Vietnam, Uzbekistan deepen parliamentary and bilateral ties
National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man hosted a reception in Hanoi on October 27 for Speaker of the Legislative Chamber (lower house) of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan Nuriddin Ismoilov, who is in Vietnam to attend the signing ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime (known as the Hanoi Convention).
Welcoming his guest, Chairman Man said he is pleased to meet Ismoilov again after his successful visit to Uzbekistan and participation in the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in April. He expressed his appreciation for the warm hospitality extended to the Vietnamese delegation during the visit and thanked Uzbekistan for attending the Hanoi Convention signing ceremony, demonstrating its strong commitment to the global fight against cybercrime.
The NA Chairman reaffirmed the long-standing friendship and traditional ties between Vietnam and Uzbekistan and conveyed his greetings to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Chairwoman of the Senate Tanzila Narbaeva of Uzbekistan.
Speaker Ismoilov expressed his delight at visiting Vietnam for the first time and attending the important international event. He conveyed greetings from President Mirziyoyev and Chairwoman of the Senate Narbaeva to Chairman Man, and congratulated Vietnam on successfully hosting the signing ceremony, which drew the participation from many countries. The strong international presence reflected the global community’s recognition of Vietnam’s growing role in addressing international issues, especially cybersecurity.
Both sides underscored the importance of the Hanoi Convention as a milestone for promoting peace, security, and shared prosperity worldwide.
The Speaker said he is deeply impressed by Vietnam’s dynamic growth and congratulated the country on its achievements in economic development, poverty reduction, and improving living standards.
Chairman Man expressed gratitude to the people of the former Soviet Union, including Uzbekistan, for their valuable support to Vietnam during its past struggle for independence and the present process of national construction and development. He stressed that Vietnam treasures its traditional friendship with countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), including Uzbekistan.
Appreciating the role of the Uzbekistan Oliy Majlis, especially the Legislative Chamber, in implementing the country's domestic and foreign policies, Chairman Man expressed his wish that the two countries would strengthen cooperation in the coming time for mutual development and to respond to the current international situation.
Both sides agreed that there remains great potential for cooperation and that closer ties would benefit both countries in the context of rapid global changes.
The two leaders pledged to encourage and monitor government agencies, ministries, and localities to enhance cooperation in areas of mutual strength and interest, such as trade, energy, oil and gas, agriculture, culture, tourism, logistics, and transport. They also agreed to promote the role of the Intergovernmental Committee for Economic, Trade, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation, according to VNA.
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| National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man (R) and Speaker of the Legislative Chamber (lower house) of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan Nuriddin Ismoilov in Hanoi on October 27. (Photo: VNA) |
The top legislators agreed to further strengthen parliamentary ties by enhancing the supervisory role of their legislatures in implementing agreements reached during Chairman Man’s official visit to Uzbekistan in April 2025. They emphasised the importance of parliamentary friendship groups and specialised committees in fostering mutual understanding and professional exchanges between legislators of both countries.
Both sides also noted the positive and effective coordination between the two parliaments in international forums. They agreed to continue cooperation within multilateral parliamentary frameworks such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and to encourage delegations to attend multilateral parliamentary activities hosted by each country, helping to deepen the traditional friendship and effective cooperation between Vietnam and Uzbekistan.
Vietnam, China strengthen bilateral trade cooperation
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien met with Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao in Kuala Lumpur on October 27, on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit and related meetings, to discuss measures for further boosting bilateral economic and trade relations.
Looking into economic and trade ties, the two ministers agreed on the need to enhance coordination amid complex global and regional economic developments, according to the Vietnamese ministry.
Dien informed that Vietnam is completing domestic procedures for signing the protocol that upgrades the ASEAN – China Free Trade Area (ACFTA 3.0) as planned. He affirmed Vietnam’s commitment to working closely with other ASEAN members and China to ensure its effective implementation for the benefit of businesses and citizens.
China remains one of Vietnam’s most important trading partners, serving as a major export market and a key supplier of materials and goods. In 2024, bilateral trade reached a record high of 205.2 billion USD, marking a new milestone.
Vietnam’s exports to China in the first eight months of 2025 rose 9.2%, up from the 7.1% expansion in the first seven months. Particularly in August, exports recorded a double-digit increase of about 22% year-on-year, reported the Vietnam Trade Office in China, VNA reported.
