Politics

☕ Afternoon briefing on August 7

The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.

☕ Afternoon briefing on August 7

Hanoi (VNA) - The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.

- The upcoming State visit to Australia by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam is expected to give fresh impetus to the Vietnam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, opening up new opportunities for deeper, more substantive and effective collaboration.

As the highest-level external activity of the Vietnamese Party and State, and the first State visit by a Vietnamese State President to Australia, the trip holds particular historical significance, serving as an important milestone to translate high-level political commitments into concrete outcomes and further strengthen political trust between the two countries. Read full story

- Prime Minister Le Minh Hung on August 6 issued Decision No. 1493/QD-TTg approving a special national science, technology and innovation programme on strategic technologies, aiming to strengthen the country’s technological self-reliance and competitiveness and gradually enable its products to join global value chains.

The programme seeks to master, develop, perfect and commercialise highly competitive strategic technology products, with priority given to core technologies. It also aims to build a strategic technology ecosystem and strengthen linkages among the State, businesses and science and technology organisations. Read full story

- Vietnam attracted significant international investment into its digital infrastructure sector in H1 2026, building on regulatory reforms, according to Cushman & Wakefield’s just-released APAC Data Centre Update H1 2026.

Ho Chi Minh City's data centre market remained at an early stage of development in H1, with 33 MW of operational IT capacity across 14 facilities operated by nine providers. Future expansion is supported by a development pipeline of 68 MW, comprising 14 MW under construction and 54 MW in the planning stage, representing more than twice the city's existing operational capacity. Colocation vacancy stood at 34.8%, indicating that existing supply still provides room to accommodate future demand as cloud adoption and hyperscale investment continue to develop. Read full story

- Vietnamese technology group FPT has been named an OpenAI Select Partner, paving the way for the two companies to help organisations worldwide accelerate AI adoption safely and at scale while expanding opportunities in the fast-growing cybersecurity market.

Under the partnership, FPT and OpenAI will work together to help businesses develop AI transformation roadmaps, build AI platforms, strengthen workforce capabilities and deploy responsible AI solutions tailored to their operational needs. Enterprises will also be able to optimise AI model operating costs through more efficient token usage while leveraging advanced large language models, including GPT-5.6, and ChatGPT Work to support strategic business objectives. Read full story

- Nam A Bank has secured an additional 20 million USD in green financing from the Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets (SIFEM AG). The credit agreement was signed on August 6 during the Vietnam Green Finance Summit 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Nam A Bank Deputy CEO Vo Hoang Hai said the agreement translates the summit's objective of connecting international green capital with investment opportunities in Vietnam into concrete action. Read full story

- Vietnam’s iconic pho (noodle soup) took centre stage in a nearly three-week cultural roadshow across Europe in July, introducing international audiences not only to the country’s signature dish but also to the traditions, history and community spirit behind it.

The Pho Cultural Roadshow Europe 2026 travelled through six countries – the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary and Germany – with seven stops, bringing together eight Vietnamese culinary artisans, chefs and food experts. Read full story./.

VNA
#afternoon briefing
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

See more

Vina Nadjibulla, former Vice President for Research and Strategy at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (Photo; VNA)

33rd Diplomatic Conference: Vietnam's foreign policy wins praise from Canadian expert

Vina Nadjibulla, former Vice President for Research and Strategy at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, credited pragmatic diplomacy with allowing Vietnam to build relationships with a range of partners without becoming overly dependent on any single country. That approach, she noted, has become more relevant as major-power rivalry heats up, the global economy fragments, and pressure mounts on countries to pick sides.

Minister of Agriculture and Environment Trinh Viet Hung speaks at the session (Photo: VNA)

Legislators review bills to streamline administrative procedures in agriculture, environment

Presenting the draft law on amending and supplementing several articles of 10 laws concerning administrative procedures and business conditions in the agriculture and environment sector, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Trinh Viet Hung said it is designed to institutionalise the Party's policy of reducing and simplifying administrative procedures and business conditions, while promoting decentralisation, innovation, and more effective state governance.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee (right) hosts a reception for Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn in Hanoi during her state visit to Vietnam in September last year (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Australia to further strenthern cooperation

The messages posted on Australian Government media platforms highlighted Australia and Vietnam as close regional partners with a long-standing friendship. This will be General Secretary and President Lam’s first visit to Australia since being appointed as President in April and it is also the first in-person meeting between the two leaders.

