Major shifts expected in Vietnam–Russia technology cooperation

Prof. Dr Tran Hong Thai, President of the Viet Nam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), has held a working session with Artyom Zassourky, Vice President at Russian conglomerate AFK Sistema, to promote cooperation in several strategic technology fields.

As part of bilateral activities within the framework of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and President To Lam’s state visit to Russia, the meeting built on a cooperation framework established by the two sides earlier this year.

Following the signing of a framework memorandum of understanding in January, VAST and AFK Sistema have gradually connected Vietnamese research institutes with technology enterprises within the Sistema ecosystem. In June, a VAST delegation directly met with and surveyed the technological capabilities of enterprises under the group, identifying areas with potential to move from discussions to concrete cooperation.

On that basis, at the meeting, Thai and Zassourky agreed to promote cooperation in three priority strategic technology areas, namely green hydrogen, small satellites, and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems. Specific joint work has been developed into an agreement on the cooperation implementation program, with the signed document expected to be exchanged during the state visit, cited VNA.

In green hydrogen, bilateral engagements will focus on hydrogen production and storage technologies, fuel cells and related equipment systems, with a view to jointly conducting research, adapting technologies, implementing pilot and demonstration models, and gradually localising the technologies in Viet Nam. One specific area will be research into fuel-cell systems for UAVs, creating a link between different technology fields under the cooperation program.

In small satellite technology, VAST and Sputnix are expected to jointly study satellite mission concepts and develop subsystems, payloads and ground segments. The cooperation will also aim to train engineers and enhance Viet Nam’s capacity in satellite design, manufacturing, assembly, integration and testing, thereby gradually increasing Vietnamese participation throughout the development process of a satellite system.

In the UAV field, VAST and Aeromax will jointly develop systems for civil surveillance missions, covering design, manufacturing, integration, control, sensors and data processing, while also studying the integration of data collected by UAVs with Earth observation data from satellites.

Thai emphasized his expectations for a breakthrough cooperation model that goes beyond simply accessing existing technologies. The new approach will focus on establishing joint projects between the two sides, creating a basis for inviting leading Sistema experts to directly work, participate in and manage projects in Viet Nam. This is regarded as a key factor in accelerating the technology transfer process.

Vietnam–France ties poised for new phase of strategic cooperation

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee and President To Lam’s upcoming official visit to France and attendance at the International Space Summit in Paris are expected to strengthen the solid foundation of political trust and open new avenues for cooperation in strategic technologies and global governance, heralding a new phase of substantive, effective and long-lasting development of the Vietnam–France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

A solid foundation of trust

After more than five decades of diplomatic relations, Vietnam–France relations have weathered the ups and downs of history to become a relationship of friendship, equality and mutual respect, with both sides looking towards the future.

The relationship was elevated to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in October 2024 during General Secretary and President Lam’s visit to France, making it the first EU country to establish the highest-level relationship framework with Viet Nam.

The continuous and dynamic high-level delegation exchanges between the two countries in recent years form a vivid testament to the strong political determination of their leaders.

The clearest symbol of the new level of this relationship is the close engagement at the highest level between General Secretary and President Lam and French President Emmanuel Macron. The two leaders held their first meeting in October 2024, followed by their historic talks during President Macron’s state visit to Viet Nam in May 2025.

General Secretary and President Lam’s upcoming trip to Paris will mark their third meeting in less than two years. Meanwhile, important visits by government and parliamentary leaders from the two countries, notably the visit to Viet Nam by French Minister for the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu to attend the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory in 2024, have continued to strengthen political trust between the two countries.

Looking back on this sustained process of bilateral ties, former Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang affirmed that this is the crystallization of the strong political will of both countries’ top leaders, reflecting France’s recognition of Viet Nam’s position as well as the Vietnamese Party and State’s robust foreign policy during the country’s transformation.

With a new strategic vision now taking shape, Thang said an important task for both sides is to join hands to “lay the cornerstones for the new house that has been designed.”

Sharing Thang’s view, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Trinh Duc Hai said the mutual understanding and trust built over generations constitute an invaluable “strategic asset” for both countries. He added that this solid foundation extends beyond state-to-state relations, taking deep root in the social life of the two nations, from language and culture to healthcare, science and education.

Realizing commitments through practical actions

The official visit to France by General Secretary and President Lam presents an opportunity for the two countries to translate political commitments into specific cooperation projects, bringing practical benefits to both sides.

