Vietnam News Today (Sept 17): PM calls for stronger multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam, Timor-Leste

	Vietnam News Today (Sep. 15): Vietnam Seen as Belarus’ Top Priority Partner in Southeast Asia
	Vietnam News Today (Sep. 16): Vietnam, Russia to Reinforce Cooperation in Maritime Affairs

Party General Secretary To Lam at the meeting with the Standing Board of the VAPE Central Committee, September 16, 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Party leader outlines key orientations for promoting lifelong learning

The current context and new requirements demand continued innovation in the activities of the Vietnam Association for Promoting Education (VAPE), contributing substantially to building a learning society and fostering a culture of learning among the people, Party General Secretary To Lam has stressed.

Speaking at a meeting with the Standing Board of the VAPE Central Committee on September 16, the Party leader proposed four key orientations for the association in the coming time. The association must affirm that building a learning society and lifelong learning forms the foundation for shaping an innovative and learning nation, in line with Vietnam’s aspirations for fast and sustainable development. Education promotion must be practical and effective, enhancing labour productivity, improving intellectual level, and creating development opportunities for all citizens, especially in border, island, ethnic minority, and disadvantaged areas.

Lifelong learning must be seen not only as an individual need but also as the key to raising intellectual standards, building human resources, and driving innovation and breakthroughs for rapid and sustainable socio-economic development, helping every citizen become a useful member of society, he said.

According to the Party chief, VAPE must accelerate digital transformation in promoting education and talent development. This includes piloting lifelong learning records for citizens, with a view to nationwide application; learning from the “Digital Literacy – Digital Parliament” initiative of the National Assembly; and upgrading community learning centres into digital learning hubs with internet access and open educational resources, aligned with the national digital transformation programme.

The association must mobilise the combined strength of the entire society, serving as a focal point to connect businesses, social organisations, overseas Vietnamese, and the international community, thereby creating sustainable, transparent, and equitable resources for promoting education and talent, he added.

The General Secretary also called on ministries, sectors, and localities to integrate lifelong learning into their annual plans as a regular political task. Relevant central agencies, including the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Party Central Committee's Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation, and the Ministry of Education and Training, were tasked with monitoring, reviewing, and reporting implementation to the Politburo and Secretariat.

The association, with more than 27 million members nationwide, has mobilised 100% of its funding from social sources. It has awarded millions of scholarships, supported underprivileged students, and expanded successful models such as “Learning Family,” “Learning Clan,” “Learning Community,” and “Learning Unit,” alongside initiatives like the “Vietnam Talent Award” and scholarships inspired by President Ho Chi Minh’s teaching that “Learning never ends.” These efforts have helped advance the learning society and instill a culture of lifelong learning across the nation.

Party General Secretary To Lam (right) and Nikolai Patrusev, Aide to the President of Russia and Chairman of the Maritime Board of Russia, at the meeting in Hanoi on September 16. (Photo: VNA)

Party chief receives Aide to Russian President

Party General Secretary To Lam on September 16 received Nikolai Patrusev, Aide to the President of Russia and Chairman of the Maritime Board of Russia, who is on an official visit to Vietnam from September 15-18.

General Secretary Lam expressed his pleasure in meeting again with Nikolai Patrusev, a long-time friend and comrade. Recalling the positive impressions from their warm, open, and substantive meetings during his official visit to Russia in May, he emphasised that the current visit by the Russian delegation is a concrete and effective demonstration of the bilateral relationship, especially in concretising high-level agreements reached between the two countries.

The Party chief affirmed that to achieve the strategic goals of national development in the coming time, Vietnam needs to become a powerful maritime nation, actively contributing to peace, security, cooperation and development in the region and the world. He proposed that Russia, as a major power with extensive experience in maritime activities, support and cooperate with Vietnam on the basis of mutual benefit, in line with the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Praising the recent positive developments in bilateral relations across all areas, General Secretary Lam suggested that the Russian Maritime Board and Nikolai Patrusev personally support and promote cooperation with Vietnam in maritime policy research, marine and ocean science, development of maritime infrastructure, sea transport routes, logistics systems, and human resource training.

He also called for Russia's support in helping Vietnam manage and sustainably utilise its maritime space in a way that aligns with each country’s interests and contributes to peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.

In response, Nikolai Patrusev affirmed that Russia values the development of its comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam as one of its most important relationships in the Asia-Pacific region.

He briefed the host on the results of productive and substantive meetings held with Vietnamese agencies and ministries during the visit, noting that cooperation in the maritime field, though relatively new, holds great promise for both sides. He considered this an important step in implementing the Joint Statement on major directions for bilateral relations in the new period of cooperation, as well as fulfilling the commitments made during General Secretary Lam’s visit to Russia in May 2025.

He confirmed Russia’s willingness to work closely with Vietnam in developing international shipping routes, using Vietnam’s deep-water ports as international logistics hubs that benefit both countries, Southeast Asia, and the world.

