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PM Pham Minh Chinh (L) and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim. (Photo: VNA

Vietnamese PM’s visit to Malaysia opens new chapter in bilateral ties: Malaysian expert

Enzo Sim Hong Jun, a researcher at the Penang Institute in Malaysia, has highly evaluated Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s recent official visit to the country, saying that it helped usher in a new chapter in the bilateral relations while further elevating Vietnam’s prestige and position in the international arena.

In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s resident correspondents in Kuala Lumpur, Enzo highlighted that Vietnam is entering a new phase of development, gradually transitioning towards becoming a high-tech manufacturing hub. This is a crucial element that will support its journey towards a digital economy, green economy, and sustainable development goals. These are also areas where Malaysia has extensive experience and can share valuable insights with Vietnam, he noted.

According to the researcher, this trip was expected to open a new chapter in the diplomatic ties between the two countries, particularly as they upgraded their relationship to the highest level of comprehensive strategic partnership in November last year during the visit of Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam to Malaysia. PM Chinh’s visit also further consolidated the robust cooperation between the two nations across a range of fields, from trade, economy, and investment to security and defence.

Beyond that, the trip was hoped to help Vietnam further elevate its standing and strengthen its relationships with other ASEAN member states, including Malaysia, cited VNA.

Enzo said Vietnam’s participation played a significant role, contributing to the success of the 46th ASEAN Summit hosted by Malaysia, especially as the event coincided with the second ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the first-ever ASEAN-GCC-China Summit. These summits enabled Vietnam to not only engage with regional leaders but also deepen its economic ties with Gulf states such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and others.

Vietnam and Azerbaijan agree on key areas of cooperation

Both sides highly appreciated the recent upgrade of Vietnam - Azerbaijan relations to a strategic partnership, following the state visit of General Secretary To Lam to Azerbaijan in early May 2025, and affirmed their commitment to effectively implementing high-level agreements through existing cooperation mechanisms.

They reviewed economic, trade, and energy cooperation and discussed specific directions and measures to further enhance practical and effective bilateral ties in the coming period.

Regarding economic and trade cooperation, the Ministers acknowledged that although bilateral trade has seen growth, it remains modest relative to the potential of both countries. They agreed to intensify trade promotion activities, support businesses in accessing each other’s markets, remove technical barriers, promote two-way investment, and strengthen business-to-business connections in areas of complementary strength, according to VOV.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and other Vietnamese trade officials during an online working session with Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy Parviz Shakhbazov on May 29. (Photo: MOIT)

Both sides identified energy cooperation as a key pillar in bilateral relations. Dien expressed Vietnam’s desire to expand cooperation with Azerbaijan in oil and gas, renewable energy, liquefied natural gas (LNG), technical training, and the transfer of technology in new and renewable energy, including hydrogen. Both sides committed to effectively implementing the Memorandum of Understanding on Energy Cooperation signed in May 2025.

The two ministers also discussed preparations for the coming third session of the Vietnam–Azerbaijan Intergovernmental Committee on Economic and Trade Cooperation slated for July 2025. They held that convening the third session, following the second held seven years ago, is crucial in reviewing the overall cooperation, identifying strategic directions, and finalizing concrete action plans for the coming years.

Vietnam strongly supports Laos’s national development: Party chief

Vietnam always strongly and fully supports Laos’s national construction and development, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam told Thongsalith Mangnomek, Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and Chairman of the LPRP Central Committee's Office at a reception for the latter in Hanoi on May 30.

Lam welcomed Mangnomek’s visit, which takes place at a time when both countries are realising resolutions of their National Party Congresses and socio-economic development plans, as well as organizing Party Congresses at all levels in the lead-up to the National Party Congress of each nation in early 2026, contributing to deepening the special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos and traditional cooperation between the Offices of the LPRP and CPV Central Committees.

He expressed his delight at the important achievements that the Lao Party, State, and people have reaped, including the LPRP Central Committee Office’s active contributions to realising the Resolution of the 11th National Party Congress with new and innovative approaches to Party building, socio-economic development, national defence-security, and external affairs.

The General Secretary believed that under the LPRP’s leadership, the Lao people will overcome challenges and achieve even greater successes in realising the 11th National Party Congress’s Resolution.

