Vietnam News Today (Sep. 18): Vietnam Seen as Bright Spot in Promoting UN Development Goals
	Vietnam News Today (Sep. 19): Vietnam, Cambodia Strengthen Defense Cooperation

Australian Governor-General hails positive momentum in relations with Vietnam

A high-level delegation from the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) led by Nguyen Trong Nghia, Politburo member, Secretary of the CPV’s Central Committee, and head of the committee’s Commission for Information, Education, and Mass Mobilization, met with Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn and Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory Andrew Barr in Canberra on September 19.

They also held working sessions with the First Assistant Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and leaders of the Australian National University.

Mostyn expressed her delight over the first trip to Vietnam as the Australian Governor-General earlier this month, describing the visit as a vivid demonstration of the deep partnership and affection between the two countries, reported VNA.

Head of the Commission for Information, Education, and Mass Mobilization Nguyen Trong Nghia (L) and Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn (Photo: VNA)

The Governor-General and DFAT First Assistant Secretary praised the progress made in trade, tourism, and education cooperation, as well as the significant contributions of the Vietnamese community to Australia’s development and to bilateral relations. They affirmed that Australia is always a reliable partner of Vietnam and pledged continued support for the country in its efforts to become a developed nation.

Meeting with the Vietnamese delegation, Barr highlighted Canberra as Australia's political and diplomatic hub, emphasising the capital's strengths in health care, services, science and technology, and education. He expressed enthusiasm for developing concrete cooperation projects with Hanoi and other Vietnamese localities during his planned visit to Vietnam in early 2026 on education, training, trade, tourism, and urban planning initiatives.

Meanwhile, leaders from the Australian National University spoke highly of the CPV’s education and training development, stating they stand ready to support Vietnam’s push for science, technology, innovation, basic sciences, and human resources through scholarship provision for Vietnamese students.

Nghia underscored that Vietnam has attached much importance to developing its relations and all-round cooperation with Australia.

He took the occasion to thank the Australian Government and people for their support during the country’s renewal and development journey, while suggesting both sides effectively carry out the existing high-level agreements and cooperation mechanisms, boost security and defence cooperation, strengthen economic connectivity, and expand two-way trade, to deliver on tangible benefits for the people, contributing to maintaining peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world.

Deputy PM eyes Halal industry growth at Malaysia’s global summit 2025

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha underscored the Halal industry’s pivotal role in the 21st century during the opening of the Global Halal Summit 2025, a flagship event at the Malaysia International Halal Showcase 2025 (MIHAS 2025) in Kuala Lumpur on September 19.

His activity coincided with National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his spouse’s attendance at the 46th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter‑Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-46) and official visit to Malaysia from September 17-20.

Ha praised the summit as a platform for countries, businesses and global partners to forge connections, boost trade, and drive investment in the Halal sector, while driving sustainable and inclusive development, spreading humanistic values, sustainability and quality standards of the global Halal industry.

Vietnam considers Halal development an important pathway to drive new growth momentum, he said.

On the occasion, the Deputy PM held discussions with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry and head of the MIHAS 2025 organising committee Utama Zafrul bin Tengku Abdul Aziz, and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Religious Affairs Haji Mohd Na’im bin Haji Mokhtar, among others.

During these meetings, he expressed Vietnam’s desire to deepen Halal cooperation with Malaysia through sharing policy experience, building and following Halal development strategies, strengthening certification bodies and enterprises, and investing in Halal production, supply chains, ecosystems and industrial zones, according to VNA.

At the opening ceremony (Photo: VNA)

Recognizing ample potential for Halal cooperation, PM Anwar assigned Deputy PM Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who oversees Halal, to work directly with Ha on specific measures.

The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Religious Affairs, for his part, revealed his plan to visit Vietnam next week to boost Halal collaboration.

The guest leader also toured nearly 30 Vietnamese companies’ booths at MIHAS 2025 that showcase consumer goods, agricultural products, processed food, handicrafts, cosmetics and fashion.

MIHAS, held annually in Malaysia since 2004, is the world’s largest Halal industry exhibition, serving as a premier global trade platform that drives innovation and growth in the Halal economy. In 2024, the event generated transactions worth 4.3 billion RM (1.02 billion USD).

Under the theme “Pinnacle of Halal Excellence,” MIHAS 2025 spotlights innovation and sustainability as linchpin of the sector’s growth, adaptability, and competitiveness. The showcase features 14 categories, including food, beverages, Halal ingredients, fashion, media, entertainment, e-commerce, finance, cosmetics, and tourism, with over 2,300 booths from 45 countries.

