Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico witness the exchange of a memorandum of understanding between the Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality (STAMEQ) and the Slovak Office of Standards, Metrology and Testing (UNMS) on cooperation in standardization, metrology, technical regulations, conformity assessment, accreditation, and quality management. (Photo: VNA)

Upgraded bilateral ties open new space for Viet Nam-Slovakia cooperation

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s official visit to Viet Nam from April 12 to 14 marked a significant turning point as the two nations adopted a joint declaration to elevate their relationship to a strategic partnership.

This is Vietnam’s 12th strategic partner and the first visit to Viet Nam by a senior European Union (EU) leader since Viet Nam-EU relations were upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership in January 2025.

Building on nearly 80 years of traditional friendship since 1950, the upgrade opens a new chapter with a view to making cooperation deeper, more substantive, and more breakthrough, delivering practical benefits to the people and businesses of both sides.

PMs Le Minh Hung and Robert Fico agreed to direct their foreign ministries to formulate a specific action plan to implement the new cooperation framework. During the visit, the two sides exchanged and signed six cooperation documents covering politics and diplomacy, defense and defense industry, culture, atomic energy, metrology and quality standards, and local cooperation, along with more than 10 business agreements in energy, healthcare, tourism, manufacturing, industrial park infrastructure, and shipbuilding. The Viet Nam-Slovakia Business Forum drew hundreds of enterprises from both countries, generating practical momentum.

Economic, trade and investment potential view as central pillar

Bilateral trade turnover between Viet Nam and Slovakia reached approximately US$1.78 billion in 2025. Although Viet Nam is Slovakia’s largest trade partner in Southeast Asia, the figure remains below their full potential. Both sides identified this as a critical pillar, striving to double two-way trade in the coming period by leveraging the complementary advantages of their economies, which do not directly compete but create a shared value chain targeting regional and global markets, cited VOV.

Priority sectors include the automotive industry, electronics, mechanical engineering, specialized machinery, transportation, pharmaceuticals, energy (peaceful nuclear and renewable energy), green technology, energy conservation, and sustainable green transition. The two nations committed to maximizing the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to connect supply chains and logistics, channeling Vietnamese goods into Slovakia and Europe as well as into Viet Nam and ASEAN, while shaping an open, fair, and transparent investment environment and promoting private investment.

The mechanism of the Intergovernmental Committee on Economic Cooperation will be effectively enhanced, with the possible establishment of sub-committees by sector. Slovakia stands ready to share experience and cooperate in nuclear energy development, finance, and “lighthouse” projects.

Science, technology, innovation and digital transformation: Breakthrough directions

Both sides placed special emphasis on augmenting cooperation in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, identifying this as one of the core solution groups to realize the strategic partnership framework. Bilateral cooperation will focus on mobilizing resources for phased programs, supporting research and technology transfer between universities, research institutes, and enterprises, and encouraging the involvement of technology firms and innovation funds.

Key fields include artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, robotics, automation, quantum technology, data science, information technology, fintech, high-tech agriculture, and advanced applied digital solutions. The two countries will share experience in formulating national science, technology, and innovation policies, and intensify high-quality human resource training through expert, lecturer, and student exchanges, scholarships, and joint projects. Education and training cooperation will be closely tied to the needs of the new labor market, utilizing programs such as ERASMUS+.

Additionally, cooperation potential extends to defense and security (including defense industry, training, peacekeeping, cybersecurity, and transnational crime prevention), renewable energy, climate change response, healthcare, high-tech agriculture, culture and tourism with a desire to launch direct flights and leverage visa exemption policies, and people-to-people exchanges with Slovakia recognizing the Vietnamese community as its 14th ethnic minority in June 2023.

To materialize cooperation potential in emerging fields such as defense and security industries, deputy defense and public security ministers led delegations to visit and work in Slovakia in May and June 2026.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and President To Lam also underscored the orientation to boost cooperation in economy, technology, energy, digital transformation, and people-to-people exchanges in a manner commensurate with the new framework of bilateral relations. For its part, Slovakia views Viet Nam as its most important partner in Southeast Asia and one of its top three partners in Asia.

Clear mutual complementarity, high political resolve, and concrete action mechanisms will enable the Viet Nam-Slovakia strategic partnership are expected to deliver substantive progress across multiple domains, particularly in economics, science, technology, and innovation, contributing to regional and global peace, stability, and prosperity.

Viet Nam, Austria seek to expand cooperation, attract high-quality investment

A seminar on Viet Nam-Austria investment connectivity was held in Vienna, Austria, bringing together representatives from regulatory agencies, financial institutions, banks, businesses and investors from both countries.

Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyen Duc Chi said that the seminar was significant to promoting bilateral cooperation, particularly as the two countries are set to mark the 55th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2027. The participation of regulators, investment funds, financial institutions and businesses reflects growing interest among Austrian and European investors in the Vietnamese market and prospects for expanded bilateral collaboration.

Viet Nam is undergoing strong reforms to enter a new era of development, with GDP growing 8.18% in the first half of 2026, placing the country among the fastest-growing economies in the region and the world, Chi said. To achieve its goal of becoming a developed, high-income country by 2045, Viet Nam needs to mobilize substantial resources for development investment, creating significant opportunities for Austrian and European investors.

Viet Nam is prioritizing high-quality investment, ensuring equal treatment and full protection of investors’ legitimate rights and interests. It is also accelerating the development and operation of its International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang City, focusing on fintech, green finance and controlled regulatory sandbox mechanisms, he told participants.

Regarding the capital market, the official noted that FTSE Russell has announced the upgrade of Vietnam’s stock market from Frontier Market to Secondary Emerging Market status. Vietnamese equities will be included in FTSE Russell’s global equity indexes from September 21, while the country will continue comprehensive reforms to meet higher standards and improve transparency, safety and accessibility for international investors, according to VNA.

An overview of the seminar on Viet Nam-Austria investment connectivity (Photo: State Securities Commission of Vietnam)

According to the deputy minister, bilateral economic ties are also benefiting from favorable conditions. Driven by the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), two-way trade has reached around 2.5-2.7 billion USD, making Viet Nam Austria’s largest trading partner in ASEAN. Austria currently has 49 valid investment projects in Viet Nam with total registered capital of nearly 150 million USD, while around 60 Austrian companies have representative offices or branches in the country. A 150-million-EUR (173 million USD) framework agreement on financial cooperation signed by the two countries in June 2025 has laid the foundation for future joint programmes and projects.

Chi called for closer cooperation in three key areas: promoting the full ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA); encouraging Austrian financial groups, banks, investment funds and fintech companies to enter the Vietnamese market, including as strategic investors; and expanding investment in complementary sectors such as high technology, artificial intelligence, clean and renewable energy, transport infrastructure, smart cities, green finance, carbon-credit markets and the circular economy.

State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Finance of Austria Barbara Eibinger-Miedl said that amid a rapidly changing world economic landscape, the two countries have significant room for stronger cooperation in finance, investment, innovation and green transition. She expressed her hope that agencies and businesses will maintain dialogue, share experience and develop more concrete joint projects.

The seminar also featured presentations on Vietnam’s stock market, financial ecosystem and investment potential, as well as reforms to its legal framework and market supervision. Representatives of Vietcombank, Raiffeisen Bank International, HDBank and StageInvest shared perspectives on mobilizing international capital, sustainable finance, capital-market development and investment opportunities in Viet Nam.

Participants agreed that Vietnam’s dynamic economy, political and social stability, deep international integration and emerging growth drivers offer substantial opportunities for Austrian and European investors. The upgrading of the stock market, institutional reforms, development of green finance and establishment of the International Financial Center are expected to further expand cooperation between the two countries.

Viet Nam leaves strong imprint at Asian cultural festival in Canada

Vietnamese cultural performances, along with the distinctive flavors of Vietnamese tea and coffee, made a strong impression at the Asialicious Carnival 2026 in Toronto, Canada, opening prospects for Viet Nam to become a featured theme at next year’s festival.

The annual event, launched in 2019 in Scarborough, brings together diverse immigrant communities through food, music and performing arts, helping promote cultural understanding and social integration.

President of the Federation of Asian Canadians Toronto (FACT) Benny Cheung said the festival aims to provide a platform for Asian communities to showcase their cultural diversity, from traditional cuisine to music and performing arts. She expressed her hope that following Vietnam’s participation this year, the 2027 festival will feature more Vietnamese dishes, products and performances.

Vietnam’s presence at the event was highlighted through artistic performances and activities promoting Vietnamese tea and coffee. The song “Viet Nam trong toi la” (Vietnam in me) conveyed to Canadian audiences a message of national pride and the beauty of Viet Nam and its people.

Members of the organisers set off fireworks to open the Asialicious Carnival 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Phan Quynh Trang, President of the Canada-Vietnam Culture and Education Council (CVCEC), said it was the first time a number of Vietnamese products had been showcased at the festival. She noted that the participation of young Vietnamese people also highlighted the role of the younger generation in preserving and promoting national culture in Canada.

Vietnamese Trade Counselor in Canada Tran Thu Quynh said the festival offers three major opportunities for Viet Nam: strengthening cultural connections, directly introducing Vietnamese products to Canadian consumers and promoting trade links.

She noted that the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) provides a favorable foundation for bilateral trade, while Vietnamese products need stronger direct promotion and greater visibility to better meet Canadian consumer preferences, reported VNA.

