered showers and thunderstorms are forecast from the evening of July 8 through July 9, with rainfall generally ranging from 10-30mm and isolated totals exceeding 70mm. Most of the rain is expected during the late afternoon, evening and early morning.
During the evenings of July 8 and 9, scattered showers and thunderstorms will also continue across the Central Highlands and southern Vietnam, with rainfall of 10-20mm and isolated areas receiving more than 50mm, mainly during the late afternoon and evening.
Widespread heavy rain across northern Vietnam and Quang Ninh is expected to gradually ease from the night of July 10.
The meteorological agency warned that thunderstorms may be accompanied by tornado-like whirlwinds, lightning, hail and strong wind gusts. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activities during storms and remain alert to localized flooding. Mountainous areas face an elevated risk of flash floods along small rivers and streams, as well as landslides on steep slopes.
Central Vietnam faces heat while the south remains stormy
From the night of July 8 through July 10, the area from Nghe An to Hue City is expected to see only isolated showers and thunderstorms during the evening and overnight hours, while daytime conditions remain hot. From July 10, hot weather is forecast to persist from Quang Tri to Hue City.
The south-central coastal region will also continue to experience hot weather, with some locations facing severe heat, while isolated showers and thunderstorms are expected during the evening and night.
On July 9, temperatures from Nghe An to Da Nang, as well as the eastern parts of the provinces stretching from Quang Ngai to Dak Lak, are forecast to reach 35-36°C, with some locations exceeding 36°C. Minimum relative humidity is expected to range from 55% to 60%.
On July 10, temperatures from Quang Tri to Da Nang and the eastern areas from Quang Ngai to Dak Lak are forecast to reach 35-37°C, with some places exceeding 37°C. Minimum humidity is expected to fall to 50-55%.
Looking further ahead, forecasters said scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue across northern Vietnam between the night of July 10 and July 18, with isolated heavy rain still possible. However, rainfall is expected to ease around July 12-13 and again after July 16.
From Thanh Hoa to Hue City, scattered showers and thunderstorms may occur between the night of July 10 and July 12, while hot weather is expected to persist in Quang Tri, Da Nang and the eastern parts of the provinces from Quang Ngai to Dak Lak.
The Central Highlands and southern Vietnam are forecast to maintain their typical seasonal weather pattern, with afternoon and evening thunderstorms continuing.
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