Minister-Counsellor Nguyen Hai Luu, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN (File photo. Source: VNA)

Vietnam reaffirms support for self-determination, decolonisation process

Vietnam affirmed support for self-determination and the promotion of the decolonisation process at a joint debate of the Special Political and Decolonisation Committee (Fourth Committee) of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York on October 2.

Minister-Counsellor Nguyen Hai Luu, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, said that Vietnam consistently supports the universal objectives of the decolonisation process and the inalienable right to self-determination of the people of the 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories, in line with the UN Charter, General Assembly Resolution 1514 (XV) and other relevant resolutions. Vietnam backs a case-by-case approach that takes into account the historical, political, economic, social and cultural circumstances of each territory, as well as the interests and aspirations of its people, while advancing the decolonisation process through peaceful means, dialogue and cooperation, he said.

Luu highlighted four key issues, stressing that administering powers should continue to provide full and up-to-date information in accordance with Article 73(e) of the UN Charter; economic activities and resource exploitation must not adversely affect the legitimate interests and well-being of the people.

The UN system should continue supporting sustainable development, healthcare, education, disaster prevention and capacity building; and greater opportunities should be created for education, vocational training and human resource development for people in the territories, he said. The Vietnamese representative affirmed that drawing on the historical experience of a nation that once endured colonial rule and fought for independence, Vietnam deeply understands the value of independence, freedom and self-determination.

It is committed to constructive cooperation with the UN, the Special Committee on Decolonisation, administering powers and relevant parties to make substantive progress on the decolonisation agenda.

Participating countries affirmed that the decolonisation process remains incomplete, with 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories still on the UN agenda. They underscored the right to self-determination, the importance of dialogue and cooperation with administering powers, and the need to promote socio-economic development and build the capacity of people in the territories. Several countries also presented their positions on specific issues, including Western Sahara and the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands.

Adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 14, 1960, Resolution 1514 (XV), entitled the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, affirms the right of peoples to self-determination and laid the foundation for the UN's decolonisation process.

Malaysia seeks deeper halal technology cooperation with Vietnam

Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) is looking to deepen cooperation with Vietnam in halal technology, particularly halal certification processes that fully meet the required criteria.

UniMAP chancellor Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail said the university’s research capacity could provide a strong basis for practical cooperation with Vietnam in halal technology, standards and industry development, according to Bernama.

He noted that UniMAP had previously visited the Osaka Halal Centre in Japan, where participants discussed opportunities for students to receive practical training at businesses and gain first-hand experience of halal-related operations.

Citing the experience in Japan, Bernama quoted Syed Faizuddin as expressing hope that similar expertise-sharing activities could be introduced in Vietnam.

The UniMAP programme in Japan involved students majoring in business management and chemical engineering, including food technology. The experience could provide a foundation for similar knowledge-sharing initiatives in Vietnam as the two countries seek practical cooperation in the halal sector.

Ramlan Osman, Director of the National Halal Certification Centre (HALCERT), said the centre could serve as a bridge for Malaysia-Vietnam cooperation in halal technology, standards and industry development.

He said HALCERT operates under the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam and that its staff refer to procedures of Malaysia’s Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM), the country’s halal certification authority, when determining halal criteria for products.

Ramlan also highlighted the importance of halal logistics in maintaining product integrity throughout the supply chain, stressing that halal requirements must be strictly observed from transportation and storage to delivery to consumers.

Potential areas of cooperation include halal certification and processing, value-added agricultural products, rice technology, aquaculture, as well as innovative cold-storage and logistics solutions.

National Assembly Vice President Nguyen Hong Dien directly answers questions from South African businesses on administrative reform and Vietnam’s investment environment. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, South Africa seek to unlock economic potential

Vietnam and South Africa are looking to tap greater potential in trade and investment, with their complementary strengths opening opportunities in manufacturing, technology, energy, agriculture and mineral processing.

