Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam People’s Navy and the Philippine Navy succes𝔍sfully held their eighth friendship exchange on Song Tu Dong island on July 12.
The Vietnamese delegation was led by Colonel Nguyen Vinh Nam, Deputy Commander of Naval Region 4, and the Philippine side by Colonel Joel C. Bonavente, Deputy Commander of the Phillipine Western Naval Command.
Following the success of the seventh exchange on Song Tu Tay island in July 2024, this year’s programme aimed to further strengthen the friendship, cooperation, mutual trust, and understanding between the armed forces and navies of Vietnam and the Philippines. It also served to effectively implement the cooperation documents signed between the two navies.
Colonel Bonavente welcomed the Vietnamese delegation to the exchange, highlighting that the eighth exchange reaffirmed the two navies’ commitment to maintaining and ensuring a peaceful environment, and implementing laws-based maritime cooperation mechanisms, thereby building trust, preventing unnecessary incidents, and preserving and cultivating the valuable cooperative achievements the two sides have developed over the years.
He noted that these exchanges help deepen mutual understanding and trust between the two navies, contributing to the growing friendship between the two nations and playing a vital role in maintaining peace, stability, security, and maritime safety of each country as well as in the region.
For his part, Colonel Nam affirmed that the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and the Philippines, the bilateral ties and the collaboration between the two navies have been continuously strengthened, yielding positive outcomes across various fields.
He added that the organisation of this friendship exchange demonstrated the aspiration and goodwill of the two navies in building a peaceful and stable environment in Song Tu Tay and Song Tu Dong island areas and in the East Sea in general. It also showed their responsibilities to strictly observe the signed cooperation agreements.
The ongoing exchanges reflect the goodwill and shared desire of both navies to foster a peaceful and stable environment around the two islands in particular and the East Sea in general. They also underscore the commitment of both sides to fully implement their naval cooperation agreements.
The two sides agreed to hold the ninth friendship exchange on Song Tu Tay island at a convenient time. They also committed to continuing joint efforts to protect fishermen from both countries, share maritime security information, and provide disaster warnings in the region.
As part of the programme, the two navies engaged in a series of friendly activities, including sports competitions, such as tug of war, obstacle course, and football, as well as cultural, musical, and culinary exchanges./.
Party General Secretary To Lam urged the Philippine Ambassador to focus on promoting several areas of bilateral cooperation, including enhancing political-diplomatic cooperation through facilitating high-level exchanges and contacts; boosting economic connectivity for the goal of 10 billion USD in bilateral trade; strengthening collaboration in security-defence, and maritime and oceanic matters; and promoting cooperation in other fields such as culture, sports, tourism, education and training, climate change adaptation, and disaster mitigation.
With the current rising trend, trade between Vietnam and the Philippines is likely to exceed 8 billion USD for the first time to hit about 8.5 billion USD in 2024, with Vietnam’s surplus of more than 3 billion USD, according to the Vietnamese Trade Office in the Philippines.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
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The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
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Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
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The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
Over the past five decades, the Vietnam - Angola relationship has grown steadily, marked by political trust and close bonds between their Parties, States, Governments, and peoples, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
President Luong Cuong called on the two countries to join hands to promote South – South cooperation, contribute to building a fair and equal global political and economic order, safeguard independence and sovereignty, and promote extensive and substantive international solidarity and cooperation.
President Luong Cuong called on the community to remain united, integrate well into local society, adhere to local laws, and continue contributing to both Angola’s development and Vietnam – Angola relations.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Angola Carolina Cerqueira agreed to continue strengthening political trust, boost high-level delegation exchanges via all channels, including the parliamentary one, and create favourable legal conditions for bilateral cooperation.
