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The second consultation meeting on marine affairs between Vietnam and Russian (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Russia expand cooperation in marine affairs

Vietnamese Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang and General Nikolai Patrushev co-chaired the second consultation meeting on marine affairs between the two countries in Moscow on May 22 during Giang’s official visit to Russia.

The meeting aims to further advance strategic cooperation between the two countries in naval cooperation, marine research and shipbuilding.

In his speech at the meeting, General Phan Van Giang said Vietnam always valued Russia’s position as a major maritime power, stressing that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense hoped to deepen cooperation with the Russian Maritime Board in a more substantive, effective and comprehensive manner.

For the Russian side, General Nikolai Patrushev noted that maritime cooperation was becoming an increasingly important driver of the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership. He said the two sides still held considerable potential for cooperation in the field, particularly as both countries placed growing emphasis on developing the marine economy, ocean research and maritime security.

The two sides agreed that since the first consultation meeting held in Vietnam, bilateral marine cooperation had made positive progress across multiple areas, including naval cooperation, shipbuilding, maritime transport, marine scientific research and personnel training, cited VOV.

One highlight was scientific research cooperation within the framework of the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Centre, particularly in marine resource research, island and marine environment studies, and marine ecosystem conservation and restoration.

Human resource training, especially naval officer training, continued to be viewed as an effective and strategically important area of cooperation between the two countries.

On that basis, Vietnam and Russia consented to continue strengthening coordination in carrying out signed agreements, with priority given to closer naval cooperation, expanded marine scientific research, maritime transport development and specialized training.

On the occasion, both sides signed and exchanged the 2026-2030 cooperation plan on marine affairs between the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense and the Russian Maritime Board, thereby creating a new framework for bilateral cooperation in the coming years.

Also on May 22, General Phan Van Giang had a meeting with General Sergei Kuzhugetovich Shoigu, Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation.

At the meeting, Giang spoke highly of the positive development of the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia across multiple areas, with defense cooperation and energy-oil and gas cooperation continuing to serve as key pillars.

The two sides also discussed measures to deepen defense cooperation, focusing on areas such as training, technology transfer, scientific research, humanitarian mine clearance and military history education.

General Sergei Shoigu affirmed that his nation always regards Vietnam as a priority partner in the Asia-Pacific region, while expressing hope that the two countries wil continue effectively implementing high-level agreements reached by their leaders in order to consolidate strategic trust and expand bilateral defense cooperation.

As part of the working visit, the high-level delegation from Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defense also visited the Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV) and a shipbuilding enterprise in Moscow to learn more about Russia’s defense industrial and shipbuilding capabilities.

Vietnam bolsters cooperation with Cambodia’s northeastern provinces

Cooperation between Vietnamese localities and Cambodia’s Stung Treng and Kratie provinces has expanded steadily and produced practical results amid growing ties between the two neighboring countries.

A delegation from the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia and representatives of the Vietnamese business community, led by Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu, visited Stung Treng and Kratie provinces from May 19-22 to gain a better understanding of local socio-economic development and explore new ways to strengthen comprehensive and practical cooperation between localities of the two nations.

During meetings with the delegation, leaders of Stung Treng and Kratie expressed gratitude for the historical support provided by Vietnamese volunteer soldiers in helping Cambodia overthrow the Khmer Rouge regime. They also paid tribute to Vietnamese Heroic Mothers whose families made sacrifices for peace and reconstruction in Cambodia.

In recent years, Stung Treng and Kratie have established and maintained close cooperation with several Vietnamese provinces and cities, including Dong Nai, Gia Lai, Quang Ngai and Khanh Hoa. The ties have created favorable conditions for investment by dozens of Vietnamese companies, contributing to stronger solidarity between the two countries.

Leaders of the northeastern Cambodian provinces said they hope the Vietnamese Embassy will continue serving as a bridge to expand cooperation with Vietnamese partners across multiple sectors, particularly in areas of local strength such as agriculture, forestry, mining and eco-tourism.

Va Than, Governor of Kratie province, said Vietnam’s support had contributed to Cambodia’s peace and development and reflected the close solidarity and friendship between the two countries. He also expressed hope that Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu will continue supporting efforts to connect Vietnamese businesses and investors with opportunities in Kratie province, helping expand broader economic cooperation between the two sides.

In response, Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu thanked authorities in Stung Treng and Kratie for their support and close cooperation with Vietnamese localities and businesses. He stated that Vietnamese investment projects in northeastern Cambodia were producing positive results, expanding operations while creating stable jobs for tens of thousands of local workers and contributing to social welfare improvements in the region.

Beyond traditional sectors, the ambassador highlighted the region’s potential for sustainable eco-tourism development thanks to its well-preserved natural environment, an area drawing growing interest from Vietnamese businesses.

