AGP Executive Report

Vietnam–Australia ties: General Secretary and President Tô Lâm wraps up his Australia visit and heads to New Zealand, with both sides pushing deeper cooperation across defence, maritime security, digital transformation, education and agriculture. Education & skills: Monash University and Ho Chi Minh City Open University sign to launch a Master of TESOL, aiming to build a stronger pipeline of English teachers as Vietnam treats English as a functional second language. Overseas Vietnamese policy: Vietnam’s Politburo Resolution No. 23-NQ/TW reframes overseas Vietnamese as an inseparable strategic resource, urging communities to act as bridges for Vietnam’s integration and development. Culture & identity in diaspora: A two-part look at Taiwan’s NCCU Southeast Asian Languages and Cultures department shows how immigrant families and language access shape students’ understanding of Vietnam. Tech & infrastructure: A new Politburo resolution stresses modern digital infrastructure—fibre, 5G and data centres—as the base for a national data platform and the wider innovation ecosystem. Global culture spotlight: Miss World Sierra Leone begins official activities in Vietnam, adding more international cultural visibility to the pageant week.

Space & Tech: Vietnam’s VinSpace (Vingroup) has signed a contract with SpaceX to launch Vietnam’s first home-built satellites in 2027 via a Transporter rideshare mission, aiming to test its tech in orbit and build future commercial capability. Culture & Lifestyle: Hilton’s Tapestry Collection by Hilton debuts in Hoi An with NHAAN Resort & Spa Hoi An, a riverside, craft-and-gastronomy-focused stay built around “slow, intentional travel.” Sports & Community: The Pro Pickleball Association’s MB Ho Chi Minh City Open wrapped up with Vietnam’s Luc Pham winning men’s singles and Andie Dikosavljevic taking women’s singles, highlighting rising Asia-based talent. International Ties: Vietnam and Australia issued joint statements to deepen science, technology and innovation connectivity and further advance their comprehensive strategic partnership. Heritage & Learning: A UNESCO-supported digital heritage contest in Nanjing challenges young innovators to rethink how visitors experience cultural traditions in the digital age. Public Life: Vietnam Railways has been transformed into the Vietnam National Railway Group, expanding roles beyond rail operations into broader transport and support services.

Digital Transformation for Foreigners: Vietnam is pushing a more seamless digital ecosystem for foreigners, from e-visas and e-identification to easier access to online public services, aiming to make daily procedures simpler and boost Vietnam’s appeal for study, work, tourism and investment. Vietnam–Australia Partnership: In Canberra, President Tô Lâm and PM Anthony Albanese exchanged joint statements and signed seven cooperation deals spanning education, vocational training, agriculture, health, digital economy, and maritime/border security—while also highlighting energy and food-supply resilience. Space Ambitions: VinSpace signed a launch contract with SpaceX for 2027 rideshare missions, moving Vietnam toward full-stack space capability from satellite R&D and manufacturing to on-orbit operations. Education Publishing Upgrade: Vietnam’s Education Publishing House is strengthening Germany ties to accelerate digital textbooks and e-learning materials, including publishing data management and digital transformation know-how. Lifestyle & Culture Abroad: Paris Baguette opened its first Laos store, expanding Korean bakery culture across Southeast Asia, while Hanoi’s Sofitel Metropole marks 125 years with “Live the Legend” heritage experiences. Sports Lifestyle: XTEP launched a five-year partnership with the Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon, backing Vietnam’s growing running culture.

Hanoi Culture & Sports: The Hanoi International Martial Arts Festival 2026 wrapped up on Aug. 9, with performances and exchanges linking traditional disciplines to modern training and boosting the “Thang Long Spirit” brand for the capital. Tourism Promotion: Vietnam’s National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) teamed up with VFS Global to market Vietnam in key overseas markets, including India, using visa-application touchpoints and digital channels. Overseas Vietnamese Policy: Vietnam’s State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese held a briefing on Resolution No. 23-NQ/TW, stressing overseas Vietnamese as both part of the nation and a strategic resource for development. Vietnam–Australia Ties: General Secretary To Lam met Australia’s Special Envoy for Southeast Asia and NSW Governor Margaret Beazley, pushing deeper cooperation in trade, investment, and people-to-people links. Rice Value Chain & Skills: During To Lam’s Australia visit, Vietnam’s finance minister discussed expanding investment with SunRice on a sustainable, low-emission rice value chain in the Mekong Delta, alongside education and tech cooperation. Vietnam–Thailand 50 Years: Nghe An marked the 50th anniversary of Vietnam–Thailand diplomatic relations with renewed focus on industry, tourism, and cultural exchanges. Global Culture & Lifestyle: Bhaya Cruises announced new Ha Long Bay seasonal itineraries, including a wellness voyage and a cultural celebration for North American travelers.