Both sides appreciated the outcomes of bilateral cooperation within the framework of the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Centre, agreeing to further enhance its effectiveness. They also reached consensus on expanding bilateral cooperation in scientific research, the development and application of advanced technologies and new materials, and other fields where both sides have shared interests and strengths, laying a firm foundation for elevating the bilateral relationship to new heights.

General Secretary Lam expressed support for Russia’s efforts to enhance its role and voice in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific. He also called on Russia to support Vietnam’s and ASEAN’s positions on the East Sea issue, based on adherence to international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

On this occasion, Nikolai Patrusev presented the Vietnamese Party leader with the “For Cooperation in Maritime Affairs” Medal, in recognition of his significant contributions to the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia, particularly his role in guiding bilateral maritime cooperation.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste Bendito dos Santos Freitas in Hanoi on September 16, 2025. (Photo: VNA)

PM calls for stronger multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam, Timor-Leste

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged strengthening political trust between Vietnam and Timor-Leste through all-level exchanges, and expanding all-around cooperation, during a reception for Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste Bendito dos Santos Freitas in Hanoi on September 16.

Welcoming Freitas’s first official visit to Vietnam, the PM stressed that the trip, ahead of Timor-Leste’s ASEAN admission, will help deepen bilateral cooperation across sectors and elevate the bilateral relations to a new level in a more effective and practical, and closer manner.

He emphasised that Timor-Leste’s upcoming accession as the 11th ASEAN member is a historic milestone, reflecting its status, prestige, and continuous efforts.

The Government leader praised Timor-Leste’s leaders for visiting Vietnam for two consecutive years, most recently attending the ASEAN Future Forum in 2025.

Building on telecommunications cooperation through the successful joint project of Telemor, the PM expressed a hope for breakthroughs in trade and investment growth in the time to come. He urged the two sides to boost negotiations on agreements covering trade, investment protection, labour, and visa exemptions for ordinary passport holders, and strengthen cooperation in rice production, oil and gas, and digital services.

He called on the two countries to consider stepping up cooperation in other fields like telecommunications, defence and security, education and training, clean energy, and high technology.

Vietnam and Timor-Leste should effectively leverage emerging trends such as green economy, digital economy, clean energy, innovation, and artificial intelligence, while promoting people-to-people exchanges through tourism development and cultural interactions, he noted.

For his part, Freitas expressed his admiration for Vietnam and its people for remarkable achievements in socio-economic development over the past eight decades.

He highlighted that the people of Timor-Leste always remember Vietnam as the first country to recognise its independence in 1975, and consider it as a model for learning. Timor-Leste seeks to continuously strengthen, elevate, and deepen bilateral relations, he noted.

The official expressed the desire for continued cooperation with Vietnam in its economic transition and diversification through agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and food processing, towards sustainable development.

The two sides agreed to continue coordinating and supporting each other at multilateral forums.

PM Chinh emphasised that Vietnam will continue assisting Timor-Leste in effectively participating in ASEAN’s activities and keeping pace with the bloc’s development. He expressed his belief that Timor-Leste’s accession will open a new chapter for ASEAN, serving as a motivation for stronger and more united development within the group.

He also urged Timor-Leste, as a member state of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982) and a soon-to-be full ASEAN member, to continue supporting ASEAN’s common stance on the East Sea and jointly strive for an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC) that is consistent with international law, especially the 1982 UNCLOS, thereby contributing to making the East Sea a sea of peace, stability, cooperation, and development.

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his spouse present a gift to Vietnamese Ambassador to Malaysia Dinh Ngoc Linh and his spouse at the meeting. (Photo:VNA)

NA Chairman meets Vietnamese community in Malaysia

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his spouse met with staff of the Vietnamese Embassy and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Malaysia on September 16 as part of his official trip to the country.

The top legislator expressed delight at his first visit to Malaysia and meeting with the overseas Vietnamese, extending warm greetings from Party and State leaders to the community.

He highlighted Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements after nearly four decades of Doi moi (Renewal), noting GDP has reached around 500 billion USD, with per capita income at about 4,700 USD. Despite global and domestic challenges, the economy grew 7.09% in 2024 and about 7.52% in the first half of 2025, placing Vietnam among the fastest-growing economies worldwide.

He highlighted macroeconomic stability, controlled inflation, promoted growth, ensured social security, strengthened national defence and security, enhanced corruption combat, stronger external relations and, particularly, apparatus streamlining from central to grassroots levels towards greater effectiveness and efficiency.

He stressed the ultimate goal of securing prosperity and happiness for the people, and that Vietnam aims to become an upper-middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income nation by 2045. Chairman Man underlined that the overseas Vietnamese community, now about six million across more than 130 countries and territories, continues to develop and make important contributions to national development.

