Vietnam’s rollout of two-tier local governance model marks necessary push: Ambassador

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1973, the bilateral relationship has continuously developed in a solid, substantive, and effective manner across various fields, including politics, diplomacy, trade, investment, development cooperation, education and training, and people-to-people exchange.

The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.

On the East Sea issue, Vietnam’s consistent stance is to persistently strive to solve all disputes and disagreements by peaceful means based on international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, and international and regional commitments such as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC); and support the prompt conclusion of a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Vietnamese Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang suggested continued promotion of joint work in defence industry, training, and United Nations peacekeeping operations, while exploring new fields like war legacy resolution, maritime security, military medicine, military sports and culture, and service arms cooperation.

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc has called on all countries to jointly take action to revitalise multilateralism, promote active multilateralism, and work together to restore disruptions in international cooperation on development, trade, and investment.

The diplomat concluded that with the solid foundation and achievements of the past 50 years, and the strong political will of the two governments and the people, Vietnam–Portugal relations are set to expand and deepen, rising to a new height that reflects the true potential, shared values, and mutual aspirations of the two nations

The project to renovate, upgrade, and expand the monument site was a gift from the Vietnamese task force to its Lao counterpart, with a total value of 54 billion VND (2.06 million USD). The Lao side served as project investor, while the construction was undertaken by Company 206 of Military Zone 5 under the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence.

Xuan suggested Lombardy establish partnerships with several Vietnamese localities and economic centres, and expressed her confidence that the new direct flight between Hanoi and Milan - the capital of Lombardy - will help strengthen cooperation between the two regions, cultures, and peoples.

The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last night by the Vietnam News Agency.

State President Luong Cuong sent a message of congratulations to the Governor General of Canada, Her Excellency Mary May Jeannie Simon.

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man urged the localities in Can Tho to leverage their respective strengths and support one another in building a more diverse, flexible, and sustainable economic structure to drive socio-economic development and improve the material and spiritual well-being of locals.

PM Chinh stressed that the amendments and supplements must address existing legal bottlenecks in both urban and rural planning.

Vietnam wishes to further promote and enhance cooperation with Egypt in a more substantive and effective manner, serving the interests of the two countries' people, contributing to regional stability and development, and matching the strong bilateral political relationship.

The restructuring of the organisational apparatus and administrative units is a major policy of strategic significance, the Party chief stressed, saying that it demonstrates the Party and State’s strong political commitment to building a streamlined, efficient, and people-oriented administration.

Culture is a big and complex issue, forming a foundational component alongside Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought in shaping Vietnam’s socialist path, said PM Pham Minh Chinh.

The Vietnam–Australia Friendship Association elected a 40-member Executive Board for the 2025-2030 term, with Prof. Dr. Tran Tho Dat, Chairman of the Science and Training Council at the National Economics University, named President.

The celebration of the 110th birth anniversary of late Party General Secretary Nguyen Van Linh, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan's meetings with Italian leaders and Pope Leo XIV, and the issuance of Level-2 electronic identification (e-ID) accounts for foreign residents are among news highlights on July 1.

Throughout the past five decades, Vietnam has attached importance to its comprehensive and cooperative partnership with the European Union and its member states, including Portugal. In turn, Portugal considers Vietnam a key market in Southeast Asia.

Speaking at the event, Party General Secretary To Lam highlighted late General Secretary Nguyen Van Linh’s contributions to the national development by launching reform policies.

The two sides committed to expanding cultural exchanges, tourism promotion, science and technology collaboration, education and training, and people-to-people diplomacy. They also voiced support for stronger Vietnam–EU ties within EVFTA and EU Indo-Pacific initiatives.