General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and State President Thongloun Sioulith will pay an official visit to Vietnam next week. (Photo: VNA) 
Following the welcome ceremony, General Secretary and President Lam held a meeting with Governor-General Mostyn, and talks with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. He witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents and met the press. He also had meetings with the President of the Australian Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last night by the Vietnam News Agency.
A key focus of the visit is to further consolidate and elevate political trust at the highest level, providing fresh momentum for the effective implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework while setting cooperation priorities for the coming period.
In a solemn and deeply moving atmosphere, Vice President and Secretary-General of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Ha Thi Nga and members of the delegation expressed their profound sorrow over the passing of the Lao NA President.
The municipal Party Committee, administration, and people has lost a close comrade who paid special attention to preserving the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic cohesion between Vietnam and Laos, including the friendship and cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and Lao localities.
General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and President To Lam said Vietnam considers Australia one of its leading important partners in the Indo-Pacific region, noting that bilateral relations are facing many new opportunities and the Australia-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership should continue to be advanced in an increasingly substantive and effective manner.
Writing in the condolence book at the memorial service, Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam, on behalf of the Vietnamese Embassy, representative agencies, and community in Laos, expressed profound sorrow and conveyed his deepest condolences to the Lao Party, State, National Assembly and people, and the bereaved family.
The Thai Embassy in Vietnam teamed up with the Vietnam-Thailand Friendship Association (VTFA) and Nghe An provincial authorities on August 10 to host a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic relations.
Overseas Vietnamese are regarded not only as an integral part of the Vietnamese nation but also as an important strategic resource contributing to national strength. They serve as a bridge between Vietnam and the world and participate directly in the cause of national construction, development and defence, according to newly-issued Politburo Resolution No. 23.
The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.
Suggesting that Australia could explore growing Vietnamese coffee varieties, General Secretary and President Lam said the two sides should step up cooperation across a wide range of areas, particularly high-tech agriculture, biotechnology, agricultural processing, trade and investment.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam urged Vietnamese intellectuals and scientists in Australia to further strengthen great national unity, promote Vietnamese cultural values, mentor younger generations and Vietnamese students studying in Australia, and help foster closer community ties.
Writing in the book of condolences, the Vietnamese leaders expressed profound sorrow over the passing of comrade Xaysomphone Phomvihane, describing him as an outstanding and dedicated leader of the Lao Party, State, NA and people, as well as a close and loyal friend of the Vietnamese Party, State, NA, Government and people.
The two officers were selected based on their political and moral qualities, professional competence, military expertise, foreign-language proficiency, health, and ability to work in an international environment.
The four strategic shifts that General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and State President To Lam laid out at the recent third plenum of the 14th Party Central Committee suggest that Vietnam is seriously abiding by its commitments to the environment, economic growth and investment opportunities, the researcher said, adding they are creating new impetus for trade through large infrastructure programmes and showcasing Vietnamese talent and wealth to other countries.
CPC (M-L) member Margaret Villamizar noted that Vietnam’s long history of defending its independence and sovereignty has demonstrated the Vietnamese people’s organisational capacity, creativity and resilience. These qualities continue to be reflected in the country’s development and international relations today.
The upcoming state visit to New Zealand by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and State President To Lam is expected to provide further momentum for the Vietnam-New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to reach a new height, commensurate with the potential and stature of the two countries, bringing more practical benefits to their people and businesses, as well as contributing to the development goals of each country and to peace, stability and sustainable development in the region and the world.
“My father went to Vietnam for negotiations empty-handed but with a sincere heart,” Anatchai recalled. At that time, his father declared that the only thing he could offer was his heart and a determination to put the past behind, become friends, and build both nations together.
Vietnam encourages high-quality Australian investment in its market, including in green financial products, digital infrastructure, data and innovation centres, while seeking stronger technical support and experience sharing in developing an international financial centre, said Party leader To Lam.
This is a significant visit – the first State visit to New Zealand by a President of Vietnam since 2007. It comes at an important point in a relationship built over more than 50 years through trade, education, development cooperation, security ties and links between our people.