Photo: VOV

Vietnam, US deepen comprehensive strategic partnership amid major anniversaries

Leaders and officials from both countries have highlighted mutual trust, reconciliation and expanding trade, investment and supply chain cooperation, calling the comprehensive strategic partnership a foundation for the future.

The Vietnamese Embassy in the US held a solemn ceremony marking the 80th National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2) at the Vietnam House in Washington, D.C on September 17.

Those attending the event included Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung; acting US Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Brent Christensen; Senator Roger Marshall; Representative Seth Moulton; ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions in the US; close friends and partners from the US government, business and academic communities; along with a large number of overseas Vietnamese.

In his remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung recalled the historic moment 80 years ago, when on September 2, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh declared the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam), a free and independent nation, and announced to the world the Vietnamese people’s rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. According to the ambassador, the declaration was the culmination of decades of struggle for national liberation and inspired global movements for independence and self-determination.

Ambassador Dung underscored that once among the world’s poorest agricultural nations, Vietnam now ranks 35th in the world in terms of economic scale, has become a leading destination for trade and investment, and is increasingly a key link in global supply chains. Looking ahead, the country is confident as it enters a new era towards becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2030 and a developed, high-income nation by 2045.

Reviewing Vietnam-US relations from former adversaries to comprehensive strategic partners, Ambassador Dung said 2025 marks four important milestones: the 80th National Day, 50 years since the end of the war in Vietnam, 30 years of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and the US, and two years of the comprehensive strategic partnership. Vietnam is now the US’ eighth-largest trading partner, while the US is Vietnam’s second-largest.

US investment ranks among the top 10 sources of foreign direct investment in Vietnam, while Vietnamese companies are expanding their presence in the US, thereby creating jobs and helping to strengthen supply chain resilience. These flows reflect the complementary strength of the two economies and the growing strategic interests the countries share.

According to the Vietnamese diplomat, despite major changes domestically and internationally, 2025 continues to see strong momentum in Vietnam-US relations, demonstrated most clearly through sustained engagement at all levels.

According to Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Dung, despite major changes at home and abroad, 2025 has continued to see strong momentum in Vietnam-US relations, most evident in sustained connections at all levels.

Party General Secretary To Lam and US President Donald Trump held two phone conversations this year, continuing frank and constructive dialogue.

In the coming days, a Vietnamese delegation led by President Luong Cuong will attend the UN General Assembly’s High-Level Week in New York and hold bilateral meetings with US and international partners. Exchanges through all channels, executive, legislative, local, business and people-to-people, continue to underscore the depth and breadth of the comprehensive strategic partnership.

Emphasizing that the best days of the partnership lie ahead, Ambassador Dung expressed confidence that the strong momentum in Vietnam-US relations will continue through the remainder of the commemorative year and voiced hope that the top leaders will soon meet in person.

At the ceremony, US Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Brent Christensen, Senator Roger Marshall and Representative Seth Moulton delivered speeches highlighting the meaningful path of cooperation, the spirit of reconciliation and the prospects for comprehensive development in bilateral relations.

Representing the US Department of State, Christensen emphasized the strategic depth of Vietnam-US relations, from the difficult beginnings after the war to the two countries becoming comprehensive strategic partners. The relationship has undergone significant progress over the past decades. From a history of conflict to present-day cooperation, the partnership is dynamic, growing and forward-looking, cited VOV.

According to Christensen, joint efforts to deal with war legacies and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries have paved the way for stronger economic, strategic and cultural ties. Today, with about 30,000 Vietnamese students studying across the US, Vietnam is among the six largest sources of international students, contributing more than US$1 billion to the US economy. These students return home to boost Vietnam’s dynamic growth and serve as enduring bridges between the two nations.

In his speech, Senator Roger Marshall said the upgrade of relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership demonstrates trust and shared vision. Since 2015, bilateral trade has tripled over 10 years, from US$45 billion to more than US$140 billion. Vietnam is now among the US’s top 10 trading partners, evidence of trust and future potential. Over the past two years, the partnership has yielded concrete results for both sides, such as Vietnam’s order of Boeing 737 Max aircraft and purchases of agricultural products from Kansas.

In addition, US companies such as Intel, Apple and Nike have invested billions of US dollars in Vietnam, helping diversify supply chains and making both economies stronger and more resilient, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the ceremony, Representative Seth Moulton showed his special affection given to Vietnam, calling it his favorite country for four reasons: its meaningful shared history, its people, its natural beauty and its rich cuisine. He underscored the bonds between the peoples not only in bilateral ties but also in regional and international cooperation.

As a former Marine Corps officer, Moulton said he especially values Vietnam’s efforts to heal the wounds of war, repatriate American remains and promote reconciliation. He noted that these efforts have opened a bright future for younger generations of both nations and set an example for those to come.

