General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam’s European visits from October 19 to 24 aim to deepen Vietnam’s ties with Denmark, the European Union and Belgium, with a new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Denmark marking a key milestone after 55 years of diplomatic relations.
Here are selected events from October 16-22.
Top leader’s European visits strengthen Vietnam’s strategic partnerships
Swiss President’s visit advances ties with Vietnam
Vietnam, EFTA sign trade deal after 14 years of negotiations
Vietnam assumes chair of APEC Finance Ministers' Process
Vietnam’s two scenic rail journeys named among world’s best./.
On the afternoon of October 21 (local time), or the evening of the same day (Hanoi time), General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam, his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly, and a high-level Vietnamese delegation arrived in Brussels, beginning official visits to the European Union (EU) and the Kingdom of Belgium at the invitations of European Council President Antonio Costa and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever.
The leaders agreed to adopt a Joint Statement on the establishment of the Vietnam-Denmark Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, opening a new chapter in bilateral relations and creating a new political framework and fresh momentum for deeper, more substantive cooperation for the long-term benefit of the two peoples, as well as for peace, stability, cooperation, and sustainable development in their respective regions and the wider world.
While the agreement awaits entry into force, businesses are recommended to review tariff schedules, product-specific origin requirements, the costs of origin certification, quality testing and compliance with importers’ standards. Early preparation will help them make effective use of the new opportunities.
Vietnam consistently attaches importance to its friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Switzerland, they stressed, describing the visit as a vivid demonstration of the two countries' commitment to realising and further deepening their Comprehensive Partnership, established in January 2025, the Vietnamese leaders said.
For some families, the wait to learn where a loved one lies has lasted for decades. Some remains are recovered without a name, an address or a personal effect that can identify them. As the last traces of the past gradually fade, DNA has become one of the most important scientific tools in the effort to identify those who gave their lives.
President of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man paid an official visit to China and co-chaired the second session of the cooperation committee between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the National People’s Congress of China from October 11 to 15.
Five Vietnamese businesswomen have been named on Fortune magazine’s 2026 list of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Asia, released on October 6.
The Hanoi Outcome Document on Heritage and Authenticity, adopted at the Asia-Pacific Dialogue on Heritage and Authenticity in Hanoi on September 30, offers new perspectives on heritage conservation, emphasising the central role of communities and the need to preserve the continuity of heritage as it evolves.
Law enforcement agencies of ASEAN member states discussed measures to strengthen regional cooperation in combating criminal fugitives at a high-level conference hosted by Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security in Hanoi on September 30.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam delivered an important address at the high-level general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York on September 22 (local time).
As the Mid-Autumn Festival draws near, traditional lanterns are lighting up Hanoi’s Old Quarter, bringing childhood memories back to life. From handmade prawn and crab lanterns to hands-on craft experiences, the “Preserving the Moonlight” exhibition offers a glimpse into Vietnam’s traditional Mid-Autumn culture – and explores how these cherished memories can be passed on to a new generation.
The state visit to Vietnam by King of Thailand Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana from September 14–16 was of historic significance to bilateral ties. This was the first state visit by a Thai monarch to Vietnam since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1976. It took place as the two countries marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties and after they upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in May 2025.
Party General Secretary and President To Lam and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed on major orientations for further developing and deepening relations between Vietnam and Russia in the new period. The agreement was reached during their talks in Moscow on September 9, as part of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam’s state visit to Russia.
More than 6.5 million Vietnamese are living in over 130 countries and territories, bringing with them not only deep ties to their homeland but also valuable knowledge, expertise, capital and international networks. Resolution No. 23-NQ/TW, issued by the Politburo on August 2, 2026, marks a strategic shift in overseas Vietnamese affairs, viewing the community as an important strategic resource and creating greater opportunities for them to contribute to the country’s development.
Vietnam marked the 81st anniversary of National Day with solemn ceremonies at home and abroad, highlighting the country’s historic journey and aspirations for a new era of development.
Vietnam successfully defended their ASEAN Cup title after a 2-2 draw with Thailand in the second leg of the final at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi on August 26 evening, completing a 4-2 aggregate victory.
In the digital age, cyberspace offers tremendous convenience, but it also comes with growing risks, from fake news and harmful content to online scams. In today’s podcast, we look at these threats from both an individual and national security perspective, and explore how greater awareness and proactive action can help create a safer, healthier digital environment.
Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, Sri Lanka, welcomed Vietjet’s inaugural flight between Colombo and Ho Chi Minh City, marking the launch of a new direct route connecting two prominent destinations in Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and President To Lam has concluded his State visit to Australia and continued to New Zealand for a State visit from August 12–14, with both countries agreeing to deepen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships and expand cooperation in strategic areas including science, technology, trade, education, climate change and sustainable development.
More than five decades after the guns fell silent, Vietnam's ageing veterans continue returning to former battlefields in search of the comrades they left behind. Their unwavering commitment, now reinforced by the national 500-Day Campaign to locate, recover and identify the remains of fallen soldiers, reflects a solemn promise to the fallen and Vietnam's enduring tradition of honouring those who sacrificed for the nation.
National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand Sophon Zaram have agreed to work closely to effectively implement cooperation agreements between the two legislatures, while expanding parliamentary exchanges and coordination in support of the Vietnam–Thailand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
On the afternoon of July 28, a magnitude-7.1 earthquake struck Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture, causing widespread structural damage and disruptions to transport and power supplies. Amid the chaos in Yatsushiro city, five Vietnamese workers under Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker programme joined forces to rescue a woman in her late 80s who was trapped beneath the rubble.
For decades, countless Vietnamese families have lived with the pain of not knowing where their fallen relatives rest. Today, the nationwide 500-Day Campaign is bringing renewed hope that modern science and collective efforts will finally identify unknown martyrs, reunite families and fulfil a promise that has endured since the war.
The third meeting of the 14th Party Central Committee opened in Hanoi on July 20 under the chair of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam. Running until July 24, the meeting is reviewing 13 key issues aimed at implementing the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress and strengthening Party leadership, governance and national development.
