Viet Nam calls for fair, law-based international order at Beijing Xiangshan Forum
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang has called for greater strategic stability based on respect for international law, a stronger role for the United Nations, dialogue and greater responsibility and trust among nations.
Gen. Giang made the appeal at the first plenary session titled “International Order and Strategic Stability” as part of the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum in Beijing on September 16.
He said the world is undergoing profound, complex and unpredictable changes. While peace and stability remain a common aspiration, armed conflicts in various parts of the world, insufficient respect for international law, strategic competition and the use or threat of force are contributing to growing instability.
In this context, he stressed, promoting multilateralism must go hand in hand with building a fair, inclusive international order based on international law and international institutions.
“We value and seek to promote multilateralism, which also means that we seek to build a fair and inclusive international order based on international law and international institutions,” he addressed the participants.
In his view, such an order requires strategic stability, in which a peaceful environment is safeguarded, countries are treated equally, respect one another, cooperate for mutual benefit and resolve differences through dialogue on the basis of international law, the United Nations Charter and regional commitments.
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| Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang calls for a fair, inclusive international order based on international law, strategic stability and stronger multilateral cooperation, at the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum on September 16, 2026 |
Four foundations for strategic stability
To strengthen the foundations of the international order and build strategic stability, General Phan Van Giang highlighted four fundamental issues.
A key priority, he stressed, is for countries to demonstrate goodwill and sincerity, build strategic trust and share responsibility. Greater responsibility on the part of major powers is important, but all countries, regardless of size, need to respect one another’s independence and legitimate interests and should not seek security for themselves by creating instability for others, according to VOV.
Equally important is respect for international law, including the United Nations Charter, which should serve as the foundation governing relations among countries. This is an important condition for building a fair and inclusive international order.
Multilateral mechanisms also have an important role to play, with the United Nations serving as a central pillar of global security governance. In the Asia-Pacific region, General Phan Van Giang highlighted ASEAN centrality in promoting dialogue, building trust and maintaining regional peace and stability.
Regarding the East Sea, General Phan Van Giang affirmed that “Vietnam always respects and fully implements the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and at the same time wishes to accelerate negotiations towards the conclusion of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) that is effective, substantive and feasible.”
He also reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent position of resolving issues in the East Sea by peaceful means, on the basis of respect for international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).
At the same time, he called for greater solidarity, consensus, mutual assistance and sharing among countries in a world of growing interdependence, noting that no country can effectively address increasingly complex security challenges, both traditional and non-traditional, on its own.
From dialogue to practical cooperation
In his speech, General Phan Van Giang also expressed sympathy for those affected by the recent flash floods in the border area between China and Nepal.
He also announced that the third Viet Nam International Defense Expo, scheduled for December 2026, will be held under the theme “Peace – Friendship – Cooperation for Development.”
According to the General, the exhibition reflects Vietnam’s desire to strengthen cooperation with other countries, build strong national defense capabilities, contribute to safeguarding independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interests, and contribute to peace and stability in the region and the world.
The 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum is taking place from September 15–17 under the theme “Build Consensus on Stability, Advance Security Governance Together”, marking the 20th anniversary of the forum. It brings together nearly 100 official delegations from countries, regions and international organizations, as well as experts and scholars from around the world, including more than 60 ministerial-level officials and military chiefs.
Viet Nam, France step up cooperation in science, innovation
A delegation from the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee’s Commission for Policy and Strategy, led by its Deputy Chairman Nguyen Duc Trung, paid a working visit to France from September 13-16.
During the visit, the delegation met with the Vietnamese Embassy in France, visited Station F and held a working session with Paris-Saclay University, focusing on exchanging experience in science and technology, innovation, startup ecosystems and human resources development.
At the meetings, Trung said Viet Nam-France relations are developing positively, with significant room for cooperation in economy, investment and technology. He called for continued efforts to improve the effectiveness of bilateral collaboration, particularly in the areas of economy, investment, science and technology, innovation and human resources development.
At the Vietnamese Embassy, the delegation discussed new developments in bilateral ties, with the elevation of relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership in October 2024 seen as an important milestone that has provided a framework for broader and more substantive cooperation. The sides also exchanged views on the socio-economic situations of the two countries and orientations for further advancing relations, VNA reported.
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| The meeting between the delegation from the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for Policy and Strategy and Station F (Photo: VNA) |
At Station F, they learned about the startup hub’s operating model, mechanisms for identifying, selecting and supporting innovative startups, mobilising social resources, connecting businesses with markets and assessing the effectiveness of the innovation ecosystem. The delegation also discussed prospects for cooperation between Station F and Vietnamese partners with representatives of Rizlum and the Global Connect Viet Nam-France Association (GCVF).
