| Vietnam News Today (Sep. 27) notable headlines EU remains one of Vietnam's key partners, Deputy PM reassures Vietnam – Cambodia trade: Path towards 20 billion USD target Economic forum boosts Vietnam – Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Typhoon Bualoi forecast to make landfall on September 29 Six films to be screened during Vietnamese film week in France Da Nang aims to become an attractive destination for foreign investors Hai Phong breaks ground on Vietnam’s largest LNG –fired power plant First Cultures of World Festival attracts 48 embassies and int’l organizations Vietnam and Cambodia boost war martyrs’ search and repatriation efforts |
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| Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son hosts a reception for European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic at the Government Office in Ha Noi, September 26, 2025. Photo: VGP |
EU remains one of Vietnam's key partners, Deputy PM reassures
Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son reassured that the EU remains one of Vietnam's key partners during his reception for European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic in Hanoi on September 26.
Bui noted with pleasure that bilateral cooperation has yielded positive results across various fields. Both sides have established and secured effective implementation of eight periodic dialogue and cooperation mechanisms while maintaining close coordination at multilateral forums.
Both Bui and Sefcovic welcomed the two sides' active discussions on upgrading the bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Bui urged the EU to continue working with Vietnam to further strengthen political trust through the exchange of delegations.
The Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister called on the remaining EU members to soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). He also urged the EU to collaborate with Vietnam in effectively realizing the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and to remove "yellow card" warning against Vietnamese seafood exports.
Bui took the occasion to call on the EU to continue assistance for the process of building ASEAN Community as well as its strong support for peaceful resolution of disputes in the East Sea in accordance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, thus contributing to peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation and aviation in the region.
Sefcovic said his had a productive meeting with Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien earlier the same day, during which both sides reached consensus on measures to bolster trade, especially through fruitful implementation of the EVFTA, according to VGP.
He spoke highly of Vietnam's renewal process, affirming that the EU always backs and wishes Vietnam to achieve fast and sustainable development.
Sefcovic suggested Vietnam should continue reforming and streamlining administrative procedures to facilitate investment from the EU member countries.
He also suggested Vietnam and the EU set up a joint working group to fix obstacles to promote bilateral cooperation and formulate a cooperation strategy to fully tap potential and strengths of each side in such fields like science and technology, semiconductor, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, 5G technology, aviation and logistics.
The European Commissioner invited Vietnam to attend the upcoming Global Gateway Forum 2025 in Brussels, Belgium.
Deputy Prime Minister Bui agreed with Sefcovic's proposal to set up a joint working group to address the issues of common interest, saying that the Government will instruct relevant agencies to promptly work with the EU's partners to fully settle issues of shared concern.
He asked the EU to promote the implementation of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) in a bid to help Vietnam timely realize its commitment to reducing emissions to zero by 2050.
Bui reiterated the Vietnamese Government pledges to improve legal framework for intellectual property and to train high-quality workforce to lure high-tech projects.
He called on the EU to cooperate with Vietnam in promoting research and development, technology transfer and startup in the domains of semiconductor, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, 5G technology, aviation and high technologies in the spirit of harmonizing interests and sharing risks.
On behalf of the Government of Vietnam, Bui conveyed his invitation to the EU leaders to attend the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime scheduled to take place in Hanoi on October 25-26.
Vietnam – Cambodia trade: Path towards 20 billion USD target
With bilateral trade surpassing 10 billion USD in 2024 and continuing robust growth, Vietnam – Cambodia economic relations are enjoying their most dynamic period. The goal of 20 billion USD by 2030, set by the two countries’ senior leaders, is increasingly within reach.
According to Do Viet Phuong, who leads the Vietnam Trade Office in Cambodia, bilateral trade in goods tripled between 2014 and 2024, from 3.3 billion USD to 10.1 billion USD, with an average annual growth rate of about 12%. Growth momentum has continued in 2025, with trade nearly hitting 8 billion USD in the first eight months.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang affirmed that Cambodia, a close neighbor with a strategic location, plays the role of a gateway and transit hub in the Mekong subregion. Both countries have built a solid legal framework through key agreements, such as the 2019 memorandum of understanding on border trade infrastructure development and connectivity, the 2024 border trade agreement, and the 2025–2026 action plan to boost bilateral trade.
