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Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son meets with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov.

Vietnam, Azerbaijan seek to turn strategic partnership into concrete cooperation

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son had a meeting with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov on May 8 in Baku, as part of the State visit by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

At the meeting, Minister Bayramov warmly welcomed General Secretary To Lam and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, stressing that the visit holds great significance and will further deepen the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Azerbaijan.

Sharing his personal affection for Vietnam and its people, Minister Bayramov congratulated the country on its remarkable socio-economic achievements, praised its consistent policy of peaceful diplomacy, and highlighted the popularity and export potential of Vietnamese products such as seafood and coffee in the Azerbaijani market.

He expressed his belief that the elevation of bilateral ties to a strategic partnership would open new avenues for cooperation across a range of fields. These include politics and diplomacy, particularly through strengthened ties between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the ruling New Azerbaijan Party; defense and security; economic, trade and investment cooperation, with a shift from simple goods exchange to deeper investment ties.

Other potential areas include energy, petroleum and petrochemical products, and transportation, with a focus on leveraging the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route to enhance trade between the Middle East, Europe, Russia and ASEAN. He also encouraged Azerbaijani airlines to explore opportunities in the Vietnamese market, and expressed interest in expanding cooperation in agriculture, culture, education, tourism and humanistic exchanges, cited VOV.

Thanh Son thanked Minister Bayramov and the Azerbaijani side for their close coordination and warm, thoughtful preparations for the first-ever visit to Azerbaijan by the Party General Secretary. He emphasized that the trip carries historic significance, shows deep political trust and a strong shared commitment to advancing the bilateral relationship into a more substantive and effective phase.

Welcoming the agreements reached by the two countries’ leaders, Minister Son affirmed that the outcomes of the visit would not only open a new chapter in Vietnam-Azerbaijan ties but also contribute to expanding cooperation between the two countries and their broader regions-Caucasus and ASEAN.

He proposed that the two foreign ministries work hand in hand to develop an action plan to realize the contents of the newly established strategic partnership, and continue to serve as coordinators in stepping up cooperation among ministries, localities and businesses. As a near-term priority, he suggested holding the third session of the Vietnam–Azerbaijan Intergovernmental Committee on Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technical Cooperation. He also laid stress on the importance of maintaining regular meetings between the two ministries through delegation exchanges, political consultations and meetings on the sidelines of multilateral events, while also exploring the possibility of holding virtual consultations.

On this occasion, Deputy PM and FM Bui Thanh Son invited his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov Bayramov to visit Vietnam, with the invitation graciously accepted.

Ample room remains for cooperation between China's Guangxi, Vietnamese localities

Vietnam highly evaluates cooperation mechanisms between China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Vietnamese localities, especially with provinces along the shared border, Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Thanh Binh has said.

Receiving a working delegation from China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, led by its Vice Chairman Liao Pinhuo on May 8, the Ambassador highlighted Guangxi’s pivotal role as a gateway connecting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), particularly Vietnam, with China. He commended the region’s significant contributions to the recent successful state visit to Vietnam by the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping.

While Vietnam–China cooperation has continued to grow across a wide range of areas, locality-to-locality collaboration remains a bright spot in the bilateral relationship, the ambassador stated.

In recent years, Guangxi and Vietnam have fostered strong and effective connectivity in transport infrastructure, particularly in railways and roads, as well as in trade facilitation, investment, and import and export of agricultural products, according to VNA.

Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Thanh Binh (right) and Vice Chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Photo: VNA)

Binh noted that there is still considerable potential for further cooperation and suggested both sides fully implement the common perceptions reached by the two countries' senior leaders and the agreements signed between Guangxi and Vietnamese provinces.

For his part, Liao reaffirmed Vietnam’s strategic importance in Guangxi’s external cooperation strategy. He pointed out that Vietnam has been Guangxi’s largest trading partner for 26 consecutive years, with bilateral trade growing at an average annual rate of 16.4%.

He also expressed gratitude to the Vietnamese Embassy and Binh himself for their continued support and practical contributions to strengthening cooperative and friendly ties between Guangxi and Vietnamese localities.

At the meeting, the two sides also discussed concrete measures to deepen collaboration, including the development of smart border checkpoints along the Vietnam–China land border, the promotion of cross-border trade, and the standardization of inspection and quarantine procedures for agricultural exports. These efforts aim to advance practical and effective cooperation, support the implementation of common perceptions reached by the two countries' senior leaders, and deliver tangible benefits to the people of both countries.