Working with leaders of Paris-Saclay University, professors, scientists and experts, the delegation exchanged experience in developing research ecosystems linked to innovation and startups, innovation governance models, and mechanisms connecting research institutes, training establishments and businesses.
Other areas of interest include procedures for identifying, evaluating and incubating projects developed from laboratories, technology transfer, commercialization of research results, intellectual property and the establishment of startups.
As an advisory body on policies, the Commission for Policy and Strategy seeks to strengthen information and experience sharing with French agencies and organizations, contributing to improving the quality of policy research and advice on socio-economic development strategies.
The visit contributed to enhancing the sharing of international experience on science and technology development, innovation, startups and links among universities, research institutes and businesses. It also expanded networks and promoted practical cooperation opportunities, helping make Viet Nam-France relations increasingly profound, substantive, effective and sustainable.
Austria praises Vietnam’s role in promoting its ties with ASEAN
Austrian parliamentary and government leaders have praised Vietnam’s contributions to promoting the European country's cooperation with ASEAN and highlighted the potential for stronger ties between the two countries.
The remarks were made at a ceremony marking the 81st anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day (September 2, 1945–2026), held in Vienna on September 15 by the Vietnamese Embassy in Austria.
The event was attended by President of the Austrian National Council Walter Rosenkranz, President of the Austrian Federal Council Christine Schwarz-Fuchs, and Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Le Xuan Dinh.
Also present were Austrian Ambassador to Viet Nam Philipp Agathonos, the Austrian Federal Chancellor’s Foreign Policy Advisor Peter Launsky, representatives of the Austrian Foreign Ministry, senior officials from international organisations and the United Nations in Vienna, and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Austria.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Austrian leaders highlighted the achievements in friendship and cooperation between the two countries over the past 54 years. They also expressed their appreciation for Vietnam’s significant role in strengthening cooperation between Austria and ASEAN.
The Austrian representatives said they were impressed by Vietnam’s socio-economic attainments in recent years and noted that bilateral relations still hold considerable potential for deeper, more substantive and more effective development.
They affirmed Austrian agencies' continued commitment to strengthening bilateral friendship and cooperation across various fields, particularly those where the two countries share strengths, common interests and cooperation potential. They also pledged to promote people-to-people exchanges to support sustainable and practical growth in bilateral ties.
In his remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador to Austria Vu Le Thai Hoang recalled September 2, 1945, when President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence at Ba Dinh Square, ushering in a new era of independence and freedom for the Vietnamese people.
He highlighted the spirit of independence, self-reliance and aspirations for development that have guided Viet Nam throughout 81 years of national construction and defence, particularly during the 40 years of Doi Moi (renewal).
The ambassador said Viet Nam has established diplomatic relations with 194 countries, built strategic or comprehensive partnerships with 45 partners, and joined 70 major international organisations. After four decades of Doi Moi, it has become an upper-middle-income economy, and is pursuing two major development goals: becoming an upper-middle-income country with modern industry by 2030, and a developed, high-income, prosperous and happy nation by 2045, cited VNA.
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| Officials at the ceremony marking the 81st anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day (September 2, 1945–2026) in Vienna on September 15 (Photo: VNA) |
Amid global uncertainty, Viet Nam remains committed to a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development, he said. The country supports dialogue, the settlement of disputes in line with international law and the UN Charter, and fair and equal multilateralism with the UN playing the central role.
Viet Nam is ready to serve as a bridge for cooperation and dialogue and contribute more substantially to addressing common global challenges, he noted, adding that it will mark the 50th anniversary of its UN membership in 2027.
Regarding bilateral relations, Hoang said Austria is one of Vietnam’s important partners in Europe. Looking ahead to the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2027, he highlighted opportunities for deeper cooperation in science – technology, innovation, trade, investment, education, skilled labour, culture, tourism and local-level exchanges.
He also praised the Vietnamese community in Austria for its contributions to strengthening friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation between the two countries.
Viet Nam makes its mark at international competitions
Since the beginning of the year, Vietnamese students have made their mark at the 2026 International Olympiad competitions. In some subjects, all participating Vietnamese students won gold medals; some students achieved perfect scores.
These achievements continue to affirm the effectiveness of the work of identifying, selecting and nurturing gifted students being implemented by the Ministry of Education and Training.
All participating students win prizes
The Ministry of Education and Training said that in 2026, Vietnamese students participating in the International Olympiad competitions in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Informatics, Mathematics and Artificial Intelligence all achieved outstanding results.
