Vietnam News Today (Oct. 15): Vietnam, China Hold 23rd Youth Friendship Meeting

	Vietnam News Today (Oct. 13): Vietnamese, Indonesian Coast Guards Hold Joint Exercise
	Vietnam News Today (Oct. 14): Vietnam Seeks Deeper Labor Cooperation With Europe

Bui Quang Huy, alternate member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, First Secretary of the HCYU Central Committee and Chairman of the National Committee for Vietnamese Youth, speaks at the opening ceremony of the 23rd Vietnam - China youth friendship meeting on October 14. (Source: VNA)

Vietnam, China hold 23rd youth friendship meeting

The 23rd Vietnam - China youth friendship meeting kicked off in Nanning city, the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China, on October 14.

In his opening remarks, A Dong, First Secretary of the Secretariat of the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) Central Committee, said the increase of exchanges and cooperation between the Chinese and Vietnamese youths will create a young and strong impetus for realizing the two countries’ 100-year goals and building the China - Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, cited VNA.

The CYLC is ready to cooperate with the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) to implement the common agreements reached between the leaders of the two Parties and the two countries, thus leading young people of both countries to exert efforts to write a new chapter about the youth responsible for building the community with a shared future, he noted.

Bui Quang Huy, alternate member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, First Secretary of the HCYU Central Committee and Chairman of the National Committee for Vietnamese Youth, highlighted the intensification of the two countries’ comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, exemplified by the vision of building the Vietnam - China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

He held that together with the development of the bilateral friendship, thanks to attention and directions from leaders of the two Parties and the two countries, the cooperation, solidarity, and friendship between the CYLC and the HCYU have been increasingly enhanced, generating practical benefits for the young of both nations. At the opening ceremony, the HCYU Central Committee and the CYLC Central Committee signed a memorandum of understanding. Meanwhile, the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs’ Association and the China International Youth Exchange Centre inked a framework agreement on strengthening cross-border economic cooperation.

The two sides also announced that a bilateral youth exchange will be organized on the occasion of the Year of Vietnam - China Humanistic Exchange 2025.

Also on October 14, an HCYU delegation paid a courtesy visit to leaders of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Liu Ning, member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Secretary of the regional CPC Committee, held that with strong support from the two countries’ leaders, friendship exchanges and cooperation between the Chinese and Vietnamese youths will become more extensive and fruitful.

He said that next year, Vietnam and China will celebrate the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic ties and organize the Year of Humanistic Exchange. Guangxi will hold many meaningful activities to mark these events.

The host voiced his hope that many young Vietnamese will come to take part in those activities.

Stressing the cooperation between the two youth organizations, Huy noted that over the past years, they have stepped up exchanges and collaboration, which have practically benefited the youths in both countries and helped reinforce the traditional friendship between the two countries' people, thereby contributing to the healthy and stable development of the Vietnam - China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

The HCYU always treasures the friendship and cooperation with the CYLC, he stated.

He also took this occasion to suggest some cooperation activities with the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. In particular, he proposed local leaders continue facilitating the regional CYLC committee’s coordination with the HCYU committees of four Vietnamese border provinces, namely Cao Bang, Ha Giang, Lang Son, and Quang Ninh, to hold border youth exchanges; consider expanding ties with the HCYU committees of other Vietnamese localities; and create conditions for Vietnamese youths and students to live and study in Guangxi.

Vietnam named among top 20 Best Countries in the World

Readers of the New York-based travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler have named Vietnam on the list of the top 20 Best Countries in the World for 2024.

The country scored 89 out of 100 points, ranking 15th in the ranking.

According to Conde Nast Traveler, Vietnam’s charming rusticity means it is high on the list of gap-year adventurers each year. The country ​​welcomed approximately 12.6 million tourists in 2023, which is small compared to Thailand’s 28 million. However, this figure increases each year as travelers choose to uncover the country’s secrets and experience the towns and cultures which mass tourism has yet to encroach on.