The prospect was highlighted at the Vietnam-South Africa Business Forum held in Cape Town on October 2 during National Assembly Vice President Nguyen Hong Dien’s official visit to South Africa.

The forum, organised in coordination with Wesgro - the Western Cape’s tourism, trade and investment promotion agency, brought together officials and businesses to discuss ways to expand bilateral economic ties.

Dien said South Africa, one of Africa’s major economies, has strengths in natural resources, industry, finance and infrastructure and serves as a gateway to the continental market. Vietnam, meanwhile, boasts advantages in manufacturing, agriculture, electronics, technology and international trade and serves as a gateway to ASEAN.

Bilateral trade reached 1.3 billion USD in 2025 and topped 1.7 billion USD in the first seven months of 2026, up 45% year-on-year. South Africa is now Vietnam’s second-largest trading partner and largest export market in Africa, while Vietnam ranks fifth among South Africa’s trading partners in ASEAN.

The Vietnamese official said the figures were encouraging but remained below the two countries’ potential. He called for greater investment cooperation in high-value sectors, including processing and manufacturing, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, green economy, renewable energy, mineral processing, high-tech agriculture and supporting industries.

These areas are also among the priorities under the Vietnam-South Africa Strategic Partnership, he noted.

He affirmed that the Vietnamese National Assembly and Government are ready to work with their South African counterparts to facilitate business cooperation. Vietnam will continue improving its investment environment and creating favourable conditions for South African businesses in line with Vietnamese law.

He also called on South African authorities to provide similar support for Vietnamese businesses seeking investment and business opportunities in the country.

JP Van der Merwe, Wesgro’s Deputy Director-General for Investment, said Western Cape, with a population of 7.6 million, has an export-oriented economy in which services account for about 70%. The province has attracted growing foreign investment, particularly in software and information technology, and is increasingly seeking investment from Asian markets.

Western Cape currently imports large volumes of Vietnamese electronics, textiles and garments, footwear, chemicals and medical equipment. Its major exports to Vietnam include maize, fruit and flowers, as well as industrial products such as boats and yachts

JP Van der Merwe, in an interview with Vietnam News Agency correspondents in South Africa, said that alongside its traditional strengths in agriculture and food, Vietnam’s manufacturing sector is attracting growing attention. Although the number of South African companies investing in Vietnam remains modest, their increasing interest in expanding into the ASEAN market is expected to open up new opportunities.

He highlighted Vietnam’s clear competitive advantages, including its market of 100 million people and impressive economic growth, which has averaged more than 6% over the past five years and reached around 8% last year. South African businesses regard Vietnam as a key market and an ideal “springboard” for expanding exports and gaining access to the broader ASEAN market.

At the forum, Director General of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade Vu Ba Phu introduced Vietnam’s investment environment and said the ministry is ready to help connect businesses from the two countries. He encouraged South African companies and trade associations to engage more actively in business-to-business activities and build long-term partnerships in Vietnam.

The forum also provided a venue for businesses to discuss administrative reforms, investment opportunities, potential direct air services between Vietnam and South Africa, and cooperation in mining and metallurgy.

Before leaving South Africa for Tanzania to attend the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Vice President Dien met with representatives of the Vietnamese community in Western Cape.

Vietnam posts GDP growth of 9.95% in Q3

Vietnam’s gross domestic product (GDP) in the third quarter of 2026 was estimated to expand 9.95% year-on-year, higher than the growth rates of 8.15% in the first quarter and 8.81% in the second, Director of the National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance Nguyen Thi Huong said at a press conference on October 3.

Huong said that despite complex developments in the global situation, Vietnam’s socio-economic performance in the third quarter and first nine months continued to deliver positive and important results across most sectors.

Agriculture, forestry and fisheries grew 4.21%, contributing 5.14% to the overall increase in gross value added; industry and construction rose 12.50%, contributing 51.57%; and services expanded 9.54%, contributing 43.29%.

