Vietnam, Canada seek deeper cooperation in media, education and innovation
Vietnam wishes for closer cooperation with Canada in culture, journalism, science and technology, education, and training as the two countries look to deepen their Comprehensive Partnership.
Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and head of the committee's Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilization Trinh Van Quyet, made the remarks during a meeting with Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Jim Nickel on June 16.
Quyet said the Vietnam-Canada Comprehensive Partnership has continued to strengthen and expand across multiple fields in recent years, particularly through high-level exchanges and people-to-people diplomacy. These developments, he noted, have created a solid foundation for broader and more substantive cooperation in the future.
He expressed his hope that during his tenure in Vietnam, Ambassador Nickel would help advance bilateral ties through concrete initiatives aimed at elevating relations between the two countries, especially in high-level diplomacy and people-to-people exchanges.
For his part, Nickel said he is impressed by Vietnam's achievements following the success of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the first session of the 16th National Assembly. He said these provide an important basis for sustaining robust growth in bilateral trade and expanding people-to-people exchanges, reported VNA.
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| Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and head of the committee's Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilization Trinh Van Quyet holds a meeting with Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Jim Nickel on June 16, 2026. (Photo: VNA) |
Highlighting the large number of Vietnamese students studying in Canada, the ambassador described people-to-people ties as a bright spot in bilateral relations. He noted that Vietnam and Canada have engaged in productive discussions on energy security, education, and science, all of which offer strong potential for mutually beneficial cooperation.
Canada has considerable strengths in science, education, and training, and stands ready to share its experience with Vietnam, he added.
The ambassador also expressed his desire to strengthen cooperation with Vietnamese media organizations, particularly at a time when news outlets worldwide are grappling with mounting challenges posed by misinformation and fake news.
Quyet said that implementing the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress, Vietnam is taking a range of coordinated measures to unlock new drivers of development as it works towards achieving its two centenary goals. Along this journey, the country places great importance on cooperation with Canada, particularly in science and technology, innovation, and the training of all-level officials, he said.
In the fields of culture and journalism, he noted that Vietnam possesses a rich and diverse culture. Vietnamese media organizations have fulfilled important tasks, including promoting the country's culture and introducing the beauty of Vietnam and its people to international audiences.
He acknowledged that Vietnam's media is facing increasing challenges linked to rapid technological changes. The Canadian ambassador's proposals on media cooperation could serve as a basis for future collaboration between the commission and relevant Canadian partners to promote Vietnamese culture in Canada through media activities.
Vietnam promotes int’l cooperation on ocean governance at United Nations
Vietnam, in its role as chair of the 35th Meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), has called for stronger international cooperation, reaffirming the central role of UNCLOS and urging greater collective efforts in global ocean governance at the United Nations.
UNCLOS remains the comprehensive legal framework governing all activities in seas and oceans and serves as a cornerstone for maintaining peace, stability, cooperation, and the peaceful settlement of maritime disputes, Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu stressed at the opening session of the 36th Meeting of States Parties to UNCLOS (SPLOS 36) in New York, USA, on June 15.
Highlighting growing challenges facing the oceans, including climate change, marine pollution, biodiversity loss, maritime security issues, and the impact of emerging technologies, Vu called on countries to strengthen cooperation, mobilise resources, and coordinate actions to protect the marine environment, ensure the sustainable use of ocean resources, and preserve peaceful and secure maritime spaces for sustainable development.
The Vietnamese official also noted significant recent progress in global ocean governance, including the entry into force of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) in January 2026, the outcomes of the Third UN Ocean Conference, and the contributions of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), the International Seabed Authority, and the International Maritime Organization in advancing the implementation of international maritime law.
In this context, he urged member states to continue fully and effectively implementing UNCLOS, support the institutions established under the Convention, and promote dialogue and cooperation to address emerging maritime challenges.
Vietnam’s contributions to international cooperation on ocean governance were recognised by the international community at the opening session, where member states, the UN Secretariat, and UN officials commended Vietnam’s leadership as chair of SPLOS 35 in promoting the value of UNCLOS, fostering international cooperation, and supporting the work of Convention-based institutions, according to VOV.
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| Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu addresses the opening session of the 36th Meeting of States Parties to UNCLOS (SPLOS 36) in New York, USA, on June 15 |
Following the opening ceremony, Vu transferred the chairmanship of the meeting to Ambassador Wellington Bencosme, head of the Permanent Mission of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations, who was elected by consensus as chair of SPLOS 36.
During discussions on the report of ITLOS, the head of the Vietnamese delegation reaffirmed Vietnam’s support for peaceful dispute settlement mechanisms based on international law. He also praised ITLOS’s role in interpreting and clarifying UNCLOS provisions and expressed support for capacity-building programs for developing countries.
The meeting was attended by representatives from 172 member states, bodies established under the Convention, and numerous international and non-governmental organisations. Cambodia and Kyrgyzstan also sent representatives to the event for the first time as states parties to UNCLOS.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Ambassador Do Hung Viet, head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, hosted a diplomatic reception to strengthen exchanges with international partners and introduce Vietnam’s candidate for the position of ITLOS judge for the 2026–2035 term, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, vice president of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent support for multilateralism, respect for international law, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. He said Vietnam’s first-ever nomination for an ITLOS judgeship reflects the country’s desire to contribute more actively to the development, interpretation, and implementation of UNCLOS, thereby enhancing global ocean governance.
According to the agenda, the meeting’s subsequent sessions will review reports on the implementation of UNCLOS, the activities of institutions established under the Convention, and the election of ITLOS judges for the 2026–2035 term.