In the fields of economy, trade and investment, France is currently Viet Nam’s fourth-largest trading partner in the EU. Bilateral trade reached 6.3 billion USD in 2025, up 16.4% year on year, and hit 3.66 billion USD in the first six months of 2026, representing a sharp increase of 26.4% compared with the same period last year. In terms of investment, France ranks 16th among 153 countries and territories investing in Viet Nam, with 746 valid projects and total registered capital of around 4 billion USD.

France has also remained one of Viet Nam’s leading European providers of official development assistance (ODA), with committed funding averaging more than 100 million EUR (116.4 million USD) annually since 2002.

Viet Nam's fresh fruits sold at a supermarket in France. Bilateral trade reached 6.3 billion USD in 2025, up 16.4% year on year, and hit 3.66 billion USD in the first six months of 2026, representing a sharp increase of 26.4% compared with the same period last year. (Photo: VNA)

In health care, a prominent cooperation project gaining new momentum is the construction of a large-scale vaccine manufacturing plant in Ho Chi Minh City between Viet Nam Vaccine Joint Stock Company (VNVC) and Sanofi Group, helping Viet Nam secure a more stable supply of high-quality vaccines to protect public health.

In transport, alongside long-standing aviation cooperation with Airbus, major French companies like Alstom and SNCF are actively discussing technology transfer and sharing expertise in managing high-speed railway systems with Viet Nam.

Education and science – technology continue to be bright spots in bilateral relations. France currently hosts around 6,000–7,000 Vietnamese students, ranking fifth globally among destinations for Vietnamese students.

France has pledged to double student exchanges between the two countries by 2030. The expected signing of an agreement to implement the Hubert Curien Partnership (PHC) program between France and Viet Nam during the Vietnamese leader’s visit will provide strong support for researchers to expand long-term academic exchanges and cooperation.

Together with a distinctive and sustained network of decentralized cooperation built since the 1990s, as well as a community of around 350,000 Vietnamese people and people of Vietnamese origin who are deeply integrated into French society, people-to-people ties between the two countries continue to strengthen, serving as a lasting bridge connecting the two nations.

Conquering new frontiers and shaping global governance

A highlight of the trip is General Secretary and President Lam’s attendance at the International Space Summit in Paris at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. The summit is the world’s first head-of-state-level conference on outer space, initiated by France to address challenges in space governance, as outer space – a common asset of humanity – faces the risk of being monopolised by some countries and private corporations.

The event is expected to consider the adoption of three important draft declarations on the coordination of space situational awareness (SSA) systems, space science data, and a legal framework governing radio frequencies for space activities. The presence of the top Vietnamese leader at the summit reflects the country’s strategic vision and proactive integration at the highest level.

Highlighting the significance of the event, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang said space technology is now directly linked to the digital economy, telecommunications, Earth observation, resource management, disaster forecasting and security. Attendance at the summit provides an opportunity for Viet Nam to make a responsible contribution to shaping global rules, standards and governance mechanisms for outer space, with a view to ensuring peaceful, safe and equitable access for all countries.

French Ambassador to Viet Nam Olivier Brochet expressed his great pleasure at the participation of the Vietnamese delegation, affirming that France particularly looks forward to hearing the voices of Viet Nam and other countries in the Global South regarding the need to utilize and protect their interests in and equitable access to this common asset, according to VNA.

Viet Nam’s determination to enhance its space capabilities is also a profound expression of the strategic trust it places in France, he said.

The visit also lays the foundation for an important shift in high-tech cooperation.

Hai said cooperation between the two countries needs to move strongly from academic research to joint research and the transfer of core technologies in key areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, quantum technology, outer space, transport infrastructure and renewable energy. France, with one of the world’s leading innovation ecosystems, is a natural strategic partner ready to accompany Viet Nam in a new era of development towards long-term development goals.

A new chapter of friendship for peace and development

Looking back on the history shared by the two countries, Brochet recalled a particularly poignant moment from his more than three years in Viet Nam: young Vietnamese soldiers helping French veterans in their 90s under the sun of Dien Bien Phu during the 70th anniversary of the historic victory. For him, the image is a powerful symbol of reconciliation, showing how the two peoples have moved beyond the past to build a shared future.

With a solid foundation of cooperation and trust built over half a century, underpinned by the highest-level cooperation framework, the official visit to France and attendance at the International Space Summit by General Secretary and President Lam will be a success, helping to further deepen bilateral ties.