The Viet Nam Trade Office will work with the CVCEC and FACT to expand Vietnamese cultural activities, encourage Vietnamese associations and businesses to join Asialicious Carnival 2027, and connect them with Canadian distributors and retailers.

Russian tourist arrivals in Viet Nam forecast to hit record high in 2026

According to the Viet Nam National Authority of Tourism, Russian tourist arrivals in Viet Nam could reach a historic record of 1.5 million in 2026. The forecast was made as Russia is considered the fastest-growing of Viet Nam's major tourism source markets.

At present, the Russian market is recording particularly high growth, with more than 1 million arrivals in Viet Nam in the first eight months of the year.

Citing information from Russian news website news.ru, Russian tourist arrivals in Viet Nam could reach a historic record of 1.5 million in 2026.

According to Nikita Kondratyev, Director of the Department of Multilateral Economic Cooperation and Special Projects under the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, even during the peak period before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2018-2019, the number of Russian tourists travelling to Viet Nam stood at around 700,000-800,000.

Nikita Kondratyev made a forecast that Russian tourist arrivals in Viet Nam could reach around 1.5 million in 2026, the highest level ever recorded.

News.ru said the growing interest among Russian tourists in Viet Nam has been driven by direct flights between the two countries, as well as the convenience for Russian tourists in making payments in Viet Nam.

The strong growth of the Russian market is clearly reflected in figures for the first eight months of 2026. According to the General Statistics Office, Viet Nam welcomed more than 1 million Russian visitors during the eight-month period. The figure represents a 165.7% increase year on year, putting Russia in third place among the 10 largest source markets for Viet Nam's tourism industry, behind only China and the Republic of Korea, cited NDO.

International tourists release flower lanterns on the Hoai River in Hoi An. (Photo: THE DAI)

The Viet Nam National Authority of Tourism said the strong growth of the Russian market has been supported by a combination of factors. First, Viet Nam is emerging as one of Asia's leading safe, friendly, and attractive destinations. In addition, the resumption and increased frequency of charter flights bringing tourists directly from major Russian cities to Viet Nam's coastal destinations have also contributed to boosting visitor arrivals.

In addition, destinations such as Nha Trang, Mui Ne, and Phu Quoc, with their year-round warm climate, diverse cuisine, and modern resort systems, continue to be the number-one choice for Russian tourists.

Overall, the boom in the Russian market is taking place as international tourist arrivals to Viet Nam continue to maintain positive growth momentum. In the first eight months of 2026, Viet Nam welcomed nearly 16 million international visitors, up 14.4% year on year.

In the coming months, as international tourism enters its peak season, Viet Nam is expected to maintain its growth momentum, providing further impetus towards the target of welcoming 25 million international visitors in 2026.

Heavy rain to lash northern, north-central Viet Nam through Sept 18

Heavy downpours are forecast to batter northern and north-central Viet Nam through September 18, with torrential rain persisting through September 16, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

The weather agency has issued high-level alerts for flash floods and landslides in midland and mountainous regions, alongside flood risks across river basins.

During the peak period from September 15 to 16, heavy to very heavy rain ranging from 100 mm to 200 mm, with isolated spots exceeding 300 mm, is expected in southern Phu Tho, Hung Yen, Ninh Binh, and Thanh Hoa. Rainfall ranging from 80 mm to 120 mm, locally over 200 mm, accompanied by thunderstorms, will hit southern Lao Cai, Son La, northern Phu Tho, Hanoi, Hai Phong, Bac Ninh, and Nghe An.

Meanwhile, Quang Ninh, Lang Son, southern Tuyen Quang, and Thai Nguyen will see moderate to heavy rain of 40 mm to 80 mm, with some areas recording over 150 mm.

Localized inundation hits many areas in Hanoi.

Forecasters also warn of high-intensity rainfall exceeding 100 mm within a three-hour window in certain locations.

Water levels are currently rising across rivers in Phu Tho, Ninh Binh, Lao Cai on the Thao River, and Thanh Hoa. Floods are developing across northern and Thanh Hoa rivers, with peak water levels on the Boi River in Phu Tho projected to surpass alarm level 3, while the Hoang Long River in Ninh Binh may reach alarm levels 2 to 3.

In Thanh Hoa, floods on the Buoi, Chu, and upper Ma rivers are expected to hit alarm levels 1 to 2. Flash flood and landslide warnings are classified at level 1, while disaster risks for torrential rain, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hail are set at level 2 for southern Phu Tho, Hung Yen, Ninh Binh, and Thanh Hoa, cited VOV.

Heavy rainfall is forecast to taper off across the northern region, Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An starting the night of September 16. Residents in vulnerable zones are advised to monitor real-time disaster tracking updates at luquetsatlo.nchmf.gov.vn and take proactive safety measures.

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