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State President Luong Cuong (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese State leader holds phone talks with new Korean President

State President Luong Cuong on June 12 held phone talks with President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Lee Jae-myung, who officially took office on June 4.

On behalf of the State and people of Vietnam, President Cuong congratulated Lee on his election as the 21st President of the RoK. He also conveyed congratulations from Party General Secretary To Lam and other Vietnamese leaders to the Korean President.

President Cuong appreciated the attention President Lee has paid to relations with the Asian region and emphasized that this early phone talk reflects the importance he attaches to relations with Vietnam.

Vietnam supports the RoK’s development policies and believes that under President Lee’s leadership, the East Asian nation will continue to prosper, its people will enjoy greater happiness, and the country’s international role and position will be further enhanced, thereby contributing positively to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world, cited VNA.

The Vietnamese leader expressed his delight at the achievements in Vietnam–RoK relations over more than 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, especially since the two countries upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He affirmed Vietnam’s consistent position of valuing its relationship with the East Asian nation and expressed the desire to work closely with President Lee to promote a substantive, effective, comprehensive, and long-term development of the bilateral ties in the coming time.

For his part, President Lee expressed his sincere thanks to Party General Secretary To Lam and President Cuong for their congratulatory messages following the announcement of the presidential election results. He affirmed that the Korean Government always regards Vietnam as a key partner in the region and looks forward to working closely to further strengthen and deepen the bilateral relationship.

The Korean President praised Vietnam’s recent socio-economic development achievements and expressed his hope to work together for the shared prosperity of both countries. He also proposed Vietnam continue to create favourable conditions for Korean businesses to invest and expand their operations in Vietnam in the coming period.

The two leaders agreed on major directions to further deepen the Vietnam-RoK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including continuing to maintain and promote the exchange of high-level and all-level delegations; expanding cooperation in defence, security, and the fight against transnational crime; and working closely to implement concrete actions in economic, trade, and investment cooperation to address current global challenges.

They also highlighted the importance of making science, technology, and innovation cooperation, particularly in high-tech industries, a key pillar for advancing the bilateral ties; strengthening coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums, including jointly ensuring the success of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in 2025 in the RoK and the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Vietnam in 2027, as well as co-chairing the Mekong–RoK Cooperation mechanism.

CNN names Vietnamese Banh Mi among world’s best sandwiches

CNN Travel has included the local delicacy Banh Mi (Vietnamese baguettes) among its list of the Top 25 best sandwiches in the world in 2025.

According to the website, Banh Mi can be found on sale from food carts on nearly every street corner in Ho Chi Minh City and across Vietnam, with the tasty treat being widely loved well beyond the country’s own borders.

CNN outlined that the classic version is pork-based starring Cha Lua (Vietnamese-style pork roll), shredded pickled carrots, pickled daikon, cilantro leaves, mayonnaise, and other ingredients.

“You can find variations with tofu and thinly sliced lemongrass chicken, too. The taste is crunchy, fresh, savory and utterly delicious,” it stressed.

The criteria for CNN’s list are being a famous sandwich that represents a country, having a delicious taste, and being loved by local people.

Vietnamese Banh Mi is named among world's top 25 best sandwiches by CNN (Photo: Internet)

Rounding off the list of the world’s Top 25 best sandwiches is Bocadillo de Jamón Ibérico of Spain, Tramezzino of Italy, Shawarma of Middle East, Pambazo of Mexico, Muffaletta of New Orleans in the United States, Chivito of Uruguay, Pan Bagnat of France, Spatlo of South Africa, Fricassé of Tunisia, Chip Butty of the UK, Katsu Sando of Japan, and Broodje Haring of the Netherlands.

Vietnam's Nha Trang city tops search rankings among Koreans

The coastal city of Nha Trang in Vietnam’s south-central province of Khanh Hoa, has emerged as the most sought-after summer destination for travelers from the Republic of Korea (RoK), according to digital travel platform Agoda.

An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users. Tokyo, which topped the rankings last year, has slipped to second place.