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| Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien meets with Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia on October 27. (Photo: moit.gov.vn) |
Vietnam’s key exports to China include agricultural products such as rice, coffee, cashew nuts, and fruits, along with seafood, electronic components, textiles – garment, rubber, and crude oil. Vietnamese farm produce have a strong foothold in the Chinese market thanks to geographical proximity and high consumer demand, with durian, dragon fruit, mango, and passion fruit maintaining solid growth.
Meanwhile, Vietnam imports machinery, industrial equipment, production materials, consumer goods, and electronic components from China.
The diverse trade structure allows both countries to leverage their comparative advantages, contributing to shared economic growth.
France concert raises funds for Vietnamese Agent Orange victims
The Villejuif committee for the Van Canh Friendship Village in France’s Val-de-Marne province organized a concert on October 26 to raise funds for victims of Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin in Vietnam.
The concert brought together a large audience of Vietnamese expatriates and French friends in a warm atmosphere filled with music and compassion.
Featuring both patriotic and romantic Vietnamese songs, the performance took the audience on an emotional journey through national pride, nostalgia, and love, cited VOV.
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| A class for Agent Orange/dioxin victims in Gia Lai province. |
Committee chairwoman Martine Desmarest told the Vietnam News Agency that all proceeds from the concert would be sent to Vietnam to support 120 children and 80 war veterans at the Van Canh Friendship Village on the outskirts of Hanoi, who are suffering from the toxic chemical sprayed during the war in Vietnam. Even though the war ended in 1975, there are still children born with severe disabilities caused by dioxin passed down through generations, Desmarest said.
Beyond concerts, the committee organizes various fundraising activities, including a Lunar New Year banquet in March, an annual raffle in May, and Vietnamese handicraft stalls at local festivals.
In 2024, the Villejuif and National Committees donated EUR5,000 (US$5,815) to the Van Canh Friendship Village to purchase medical equipment, helping improve healthcare for AO victims.
More Easter European travelers come to Vietnam thanks to visa exemption
More travelers from Eastern European countries are coming to Vietnam thanks to a visa exemption policy which has made it easier for European travelers to explore the country.
A report from the digital travel platform Agoda recorded a 59% increase in travel interest from Eastern European countries based on accommodation search data, following Vietnam’s recent expansion of its visa exemption policy.
The new policy, effective from August 15, 2025, extends visa-free entry to 12 European nations.
Agoda’s data shows rising interest from Eastern European travelers in particular, with searches from Slovenia up 77%, Poland up 74%, Bulgaria up 72%, Romania up 69%, and Slovakia up 61%.
The findings are drawn from searches made on Agoda between August 15 and September 30, after the new visa regulations were announced, for check-ins between October and November -- compared with the same period last year.
“The data clearly demonstrates how simplified entry procedures and improved accessibility encourage more travelers from Europe and other long-haul markets to visit Vietnam,” said Vu Ngoc Lam, Vietnam country director at Agoda.
Top destinations rise
Eastern European travelers are showing diverse preferences when exploring Vietnam with Phu Quoc Island leading searches with an increase of 113% year-on-year.
The tropical island is followed by the bustling urban hubs of Hanoi and HCM City in second and third place, which have seen 77% and 56% growth in interest, respectively.
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| International tourists in Phu Quoc Island. Eastern European travelers are showing diverse preferences when exploring Vietnam with Phu Quoc Island leading searches. (Photo: vietnamnet.vn) |
Picturesque beach cities Da Nang with a 36% increase and Nha Trang with a 35% increase round out the top five destinations, both enjoying strong growth in searches from Eastern European visitors.
The increase in European interest observed on Agoda aligns with official data from the National Statistics Office, which reports that European arrivals climbed nearly 35% in the first nine months of 2025.
In the third quarter alone, Vietnam welcomed 568,370 European tourists, up 38% from the previous quarter and an impressive 60% increase year on year, VNS reported.
“The expanded visa-free policy has made Vietnam more accessible and appealing to European travelers. We’re thrilled to support this growth and attract more international tourists to Vietnam by offering a user-friendly platform with simple tools and the best deals on accommodation, flight, and activity options, helping travelers easily plan and enjoy their journey across Vietnam,” Lam said.
With over six million properties, 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000 activities available to be combined in a single booking, Agoda makes it easier than ever for travelers from Europe to plan their trips to Vietnam.
Whether it’s a relaxing getaway, a cultural journey, or a coastal escape, Agoda’s seamless platform helps European tourists discover and experience the best of Vietnam with convenience and confidence.
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