He commended the two offices' close coordination in monitoring the effective realization of Vietnam-Laos cooperation agreements, as well as in sharing information and experience in advising on the working agendas of the Politburo and the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat and preparing for the National Congress of each Party.

The Vietnamese Party chief stressed the need for both sides to thoroughly follow the contents already agreed upon, thereby improving the quality of the strategic advisory work in service of the two Parties’ leadership, according to VNA.

Party General Secretary To Lam (R) and Thongsalith Mangnomek, Secretary of the LPRP Central Committee and Chairman of the LPRP Central Committee's Office at their meeting in Hanoi on May 30. (Photo: VNA)

The Lao Party official, for his part, congratulated Vietnam on its historic achievements over the recent past, expressing his confidence that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) headed by Party General Secretary To Lam, the Vietnamese people will continue obtaining even greater successes in their reform efforts, advancing into a new era – that of the nation’s rise.

He briefed Lam on recent developments in Laos, particularly the implementation of the Resolution adopted at the 11th Party Congress and preparations for Party congresses at all levels leading up to the 12th National Party Congress. He also spotlighted the cooperation results between the two Party Central Committee offices and outcomes of his talks with Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and chief of its office Le Hoai Trung.

Notable highlights of his visit were the launch of a book on the tradition of the cooperation between the two offices and the presentation of the Lao Party and State’s orders and medals to the organizations and individuals of the Vietnamese Party Central Committee office, he stated.

He expressed his sincere gratitude for Vietnam's heartfelt support for Laos throughout the years. He affirmed that under any circumstances, the Office of the LPRP Central Committee will strive to excellently fulfill its assigned tasks and actively contribute to maintaining and nurturing the special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos for the substantive benefits of the two countries’ people as well as for peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

New heatwave bakes Northern and Central Vietnam, temperatures rise to 39°C

According to the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting Center, central localities from Thanh Hoa to Phu Yen will experience intense heat, with daytime temperatures ranging from 35°C to 37°C, and some areas exceeding 37°C.

By June 1, temperatures are expected to climb even higher, reaching 36 - 39°C. This heatwave is projected to last through at least June 8.

In the North, isolated hot weather will first appear on May 31 in provinces including Lao Cai, Hoa Binh, Hanoi, Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Nam Dinh, and Ha Nam.

From June 1, heat will spread across the entire northern region, with highs between 35°C and 37°C, and localized peaks above 38°C. Real-feel temperatures could be 2–4°C higher, especially in densely built areas with lots of concrete and asphalt.

New heatwave sweeps across Northern and Central Vietnam, starting May 31 with daytime temperatures rising to 39°C. (Illustration)

The relative humidity of the air in these regions is set to remain low, ranging from 45% to 50%, which will further intensify the feeling of oppressive heat and dryness.

The capital city of Hanoi is forecast to endure three consecutive days of heat, with June 1 expected to be the hottest, reaching around 37°C, reported VOV.

Despite the daytime heat, local residents are advised to stay alert in the evening and nighttime for sudden showers and thunderstorms, which may be accompanied by dangerous weather phenomena such as whirlwinds, lightning, hail, and strong gusty winds.

This is the fourth major heatwave of the year for Northern and Central Vietnam - 2 to 3 fewer than typically recorded during this period in past years.

In contrast to the scorching heat in the North and Central regions, the Central Highlands and Southern Vietnam will continue to experience scattered showers and thunderstorms during the day, increasing in frequency by late afternoon and evening. Some areas may see heavy rain.

Vietnam vows to promote legal, safe, and orderly migration

The Vietnamese Government is committed to promoting legal, safe, and orderly migration, while firmly combating illegal migration and trafficking.

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang made the above statement at the ministry's regular press conference held on Thursday, cited VGP.

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang.

Vietnam is currently striving to achieve the objectives of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) according to the plan issued by the Prime Minister on March 20, 2020, aiming to create a transparent migration environment and protect the legitimate rights and interests of migrants, she emphasized.

The Southeast Asian nation has been actively strengthening cooperation with countries and organizations, including the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), to prevent, detect, investigate, and handle illegal human trafficking networks in accordance with legal regulations, told the diplomat.

Vietnam stands ready to work with other countries and relevant parties in line with signed cooperation frameworks, international law, and international practices, based on the principles of protecting the legitimate rights and interests of migrants and respect for their human dignity, reiterated Pham.

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