The celebration of Vietnam’s 80th National Day at the Vietnam House in Washington, D.C. took place in a solemn and warm atmosphere. Delegates extended their best wishes for continued success to the Vietnamese people as they confidently enter a new era of development, while expressing hopes for deeper, more comprehensive cooperation between the two nations.

Speaking to the press, Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Dung affirmed that the occasion was a meaningful opportunity to join international friends, particularly US friends, in celebrating Vietnam’s achievements and in identifying goals and plans to further strengthen ties between Vietnam and the US as well as with other countries worldwide.

France backs Vietnam in new stage of development

Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang hosted a September 19 reception in Hanoi for a delegation from the France-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group in the French Senate, led by Chairman Senator Alain Cadec, during their visit to Vietnam.

At the meeting, Hang proposed that the friendship groups in both countries strengthen their role as a bridge to enhance cooperation between the two legislatures and advance Vietnam–France relations overall.

Senator Cadec affirmed that the French Senate and the friendship group would continue supporting the deepening of bilateral ties, in line with the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed readiness to accompany Vietnam in its new stage of development, reported VOV.

Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang and the delegation of the France – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group in the French Senate (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam)

Agreeing with Hang’s recommendations, Cadec laid stress on the need to fully tap the potential for economic cooperation, especially in strategic sectors such as infrastructure, including seaports, aviation, high-speed rail and urban transport, as well as energy diversification and security. He also expressed support for the early ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) by the French Parliament.

The senator acknowledged Vietnam’s efforts to implement the European Union’s recommendations on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and pledged to advocate for the European Commission to lift its “yellow card” warning on Vietnamese seafood exports soon.

Hang emphasized that Vietnam highly valued France’s cooperation in education and high-quality human resource development, science, technology and innovation, healthcare, culture, and archival preservation. She called for deeper collaboration in these areas, including efforts to restore and promote the historical and cultural value of Long Bien Bridge. She also encouraged the friendship group and French senators to leverage their influence in supporting the Vietnamese community living, studying, and working in France.

Both sides consented to bolster cooperation in tourism, people-to-people exchanges, Francophonie, and local partnerships, while preparing for the 13th Vietnam–France locality-to-locality cooperation conference in France.

On the East Sea, the two sides reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, prosperity and a rules-based international order. They underscored the significance of freedom and safety of navigation and aviation and reiterated support for ASEAN’s stance on resolving disputes through peaceful means, in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Vietnam and South Korea sign deal to boost AI and chip cooperation

A new cooperation agreement between Vietnam's Ministry of Science and Technology and Korea's Fabless Industry Association marks a milestone in joint efforts to advance semiconductor and AI technologies.

As Vietnam simultaneously develops its semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors, it is working toward a comprehensive digital technology ecosystem that will boost national competitiveness in the era of smart innovation.

In this context, on September 18 in Seoul, the Vietnam Ministry of Science and Technology’s Department of IT Industry (ITII) and Korea's National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA) co-hosted the international seminar “AI and Semiconductors – Opportunities for Cooperation and Investment between Vietnam and South Korea.”

This was the first international conference held in South Korea focusing on these two strategic fields, creating a platform for enterprise collaboration, technology transfer, and high-quality workforce development between the two nations.

Semiconductors are considered the backbone of high-tech industries, while AI is a rapidly advancing pillar with profound economic and societal impact.

With a stable political environment, favorable policies, and growing global reputation, Vietnam has become an attractive destination for major tech players such as Samsung, Amkor, Hana Micron, Intel, Synopsys, Renesas, and USI.

Their increasing presence not only contributes to building a local semiconductor supply chain but also fosters integration between chip production and AI applications, generating high added value for the economy.

The seminar brought together leading organizations and enterprises such as NIPA, Amkor Technology, FPT Semiconductor, and CMC. Participants exchanged insights on global semiconductor trends, operational experiences in Vietnam, and new investment and cooperation opportunities, cited VNN.

Nguyen Khac Lich, Director of the Department of IT Industry under the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam, and Wang Sung Ho, Vice Chairman of the Korea Fabless Industry Association (KFIA), sign the memorandum of understanding. Photo: MOST

A key highlight of the event was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Nguyen Khac Lich, Director of the Department of IT Industry, and Wang Sung Ho, Vice Chairman of the Korea Fabless Industry Association.

Under the agreement, both sides will enhance cooperation in policy consultation, human resource training, research and development (R&D), technology transfer, and the creation of a vibrant semiconductor ecosystem.

This signing marks a crucial step in deepening Vietnam–South Korea relations and lays the groundwork for future joint projects and initiatives. It promises substantial mutual benefits and contributes to the broader advancement of the semiconductor industry in both countries.

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