Vietnam–Australia Tech Partnership: Vietnam’s top leader To Lam told the Vietnam-Australia Techconnect Forum that science, technology, innovation and high-quality human resources are now “imperatives” for Vietnam’s 2045 developed-country goal, pushing a knowledge-driven growth model. Diplomacy With New Zealand: New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the upcoming To Lam state visit should turn the 2025 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into real projects and benefits for people and businesses. Youth Innovation Push: RE:ACT, co-led by UNDP and Vietnam’s National Innovation Centre with Samsung support, is calling for 600+ youth-led teams nationwide, offering up to $15,000 per team plus mentoring and living-lab testing. Career Programs for Multicultural Youth: Woomi Hope Foundation ran its “Woomi Dream Finder” overseas career camp in Ho Chi Minh City for children and teens from multicultural families and accident-affected households, including visits to Korean firms and universities. Vietnam’s Independent Voices Abroad: Reports say Vietnam’s crackdown on independent journalism is reaching overseas, with exiled photojournalist Đoàn Bảo Châu convicted in absentia in Hanoi. Lifestyle & Sports: XTEP signed a five-year strategic partnership with the Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon to grow Vietnam’s running community, while Vietnam’s tourism appeal is also rising among Indian travelers. Culture & Heritage: A spotlight on Vietnam’s cultural ties and regional soft power sits alongside coverage of museums revitalizing Ho Chi Minh City’s heritage.

Vietnam–Australia ties: Vietnam’s top leader To Lam begins state visits to Australia and New Zealand, with experts saying the trip could unlock fresh momentum in science, technology and innovation as both sides shift toward digital transformation. Sports tourism: Vietnam is leaning harder into marathons, triathlons and golf to turn wellness and competition into a travel draw, with events across Hanoi, HCMC, Da Nang, Hue, Sa Pa, Da Lat, Phu Quoc and Con Dao. Culture & heritage: Gia Lai is pushing a UNESCO bid for Binh Dinh traditional martial arts, aiming to protect schools and pass down techniques for the next generation. Diplomacy through culture: The Philippines and Vietnam marked 50 years of relations with traditional arts and a water puppetry workshop in Intramuros. Lifestyle spotlight: A feature on Vietnamese coffee culture traces how the drink’s rituals and community spaces have deepened in everyday life. Human stories: A profile of early women at the Air Force Academy revisits 50 years of progress toward equality.

Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy: Vietnam’s top leader To Lam has departed Hanoi for state visits to Australia and New Zealand (Aug. 9–14), with a delegation spanning defence, public security and foreign affairs—another push to deepen ties beyond politics. UNESCO bid for martial arts: Gia Lai is backing Binh Dinh’s bid to inscribe Binh Dinh traditional martial arts on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, with a 2026–2030 safeguarding plan focused on masters, schools and transmission. Hanoi culture on stage: The 2026 Hanoi International Martial Arts Festival opened at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, drawing about 2,000 martial artists from 66 delegations, including international groups. Regional arts exchange: Da Nang hosted the Vietnam–Korea Festival 2026 (Aug. 7–9), spotlighting culture and people-to-people cooperation. Youth and education wins: Vietnam secured seven medals at the 3rd International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence in Kazakhstan, including two golds. Lifestyle & travel: Sports tourism is rising in Vietnam, with marathons, triathlons and golf events turning competition into a cultural travel hook.

Vietnam–Korea Festival 2026: Da Nang kicked off the Vietnam–Korea Festival 2026 (Aug 7–9), spotlighting art, culture, trade and people-to-people exchanges at Bien Dong Park, with officials calling it a new chapter for deeper cooperation. ASEAN Culture & Diplomacy: Vietnam’s MFA Le Hoai Trung said Vietnam will keep shaping ASEAN’s future as the bloc marks its 59th founding anniversary, while India’s Qutub Minar was lit in ASEAN colours in a first-of-its-kind global monument projection. Hanoi Martial Arts Showcase: Hanoi opened its 2026 International Martial Arts Festival at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel (Aug 7–9), themed “The Spirit of Thang Long,” drawing about 2,000 martial artists from 66 delegations. Student Innovation: Vietnam won seven medals at the 3rd International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence in Kazakhstan, including two gold and one silver. Halal Economy Push: Khánh Hòa is positioning itself as Việt Nam’s emerging halal hub, aiming to build a halal ecosystem and expand Muslim-friendly tourism and services. Cultural Exchange in Manila: The Philippines and Việt Nam marked 50 years of diplomatic relations with “Rhythms of the Land, Puppets of the Water” in Intramuros, featuring water puppetry and Filipino folk dance.

