State President’s UN trip highlights Vietnam’s global engagement
In the face of mounting challenges to multilateralism and the United Nations (UN), Vietnam is expected to remain a proactive partner in advancing multilateral cooperation with the UN, playing a central role and serving as a model of effective collaboration.
In an interview granted to the press ahead of State President Luong Cuong’s working trip to attend the High-level General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80) and engage in bilateral activities in the US from September 21–24, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang underlined the special significance of the visit, which carries both bilateral and multilateral objectives.
On the multilateral front, the visit will continue the consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of external relations, and proactive and active international integration, as set forth by the 13th National Party Congress and other major Party and State policies.
Through the visit, Vietnam seeks to convey a message reaffirming its role as a responsible UN member, actively engaging and making substantive contributions to the organisation’s key priorities and activities, particularly at a time when the UN is in need of the support and companionship of proactive and constructive countries such as Vietnam.
During the visit, President Cuong is scheduled to meet with leaders of various countries and partners to deepen relations in a more practical and effective manner, while mobilising cooperation and support from the UN and key partners for Vietnam’s current priorities. These include assuming international responsibilities such as hosting the signing ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi on October 25, preparing to chair the 11th Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in 2026, and running for several important UN positions.
The State President will attend the High-level Meeting marking the UN’s 80th anniversary, deliver keynote addresses at the High-level General Debate of the 80th UN General Assembly, and take part in a global high-level event on climate action.
On the bilateral front, the visit takes place as Vietnam and the US celebrate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties, an opportunity for both countries to look back on their three-decade journey from past adversaries to friends, partners, comprehensive partners, and now comprehensive strategic partners, while mapping out a roadmap for the sustainable, effective, and substantive implementation of this new partnership framework.
Both sides are expected to continue to uphold the fundamental principles of their relationship, including respect for the UN Charter, international law, and each other’s political institutions, independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. They will work to further strengthen political trust and strategic confidence, promote mutually beneficial cooperation that brings tangible benefits to both peoples, and contribute to peace, stability, prosperity, and sustainable development in the region and the wider world, without undermining the legitimate interests of other stakeholders.
Accordingly, President Cuong will hold meetings with US leaders, engage with businesses, financial institutions, long-standing partners, and leading scholars, and chair a ceremony celebrating Vietnam’s 80th National Day in New York. These activities aim to reaffirm Vietnam’s commitment to further advancing relations with the US, particularly in the fields of economy, trade, investment, and science-technology; to push for the implementation of agreements and commitments reached by senior leaders of both countries; to rally broad-based support for Vietnam and Vietnam–US ties; and to demonstrate the Party and State’s attention to the Vietnamese community in the US.
According to Deputy Minister Giang, nearly five decades of cooperation have made Vietnam–UN ties a strong and enduring partnership. The UN has always accompanied and provided Vietnam with valuable support, from the post-war reconstruction period, through the lifting of embargoes, to the country’s deeper international integration. In turn, Vietnam has increasingly taken the initiative and made substantive, wide-ranging contributions, through ideas, concrete actions, personnel, and resources, to the UN’s major activities and priorities.
Vietnam has spearheaded timely initiatives that resonated with international concerns and were welcomed by the UN and the global community, including the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, UN Security Council resolutions on protecting essential infrastructure, addressing the consequences of post-war landmines, and highlighting the role of regional organisations such as ASEAN, according to VNA.
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| Welcome ceremony for Vietnamese Engineering Unit No.2 returning from UNISFA Mission. (Photo: VNA) |
The country has also achieved notable successes in fulfilling the Millennium Development Goals and is actively implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. At the same time, it has been a frontrunner in UN reform through the effective implementation of the “Delivering as One” initiative, and is currently among the countries participating in the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), a key UN priority for addressing climate change.
In recent years, Vietnam has held several important positions in major UN bodies on peace, security, law, human rights, and culture, including Vice President of the 77th UN General Assembly (2022–2023), member of the UN Human Rights Council (2023–2025), member of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (2021–2023), and a current member of all six key bodies of UNESCO.
Over more than a decade of participating in UN peacekeeping operations, Vietnam has deployed nearly 1,500 officers and soldiers to missions in South Sudan, the Central African Republic, and Abyei, with women accounting for 16%, surpassing the UN target.
As for Vietnam–US relations, after 30 years of diplomatic ties and two years of implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the two countries have made remarkable strides, making their relationship a model of reconciliation and forward-looking cooperation in international relations. Thanks to persistent efforts from both governments and peoples, the relationship has grown continuously and delivered impressive results across all fields.
Politically, bilateral ties have been bolstered through frequent high-level visits and exchanges. The US has increasingly valued Vietnam’s role and reaffirmed its support for a “strong, independent, resilient, and prosperous” Vietnam.
Economically, both sides are working to further expand trade and investment in a sustainable manner while addressing issues such as reciprocal taxation. The US is Vietnam’s largest export market, with bilateral trade surpassing 100 billion USD. Investment and technological cooperation are also being enhanced, particularly in future-oriented areas such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence. Vietnam highly values US support in policy development, high-quality human resource training, and essential digital infrastructure to enable deeper participation in global semiconductor supply chains.