During the visit, the Vietnamese diplomat also called on authorities in Stung Treng and Kratie to continue helping people of Vietnamese origin stabilize their legal status and livelihoods in Cambodia. He expressed hope that they will continue to have access to legal rights such as birth registration, residency documents and education opportunities for their children, according to VOV.

Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu during a working session with leaders of Cambodia's Kratie province.

The delegation also visited and encouraged Vietnamese companies operating in the region, including units under the Vietnam Rubber Group and rubber plantation projects run by Dau Tieng Kratie Rubber Company.

In an interview with Voice of Vietnam (VOV) correspondents in Cambodia, Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu said cooperation between localities played an important role in the broader Vietnam-Cambodia relationship by strengthening economic, trade and investment ties while bringing practical benefits to local people and authorities. Such cooperation also helped reinforce people-to-people friendship, especially in border areas, contributing to the building of a peaceful, stable and developing border, he emphasized.

The visit by the Vietnamese Embassy delegation reaffirmed that expanding cooperation with Cambodia’s northeastern provinces will help both sides make better use of their respective strengths while contributing to the relationship of “good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability” between Vietnam and Cambodia.

Vesak Celebrations 2026 features diverse cultural, charitable activities in Da Lat

The Vesak Celebrations 2026 kicked off on May 23 with a wide range of activities in downtown Da Lat city, the central province of Lam Dong.

Addressing the ceremony, Most Venerable Thich Minh Nhat, head of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha chapter in Lam Dong province, stressed that through this year’s Vesak Celebrations, the organizers hope to help promote the image of Vietnamese Buddhism as always accompanying the nation, while upholding the spirit of social engagement and contributions to national development and people's well-being in the new era.

The festival also aims to foster a healthy and compassionate cultural lifestyle among the public, encourage social responsibility toward the community and homeland, and contribute to building a peaceful, humane and sustainably developed society, he said.

​Vesak, commemorating the birth of Buddha Shakyamuni, has been recognised by the United Nations as an international cultural and religious festival for peace. This year’s event takes place in central Da Lat from May 23 to 31, featuring a large-scale series of cultural, spiritual and charitable activities expected to attract tens of thousands of Buddhist dignitaries, followers, visitors and local residents, according to VNA.

Delegates perform rituals at the opening ceremony of the Vesak Celebrations 2026 in Da Lat on May 23 (Photo: VNA)

A highlight of the festival is the “experiential journey” program comprising 15 major activities, including a Buddha procession, lighting seven lotus flowers on Xuan Huong Lake, a vegetarian food and Buddhist culture fair, an exhibition themed “The Path to Enlightenment”, the presentation of scholarships and charity houses, a zero-dong market titled “Sharing Love”, and flower-adorned vehicle parades around downtown Da Lat.

​The event also includes expanded social welfare and charitable activities for local communities, such as visits and gift presentations to families with meritorious services to the revolution, support for social protection centres, and a tree-planting program aimed at promoting environmental protection and sustainable development in line with Buddhist teachings.

At the opening ceremony, the organising board also launched creative competitions serving Vietnamese Buddhist festivals in the fields of literary scripts, music, architecture and fine arts. The contests are expected to seek works of high ideological and artistic value, contributing to preserving and promoting the cultural identity of Vietnamese Buddhism in contemporary life.

From tradition to digitalization: Elevating Vietnamese goods

For many years, the campaign “Vietnamese people prioritise using Vietnamese goods” has played an important role in promoting domestic consumption and supporting local businesses. Today, alongside traditional trade fairs and distribution channels, digital platforms are creating new opportunities for Vietnamese products to increase their competitiveness.

Story-driven branding: A new way to conquer domestic market

Vietnam’s e-commerce sector is expanding rapidly and has become a major driver of the digital economy. In 2025, the market is estimated at 32 billion USD, accounting for nearly 12% of total retail sales, with annual growth exceeding 20%, among the highest in Southeast Asia. This growth is fuelled by improved technology infrastructure and changing consumer habits, including increasing demand for online shopping, cashless payments and story-driven product experiences.​

Livestream selling, short videos and interactive content are emerging as effective tools for promoting Vietnamese products, especially regional specialties. Livestream programs organized during the 2026 Hung Vuong Fair in Phu Tho province and campaigns promoting Gia Lai agricultural products generated strong public interest, closing thousands of orders within only a few hours.

Nguyen Dinh Kha, Deputy Director of Gia Lai’s Department of Industry and Trade, said livestreaming had become a “strategic weapon” for boosting agricultural sales and transforming traditional business models in the digital economy.

Another notable initiative is the “Vitality of Vietnamese Goods” exhibition and livestream program launched in Hanoi by the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development. The program combines product displays with livestream sessions featuring officials, celebrities and influencers to help promote Vietnamese goods more effectively. During the first livestream event in February 2026, more than 1,020 orders were recorded, while another livestream in March attracted nearly 500 orders in just three hours, reported VNA.