Cambodian Undersecretary of State for Commerce Tith Rithipol stressed that Cambodia and Vietnam are not only close neighbors but also trusted partners. Cambodia offers Vietnamese businesses attractive opportunities with political stability, a young workforce, a strategic location, and favorable investment incentives, he said.
Experts noted that the two economies are complementary rather than directly competitive. Bui Quang Hung, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, pointed out that Vietnam has strengths in processed agricultural products, consumer goods, building materials, and machinery, which match Cambodia’s strong import demand, reported VNA.
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| Bustling trade activities along the Vietnam–Cambodia border are contributing to the goal of raising bilateral trade turnover to 20 billion USD. (Photo: VNA) |
Bilateral trade is also thriving at the local level. Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Tay Ninh province Nguyen Hong Thanh said that trade with Cambodian localities has exceeded 2 billion USD, up 17% year on year. Similarly, Toch Sokhon, Director of the Department of Commerce of Cambodia’s Tbong Khmum province, highlighted diverse exchanges between the two provinces, including bananas, rubber, and cassava from Tbong Khmum, and fresh vegetables and building materials from Tay Ninh, with annual turnover in hundreds of millions of US dollars.
However, challenges remain. According to Hung, underdeveloped transport infrastructure and warehousing at some border gates have increased logistics costs, while differences in technical standards and limited market information hinder long-term strategies. Phuong added that Vietnamese firms in Cambodia face difficulties adapting to different administrative systems, Khmer language barriers, high service costs, and tough competition from Chinese and Thai products.
To overcome these challenges and realise the 20 billion USD target, experts and officials have proposed a comprehensive set of solutions requiring close coordination between both sides.
Deputy Minister Thang called for synchronised investment in border trade infrastructure, logistics, storage facilities, and border markets, alongside accelerating the adoption of smart border gate models to boost exports.
From the Cambodian side, Undersecretary of State Rithipol proposed modernising border trade infrastructure, strengthening cross-border logistics and transport links, and deepening collaboration within regional frameworks such as ASEAN and RCEP. He also invited Vietnamese businesses to invest in Cambodia’s high-value sectors such as modern agriculture, food processing, and digital technology.
Economic forum boosts Vietnam – Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Policymakers, experts, and academic representatives from Vietnam and Australia attended an economic forum in Hanoi on September 26, exchanging views strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
In his opening remarks, Nguyen Duc Hien, Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee's Policy and Strategy Department, emphasized that despite global economic uncertainties, Vietnam maintained robust GDP growth of 7.09% in 2024, among the highest in Asia. This performance reaffirms Vietnam’s position as a safe and attractive destination for investors and provides a solid foundation to expand cooperation with Australia, a strategic partner with strong economic capacity and leading scientific and technological expertise.
Australia currently ranks among the top countries investing in Vietnam, with 670 projects totaling US$1.863 billion. Over the past 50 years, Australia has also provided around AUD3 billion in official development assistance (ODA). Vietnam is now Australia's 10th largest trading partner, with two-way trade last year hitting US$14 billion, while Australia is Vietnam’s 9th largest trading partner. These figures reflect substantial potential for expanded cooperation, particularly in trade, investment, education, science, and technology, cited VOV.
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| Overview of the Vietnam-Australia Economic Forum 2025. |
According to the official, the two countries could strengthen collaboration in trade, investment, education, research, and especially in new areas such as digital transformation, renewable energy, and climate change adaptation. Cultural exchanges, academic cooperation, and student mobility would also help build trust and people-to-people ties, providing momentum for sustainable economic and social cooperation.
Renee Deschamps, Deputy Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, praised the forum’s theme, “Building Bridges of Mutual Prosperity,” noting that it captures the essence of Vietnam–Australia cooperation. She highlighted that the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership demonstrates strategic trust and long-term commitment across multiple key areas, including innovation, clean energy, and education—critical factors for competitiveness in the new era.
From the academic perspective, Associate Professor Dr. Dao Thanh Truong, Vice President of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, underscored the forum’s role in providing scientific evidence to support national policymaking. He noted that more than 80,000 Vietnamese students have studied in Australia, and over 5,000 joint research projects have been carried out, reflecting the strong complementarity between Australia’s advanced education system and Vietnam’s young, dynamic workforce.
