New directions for Viet Nam-Russia cooperation in science, education

Politburo member and Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Duy Ngoc, who is also Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Organization, held a working session with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko on September 9 to discuss new directions for bilateral cooperation in science and education.

The event took place within the framework of General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and President To Lam’s state visit to Russia.

Chernyshenko said high-level visits by Vietnamese leaders provide strong impetus for bilateral ties, noting that science and education have long been pillars of Viet Nam-Russia relations. More than 3,000 Vietnamese students are currently studying in Russia, and many people have made significant contributions to Viet Nam after graduating in Russia, cited VNA.

Politburo member and Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Duy Ngoc, who is also Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Organization (second, right) holds a working session with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko (Photo: VNA)

He also highlighted the compatibility between Vietnam’s priorities under Politburo Resolution No. 57 on breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation and digital transformation and Russia’s development priorities.

The two sides plan to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for discussion at the Viet Nam-Russia Intergovernmental Committee on Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, scheduled to meet in Hanoi in November.

On new areas of cooperation, Chernyshenko noted that the Viet Nam Academy of Science and Technology and Russia’s Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation are discussing cooperation in quantum technology. He said Russia is one of only three countries in the world to have developed quantum computers based on all four physical platforms and is currently working to further develop quantum computing.

For his part, Ngoc stressed that science, education and training are important components of the top Vietnamese leader’s visit, particularly as Viet Nam prepares high-quality human resources for its two centenary goals in 2030 and 2045.

He called on Russia to support Vietnam’s vision of building a strategic partnership in human resources training through 2035, especially in areas where Russia has strengths, including information and communications technology, quantum technology, artificial intelligence, peaceful nuclear energy, biotechnology and biomedicine. He also urged universities and research institutes of the two countries to develop practical joint products and projects.

At the meeting, Vietnamese Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son highlighted cooperation among technical universities, while Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang proposed expanding training in Russian-Vietnamese interpretation and offering scholarships for Russian students to study in Viet Nam.

The meeting underscored the two sides’ determination to translate agreements reached by General Secretary and President Lam and Russian President Vladimir Putin into concrete cooperation, bringing bilateral collaboration in science and education to a new level and contributing to the Viet Nam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Viet Nam, France seek new impetus for comprehensive strategic partnership

Viet Nam is emerging as a stabilising force in Southeast Asia, while similarities in foreign policy approaches of Viet Nam and France are creating opportunities for the two countries to deepen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, particularly in defence, aerospace, high technology, economy and innovation.

The official visit to France by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee and President To Lam from September 9-12 demonstrates the close ties the two countries have built and maintained, according to Dr. Sophie Boisseau du Rocher, a member of the Asie21 research group and former researcher at the Center for Asian Studies of the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI).

Speaking to Viet Nam News Agency correspondents in Paris, the expert said that although Viet Nam-France relations had experienced periods of tension and misunderstanding, the two countries have increasingly come to understand each other, make better use of their respective strengths and build common ground for deeper bilateral ties amid a rapidly changing geopolitical environment.

This foundation has been strengthened through numerous cooperation networks and contacts in a wide range of areas, including defence and security. Since France released its Indo-Pacific Defence Strategy in May 2019, Paris has developed a number of strong partnerships in the region, with cooperation with Viet Nam seen as a “natural choice”, she said.

Vietnam’s geostrategic position, active neutrality and flexible foreign policy have also attracted France’s attention as global power balances shift. At the same time, Viet Nam is pursuing a multilateral foreign policy and seeking to become a connectivity hub in a new Asia, cited VNA.

SCAVI Hue, a wholly French-invested company owned by Financière B’Lao, specialises in manufacturing underwear, sportswear and protective clothing at Phong Dien Industrial Park in Hue. (Photo: VNA)

France has particular advantages in this process, Sophie said, noting that no other European country has a similar level of trust with Viet Nam or shares such close diplomatic approaches with the Southeast Asian country.

She noted that the top Vietnamese leader’s current trip follows his visit in October 2024 and comes after French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Viet Nam in May 2025, during which Macron sought to give fresh momentum to France’s Indo-Pacific strategy and reaffirmed France’s role as a force for “peace and balance”.

According to the expert, Viet Nam is important to Paris as France continues to value close ties with countries with which it has historical links. More importantly, Viet Nam occupies a distinctive position in Asia.

Sophie highlighted the country’s economic achievements since it embarked on the Doi Moi (Renewal) process 40 years ago, turning Viet Nam into one of Southeast Asia’s leading economic drivers. Viet Nam is also seeking to play a more substantive role in ASEAN, she said.

She described Viet Nam as a genuine stabilising force in Southeast Asia and potentially a model for avoiding the middle-income trap. With Viet Nam targeting a position as ASEAN’s second-largest economy after Indonesia, its achievements represent a “very tangible miracle” that French businesses are eager to engage with more deeply.