Beauty With a Purpose: Bangladesh’s Miss World hopeful Samanzar Sayeed heads to Vietnam on Aug 8 carrying a hygiene-and-preventive-health message, with her campaign “Hygiene for Health Bangladesh” spotlighting hand, food, drinking water, oral, menstrual and environmental hygiene. Cultural Tourism Upgrade: Ho Chi Minh City museums are leaning into digital tech and interactive experiences—3D and VR-style displays included—to draw more visitors and energize the night-time economy. Vietnam in the Spotlight Abroad: A new Hilton Tapestry Collection property, NHAAN Resort & Spa Hoi An, has opened, offering Vietnamese design touches, riverside dining and stays bookable with Hilton Honors points. Community Heritage in Art: A fresh mural in Seattle’s Little Saigon puts Vietnamese symbols and history on public display, built with local volunteers and designed to reflect the neighborhood’s past and future. Lifestyle & Safety Watch: Singapore police arrested a woman tied to the alleged “Fun Coffee” crypto-linked scheme, after investors reported being unable to withdraw funds. Sports Calendar: IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu-Lapu returns Aug 8 with a 48-country field and a tough Cebu course.

ASEAN Anniversary in HCMC: The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations marked ASEAN’s 59th founding anniversary (Aug 8, 1967–2026) with a gathering stressing “unity in diversity” and deeper people-to-people links across the bloc. Vietnam–Azerbaijan Film Ties: Vietnam and Azerbaijan discussed new cooperation in cinema, including joint productions, filmmaker exchanges, and creative projects via a meeting between ARKA and a Vietnamese delegation. Land Law Update: Vietnam’s draft revised Land Law would strengthen resettlement safeguards—requiring housing and living conditions equal to or better than before recovery—while giving local authorities more land-recovery powers and a faster clearance mechanism for key projects. Education Debate: A new discussion in Vietnam’s higher-education space questions the push for a more “open, liberal academic environment,” after backlash over “liberal education” and renewed concerns about exam integrity. Culture & Lifestyle Spotlight: A Vietnamese idol group, Uprize, is making waves with its debut album “Thăng,” while a separate feature highlights how Vietnamese coffee culture is taking deeper root. Human Rights Watch: International rights groups raised alarm over freedom of religion and expression in South Korea, calling for review of detention cases involving elderly religious leaders.

Sustainable Development: Vietnam’s 2026 Sustainable Development Dialogue (Aug 6) at Nestlé Vietnam in Hung Yen pushed a practical idea: sustainability must become part of competitiveness, not just ESG—linking greener production with resilience, technology, and policy direction. Culture & Diplomacy: Vietnam’s cultural showcase “Rhythms of the Land, Puppets of the Water” brought Vietnamese arts to Manila’s Intramuros as part of 50 years of Vietnam–Philippines diplomatic ties, highlighting puppetry and shared artistic connections. Heritage Tourism: Dak Nong Global Geopark work surveyed 41 sites to protect geology, culture, and tourism values—aiming to strengthen sustainable heritage travel. Agent Orange Accountability: A Vietnam–U.S. analysis revisits how cooperation shifted from justice demands to technical and humanitarian support, while the core question of accountability for victims remains unresolved. Creative Industry: Moonfolks launched in Vietnam with an Ho Chi Minh office, led by Chief Creative Officer Livio Grossi, signaling a new push for craft-focused creative work. Community Events: The Soul of Vietnam Festival returns to Victoria’s Ship Point on Aug 16, featuring a waterfront fashion runway and Vietnamese folk opera.

Vietnam–Thailand Diplomacy: PM Le Minh Hung and Thailand’s NA President Sophon Zaram agreed to push the “Three Connects” Strategy, linking supply chains, businesses, localities and sustainable development as the two countries mark 50 years of ties. US–Vietnam Parliamentary Ties: NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man received outgoing US Ambassador Jennifer Wicks, urging a regular, substantive dialogue between the two legislatures and deeper economic cooperation. Digital Trust & Media Literacy: Vietnam launched a campaign to train people to question and verify online deception, with partners including the Ministry of Public Security, Vietnam Television and Phenikaa University. Lifestyle & Culture Spotlight: Saigon-based illustrator Phuongsongdep (Minh Phương) is drawing attention for her colorful, cheeky storytelling that blends everyday street life with self-compassion. International Human Stories: A Malaysian operation detained 18 Vietnamese crew members over suspected illegal fishing, seizing marine produce. Global Pageantry: Miss World Philippines Asia Rose Simpson says she’s ready to compete in Vietnam, bringing her own children’s book for the pageant’s World Library.