Notably, at the 56th International Physics Olympiad, all five members of the Viet Nam team won medals, including four gold medals and one silver medal.
Student Vu Nguyen Nguyen, a 11th-grade student at Ha Noi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, Ha Noi, and student Nguyen Nhat Minh, a 11th-grade student at the High School for Gifted Students in Natural Sciences, University of Natural Sciences, Viet Nam National University, Ha Noi, achieved perfect scores in the theoretical examination.
With this result, Viet Nam ranked among the Top 7 teams with the highest overall achievements at the competition. This was also the best-ever performance by the Vietnamese national team at the International Physics Olympiad, and marked the first time two Vietnamese students had achieved perfect scores of 30/30.
Particularly, at the 58th International Chemistry Olympiad, all four Vietnamese contestants excellently won gold medals. In terms of the number of gold medals, the Viet Nam delegation ranked joint first with China and India, cited NDO.
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| The Viet Nam team participating in the 2026 International Physics Olympiad. (Photo: Ministry of Education and Training) |
The most prominent achievement of the Viet Nam team at international competitions in 2026 was that of student Nguyen Huu Tuan, a 12th-grade student at the High School for Gifted Students in Natural Sciences, University of Natural Sciences, Viet Nam National University, Ha Noi, who excellently won a gold medal at the International Olympiad in Informatics and a gold medal at the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence. To date, Nguyen Huu Tuan has won four international gold medals and two silver medals in artificial intelligence and informatics over the past two years.
After returning to Viet Nam, Nguyen Huu Tuan shared: “I feel very happy and proud of the results I have achieved. The two competitions took place close to each other, making the preparation process quite challenging and requiring me to make efforts and allocate my time appropriately. During this process, I received support from my teachers in terms of guidance, revision and arranging preparation time for the two competitions.”
Student Nguyen The Minh, a 12th-grade student at Ha Noi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, Ha Noi (winner of a gold medal at the 2026 International Chemistry Olympiad), said: “This result is the outcome of my learning and training process and the dedicated guidance of teachers and experts, from preparation in Viet Nam to taking part in the competition in Uzbekistan. We are very happy to have contributed to bringing a high achievement home to Viet Nam and will continue to work hard, pursuing our passion for Chemistry.”
Focus on training and nurturing
In reality, alongside the students’ efforts and determination and the care provided by their families, it is impossible not to mention the attention and support from teachers in identifying, training and nurturing gifted students in recent years.
Associate Professor, PhD Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, Head of the Vietnamese delegation to the International Chemistry Olympiad, shared that the four gold medals were the result of systematic preparation, the support of teachers and experts, and the students’ constant efforts. The theoretical test this year was assessed as being highly difficult. However, with thorough preparation and the determination of the entire team, the students performed well in the examinations and achieved excellent results. This achievement continues to affirm the effectiveness of the work of identifying, selecting and nurturing gifted students being implemented by the Ministry of Education and Training.
Associate Professor, PhD Do Phan Thuan, Head of the Vietnamese delegation to the International Olympiad in Informatics, said that the 2026 results continued to demonstrate the team’s stability on the international stage. The Vietnamese team has consistently ranked among the Top 10 for many years. Some countries have years when they rise high and years when they drop, but Viet Nam has always maintained a stable performance. This is very difficult in the context of informatics, programming and artificial intelligence developing strongly, with all countries making substantial investments. In 2026, Viet Nam sent students to the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence for the first time.
The Ministry of Education and Training is orienting towards continuing to promote the inclusion of Artificial Intelligence as an official subject in the national gifted-student selection examination in the coming period, thereby contributing to identifying and nurturing human resources with AI capabilities and meeting the country’s requirements for the development of science and technology and high-quality human resources.
PhD Tran Quoc Long, Head of the Vietnamese delegation to the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence, assessed that this year’s team selection and training were implemented by the Ministry of Education and Training in two rounds. The examination papers were assessed by the delegations as being highly challenging and creative. Contestants had to carry out the stages of an artificial intelligence product, from preparing data and building models to testing, while also applying basic and advanced knowledge and skills in optimising model performance. Notably, the rankings of the students during the domestic selection process were fairly consistent with their results at the international competition.
The outstanding achievements attained by the students at this year’s International Olympiad competitions continue to affirm the quality of the education sector’s work in identifying, selecting and nurturing gifted students. Notably, some of the competitions have concretely contributed to implementing the Party’s policies on the development of education and training, science and technology, and innovation in the spirit of Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW and Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, creating momentum for the continued development of the country’s high-quality human resources.