Lawmakers discuss bills in groups (Photo: VNA)

Lawmakers mull over various bills in group debates

The legislative package includes a draft Law on Urban Development, a bill amending and supplementing several articles of 10 laws that govern administrative procedures and business conditions in agriculture and environment, and the draft Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Radio Frequencies, the Law on Telecommunications, the Law on E-Transactions, and the Law on Technology Transfer.

A flag-raising ceremony is held to mark the 58th founding anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on August 8, 2025 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam remains active contributor to ASEAN Community Vision 2045

Vietnam's 31-year journey with ASEAN stands as compelling testimony to its strong commitment to regional integration, as well as its pioneering spirit, sense of responsibility, and proactive contributions to building a united and resilient ASEAN Community.

Bui Quang Hung, Deputy Director General of the Trade Promotion Agency, addresses the seminar. (Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Industry and Trade)

Vietnam, Netherlands seek deeper manufacturing cooperation

Manufacturing remains one of Vietnam's core industries, making a major contribution to economic growth, exports and foreign direct investment. The country has become an important production base for multinational corporations in electronics, precision engineering, electrical equipment and high-tech industries.

Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith (right) receives General Nguyen Trong Nghia, Chairman of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army on August 6 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Laos strengthen political, defence ties

The Lao leaders expressed satisfaction with the steady development of bilateral ties, noting that political relations have become increasingly close, deep and trustworthy, serving as the guiding force for overall cooperation.

Collins Chong Yew Keat, a foreign affairs, security and strategy analyst at the University of Malaya (Photo: VNA)

Malaysia-Vietnam defence ties set for more practical cooperation: expert

According to the expert, another key outcome was the reaffirmation of the 2023 defence cooperation MoU and the Action Programme for implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as the principal roadmap for future collaboration. The framework builds on existing cooperation in delegation exchanges, consultation mechanisms, military education, defence industry, and coordination within ASEAN and other multilateral forums.

Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung speaks at the networking session with business community on August 6. (Photo: VNA)

Diplomacy to accompany businesses in expanding Vietnam's development space

Opening the event, Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung said Vietnam is entering a new era of development in which foreign affairs and international integration is a crucial and regular task, contributing to maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, mobilising external resources and enhancing the country's international standing.

A view of a National Assembly meeting (Photo: VNA)

NA reviews special mechanisms to keep APEC 2027 projects on schedule

The draft laws include the Law on Urban Development; the Law on amending and supplementing several articles of 10 laws concerning administrative procedures and business conditions in the agriculture and environment sectors; and the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Radio Frequencies, the Law on Telecommunications, the Law on E-Transactions, and the Law on Technology Transfer.

The meeting between NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man and US Ambassador Jennifer Wicks in Hanoi on August 6 (Photo: VNA)

Top legislator asks new US ambassador to forward parliamentary ties

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on US Ambassador Jennifer Wicks to leverage her role by working closely with Vietnamese authorities to promote all-level mutual visits and meetings, especially between high-ranking leaders, while establishing a regular and substantive dialogue mechanism between the two legislative bodies.

PM Le Minh Hung (R) meets with outgoing Malaysian Ambassador Tan Yang Thai on August 6. (Photo: VNA)

PM hosts outgoing Malaysian Ambassador

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung proposed that Malaysia invest in Vietnam’s halal industry, covering capacity building, common halal certification standards and mutual recognition between the two countries’ national halal certification centres.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (right) and President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand Sophon Zaram (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Thailand agree to advance "Three Connects" Strategy

Both leaders noted confidence that, with strong political will and close coordination between the relevant agencies of both countries, the Vietnam–Thailand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership would continue to develop in a more substantive and effective manner.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Pham Hung Tam (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam-Australia ties poised for new development breakthroughs

After more than half a century of diplomatic relations and comprehensive cooperation, the two countries have increasingly shared strategic interests and have a growing need to strengthen coordination in responding to profound changes in the international environment.