Vietnam wishes to elevate ties with Canada to new level: PM

Vietnam wants to deepen its Comprehensive Partnership with Canada in a more substantive and effective manner, and elevate ties to a new level, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung told Canadian Ambassador Jim Nickel during a reception in Hanoi on June 29, calling the North American nation an important partner.

PM Hung praised the ambassador and Canadian Embassy for propelling bilateral ties.

He extended greetings and thanks to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for a congratulatory letter following his election by Vietnam's National Assembly (NA) to the current post.

The Government leader welcomed the progress made since the two countries established their Comprehensive Partnership nearly a decade ago, noting regular high-level exchanges and two-way trade doubling over the past five years to 8.6 billion USD in 2025.

Defense ties have advanced under the 2024-2026 Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation plan covering United Nations peacekeeping and training. Joint work in development aid, education-training and people-to-people exchanges as well as coordination at multilateral forums are also making headway.

Still, he said considerable untapped potential remains, particularly in trade-investment, sci-tech, innovation, green transition, and energy.

To further foster the bilateral partnership, PM Hung called on the diplomat to facilitate high-level exchanges, phone talks, and visits by both countries' leaders. He also encouraged more Canadian investment in Vietnam's strategic sectors, including energy, green economy, and circular economy.

The host pressed Canada to open its market wider to Vietnamese goods, particularly agro-forestry-fishery products, while extending cooperation in training quality workforce in artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and semiconductors. He also encouraged top Canadian universities to set up campuses in Vietnam.

He expressed his hope that the two countries would work closely and support each other at global and regional organisations and forums, particularly within the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which Vietnam chairs in 2026, and the 2027 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting with Vietnam as the host, according to VNA.

At the reception for Canadian Ambassador Jim Nickel in Hanoi on June 29, 2026 (Photo: VNA)

Nickel, in reply, congratulated Vietnam on the success of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the election of deputies to the 16th NA. He praised the country's socio-economic gains and expressed admiration for the strategic directions set by the Party and Government.

Canada sees Vietnam as a important partner with a key role ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific, he said, underscoring Canada's support for ASEAN centrality and thanking Vietnam for backing Canada's push to deepen engagement with the bloc and pursue negotiations on an ASEAN–Canada Free Trade Agreement.

Agreeing with the PM's proposals, he spotlighted opportunities for broader cooperation in energy, food security, food safety, aerospace, maritime transport, cybersecurity, fight against transnational crime, and the United Nations peacekeeping operations. He affirmed that Canada would continue working closely with Vietnam through both bilateral channels and multilateral forums.

On the occasion, he conveyed an invitation from PM Carney for the host to visit Canada, adding that Carney also looks forward to visiting Vietnam at an appropriate time.

Vietnam, RoK urged to achieve US$100 bln trade target in 2026

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung has called for stronger cooperation between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK), including efforts to achieve bilateral trade of US$100 billion in 2026 and US$150 billion by 2030, during a reception for RoK Ambassador to Vietnam Choi Young Sam on the occasion of the diplomat’s farewell visit at the end of his tenure.

At the reception in Hanoi on June 25, PM Hung congratulated Ambassador Choi on his successful tenure in Vietnam and highly appreciated his contributions to deepening the Vietnam-RoK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, bringing practical benefits to the people of both countries.

Reviewing key achievements during Ambassador Choi’s tenure, Hung noted that the two sides had successfully held numerous high-level and other delegation exchanges, notably Party General Secretary To Lam’s state visit to the RoK in August 2025 and RoK President Lee Jae Myung’s state visit to Vietnam in April 2026.

Cooperation in defense and security, local-level cooperation and people-to-people exchanges had also expanded, helping strengthen political trust between the two countries, Hung emphasized.

Expressing confidence that the strong foundation built in recent years would support broader cooperation ahead, the host leader called for more high-level exchanges and expanded defense and security cooperation. He also urged both sides to achieve bilateral trade of US$100 billion in 2026 and work toward US$150 billion by 2030 in a balanced and sustainable manner.

Hung called for continued RoK investment and business expansion in Vietnam, particularly in high-tech electronics manufacturing, semiconductors, renewable energy, urban railways and smart cities.

He affirmed that the Vietnamese Government will continue facilitating foreign businesses, including RoK enterprises, to invest and operate in Vietnam on a stable, long-term basis, reported VOV.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and RoK Ambassador to Vietnam Choi Young Sam (Photo: VNA)

The Government chief asked for stronger cultural cooperation and support for Vietnam’s cultural industries, as well as broader people-to-people exchanges through expanded quotas and employment sectors for Vietnamese workers in areas where the RoK has demand, including information technology, services, nursing and shipbuilding.

He also encouraged stronger cooperation between localities to help boost economic development and people-to-people exchanges.

