General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and President To Lam (L) meets President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) Khalilur Rahman (Photo: VNA)

General Secretary and President To Lam meets leaders of countries, organizations attending UNGA 81

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and President To Lam had meetings with Ghanaian President John Mahama, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) Khalilur Rahman in New York, on September 22 (local time), as part of his trip to attend the high-level general debate of the UNGA 81 and conduct bilateral activities in the US.

At the meeting with General Secretary and President Lam, the Ghanaian President expressed his impression at Vietnam’s strong development and transformation, affirming that Viet Nam has been an inspiration for African countries in their past struggles for national independence as well as their current national development efforts. He showed his wish for Viet Nam to support Ghana in agriculture, particularly rice cultivation.

General Secretary and President Lam agreed with Ghana’s proposals, saying that he will direct relevant agencies to soon implement them in an effective and substantive manner. The two leaders agreed to continue close coordination in multilateral diplomacy in the coming time, particularly at the UN, cited VNA.

At the meeting with the Vietnamese Party and State leader, PM Tshering Tobgay expressed his delight at the development of Viet Nam-Bhutan friendship, particularly the state visit to Viet Nam by the King and Queen of Bhutan in August 2025, which he described as a historic milestone opening a new chapter in bilateral cooperation. The PM affirmed that he will direct relevant agencies to closely coordinate with Viet Nam to increase all-level exchanges and implement the outcomes of the King and Queen’s visit.

General Secretary and President Lam asserted that Viet Nam always attaches importance to and wishes to further promote its friendship with Bhutan in an increasingly effective and practical manner for the benefit of the two peoples. He therefore proposed the two sides establish a bilateral cooperation mechanism, with the two foreign ministries coordinating to soon set up an exchange mechanism to promote the effective implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Cooperation Framework between the two countries.

PM Tobgay agreed with General Secretary and President To Lam’s proposal to facilitate Vietnamese businesses’ expansion of investment in Bhutan. The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in healthcare and education, as well as cultural, artistic and tourism exchanges in various forms; study the early establishment of direct air services between the two countries; and promote people-to-people exchanges. They also agreed to continue promoting collaboration in religious affairs, particularly those related to Buddhism.

Discussing regional and international issues of shared concern, the two leaders reached a consensus on maintaining close coordination at multilateral forums such as the UN, the Non-Aligned Movement and inter-parliamentary forums of which the two parliaments are members; and promoting South-South cooperation.

Viet Nam and Pakistan explore new opportunities for tourism cooperation

Viet Nam and Pakistan see significant potential for tourism cooperation, but turning that potential into actual visitor flows will require progress on visas, destination information, Halal services and air connectivity.

The view was shared by experts and tour operators at the Viet Nam-Pakistan Tourism B2B Matching and Business Networking held in Hanoi on September 22 that brought together 120 tourism companies from the two countries, along with representatives of management agencies, associations and airlines.

Significant room for growth

Speaking at the forum, Pakistani Ambassador to Viet Nam Kohdayar Marri agreed there is considerable tourism potential between the two countries, as both Viet Nam and Pakistan have markets that remain underdeveloped.

Pakistan offers a wide range of tourism experiences, from mountain exploration, mountaineering and adventure tourism to coastal destinations. Viet Nam also has similar products, but in different landscapes and settings. According to the ambassador, differences in scenery, culture and experiences could give travellers from both countries more reasons to explore each other’s destinations.

However, turning interest into actual visitor numbers will require several barriers to be addressed. The ambassador noted that information about Pakistan as a destination is limited in Viet Nam and should be strengthened through promotional activities, online conferences with travel companies, and greater encouragement for bloggers, vloggers and other content creators to share first-hand experiences of Pakistan.

For its part, Viet Nam needs to improve visa accessibility, air connectivity and services tailored to Muslim travellers to attract more visitors from Pakistan.

The diplomat noted that the lack of direct flights and the need to transit through several aviation hubs make travel to Viet Nam time-consuming, potentially affecting tourists’ decisions.

One area highlighted by the Pakistani side is the development of products suited to Muslim travellers, including Halal food and prayer facilities at accommodation and service establishments.

Faiza Shafqat, head of the commerce section at the Embassy of Pakistan in Viet Nam, pointed out this could also help differentiate Vietnam’s tourism products. In her analysis, Muslim travellers often pay attention to Halal food, prayer areas and services that accommodate their religious needs. Developing Halal kitchens and prayer facilities, and clearly promoting the availability of such services, would help Viet Nam better access the Muslim tourism market.

