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French President Emmanuel Macron and his spouse Brigitte Macron arrive in Hanoi for three-day state visit to Vietnam (Photo:VNA)

French President arrives in Hanoi for state visit to Vietnam

French President Emmanuel Macron and his spouse Brigitte Macron arrived in Hanoi on the evening of May 25, beginning a state visit to Vietnam from May 25 to 27, at the invitation of President Luong Cuong.

Those welcoming the delegation at Noi Bai International Airport included Chairman of the Presidential Office Le Khanh Hai, Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Tran Sy Thanh, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang, and Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang.

President Macron’s entourage consists of Minister of the Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty Eric Lombard, Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu, Minister of Culture Rachida Dati, Minister attached to the Minister for the Interior François-Noël Buffet, Minister of State for Francophonie and International Partnerships attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Thani Mohamed Soilihi, and French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet.

President Macron is known for his fondness for Vietnam and its cuisine. He previously welcomed several high-level Vietnamese leaders to France, including late Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in March 2018, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in November 2021, and Party General Secretary To Lam in October 2024, cited VOV.

According to Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang, the visit will involve in-depth discussions across multiple areas and projects with a focus on strengthening economic, trade, and investment priorities, as well as enhancing cooperation in defense and security, innovation, science and technology, education and training, and healthcare. The signing of new cooperation agreements during the visit is expected to provide fresh momentum and a legal framework for deepening bilateral ties in the years ahead.

French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet described the state visit by President Emmanuel Macron and his spouse as a major milestone in France–Vietnam relations. The visit is the first stop on President Macron’s tour of three Southeast Asian nations, including Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore.

In October 2024, during the visit of General Secretary To Lam to France, the two countries upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Eight months later, President Macron’s state visit to Vietnam underscores the strong growth of bilateral ties and the solid cooperative framework already in place between the two countries.

Vietnam attends ASEAN meetings for promoting regional cooperation

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son led a Vietnamese delegation to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the meeting of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Commission, the 29th ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting, and the 36th ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on May 25.

In his speech, Son expressed his gratitude for the condolences and kind sentiments extended by representatives of the countries on the passing of former State President Tran Duc Luong.

He spoke highly of Malaysia’s role as ASEAN Chair in guiding the regional cooperation process at a pivotal moment for the bloc, noting that the context today, marked by more complex difficulties and challenges than before, requires ASEAN and its member states to stand closely together and give the highest priority to the Community-building process.

The ASEAN Community Vision 2045, along with new cooperation strategies, will serve as a framework for joint action, proactive adaptation, and enhanced development in the region, Son said, stressing the need for ASEAN to strengthen its resilience, particularly economic resilience, to withstand external shocks.

The Vietnamese official noted that ASEAN’s external relations should follow a consistent and focused approach aligned with the bloc’s long-term strategic priorities.

Noting the complex developments of emerging security challenges, Son emphasized the urgent need to strengthen cooperation at both regional and global levels. The official expressed his hope that countries will support and participate in the signing ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi, scheduled for late October 2025.

He also proposed the development of an ASEAN Declaration on enhancing cooperation in the pursuit of wanted criminals, aiming to gradually position ASEAN as a model in combating transnational crime.

Son and other delegates exchanged views and reaffirmed ASEAN's principled stance on regional and international issues. He also suggested ASEAN explore new approaches and measures to more effectively implement the Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar.

Highly evaluating Timor-Leste’s efforts, Son reaffirmed Vietnam’s support for Timor-Leste’s early accession to ASEAN. He stated that drawing from 30 years of experience as a member of ASEAN, Vietnam understands the challenges involved and stands ready to assist the country both in the preparation process and in implementing membership obligations in the first years of joining ASEAN.

A view of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on May 25. (Photo: VNA)

Regarding preparation for the ASEAN Summit scheduled for May 26–27, Malaysia announced that all organizational arrangements had been completed, according to VNA.

The participating ministers reviewed and agreed to submit for ASEAN leaders’ adoption of the “Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future.”