Agreeing with Hung’s proposals, Ambassador Choi reaffirmed that the RoK highly values relations with Vietnam and seeks to further deepen bilateral ties, particularly in areas where the RoK has strengths and Vietnam has demand, such as science and technology, semiconductors, renewable energy, LNG-to-power, artificial intelligence and infrastructure.

He stressed that the RoK is a trusted partner and companion of Vietnam in implementing the country’s development goals through 2030 and 2045.

Choi expressed hope that Vietnam will continue supporting and creating favourable conditions for RoK businesses and citizens to invest, work and live in Vietnam over the long term.

On the occasion, the RoK diplomat expressed sincere thanks to Vietnamese Party, State, Government leaders and relevant ministries and agencies for their support during his tenure. He also affirmed that he will continue making every effort to make practical contributions to stronger, more substantive and comprehensive development of the Vietnam-RoK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the time ahead.

Vietnam, Malaysia seek to deepen defense cooperation

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang hosted outgoing Ambassador of Malaysia to Vietnam Dato' Tan Yang Thai in Hanoi on June 29.

Congratulating Dato' Tan Yang Thai on successfully completing his mission in Vietnam, Giang commended the diplomat's significant contributions to strengthening the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Malaysia, particularly between the two countries' defense ministries, cited VNA.

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang (right) receives Malaysian Ambassador Dato' Tan Yang Thai. (Photo: qdnd.vn)

He noted that bilateral relations, including defense cooperation, have made important strides in recent years. Political and diplomatic ties have been reinforced through regular high-level exchanges and contacts, while economic, trade, and investment cooperation has continued to deliver positive results.

Giang spoke highly of the achievements in bilateral defense cooperation, highlighting regular delegation exchanges at all levels, effective consultation mechanisms, fruitful collaboration among military services and in personnel training, and mutual support at multilateral events hosted by each side.

He proposed that both countries actively implement the agreements already reached, with priority given to maintaining high-level exchanges and bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including the Deputy Minister-Level Defense Policy Dialogue.

Expressing confidence in the ambassador's future endeavours, Giang said he believes Dato' Tan Yang Thai will continue to excel in whatever position he holds and will remain committed to fostering the strong friendship between Vietnam and Malaysia.

Through the ambassador, he also extended an invitation to Malaysia's Ministry of Defense and armed forces leadership to attend the third Vietnam International Defense Expo 2026, scheduled for December in Hanoi. He also welcomed Malaysian defense companies to showcase their products at the exhibition.

For his part, Dato' Tan Yang Thai expressed his appreciation for the support and cooperation extended by Vietnam's Ministry of National Defense and the Vietnam People's Army throughout his tenure. He voiced his hope that Vietnam–Malaysia relations, particularly defense cooperation, would continue to flourish, contributing to regional stability and prosperity.

Vietnam dispatches special relief flight to earthquake-hit Venezuela

A special Vietnam Airlines flight departed early on June 29 carrying rescue personnel, search dogs and emergency supplies to Venezuela following the country's devastating earthquake.

In the early hours of June 29, a special flight carrying 124 rescue personnel, 10 search dogs and 25 tonnes of emergency equipment and humanitarian supplies departed for Venezuela to support search-and-rescue operations following the country's devastating earthquake.

At 12:45 a.m. on June 29, Vietnam Airlines flight VN66 took off from Noi Bai International Airport, transporting Vietnam's search-and-rescue forces and humanitarian aid to Venezuela to assist recovery efforts after the recent earthquake.

The mission is being operated with a wide-body Airbus A350 aircraft. After a technical stop at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in France, the flight will continue to Simón Bolívar International Airport in Caracas, where it is scheduled to arrive at 12:10 p.m. on June 29, local time.

The aircraft is carrying 124 officers and personnel from the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Public Security, together with 10 trained search dogs and approximately 25 tonnes of specialized rescue equipment, machinery, supplies and humanitarian relief materials for operations in Venezuela, VNN reported.

A special flight transports personnel from the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security to Venezuela for search-and-rescue operations. Photo: VNA.

To support the special mission, Vietnam Airlines mobilized its ground operations team and a flight crew of 23, including six pilots, 10 cabin crew members, three engineers, one operations specialist and three ground service staff. The airline also expedited logistical preparations and flight clearance procedures to ensure the aircraft departed on schedule.

According to Vietnam Airlines, assigning aircraft and operational resources to the humanitarian mission may require temporary adjustments to schedules on some routes over the coming days, including changes to departure times orcraft types.

The airline said it will proactively provide updated information, offer timely assistance to passengers and ensure all passenger rights are protected in accordance with regulations. It also expressed appreciation for passengers' understanding should any operational changes become necessary.

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