Pakistan, meanwhile, could offer new products for Vietnamese visitors. According to the official, the country has numerous heritage sites associated with Buddhist history, with Taxila among the destinations that have attracted interest from some Vietnamese businesses attending international exhibitions in Pakistan.

From Pakistani visitors to the wider Halal market

From the Vietnamese business perspective, Truong Quoc Hung, chairman of the Hanoi UNESCO Travel Club (HUTC), said accessing the Pakistani market could also help Viet Nam build its capacity to serve the wider Muslim tourism market.

The issue is not simply about attracting Pakistani visitors, but also about developing a service system suitable for Halal travellers, he noted. Malaysia, Thailand and China have already developed their capacity to receive Muslim visitors, while Viet Nam needs further investment if it wants to tap into this segment, according to VOV.

The Viet Nam-Pakistan Tourism B2B Matching and Business Networking gathers 120 tourism companies from the two countries.

Food is one of the areas requiring attention. Businesses need to provide suitable dishes while also ensuring proper processes, staff training, Halal certification and prayer facilities at service establishments.

Hung suggested that Vietnamese businesses should strengthen cooperation and participate in trade fairs and promotional activities in the markets they seek to attract. Investment in Halal services should also target multiple Muslim markets rather than serving only one country, helping improve investment efficiency and sustain operations over the long term.

On the other hand, Pakistan is beginning to attract interest from Vietnamese travellers through tailor-made tours focusing on landscapes, scenic destinations and historical sites. According to Hung, two-way visitor exchanges could also help balance airline capacity and create a stronger basis for developing connectivity between the two countries.

Sharing his view, Nguyen Thanh An, director of Ohdear Travel Company, said Viet Nam-Pakistan cooperation could extend beyond tourism to trade and people-to-people exchanges.

Awareness of the two countries and their people is limited in each other’s markets, he pointed out. Tourism could therefore serve as an initial “gateway” for people and businesses from the two countries to learn more about each other before expanding into trade and broader economic exchanges.

According to him, many Pakistani businesses taking part in the programme showed interest in Vietnamese destinations, including Ha Long Bay. In the opposite direction, Viet Nam could explore destinations such as the Hunza Valley and tourism products linked to Buddhist heritage in Pakistan.

Although air connectivity is considered an important condition for expanding visitor exchanges, businesses said connectivity needs to develop alongside actual market demand.

Vietnamese and Pakistani airlines are currently discussing two-way passenger demand, the possibility of operating charter flights and potential connectivity options in the future. However, cooperation will still depend on the level of interest and passenger flows between the two countries.

For now, the parties agreed that the priority should be developing tour products, expanding FAM trips, building up visitor demand and gradually demonstrating the strength of the market. Once visitor numbers become sufficiently stable, charter flights could be considered before moving towards regular services, subject to commercial and legal requirements.

A number of memorandums of understanding on aviation services, tourism and market development were signed at the event.

Vietnamese peacekeeping hospital heads to South Sudan

A C-17 military transport aircraft of the Royal Australian Air Force arrived in Hanoi on September 23 to carry Vietnam’s Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 8 to South Sudan to undertake United Nations peacekeeping duties.

​The flight took place one day after a send-off ceremony for the hospital, organised by the Ministry of National Defence.

​The Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 8 comprises 63 military personnel from military regions, army corps, military hospitals, the Viet Nam Department of Peacekeeping Operations and other agencies and units. It will replace Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 7 at the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in Bentiu.

During preparations, all officers and personnel completed training in political and military affairs, logistics, technical operations, field medical expertise and UN peacekeeping operations. They also received intensive English-language and professional training with international partners in areas including International Trauma Life Support, Aeromedical Evacuation Team, conflict-related sexual violence, international humanitarian law and explosive ordnance identification.

Addressing the hospital’s officers and personnel before their departure, Sen. Lt. Gen. Le Quang Dao, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Viet Nam People's Army, urged the unit to uphold solidarity and responsibility, strictly observe military discipline and UN regulations, and successfully fulfil their professional duties while ensuring safety. He also called on them to preserve and promote the image of “Uncle Ho’s soldiers” and contribute to enhancing Vietnam’s position and prestige in the international arena.

Following the arrival of Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 8 in South Sudan and completion of the handover, Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 7 is expected to return to Viet Nam on September 25, concluding its one-year UN peacekeeping mission in the country.