Vietnam, Germany deepen educational cooperation
Leaders of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and the German Bundestag reaffirmed their commitment to advancing cooperation between the academy and German partners for the mutual benefit of both countries during a meeting in Hanoi on June 16.
Welcoming Vice President of the German Bundestag Bodo Ramelow to the academy, Standing Vice President Le Hai Binh noted that the visit carries special significance as 2026 marks the 15th anniversary of Vietnam-Germany Strategic Partnership.
Binh said cooperation between the academy and German partners, including the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, has delivered tangible results in recent years. Collaboration has focused on two key pillars such as academic and theoretical exchanges aimed at enhancing mutual understanding, and support for the training and development of officials to strengthen institutional capacity and contribute to Vietnam's socio-economic development.
Ramelow said the purpose of his visit is to advance the strong relationship between the two countries from three main perspectives: promoting legislative cooperation between the two parliaments, expanding vocational education and training cooperation, and fostering local-level partnerships, including a proposed twinning arrangement between a German state and Vietnam's central city of Da Nang, VNA reported.
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| Standing Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics Le Hai Binh presents a gift to Bodo Ramelow, Vice President of the German Bundestag. (Photo: VNA) |
The German parliamentary leader said he is particularly impressed by Vietnam's development achievements and the significant progress made in vocational training cooperation between the two countries.
He noted that 12 years ago, the vocational training initiative had begun with only three Vietnamese students travelling to Germany. Today, the figure has grown to more than 1,200.
German businesses operating in Vietnam have consistently expressed their satisfaction with the country's dynamic and stable economy, as well as their confidence in its long-term growth prospects, Ramelow added.
Binh expressed his hope that Ramelow would return to Vietnam in the future to deliver lectures and engage in theoretical exchanges at the academy, further contributing to academic cooperation and mutual understanding between the two sides.
Heavy rain to lash northern Vietnam through June 18
A prolonged period of heavy rain is set to impact northern Vietnam this week, while central provinces continue to endure intense heat and soaring temperatures.
Northern Vietnam is set to experience a widespread spell of heavy rainfall from the evening of June 15 through June 18, with some areas forecast to receive more than 350mm of rain, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.
The weather system is expected to bring a heightened risk of flash floods, landslides and flooding in low-lying areas, particularly across mountainous and midland provinces.
According to forecaster Pham Thi Cham, thunderstorms had already developed across northern mountainous areas on the afternoon of June 15, bringing showers and localized heavy rain to parts of Thai Nguyen, Cao Bang and Tuyen Quang provinces. Rainfall is expected to intensify significantly from the evening onward.
The conditions are being driven by a low-pressure trough moving southward into northern mountainous regions, combined with upper-level wind convergence extending to an altitude of around 5,000 meters.
Meteorologists forecast widespread moderate to heavy rain across the northern mountains and midlands between June 15 and June 18, with cumulative rainfall generally ranging from 100mm to 200mm and isolated totals exceeding 350mm.
Rain is expected to be concentrated from late afternoon through the following morning, with some locations likely to experience more than 100mm of rainfall within just three hours.
Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Bac Ninh, Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang and Thai Nguyen are forecast to receive between 100mm and 200mm of rainfall, with some locations exceeding 300mm. Lao Cai, Phu Tho, Son La, Dien Bien and Lai Chau are expected to record between 70mm and 150mm, with isolated areas surpassing 250mm.
The provinces facing the highest risk of flash floods and landslides include Lang Son, Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, Lai Chau and Dien Bien.
"Persistent heavy rainfall will significantly increase the risk of flash floods and landslides on steep slopes," Cham said.
She added that small rivers, streams and upper reaches of major river systems across northern Vietnam could experience rising water levels, with flood peaks increasing by between two and four meters.
During this period, flood levels on smaller rivers could reach Warning Levels 1 and 2, potentially causing inundation in low-lying riverside communities.
Northern heatwave ends as temperatures fall
For Hanoi and the Red River Delta, scattered showers and thunderstorms are forecast from the night of June 15 through June 17, primarily during the evening and nighttime hours. Some locations may receive more than 70mm of rainfall within a 24-hour period.
The rain is expected to bring a sharp drop in temperatures, effectively ending the recent heatwave across northern Vietnam.
Daytime temperatures in the delta are forecast to range between 31 and 33 degrees Celsius, while mountainous and midland areas are expected to see highs of 29 to 31 degrees Celsius, creating more comfortable weather conditions.
Rainfall in northern mountainous areas is expected to ease from June 19, with only scattered showers and thunderstorms remaining. Elsewhere across northern Vietnam, isolated showers are forecast, VNN reported.
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| Northern Vietnam is experiencing a new round of heavy rainfall, with authorities warning of possible flooding in low-lying areas. Photo: Thach Thao. |
From around June 20, however, widespread heat is expected to return to the Red River Delta before expanding to other parts of the region.
Central Vietnam remains under intense heat
In contrast to the cooler conditions in the north, central Vietnam is expected to remain under prolonged heatwave conditions.
On June 15, provinces stretching from Thanh Hoa to the eastern part of Dak Lak continued to experience severe heat, with daytime temperatures ranging from 36 to 38 degrees Celsius and some locations exceeding 39 degrees Celsius.
Temperatures are expected to ease slightly between June 16 and June 19, falling to around 35 to 37 degrees Celsius, although some areas may still exceed 38 degrees Celsius.
Meteorologists warn that severe heat could intensify again from June 20, prompting residents to take precautions against heat-related health risks.
Meanwhile, from now through June 24, the Central Highlands and southern Vietnam are expected to experience regular afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms under the influence of the southwest monsoon. Some areas may see locally heavy rainfall.
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