Director of the Agency for Domestic Market Management and Development Tran Huu Linh joins celebrities during the “Vitality of Vietnamese Goods” livestream session (Photo: gdnd)

A key feature of these livestream programs is the focus on storytelling. Products are introduced with stories about their origins, cultural identity, and local traditions, helping consumers connect more deeply with Vietnamese goods. Specialties such as fermented pork, herbal tea, Thai Nguyen tea and LadolVita chocolate are promoted not only as products but also as symbols of regional culture and pride.

Promoting e-commerce, expanding market opportunities for Vietnamese products

Vietnam is forecast to become one of the region’s largest retail markets in the coming years, with e-commerce projected to reach 50 billion USD by 2030. However, challenges remain. According to Tran Huu Linh, Director of the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development, despite their improved quality and designs, many local specialty products are still not properly promoted, limiting their access to the market.

To achieve the target of increasing retail sales and consumer service revenue by 13–15% in 2026, he said the Ministry of Industry and Trade will focus on improving market development policies; strengthening trade infrastructure; implementing consumer demand stimulation programs; and enhancing market supervision. In particular, trade promotion programs associated with e-commerce and online sales will continue to be accelerated in order to expand distribution channels and bring Vietnamese products closer to consumers.

Notably, the “Vitality of Vietnamese Goods” exhibition and livestream event will be held every two weeks throughout 2026. Each session will last from three to five days and feature a flexible and diverse series of activities, helping create new highlights and attract the attention of consumers and tourists.

Experts noted that consumers are consciously choosing Vietnamese goods, but businesses must continue prioritising quality and consumer trust over short-term profits. As global economic uncertainties persist, the domestic market is expected to remain an important pillar of growth, with e-commerce helping expand consumption channels and enhance the competitiveness of Vietnamese businesses.

Vietnam tourism promotion enters new digital era

Vietnam’s tourism sector is looking to digital media and storytelling to strengthen its global identity and attract more visitors.

On the afternoon of May 22, in Dong Hoi Ward, Quang Tri Province, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in coordination with the People’s Committee of Quang Tri Province, organized the forum “The Role of Journalism in Promoting Vietnam’s Tourism Economy in 2026.”

The forum aimed to reaffirm the role of journalism in promoting the image of Vietnam and its people, contributing to the development of tourism as a key economic sector. It also served as a platform connecting state management agencies, media organizations, tourism businesses and digital platforms to share experiences and propose solutions for sustainable tourism development in the new era.

The event attracted around 300 delegates, including leaders from ministries, agencies, media organizations, experts and tourism businesses nationwide.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ho An Phong, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said that in the digital age, journalism is not only a communication channel but also a force that shapes social awareness, leads trends, spreads cultural values and drives economic development.

According to him, for the tourism sector, journalism acts as a “soft bridge” connecting destinations with travelers, cultural values with the market and the national image with the international community.

However, the deputy minister also acknowledged several shortcomings in tourism communication, including inconsistent promotional content, destination storytelling that lacks distinction, limited in-depth cooperation between media agencies, businesses and local authorities, and insufficient application of digital technology and big data despite strong potential.

At the forum, Hoang Xuan Tan, vice chairman of the Quang Tri People’s Committee, said that after administrative restructuring, Quang Tri now possesses a vast tourism development space with rich natural, cultural and historical resources.

The province is currently positioned as Asia’s cave exploration tourism center and one of Vietnam’s most attractive experiential destinations. In 2025, Quang Tri welcomed nearly 9.6 million visitors, up 16.9 percent year-on-year. International arrivals reached around 450,000, while total tourism revenue exceeded VND11 trillion ($423 million), VNN reported.

Delegates attend the forum. Photo: Pham Tien

The province aims to welcome 10.5 million visitors in 2026 and between 13 and 15 million visitors by 2030, with tourism expected to become a key economic sector.

According to Quang Tri authorities, communication plays a particularly important role in positioning the province’s tourism brand on the global tourism map. In recent years, the province has intensified promotion through journalism, digital platforms, international films and virtual reality technology at famous tourist destinations.

Delegates at the forum also noted that amid rapid digital transformation and increasingly fierce competition among destinations, journalism is no longer limited to communication alone but also helps shape travel trends, inspire tourists and spread the image of Vietnamese destinations worldwide.

The forum was also supported by VietinBank and is expected to create additional momentum for tourism communication efforts, strengthen cooperation among media organizations, businesses and local authorities, and further promote Vietnam’s tourism image in the new development phase.

At the event, VietNamNet was among 14 media organizations awarded certificates of merit by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism for their contributions to promoting Vietnam’s tourism industry.

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