Other cities rounding out the top five international destinations favoured by Korean tourists this year include Fukuoka and Osaka in Japan, as well as Da Nang in Vietnam.

Agoda noted that Vietnam and Japan have maintained their status as the most popular outbound travel choices for Korean holidaymakers in the first half of 2025. Industry analysts attribute this trend to rising global travel costs, which are prompting tourists to favour affordable short-haul destinations.

Interest in Chinese destinations has also seen a significant spike, with search volumes for Qingdao and Shanghai increasing by 212% and 207%, respectively. The surge is likely linked to China’s temporary visa exemption for Korean nationals which was introduced in November last year.

Domestically, Jeju Island remains the most searched destination within the RoK, followed by Seoul, Busan, Sokcho, and Gangneung. Sokcho and Gangneung have seen increased attention as prominent summer retreats, particularly since the launch of the Donghae rail line late last year, which has markedly improved transport access, VNA reported.

Vietnam's Nha Trang city has been designated as the most preferred summer destination for Korean travelers. (Photo: baokhanhhoa.vn)

An Agoda representative observed that, with forecasts predicting intense heatwaves and an extended rainy season this summer, many Korean travelers are choosing to plan their holidays earlier than usual.

Adding to Nha Trang's appeal, Vietnam Airlines officially launched a direct daily service between Busan and Nha Trang on June 1. This marks the airline’s second direct route connecting the RoK with Nha Trang, complementing its successful Seoul–Nha Trang service. Improved air connectivity is widely seen as a key driver behind the city’s surging popularity among Korean tourists.

Australia-Vietnam Strategic Technologies Center makes debut

The opening ceremony of the Australia-Vietnam Strategic Technologies Center was held in Hanoi on June 11.

The event saw the participation of Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui The Duy, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Gillian Bird and more than 300 guests from the Vietnamese Government, universities, and business.

This groundbreaking partnership between the Australian and Vietnamese Governments has been established through a collaboration between Vietnam's Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology (PTIT) and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).

The center will provide a dynamic platform for innovation, research excellence, policy leadership, and real-world applications on important and emerging technologies such as 5G/6G, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and cybersecurity.

Addressing the event, Ambassador Bird said, Australia is proud to be partnering with Vietnam to drive innovation and digital transformation, which are key to the nation's economic growth.

This is a practical demonstration of Australia's commitment to supporting science and innovation under our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, she said.

By fostering research and partnerships on strategic technologies, and by connecting Vietnamese institutions with Australia's top education and innovation networks, Australia is supporting Vietnam to translate Resolution 57 into real, measurable outcomes, cited VGP.

The opening ceremony of the Australia-Vietnam Strategic Technologies Center, Hanoi, June 11, 2025.

The center marks a significant milestone in Australia and Vietnam's shared journey towards a digitally connected and secure future and reflects the deep and ongoing commitment between the two countries as part of the Australia-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Digital technologies and digital trade are key to driving economic growth, development, and social wellbeing, including for women entrepreneurs, as reflected in our joint Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has provided initial funding of AUD 2.1 million to establish the Center, with global telco Nokia delivering the technical equipment to support the Center's operations.

Intensified Wutip to soak Central and Northern Vietnam

Wutip, the first storm of this year’s typhoon season in the East Sea, has intensified, bringing heavy rain to central and northern regions of Vietnam, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

At 10:00 a.m. on June 12, Wutip was located in the western area of the Paracel archipelago with the strongest winds near its center reaching between 62 - 88kph. It is moving in the west-northwest direction at a speed of 5-10kph along the central coast of Vietnam.

Wutip will cause strong winds and high waves in the northwest area of ​​the East Sea, including the waters around the Paracel archipelago and the waters off the coast of provinces from Quang Tri to Quang Ngai, as well as in the Gulf of Tonkin, according to VOV.

Photo: VOV

Meteorologists warned about a high risk of rising water and high tides in the coastal localities, especially from Hai Phong to Nghe An, that could lead to severe flooding in low-lying areas and river mouths.

Wutip will dump heavy rain on localities in the central region, with some places anticipated to receive up to 350mm of rain on June 12-13. There is also a high risk of flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas.

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