Cybersecurity & Digital Safety: PM Le Minh Hung urged Vietnam to build a safer, more trustworthy cyberspace at the Vietnam Cybersecurity Day ceremony in Hanoi, warning cybercrime and data breaches are outpacing digital transformation. Tourism & Culture in HCMC: Ho Chi Minh City is pushing a “smart tourism ecosystem” after administrative expansion, linking aviation, shopping, MICE, leisure and cultural experiences to raise visitor value. Aging Society Planning: Vietnam’s policymakers are looking beyond late-life elderly care toward earlier preparation and a “silver economy” that treats older people as both beneficiaries and contributors. Da Nang Airport Expansion: Da Nang approved an expansion of Terminal 1 to ease overload, adding new passenger zones and smart logistics infrastructure. Local Craft & Heritage: Hai Phong’s herbal incense makers in Tran Phu Commune are scaling traditional production with clean, natural ingredients and OCOP certification for wider Asian markets. Education & Community Languages: A Vietnamese school teacher in Western Australia was among award winners, highlighting community language education as cultural preservation. Global Media Spotlight: A documentary on Amy Goodman’s independent reporting philosophy spotlights how donation-funded journalism aims to keep war and climate coverage free from corporate sponsors.

US–Vietnam Defense & Community Ties: The USS George Washington carrier strike group arrived in Da Nang for a port visit, with thousands of sailors expected to meet Vietnamese leaders and locals, underscoring deepening defense cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Central Vietnam Food Culture: Da Nang will host “My Quang – Quintessence of Quang Cuisine 2026” on Aug 14–15, aiming to preserve Quang Nam-style noodle soup heritage while turning it into a stronger tourism product. Vietnam–Singapore Party Diplomacy: In Hanoi, CPV Secretariat member Tran Cam Tu met Singapore’s ambassador, stressing expanded cooperation across politics, economy, education and people-to-people exchanges. Vietnam–Thailand Legislative Cooperation: Vietnam’s NA chair Tran Thanh Man and Thailand’s NA president Sophon Zaram agreed to boost parliamentary exchanges as bilateral ties mark 50 years since diplomatic relations began. Vietnamese Returnees After US Deportations: HCMC received 47 Vietnamese nationals deported from the US, with authorities arranging temporary support for vulnerable returnees. ASEAN Culture Exchange: Indonesia’s arts and culture scholarship program brings ASEAN participants, including Vietnam, to strengthen people-to-people links through cultural exchange.

Vietnam–Thailand Parliamentary Ties: Thailand’s National Assembly President Sophon Zaram arrived in Hanoi for a three-day official visit, underscoring the two countries’ deepening comprehensive strategic partnership and marking the 50th anniversary of Vietnam–Thailand diplomatic relations. E-Visas & Visitor Safety: Vietnam is stepping up its e-visa rollout to help protect both citizens and international travelers as demand grows and more online visa-selling sites appear. ASEAN Civil Service Cooperation: The 23rd ACCSM and 8th ACCSM+3 opened in Siem Reap, focusing on “innovation for better service delivery” and digital transformation in public administration. Tourism Spotlight: Ninh Binh has been nominated for Asia’s Leading Emerging Tourism Destination 2026, with visitor numbers and tourism revenue rising sharply this year. Culture & Education Link: UH’s Vietnam Executive MBA (VEMBA) marks 25 years, celebrating 1,000+ graduates and stronger business education ties between Hawaiʻi and Vietnam. Global Rights & Online Freedom: A new UN cybercrime treaty is raising alarms about how governments could use it to target online dissent, with Vietnam listed among early ratifiers.

Vietnam’s Development Reset: A new resolution on renewing Vietnam’s development model aims to shift growth toward productivity, science/tech, innovation, digital transformation, green transition, and better human resources. Culture & Community: Hanoi is pushing Pho as cultural intellectual property, while Ho Chi Minh City gears up for next-generation FDI inflows and launches an English-support push for schools. Festivals in Motion: Saigon International Guitar Festival 2026 runs Aug 5–9, marking major anniversaries for the city conservatory’s guitar department. Health Policy: Vietnam launches a national action plan against breast and cervical cancer. Tourism & Lifestyle: Vietnam’s domestic consumption and tourism keep Vietnam’s growth steady in the first seven months. Urban Planning Watch: Vinhomes unveils the master plan for its 6,200-hectare Ha Long Bay urban project, reframing “scale” as value per hectare. ASEAN Month: ASEAN Month 2026 kicks off in Manila with cultural days, workshops, and music/dance events. Global Culture Lens: A map on academic freedom shows Czechia leading and Vietnam’s broader higher-education autonomy concerns rising.