Australia is continuing to support Viet Nam by providing transportation for personnel and equipment of the Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 8 to South Sudan. Since Viet Nam began participating in UN peacekeeping operations, Australia has repeatedly deployed military transport aircraft to transport Vietnamese personnel and equipment to South Sudan and bring them home after completing their missions, reported VNA.

Sen. Lt. Gen. Le Quang Dao, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Viet Nam People's Army, and leaders of relevant units pose for a group photo with personnel of Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 8 before their departure for the UN mission South Sudan. (Photo: VNA)

In July 2025, Viet Nam and Australia signed a three-year plan to implement their peacekeeping partnership agreement.

After more than 12 years of participating in UN peacekeeping operations, Viet Nam has deployed more than 1,600 personnel from the Viet Nam People's Army and nearly 100 from the People's Public Security forces to UN missions and headquarters.

Through the deployment of Level-2 Field Hospitals and Engineering Units to UN missions, Vietnamese peacekeepers have demonstrated their steadfastness, expertise, professionalism, capability and sense of responsibility in fulfilling their assigned tasks.

Viet Nam, U.S. step up cooperation in war legacy remediation

General Phan Van Giang, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense called for stronger Viet Nam-U.S. cooperation in addressing war legacies.

Phan made the call at a meeting with U.S. Assistant Secretary of War for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs John Noh in New York on September 21 (local time).

Phan welcomed positive developments in Viet Nam-U.S. defense ties and proposed that the two sides continue effectively implementing agreed cooperation areas, particularly war legacy remediation; the search for, collection and identification of the remains of Vietnamese and U.S. servicemen missing during the war; bilateral defense policy dialogue; defense industry; maritime security; and military medicine.

He spoke highly of the U.S. Department of War's coordination in organizing an event on the initiative to search for people missing from the war in Viet Nam, saying this demonstrated the U.S. commitment to further contributing to Viet Nam's 500-day campaign to accelerate the search for, collection and identification of martyrs' remains.

The Vietnamese official also called on the U.S. to continue supporting Viet Nam in addressing war consequences, implementing community support programs and tackling environmental issues to improve living conditions for people in affected areas.

Viet Nam wishes to further advance cooperation with the U.S. on the basis of the legitimate interests of both sides, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and beyond, Phan said.

He invited senior leaders and officials from the U.S. Departments of War and the Navy, as well as U.S. defense businesses, to attend the third Viet Nam International Defense Expo, scheduled to take place in Ha Noi in December 2026, VGP reported.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang (R) and U.S. Assistant Secretary of War for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs John Noh, New York, September 21, 2026 - Photo: QDND

For his part, Noh affirmed that the U.S. attaches importance to Viet Nam's role in the region and wishes to enhance bilateral cooperation for peace, stability and development in the region and beyond.

He expressed appreciation for Viet Nam's active support, particularly that of the Ministry of National Defense, for efforts to search for U.S. servicemen missing in action during the war.

Noh affirmed the U.S. Department of War's strong support for and commitment to continued close cooperation with Viet Nam in addressing war legacies, describing the issue as a top priority in bilateral defense cooperation.

Earlier the same day, Phan met with leaders of several American technology companies.

Lonely Planet ranks Da Nang among world's 50 best places to visit in 2027

Da Nang city in central Viet Nam is the only Vietnamese destination featured in Lonely Planet’s “50 Best Places to Go in 2027” list.

In its annual selection, Lonely Planet recommends Da Nang for travellers seeking quiet urban beaches and easy access to UNESCO-listed sites.

Da Nang is praised for its dramatic mountains, long beaches and cool vibe. The travel guide highlights the Son Tra Peninsula as a peaceful retreat offering spectacular coastal views.

Da Nang also serves as a convenient base for exploring several UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the region, including the Complex of Hue Monuments, My Son Sanctuary and Hoi An Ancient Town, reported VOV.

Visitors enjoy Man Thai beach in Da Nang.

Lonely Planet also highlights the city’s cuisine as another reason for travellers to visit. The “50 Best Places to Go in 2027” is Lonely Planet’s annual selection based on the first-hand travel experiences of its network of writers and editors.

Besides Da Nang, Batang Ai National Park in Malaysia is the only other Southeast Asian destination included on the list.

Vietnam News Today (Sep. 19): Viet Nam Expands Role in UN Partnership, From Beneficiary to Contributor

Vietnam News Today (Sep. 20): Top Leader To Lam’s Canada Visit to Give New Impetus to Bilateral Ties