Defense and security cooperation has progressed steadily, especially in war legacy remediation, with priority given to dioxin clean-up projects and support for people with disabilities.
On the international stage, the two countries closely coordinate at regional and global forums, particularly within ASEAN mechanisms and the UN Security Council, in addressing global challenges. Vietnam welcomes US engagement and concrete initiatives in the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions, and appreciates Washington’s continued support for ASEAN centrality and Vietnam’s role in regional and international forums and in tackling shared challenges. Both sides will also maintain candid and constructive exchanges on differences.
President Cuong’s trip is expected to leave a positive mark, affirming Vietnam’s role, position, and substantive contributions to addressing global issues, while further strengthening Vietnam’s relations with the US and other countries, and contributing to peace and development in the region and the world, Deputy Minister Giang noted.
Vietnam, Russia see opportunities for trade expansion in Eurasian market
The International Trade Day Forum 2025 (IDT-2025), one of Russia’s major events on trade promotion and international economic cooperation in the current context, took place on September 19 at the World Trade Center in Moscow.
Vietnam participated as a partner country, with a delegation led by Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi.
Organized by the Russian Association of Exporters and Importers, the forum gathered more than 1,000 delegates from more than 30 Russian regions and 15 countries, including government officials, senior executives of major international corporations, domestic and foreign manufacturers, and small- and medium-sized enterprises.
At the plenary session, participants discussed global economic trends and their implications for Russia, while sharing strategies, orientations and priorities for the country’s external economic policy in the coming years. Discussions centered on supply chains and international cooperation, especially with expanded BRICS members, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
In his keynote address, Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi highlighted Vietnam’s economic achievements after nearly 40 years of reform, transformation and international integration. He noted that Vietnam is Russia’s largest trading partner in Southeast Asia, while Russia is among Vietnam’s top five trading partners in Europe.
Despite global challenges, bilateral trade and economic cooperation recorded positive results in 2024, with two-way trade reaching US$4.6 billion, up 26% from 2023. During the past eight months, bilateral trade hit US$3.3 billion, a year-on-year rise of 5%. The two countries are implementing major investment projects in key sectors such as energy, science and technology, reported VOV.
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| Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi speaks at the plenary session of IDT-2025 (Photo: VNA) |
The ambassador underscored Vietnam’s potential and strengths, as the country ranks among the world’s top 30 in trade growth and top 15 developing economies attracting the largest FDI inflows. He called on businesses from both sides to step up joint ventures and investment projects in industries, food processing, high technology and renewable energy.
The two sides should continue to share information and promote a favorable business environment, actively organize and participate in trade fairs and exhibitions in both countries, and arrange trade delegations to study business practices and build trust among enterprises, he added.
As Vietnam enters a new era of national growth, Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi proposed a concrete and unified roadmap to turn advantages into mutually beneficial cooperation projects, including information exchange, boosting two-way trade, and increasing delegations to explore each other’s markets.
He expressed confidence that the traditional friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Russia provide a solid foundation for businesses to expand partnerships and contribute to shared prosperity.
Speaking to the press, Vietnam’s Trade Counselor in Russia Duong Hoang Minh stressed that the event enabled Vietnamese enterprises not only to gain deeper insights into the Russian market but also to seek customers and better understand the legal framework for exports to Russia.
According to him, a positive sign this year is the return of Vietnamese businesses to Russia, while many Russian enterprises and trade promotion delegations have come to explore the Vietnamese market. With the support of relevant agencies of both sides, difficulties in payment, transport, logistics and supply chains are gradually being resolved.
Enterprises now have the option of settling payments in local currencies and shipping goods directly from Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh City ports to Vladivostok, and vice versa. These are promising opportunities for Vietnamese exporters to penetrate not only the Russian market but also the wider Eurasian region.
Investment Connectivity Forum 2025 highlights Vietnam–Italy economic ties
The Investment Connectivity Forum 2025 has been held in Milan, Italy, drawing nearly 200 representatives from Italy's corporations, banks, and investment funds.
Hosted by Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance, the event aimed to strengthen trade and investment links between Vietnam and Italy.
Addressing the forum, Finance Minister Nguyen Van Thang highlighted Vietnam’s strong economic momentum, noting GDP growth of 7.09% in 2024 and 7.96% in the second quarter of 2025, with expectations of surpassing the annual growth target of 8%. Foreign investment has remained robust, with FDI and portfolio inflows reaching 26.14 billion USD in the first eight months of 2025, up 27.3% year on year.
Thang underscored the steady progress of the Vietnam–Italy strategic partnership, established in 2013. Italy has become Vietnam’s third-largest trading partner in the EU, with bilateral trade topping 4.3 billion USD in the first seven months of 202. Italian investors are running 162 projects, with total registered of 624 million USD, in Vietnam, while Vietnamese firms operate 11 projects worth 700,000 USD in Italy, cited VNA.