Reviewing the blueprints for building the ASEAN Community in the 2016-2025 period, they emphasized the need to promote lessons learned over the past 10 years, especially strengthening the bloc’s solidarity and centrality, demonstrating a strong common voice and enhancing the effectiveness of ASEAN-led mechanisms.

They called for the prompt concretisation of the ASEAN Vision 2045 and associated strategies, including the development of sectoral cooperation program and the prioritization of enhancing ASEAN’s capacity to respond to non-traditional security challenges. They also agreed to strengthen intra-bloc trade and investment, tap into the potential of science and technology, the digital and green economies, and expand connectivity with partners on the basis of mutual benefit.

The ministers also engaged in in-depth discussions on regional and international issues, reaffirming ASEAN’s common stance and principles. They underlined the necessity to fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and continuing to accelerate negotiations on an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the waters (COC) that is in line with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Vietnam ranks among world’s safest retirement destinations

Vietnam ranks seventh among the world’s 10 safest countries for retired expats, according to International Living, a publication focused on overseas retirement.

Published on its website, International Living quoted expat Sharyn Nielsen who relocated to Ho Chi Minh City from Australia back in 2011 with her husband. She revealed, “We feel safer on the streets here than we did back home. We've never been robbed or threatened.”

For the Australian expat, Vietnam's 'everyday sense of security' is one of her favorite parts of living in the southern metropolis. “We've walked through parks at night, an unthinkable act in some Western cities,” Sharon shared.

She added, “Locals even look out for you, we've had strangers politely suggest we keep our phones tucked away in cafes or tourist spots.”

Phu Quoc among top choices for expat retirees.

The new study from International Living has revealed the world's safest places for retired expats and they all rank higher than the United States on the Global Peace Index.

Jennifer Stevens, executive editor of International Living, said, "Our international correspondents and regular contributors live in and regularly visit the places we recommend."

Portugal tops the list this year, followed by Malaysia and Ireland. The rest of the Top 10 are Spain, Italy, Greece, Costa Rica, Uruguay, and Indonesia.

HCM City reports first cases of new COVID-19 variant

Ho Chi Minh City has confirmed its first cases of a new COVID-19 variant, known as NB.1.8.1, which has also been identified in 22 other countries around the globe.

Scientists have discovered that NB.1.8.1, a sub-lineage of XDV.1, is present in 83% of recent gene sequencing samples taken from COVID-19 patients in the city. It appears to have emerged through genetic recombination with other variants.

In Taiwan (China), this variant has become the dominant strain, particularly affecting unvaccinated individuals and the elderly.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US also reported its presence among international travelers.

Dr. Nguyen Van Vinh Chau, Deputy Director of the city’s Department of Health, reassured the public that there is currently no evidence that NB.1.8.1 is more contagious or severe than earlier strains.

"The World Health Organization (WHO) has not categorised it as a variant of concern at this time," Chau said.

Recently, HCM City has experienced a noticeable increase in COVID-19 cases, with 26 reported in just one week, compared to an average of only 1-2 cases weekly earlier this year.

The Department of Health encourages everyone to remain calm but vigilant in light of the unpredictable nature of the pandemic.

Residents are advised to implement recommended safety measures from the Ministry of Health, which include wearing masks in crowded places, on public transport, and at medical facilities, as well as limiting gatherings when possible.

Regular handwashing with soap or hand sanitiser is strongly recommended, along with maintaining an active lifestyle and proper nutrition.

If anyone experiences symptoms such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, they should seek medical attention immediately.

Those traveling to and from countries with high COVID-19 case numbers should monitor their health closely to protect themselves and those around them.

Since COVID-19 first appeared in 2019, experts believe that the virus has undergone continuous mutations, leading to thousands of variants.

While newer variants may spread more easily, they tend to be less severe than those seen at the beginning of the pandemic, reported VNA.

People undergo COVID-19 testing during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2021. (Photo: VNA)

In HCM City, the infectious disease surveillance system has noted an increase in cases from week 16 to week 20 (April 14 to May 18), averaging 11 cases per week, a surge compared to just 1-2 cases per week during the first 15 weeks of the year.

So far this year the city has recorded a total of 79 COVID cases. Among these, 43 cases required inpatient care, while 36 were treated as outpatients, with no serious cases needing respiratory support.