Speakers agreed that in a world moving rapidly toward digitalization, sustainability, and green growth, Vietnam and Australia possess advantages that complement each other. Vietnam benefits from a young labor force, competitive costs, and a strategic location in Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, Australia offers advanced technology, high-quality education, and the governance capacity of a developed economy. Together, these strengths create strong synergies, providing vast potential for the two countries to enhance competitiveness and make positive contributions to regional and global growth.
They stressed the importance of implementing concrete, results-oriented cooperation programs based on the principles of equality, mutual benefit, and mutual respect, thereby advancing the Vietnam–Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the 21st century.
Typhoon Bualoi forecast to make landfall on September 29
Typhoon No. 10, internationally named Bualoi, is forecast to unleash a combination of strong winds, torrential rains, flooding, and landslides, prompting the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) to call for evacuation plans for residents in high-risk areas.
Chairing a meeting on September 26, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep emphasized that the fast pace of the storm requires more urgent response measures at sea. He urged coastal provinces to hasten the withdrawal of vessels from hazardous areas and issue sea bans earlier, even 48 hours ahead of its landfall.
Hiep highlighted the need to ensure the safety of hydropower and irrigation dams, particularly in Thanh Hoa and Nghe An provinces, where operators were instructed to prepare early flood discharge plans in anticipation of heavy inflows. As the storm is expected to strike on the morning of September 29, he suggested localities consider school closures to safeguard students, cited VNA.
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| The meeting on response to Typhoon Bualoi on September 26. (Photo: nhandan.vn) |
According to Associate Professor Dr. Mai Van Khiem, Director of the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, as of 13:00 on September 26, Bualoi was located over the central Philippines with sustained winds at level 11, gusting to level 14. The storm is forecast to make landfall in Thanh Hoa and Ha Tinh provinces on September 29 with winds of level 12, gusting to level 15, and may intensify further to level 13, gusting to level 16, between September 28 and 29.
Major General Pham Hai Chau, Deputy Director of the Department of Search and Rescue under the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, said forces are fully prepared for a wide impact area, with vessels from Quang Ninh to Lam Dong urged to seek safe shelters. Plans are also in place to establish a forward command post in Military Zone 4 if required. The national emergency hotline 112 is operational, and localities were asked to disseminate it widely.
Pham Duc Luan, Director of the MAE’s Department of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Prevention, emphasized the urgent need to trim trees, reinforce homes, and secure critical infrastructure, including warehouses, offices, public facilities, industrial parks, power grids, and telecommunications. He also called for proactive planning to ensure rapid recovery and minimise disruption.
Luan further recommended early controlled flood releases, even at some risk, to ensure the safety of major hydropower dams.
Six films to be screened during Vietnamese film week in France
A Vietnamese film week is scheduled to take place in Paris, France, from December 5 to 12, showcasing six notable films spanning from the 1970s to the present day, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The lineup includes some of Vietnam’s most acclaimed works. Among them is “Canh Dong Hoang” (The Wild Field: Free Fire Zone, 1979), winner of the Golden Lotus Award, portraying the resilience of Southern farmers during the resistance war against American imperialism.
Also featured is “Bao gio cho den thang Muoi” (When the Tenth Month Comes, 1984), widely regarded as one of the greatest Vietnamese films and recognised by Screen magazine as among the finest Asian films of all time. Another highlight, “Tuong ve huu” (The Retired General, 1988), explores post-war transformations through the story of a retired military officer, VOV reported.
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| “Toi thay hoa vang tren co xanh” (Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass, 2015) will be screened during the coming Vietnamese film week in France. |
Audiences will also have the chance to enjoy “Thuong nho dong que” (Nostalgia for Countryland, 1995), which captures the essence of northern rural life; “Chung cu” (The Building, 1999), a reflection of urban living; and “Tôi thấy hoa vàng trên cỏ xanh” (Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass, 2015), a heartfelt tale of friendship, brotherhood, and childhood memories.
Organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the event aims to present the achievements of Vietnamese cinema to French audiences, highlight the country’s landscapes and people, and further strengthen cultural exchange between Vietnam and France.
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