This historic milestone will provide strong momentum for fully realising the vision of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, making Viet Nam and France strategic gateways for each other in the EU and ASEAN while contributing to the development of both countries and to peace, stability and cooperation in the regions and the world.

Bright spots spur Vietnam-India trade growth in first half

Vietnam-India bilateral trade exceeded US$10 billion in the first half of 2026, equivalent to 60% of last year's total turnover and posting positive growth with multiple bright spots.

According to Vietnamese Trade Counselor in India Bui Trung Thuong, Viet Nam maintained a trade surplus during the period, with exports standing at nearly US$6 billion and imports at about US$4 billion.

Key staples, notably coffee, sustained strong growth, while Vietnamese agricultural and aquatic products increasingly won the trust and preference of Indian consumers.

Another highlight in bilateral trade was the growth in items where both countries participate in the global value chain, such as mobile phones, components, and machinery. This demonstrates the complementary nature of the two economies and growing Vietnamese business interest in the Indian market, VOV reported.

Vietnamese Trade Counselor in India Bui Trung Thuon (Photo: VNA)

Economic and trade agreements signed during the State visit to India by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and State President To Lam in early May have injected fresh momentum into bilateral economic ties, which are gradually materializing into concrete outcomes. VinFast's initial success in entering the demanding Indian market illustrates that investment naturally drives trade, particularly in the automotive sector.

Da Nang ranks sixth among Asia's most revisited destinations

Da Nang city in central Viet Nam has climbed two spots to rank sixth in Agoda’s latest Repeat Visitor Ranking, thanks to its beaches, strategic location, and reasonable travel costs.

Agoda highlighted the Vietnamese city’s beaches, proximity to UNESCO-listed Hoi An, and value for money as factors encouraging travelers to return.

The digital travel platform released its ranking on September 8 based on booking data from the first half of 2026, reported VOV.

Han Market is a favorite destination for visitors in Da Nang City.

Thailand's capital, Bangkok, ranks second among the most popular destinations for repeat visitors in Asia, trailing only Tokyo (Japan) and placing ahead of Bali (Indonesia).

Agoda's rankings showed that Bangkok maintained its spot in the Top 3 for the second consecutive year. The remaining positions in Asia’s Top 10 were Seoul (the Republic of Korea), Osaka (Japan), Da Nang (Vietnam), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Fukuoka (Japan), Taipei (Taiwan, China), and Johor Bahru (Malaysia), respectively.

East Sea may see 2-3 storms in September, with up to two hitting Viet Nam

Two to three storms and tropical depressions could develop in the East Sea in September, including Storm No. 5, with one or two potentially affecting Viet Nam’s mainland. El Nino remains strong and could persist into the first half of 2027.

Nguyen Thanh Hoa, a forecaster with the Climate Forecasting Department at the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, has provided the latest outlook for weather and climate conditions in September 2026.

El Nino is currently maintaining strong intensity. During the final week of August 2026, sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific were around 1.8 degrees Celsius above average.

Hoa said El Nino is expected to remain strong to very strong, with a probability of up to 95% during the final months of 2026, and could persist into the first half of 2027.

2-3 storms expected as heat begins to ease

Around two to three storms and tropical depressions are likely to develop in the East Sea in September 2026, including Storm No. 5, Saudel. Of these, around one or two could directly affect Viet Nam’s mainland.

Average temperatures nationwide are expected to be around 0.5-1 degree Celsius above the long-term average, reported VNN.

One or two storms could affect Viet Nam’s mainland in September. Photo: Le Duong

Regarding heatwaves, Hoa said that apart from the widespread hot spell affecting northern and central Viet Nam in the first days of the month, heat is expected to gradually ease in intensity and become less persistent.

However, coastal areas of the south-central region could still experience several widespread heatwaves, affecting daily life and production activities.

Extreme weather warning

As for rainfall, August saw total precipitation across northern Viet Nam and the area from Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri generally running 50-100% above average. In September, however, total rainfall in northern Viet Nam and from Thanh Hoa to Ha Tinh is forecast to be 20-40% below average.

Meanwhile, rainfall in the Central Highlands is expected to be around 10-20% above average, while southern Viet Nam could see a slight deficit of 5-15%.

“Although total rainfall is expected to decline in some regions, people should remain alert to episodes of localized heavy rain occurring over small areas and within short periods,” Hoa said.

The meteorological agency warned that heavy rain is often accompanied by hazardous weather including thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning, hail and strong wind gusts, potentially causing flooding, bringing down trees and damaging homes and transport infrastructure.

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