Today, COVID-19 is often seen as an endemic illness, with established treatment protocols and vaccines available to help prevent severe cases.

Vietnam was known for its strict prevention measures during the pandemic, particularly during the peak outbreaks in 2020 and 2021. The country even tracked every patient with COVID-19 symptoms and traced their contacts to ensure everyone was quarantined from the public.

Vietnam vows to push for inclusive and sustainable ASEAN

Vietnam will coordinate closely with Malaysia – current ASEAN Chair – and other countries in implementing this year's priorities towards an "inclusive and sustainable" ASEAN, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

Pham made the above statement during his summit meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur on May 25.

Both Pham and Anwar agreed to maintain ASEAN's common position on the East Sea issue, continue coordination in the process of negotiations on a substantial and efficient Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Regarding bilateral aspects, the two Prime Ministers expressed their pleasure at the growth of the relations between Vietnam and Malaysia, especially after the two countries upgraded ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in November 2024.

Political and diplomatic relations have been increasingly strengthened while economic - trade - investment cooperation is a bright spot in the overall relationship between the two countries, with the two-way trade turnover reaching US$14.2 billion in 2024, the two leaders noted.

Malaysia remains among the top 10 countries with the largest investment in Vietnam, with a total registered capital of more than US$13 billion.

The two sides also acknowledged the positive developments in defense - security, energy, education - training, science - technology, tourism, labor cooperation and people-to-people exchange, especially the National University of Vietnam signed a cooperation document with the National University of Malaysia on the occasion of Pham's ongoing visit

Both sides agreed to continue delegation exchanges and contacts at all levels and across all channels; work towards the establishment of an annual exchange mechanism between the two countries' senior leaders; continue effective implementation of existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms, cited VGP.

The summit meeting between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 25, 2025. Photo: VGP

Both sides vowed to double efforts to raise bilateral trade volume to US$20 billion by 2030 in a balanced manner through reducing trade barriers and facilitating trade in goods of both sides' strength such as farm produce, electronics and construction materials.

The two leaders agreed to expand cooperation in the fields of digital economy, circular economy and green economy.

Vietnam stands ready to be a stable and long-term rice supplier to Malaysia, affirmed Prime Minister Pham, suggesting that Malaysia help Vietnam to develop Halal industry and that both countries should sign a cooperation agreement in this area.

Both sides agreed to foster cooperation in defense and security domain through signing related cooperation agreements, promoting military industry and training corporation, establishing cooperation mechanisms between their navy, air force and coast guard forces, and strengthening joint combat against terrorist groups.

The two leaders promised not to allow any individuals and organizations to use one country's territory against the other.

The two sides underscored the importance of maritime cooperation and mulled over the establishment of a consultation mechanism on maritime issues and a hotline to combat the illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The Vietnamese side called on Malaysia to support the EC's removal of its "yellow card" warning against Vietnamese seafood exports.

Both sides agreed to consider signing new agreements on aviation and tourism cooperation; increase flight frequency between the two countries; promote cooperation in education, training, labor, agriculture, culture, and sports.

After their summit meeting, the two Prime Ministers witnessed the signing of three cooperation documents between the two countries and co-chaired a press conference to announce the outcomes of their meeting.

Malaysia's main priorities as the Chair of ASEAN in 2025 can be summarized as follows:

(i) to strengthen ASEAN Centrality by promoting strategic trust among nations through sustained dialogues, diplomacy and goodwill. Working together with Member States, Malaysia seeks to forge and expand our economic partnerships with those beyond our borders;

(ii) to push for greater commitment towards enhancing ASEAN intra-trade and investment. Malaysia will ensure that ASEAN will be able to leverage on advances in sciences, technology and innovation, and harness the benefits of digital transformation and new technologies; and

(iii) to ensure that the elements of inclusivity and sustainability, which is the theme of ASEAN-Malaysia Chairmanship 2025, take center stage in regional Community-building efforts. This will entail greater efforts at narrowing the development gap and inequalities, improving living standards, while mitigating the impacts of climate change.

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