Vietnamese peacekeepers honored with UN medal in South Sudan

Members of Vietnam’s Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 6 (BVDC2.6) were awarded the United Nations Medal for their dedicated service in South Sudan.

The ceremony took place earlier this week at the BVDC2.6 compound and was attended by representatives of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), international delegates, the hospital's leadership and its staff.

The honor acknowledges their persistent efforts, responsibility and dedicated service in harsh conditions at the UN mission in South Sudan, reported VGP.

Lieutenant General Mohan Subramanian, Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, presents the United Nations Medal for Peacekeeping to BVDC2.6 officials. Photo: VNA

BVDC2.6 has fulfilled its mission with excellence. You have brought medical expertise and the values of peace, compassion and the image of a humane, disciplined and trustworthy Vietnam to the international community," UNMISS Force Commander Lieutenant General Mohan Subramanian said.

The ceremony also honored 11 individual officers from other countries serving at the mission, recognizing their active contributions to peacekeeping efforts. Their inclusion emphasized the spirit of international cooperation and shared responsibility.

So far, Vietnam has sent thousands of personnel and officers to join the UN Mission in South Sudan, Central African Republic and UN in which Level-2 Field Hospitals have played vital role in terms of medical expertise, organization skills and ability to adapt to a multinational environment.

Canada symposium highlights Vietnam’s journey to peace, development

The Canada – Vietnam Friendship Society (CVFS) recently held an online symposium spotlighting Vietnam’s new era as well as its journey to peace and development.

The event, organized on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification as well as the 135th birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh, drew nearly 50 delegates from across Canada.

Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Vinh Quang delivered a keynote address from Ottawa, chronicling Vietnam's development journey from 1930 to the present day while highlighting the nation's path to a new era – that of the nation’s rise.

In his speech, Philip Fernandez, a member of the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist), demonstrated his deep understanding of Vietnam’s history and affirmed the Vietnamese people’s struggle for national independence as a great triumph built on national solidarity.

Vietnam has succeeded in rebuilding and developing the nation, Fernandez noted, pointing out that since the economic reforms, Vietnam has accomplished almost all 17 UN Millennium Development Goals ahead of the 2030 deadline. He also emphasised Vietnam's growing prominence on the international stage as a nation promoting peace and friendship while effectively navigating challenges posed by US tariff policies, cited VNA.

The grand military parade marking the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification. (Photo: VNA)

Meanwhile, Steve Rutchinski, also a member of the Communist Party of Canada, offered insightful commentary on Ho Chi Minh's enduring influence, describing him as a priceless asset to all humanity in the struggle for a world without imperialism and war.

Participants expressed their keen interest in Vietnam's economic transformation over the past five decades and its increasing contributions to the international community. The forum also addressed Vietnam's new historical starting point, marked by changes in development models, administrative reforms, and investments in human resources and technology.

The CVFS will organize various activities to mark the 80th National Day in early September.

Cold air to hit regions this weekend, bring relief from early summer heat

Over the past few days, Northern and Central Vietnam have been affected by a hot low pressure system from the west, resulting in uncomfortable and oppressive heat.

This weather pattern, typical in early summer, has caused temperatures to soar in many areas, with some places experiencing highs of over 39°C, along with low humidity and strong dry winds. The combination of intense sunshine and warm air has made conditions particularly stifling, especially in urban and mountainous regions.

However, a cold air mass is forecast to move in this weekend, promising a welcome drop in temperatures and scattered rainfall, a much-needed break from the heat, reported VOV.

This weekend, a cold air mass is forecast to hit the Northern and Central regions of Vietnam, bringing rain and offering a relief from early summer hit

According to the latest weather forecast, the cold air mass is anticipated to affect some areas in the northeastern mountain regions on May 10 before spreading across other parts of the Northeastern, Northern-central, Northwestern, and Central regions at night.

From May 10 evening, the weather in the Northern and North-central regions will become cooler, with mountain areas in the North experiencing cold conditions. The lowest temperatures during this cold front will range from 20°C to 23°C in the lowlands and dip below 18°C in the highlands.

In Hanoi, the temperature will also drop starting from the evening of May 10, with lows expected between 21°C to 23°C during this cold air spell.

Due to the influence of cold air compressing the low-pressure trough, the Northern and North-central regions are expected to experience moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms from May 9 - 11, with some areas potentially receiving heavy rainfall.

Experts warn that although Vietnam has entered the summer of 2025, the cold air continues to influence the country, leading to extreme weather phenomena such as heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning.

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