Turning to bilateral ties, Sophie said the upgrade of Viet Nam-France relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on October 7, 2024 sent a strong and clear signal. France was the first European country to establish such a framework with Viet Nam, 11 years after the two countries established their Strategic Partnership in 2013.

The two countries share important interests, including maintaining stability in the East Sea, ensuring an open maritime space based on respect for international law, and promoting multilateralism to diversify partnerships. Viet Nam and France complement each other in these areas and should continue to build on their strengths, she said.

Following the adoption of the action plan to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in June 2025, the priority now is to deepen and give concrete substance to the plan, creating a foundation for practical and long-term cooperation that could even serve as a regional model, the expert said.

Sophie noted that both sides are seeking to deepen the partnership, with Viet Nam showing a clear determination to do so. General Secretary and President Lam’s visit provides an opportunity for France to put forward concrete proposals in areas such as defence and aerospace.

Paris can also build on policy similarities with Viet Nam to help strengthen the latter’s strategic autonomy, she said. Civilian nuclear energy, aviation, space and high technology are expected to be among the key areas for discussion.

Looking ahead, Sophie said there is considerable room for cooperation between Viet Nam and France. Beyond the mega-projects that are of particular interest to France, the two countries still have much to do to harness the potential of small and medium-sized enterprises, local authorities and universities.

She said the two countries also need to make better use of existing cooperation networks and provide sufficient resources for them to develop promising projects.

Sophie said diplomacy also needs to be leveraged more effectively to bring Europe and Southeast Asia closer together. Implementing projects of global significance could not only help Viet Nam and France play a pioneering role, but also have a direct impact on bilateral relations.

Cold air mass strengthens, northern Viet Nam turns cooler

A strengthening cold air mass will keep northern Viet Nam cool with showers and thunderstorms on September 10-11, while heavy rain from Thanh Hoa to Hue is raising the risk of urban flooding, flash floods and landslides.

Northern Viet Nam turns cooler as temperatures fall

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the cold air mass began affecting northern Viet Nam in the early hours of September 10 and spread to the midland and delta areas of northern Viet Nam and the north-central region by midday and afternoon.

The cold air mass is expected to strengthen through the night of September 10 and September 11. As the first cold air mass of the 2026-2027 winter season takes hold, temperatures in northern Viet Nam and the north-central region will turn cooler, with lows generally ranging from 21 to 24°C. Temperatures in some high mountain areas in the north may fall below 19°C, reported VOV.

A strengthening cold air mass will keep northern Viet Nam cool, while heavy rain continues in central Viet Nam with rising flood and landslide risks.

In Hanoi, cooler weather began on September 10, accompanied by rain, showers and scattered thunderstorms, with locally heavy rain possible. People are advised to watch out for lightning and strong gusts during thunderstorms.

The cold air mass is the first of the 2026-2027 winter season, arriving about three to five days earlier than the long-term average. Although it is not particularly strong, it has brought a noticeable change in northern Viet Nam after several days of relatively high temperatures. The first cold spell typically arrives between mid-September and early October.

Central Viet Nam faces heavy rain

At the same time, a tropical convergence zone over central Viet Nam is contributing to increased rainfall.

From September 10-11, areas from Thanh Hoa to Hue are forecast to receive moderate to heavy rain, with locally very heavy rain. Rainfall is expected to total 40-100mm, with some areas receiving more than 150mm.

From around September 12 to 17, moderate to heavy rain is likely to continue across large parts of central Viet Nam. Prolonged heavy rain could increase the risk of flooding in urban and low-lying areas, as well as flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, scattered showers and thunderstorms had already appeared in northern Viet Nam from the afternoon of September 9, with locally heavy rain.

“From September 10, areas from Thanh Hoa to Hue will see moderate to heavy rain as the cold air mass interacts with the tropical convergence zone. The rainfall could persist and gradually spread southward in the coming days,” said forecasting expert Le Thi Hong Van.

Strong winds and rough seas

The cold air mass will also strengthen winds at sea. From September 10, northeast winds are set to pick up in the Gulf of Tonkin.

From the night of September 10, the Gulf of Tonkin and the northern waters of the East Sea are forecast to experience strong northeast winds of around 40-60 km/h, with gusts of 60-75 km/h, producing waves 2-3m high and rough seas.

Vessels operating at sea should closely monitor developments in strong winds and high waves and follow maritime weather warnings to ensure safety.

Of particular concern, a low-pressure area is developing over the East Sea and could strengthen into a tropical depression and potentially a storm in the coming days. The system, combined with the cold air mass and tropical convergence zone, could further affect rainfall in central Viet Nam.

As the cold air mass strengthens and a tropical storm is likely to form in a couple of days, widespread heavy rain could continue in central Viet Nam, bringing increased risks of flooding, flash floods and landslides.

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