The Party, State, Government, and NA always view overseas Vietnamese, including those in Malaysia, as an inseparable part of the country and an important resource for national development, he affirmed. The NA leader also informed about new policies supporting overseas Vietnamese, including revisions to the laws on identity, housing, and land, alongside incentives encouraging investment, business, and knowledge contributions from abroad. He called on the community in Malaysia to strengthen business activities, respect local laws, preserve the Vietnamese culture and language, and carry out more practical activities to contribute to the homeland.

Ambassador Dinh Ngoc Linh reported that around 40,000 Vietnamese are living, studying, and working in Malaysia, forming a united, hard-working, and patriotic community that contributes both to the host country’s economy and to bilateral relations. Community representatives voiced pride in Vietnam’s achievements, growing position, and recent celebrations of the 80th August Revolution and National Day. They expressed their belief that the country will keep developing strongly under the Party and State's clear-sighted leadership.

They also called for the Party and State's continued attention to overseas Vietnamese, suggesting that more effective ways should be carried out to connect Vietnamese worldwide and connect them with the homeland to help with national development. They also proposed boosting cultural bonds and establishing a Vietnamese language teaching centre in Malaysia.

Catch unloading is strictly monitored by cross-checking fishing logbook data with the VMS system, according to the HCM City Department of Agriculture and Environment. (Illustrative photo: VNA)

HCM City steps up drastic measures to have EC’s “yellow card” removed

Ho Chi Minh City has been taking tough measures, from fleet management and journey monitoring to traceability and strict penalties for violations related to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, part of joint efforts to have the European Commission (EC)'s IUU “yellow card” warning against Vietnamese seafood lifted.

The municipal Department of Agriculture and Environment reported that the city is entering a crucial phase in combating IUU fishing as Vietnam prepares for the EC’s fifth inspection.

A vice chairperson of the municipal People’s Committee has been assigned to oversee the work. Grassroots-level steering boards have been established in coastal communes and wards. The municipal administration has also issued a plan on a peak crackdown on IUU fishing to ensure unified actions at all levels.

HCM City currently has 4,987 fishing vessels, including more than 2,300 that are 15m in length or longer, and all have been registered with the required identification numbers.

Local border guard stations have also tightened control at estuaries, refusing departure clearance for vessels lacking proper documents or disabling their vessel monitoring systems (VMS).

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment, catch unloading is strictly monitored by cross-checking fishing logbook data with the VMS system. The electronic catch documentation and traceability system (eCDT) has also been applied to all vessels entering and leaving ports.

In addition, 14 seafood exporters using domestically sourced materials have been inspected, with 13 complying with record-keeping requirements.

Since 2024, the city has handled 441 administrative violations and prosecuted six cases related to the removal of VMS devices and illegal departures. Several serious IUU-related cases are now under investigation.

During the peak campaign launched in mid-August 2025, fisheries surveillance and border guard forces have conducted 20 patrols, inspecting 492 fishing vessels. They detected 58 violations and imposed fines totalling more than 600 million VND (over 22,700 USD).

Pham Thi Na, Deputy Director of the department, said that thanks to municipal authorities' strong directions, close coordination among forces, and fishermen's improved awareness, anti-IUU fishing efforts have reaped encouraging results.

Lifting the “yellow card” is not only essential to maintain seafood exports to the European market but also a necessary step to develop a modern, responsible, and sustainable fisheries industry, she added.

A performance at the art progrmme themed "I Love My Fatherland" on September 15 (Photo: VNA)

Art programme wraps up national achievement exhibition

A special art programme themed “I Love My Fatherland” wrapped up the national achievement exhibition on September 15.

The event brought together Vietnam’s most popular artists, including People’s Artist Thanh Hoa, Meritorious Artists Dang Duong and Viet Hoan, as well as singers Trong Tan, Thu Minh, Ho Ngoc Ha, Tung Duong, Hoang Thuy Linh, Bao Anh, Truc Nhan, and rap duo Double2T. Violist Anh Tu, the rock band Buc Tuong, the Trong Dong ensemble, the Thanh Am Xanh Orchestra, and the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra also took part in the programme.

Divided into three chapters with dozens of meticulously staged performances, the programme created a vibrant and emotionally rich atmosphere. The blend of tradition and modernity, powerful voices, and the solemn resonance of the symphony orchestra gave the show its distinctive hallmark.

The programme carried profound humane, political, and social significance, fostering patriotism, national pride, and solidarity. Through stirring performances, it celebrated Vietnam’s glorious history and highlighted the beauty of its land and people.

Beyond the stage, “I Love My Fatherland” conveyed a message about the responsibility of every citizen, especially the younger generation, to preserve and promote cultural values while joining hands to build a prosperous and civilised nation. It also served as an opportunity for artists and performers to showcase their talent and creativity, contributing their artistic voices to the community and the country.

According to organisers, after 19 days, the exhibition, which took place at the Vietnam Exposition Centre in Hanoi's Dong Anh commune, drew more than 10 million visitors.

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