On the expenditure side, final consumption in Q3 increased 8.96% year-on-year, gross capital formation 21.39%, exports of goods and services 23.27%, and imports 28.75%.

In the first nine months, GDP was estimated to increase 9.01% from the same period last year. Agriculture, forestry and fisheries grew 4.02%, contributing 5.35% to overall gross value added growth; industry and construction rose 11.21%, contributing 49.62%; and services expanded 8.69%, contributing 45.03%.

In the economic structure, agriculture, forestry and fisheries accounted for 10.65% of GDP in the first nine months; industry and construction 38.35%; services 42.97%; and taxes less subsidies on products 8.03%. In terms of GDP use, final consumption rose 8.51% year-on-year; gross capital formation expanded 17.88%; while exports of goods and services increased 21.29%, and imports 27.19%.

Processing fruit for export at Ba Suong Hau Giang Company, Vi Thanh ward, Can Tho city (Photo: VNA)

Regarding local GRDP, 12 of the 34 localities recorded growth of at least 10% in the first nine months. Quang Ninh led with 12.54%, followed by Ha Tinh 12.36%, Hai Phong 12.08%, Bac Ninh 11.81% and Ninh Binh 11.31%.

Localities with lower GRDP growth included Son La at 5.59%, Vinh Long 7.32%, Ca Mau 7.37% and Dong Thap 7.44%, mainly due to declines in electricity output and the relatively large share of agriculture in their economic structures.

Overall, high growth was concentrated mainly in localities with strong industrial foundations and large-scale processing and manufacturing sectors, supported by investment, exports and expanding services, thereby contributing positively to national economic growth.

Huong attributed the positive Q3 and nine-month results to the involvement of the entire political system under the leadership of the Party Central Committee and its Politburo and Secretariat, as well as the Government’s and Prime Minister’s timely, flexible and effective direction and management.

She said ministries, sectors and localities had synchronously implemented key tasks and measures to promote economic growth and strive to achieve double-digit growth in 2026.

The completion and operation of the two-tier local administration model had also helped expand development space, strengthen regional connectivity and improve the effectiveness of State management, while promoting decentralisation, administrative reform and more efficient mobilisation and use of development resources, she added.

Representatives attend the launch of activities marking the first Vietnam Culture Day. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi launches activities celebrating first Vietnam Culture Day

Hanoi on October 3 launched activities marking the first Vietnam Culture Day in the capital, under the theme “Thang Long-Hanoi, a thousand years of civilisation - A kaleidoscope of Vietnamese colours.”

Held at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in Doai Phuong commune, the event aims to celebrate Hanoi’s cultural traditions while promoting the diversity of Vietnam’s ethnic cultures and encouraging public participation in preserving and enjoying cultural values.

Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Thu Ha said Vietnam Culture Day, observed annually on November 24, underscores the importance of bringing cultural values deeper into everyday life. She called on local authorities, artists, artisans and residents to contribute to heritage preservation, cultural creativity and the promotion of Vietnamese and Thang Long-Hanoi culture.

Nguyen Huu Thinh, Vice Chairman of the Ba Vi commune People's Committee highlighted the role of local communities in safeguarding heritage. The mountainous commune, home to Kinh, Muong and Dao ethnic groups, plans to preserve traditional festivals, customs, folk arts and indigenous knowledge, while digitising heritage materials and linking cultural preservation with tourism and livelihoods.

The launch ceremony opens a series of activities through November 24. On October 3-4, the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism is hooting exhibitions, performances and cultural experiences, with 20 booths showcasing Hanoi’s craft villages, OCOP products and specialties.

The “Vietnam Culture Day in Hanoi” programme is scheduled for November 21-24 around Hoan Kiem Lake, featuring cultural exchanges and promotional activities.

Hanoi will also sign cooperation agreements with 10 provinces and cities to strengthen efforts to preserve and promote Vietnam’s diverse cultural heritage.

The response activities aim to further promote Hanoi as a major cultural centre of the country and contribute to building a “cultured, civilised and modern” capital city.

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