Quang Ninh (VNA) – The 16th international conference on the East Sea opened in Ha Long city of northeastern Quang Ninh province on October 23, seeking ways to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the East Sea.
The event, organised by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV), drew the participation of nearly 50 prestigious experts from 23 countries and international organisations, 100 delegates from foreign representative offices in Vietnam and 22 ambassadors. The two-day conference features seven sessions with diverse topics.
Dr. Pham Lan Dung, Acting President of the DAV, said that as the East Sea has been a geopolitical hotspot with territorial disputes, differences in maritime claims, and increasing militarisation activities, relevant parties must stay steadfast in their efforts to pursue peace and diplomacy.
In his remarks, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet spoke highly of the conference's theme of “Navigating Narratives, Nurturing Norms”. He affirmed that amidst fierce competition among powers, adherence to widely recognised principles and standards is a basis to ensure international peace and stability as well as a common framework for countries to peacefully resolve disputes.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the entry into force of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and is an opportunity to affirm the significance of the convention that established a comprehensive international legal framework for all activities on the seas and oceans, he said.
Vietnam’s candidacy to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) for the 2026-2035 tenure, he said, reaffirms the country’s willingness to contribute to the ITLOS’s activities as well as its commitments to the UNCLOS and UN Charter and international law in general.
According to Viet, the freshly-signed Pact for the Future of the UN demonstrates the global resolve in handling humanity’s challenges through multilateral cooperation. ASEAN should be trusted with the bridging role as the bloc’s principles of openness, inclusivity, transparency, and respect for international law will be able connect all parties involved.
The Young Leaders Programme is set to be held on the sidelines of the conference, providing a platform for next generations of leaders to engage in the study of the East Sea issues./.

See more

Vietnam strongly committed to combating cybercrime: ambassador
Vietnam will host the signing ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime in 2025.

Prime Minister pays tribute to martyrs, Heroic Mothers in Quang Nam
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh offered incense and flowers at the Quang Nam provincial Martyrs' Cemetery and the Heroic Vietnamese Mother Monument in Tam Ky city on February 8, as part of his working visit to the central province.

PM requires Quang Nam businesses to contribute more to nation’s growth
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on February 8 requested enterprises in the central province of Quang Nam to make efforts to help the whole country achieve an 8% GDP growth rate in 2025.

Gathering held in Brazil to celebrate new year, CPV’s 95th anniversary
The Vietnamese Embassy in Brazil on February 6 held a gathering to celebrate the Year of the Snake 2025 and the 95th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV)

Congratulations delivered on anniversaries of ties between Vietnam and Togo, Bulgaria
Vietnamese leaders on February 8 sent congratulatory messages to their Togolese counterparts on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations (February 8, 1975 - 2025).

Vietnamese, US defence chiefs hold phone talks
Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang and US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth discussed bilateral cooperation during their phone talks on February 7.

Party Central Committee’s Office welcomes new chief
Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of the committee’s Inspection Commission Nguyen Duy Ngoc on February 7 handed over the duties of the Chief of the committee’s Office to Secretary of the Party Central Committee Le Hoai Trung.

Vietnam always fosters friendship, cooperation with Cambodia: Ambassador
Vietnam always values and gives high priority to strengthening its solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Cambodia, said newly-appointed Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu.

PM welcomes new ambassadors of Pakistan, Thailand
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted separate receptions in Hanoi on February 7 for Pakistani Ambassador Kohdayar Marri and Thai Ambassador Urawadee Sriphiromya, who recently took up their diplomatic posts in Vietnam.

Party chief oversees leadership transition at CPV’s Inspection Commission
Party General Secretary To Lam attended a conference in Hanoi on February 7 to hand over the work of the Chairperson of the 13th Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Inspection Commission.

Vietnam, France seek to strengthen strategic partnership through local cooperation
Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang invited investors in France’s Grand Est region to explore opportunities in Vietnam, particularly in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, agriculture, renewable energy, innovation, digital transformation, and semiconductors.

☕ Afternoon briefing on February 7
The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.

Vietnam, Bulgaria enjoy thriving ties through more than seven decades
Building on this tradition, over the past more than seven decades, both countries have made continuous efforts to enhance and consolidate bilateral relations through regular exchanges of high-level delegations, the establishment of the Intergovernmental Committee and regular political consultations, the implementation of numerous agreements and cooperative programmes, and mutual support at international forums.

New vigour, new mindset drive Vietnam toward prosperity

☀️ Morning digest on February 7
The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last night by the Vietnam News Agency.

75th anniversary of Vietnam-DPRK diplomatic relations marked in Hanoi
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son said the Vietnam-DPRK traditional friendship, nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh and President Kim Il Sung, has overcome historical challenges and been continuously strengthened by generations of Vietnamese and DPRK leaders.

PM Pham Minh Chinh receives FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu
PM Pham Minh Chinh noted that Vietnam remains actively engaged in global initiatives to ensure food security and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Vietnam, India enhance defence cooperation
The Deputy Minister suggested that both nations focus on implementing the exchange of delegations, especially high-level ones, and maintaining existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly in training programmes and defence industry collaboration.

Conference makes final preparations for NA’s 9th extraordinary session
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man reiterated Party General Secretary To Lam's call for tighter coordination between the Government and the legislature to tackle socio-economic challenges, strengthen national defence - security, and consolidate the political system.

☕ Afternoon briefing on February 6
The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.