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| Minister Nguyen Van Thang delivers remarks at the event. (Source: MOF) |
He invited Italian businesses to expand investment in areas such as renewable energy, green growth, high-tech agriculture, and the digital economy, reaffirming Vietnam’s commitment to improving the investment climate and fostering innovation-driven growth.
Undersecretary Cattaneo noted that direct flights between Vietnam and Milan provide new opportunities for business partnerships, while Cristina Morelli of Italy’s Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) highlighted ongoing cooperation with Vietnamese banks and support for green energy projects.
The forum also featured presentations from Vietcombank and BIDV on financial prospects in Vietnam, alongside Italian firms outlining potential areas of collaboration.
Vietnam makes big leap forward after 30 years of global Internet connectivity
Over the past three decades, Vietnam has transformed from a latecomer in global Internet connectivity into a fast-rising digital powerhouse, mastering core technologies in 5G systems, network equipment, and next-generation Internet solutions.
From a nation that once ranked near the bottom of global Internet speed charts, Vietnam has made giant strides in building robust digital infrastructure, advancing domestic technology, and expanding high-speed connectivity to millions.
As the country celebrates 30 years of integration into the global Internet, its journey reflects not only how far it has come but also how ready it is to stand among the foremost pioneers of the digital era.
From slow start to global recognition
Ten years ago, Vietnam was still lagging behind. In the fourth quarter of 2015, Akamai Technologies reported the country's average Internet speed at just 3.8 Mbps, ranking 95th out of more than 100 markets worldwide.
In mid-August 2025, Ookla—the company behind the Speedtest tool—announced its Speedtest Awards for the best-performing carriers in the first half of the year. Vietnam stood out with two telecom carriers recognized among the world's fastest.
Not only mobile networks but also fixed Internet services have surged. After months of strong performance, Vietnam climbed to 10th place globally in the Speedtest Global Index—the highest position since the ranking was launched in 2017. This also represents the highest median Internet speed since Vietnam first joined the global Internet in 1997.
Recently, Vietnam’s fixed broadband internet speed, powered largely by fiber-optic connections, rose to 13th place globally in July, its highest ranking ever, reported VGP.
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| Vietnam’s fixed broadband internet speed, powered largely by fiber-optic connections, rose to 13th place globally in July, its highest ranking ever. |
According to Ookla, the company behind Speedtest, Vietnam has recorded one of the strongest growth trends globally, with both speed and ranking rising month after month.
Breakthroughs in 5G and Wi-Fi 7
April 2024 marked a milestone when Vietnam successfully held its first auction of 5G. Just six months later, the first commercial fifth-generation mobile network was launched. This not only demonstrated a major leap in mobile technology but also signified the official deployment of Vietnamese-made 5G equipment on domestic networks.
Innovation extended further in October 2024, when VNPT Technology introduced the first "Made-in-Vietnam" Wi-Fi 7 device with a speed of 10 Gbps. "This is the first Wi-Fi device in the Asia-Pacific region using XGSPON technology, and we are also among the first carriers to manufacture and bring such devices to market," a VNPT representative said at the launch event, which was attended by ST Liew, Vice President of Qualcomm Technologies.
By August 2025, FPT rolled out service packages supporting Wi-Fi 7 with XGS-PON technology, enabling users to experience speeds of 10 Gbps for both uploads and downloads.
Toward universal high-speed Internet
To sustain momentum, Vietnam is pursuing ambitious goals for digital infrastructure. Resolution 57 of the Politburo sets a vision that by 2030 the country will achieve advanced, modern infrastructure with ultra-large capacity and ultra-broad bandwidth, on par with developed economies.
The Ministry of Science and Technology targets the deployment of 15 international submarine cable systems with a combined design capacity of 350 Tbps by 2030, including two under Vietnamese ownership, alongside two international terrestrial fiber-optic cables. By then, 100 percent of users are expected to have access to speeds of 1 Gbps.
Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung emphasized that telecommunications infrastructure is a "national strategic infrastructure," as vital as transportation and electricity. He has called for Vietnam to aim for a "top 5, top 10" global position.
According to the Authority of Telecommunications, in the first half of 2025, Vietnam's fixed broadband subscription rate reached 24.4 per 100 inhabitants, up 3.9 percent year-on-year. Household fiber-optic usage climbed to 85.3 percent, well above the global average of 60 percent.
This year also marks Vietnam's mastery of the VSTN terrestrial fiber-optic cable system, with a designed capacity of 4 Tbps, expandable to 12 Tbps. This provides the backbone for high-speed connectivity and widespread 5G deployment.
Viettel Telecom, one of the country's leading carriers, has set an ambitious target of covering 91 percent of the population with 5G and attracting 12 million subscribers in 2025. To achieve this, the operator plans to deploy an additional 22,000 5G stations, bringing the total to 29,000.
If successful, Viettel's rollout will exceed four times the number of stations it launched in October 2024, and more than double the total 5G stations currently operated by all other carriers in the country combined (around 11,000).
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