It revealed that Vietnam Airlines will become the first and only airline in the country to offer a non-stop service to Italy when it launches thrice-weekly flights between Hanoi and Milan in July 2025. The country has also won big at the World Travel Awards 2024, claiming awards including ‘Asia’s Leading Festival and Event Destination, according to VOV.

Foreign travelers visit the Complex of Hue monuments, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

“In short, this is no longer ‘one to watch’ – it’s one to book,” it concluded.

Japan topped the list of the Best Countries in the World with 95.32 points, followed by Switzerland with 94.62 points, and Thailand in third with 92.29 points.

The results were based on the choices of more than 600,000 readers across the globe submitting their responses and rating their recent travel experiences of the world’s countries, cities, islands, hotels, resorts, cruise lines, airlines, and airports.

Vietnam eyes electronics industry expansion at Hong Kong int’l trade fair

Vietnam is participating in the Hong Kong Electronics Fair and International Exhibition on Electronic Components and Production Technology at the Hong Kong (China) Convention and Exhibition Center.

The October 13-16 event features around 3,200 exhibitors from 19 countries and territories, including Vietnam, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the US. The Vietnamese booth introduces the country’s potential, strengths, and cooperation demand in this sphere. Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group and the Nam Dinh Vu Industrial Park, and some others are represented through catalogs.

Vu Thi Thuy, head of the Vietnam Trade Office in Hong Kong and Macau, emphasized Vietnam's focus on expanding its electronics industry, and expressed her hope that Vietnamese products will soon enter the Hong Kong market, VNA reported.

Vietnam eyes electronics industry expansion at Hong Kong int’l trade fair (Photo: VNA)

On this occasion, over 90 startups, including those from Vietnam, are also showcasing innovative solutions in sectors like big data, eHealth, and IoT at a startup zone.

This event highlights the latest trends in the electronics industry and fosters collaboration in this field.

USIP dialogue sheds light on Vietnam – US postwar reconciliation efforts

The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) recently held its third annual dialogue on War Legacies and Peace in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, with a primary focus on examining a year of the Vietnam – US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership upgrade and a USIP peaceworks report on postwar reconciliation between the two countries.

The hybrid dialogue brought together approximately 150 delegates 150 delegates, including USIP leaders, representatives from the US Congress, the US Department of State, the US Department of Defense, the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the US-ASEAN Business Council, researchers, policy advocacy groups, non-governmental organizations, and diplomatic representatives from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

The Vietnamese delegation included representatives from the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), the Vietnam Martyrs’ Family Support Association (VMFSA), the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin (VAVA), and the War Remnants Museum.

Addressing delegates, Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung emphasized the effective cooperation between the two countries, not only in addressing the consequences of war but also in various fields since the upgrade of their partnership a year ago.

Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Dung and US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper noted that 2025 will be a special year in Vietnam - US relations as both countries will celebrate 30 years of the normalization of diplomacy and 50 years of the end of war in Vietnam.

Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat and member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, stated that the committee has approved a bill providing US$73 million for bomb and mine clearance in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

He vowed to work alongside his colleagues in the US Congress, to support programs addressing the aftermath of the Vietnam War, such as unexploded ordnance clearance, assistance for Agent Orange victims and disabled children, and locating missing soldiers from both sides. The support, he said, aims not only to heal past wounds but also to cooperate with Vietnamese partners to tackle current and future challenges.

Jed Royal, US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, noted that defense cooperation and shared security interests between the US and Vietnam are growing considerably.

Part of bilateral defense cooperation is the continued effort by both sides to address the consequences of the war in Vietnam, including searching for missing soldiers in action, decontaminating areas affected by dioxin, and dismantling unexploded ordnance, while raising local awareness about the dangers of leftover bombs and mines.

To date, approximately 700,000 unexploded bombs and mines have been removed, and Vietnam has helped identify and repatriate the remains of 700 American soldiers missing in action in Vietnam, cited VOV.

Speakers engage in the hybrid dialogue held on October 11 by the United States Institute of Peace. (Photo: USIP)

According to PhD. Pham Lan Dung, acting director of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, both sides gained a clearer understanding of the existing issues and acknowledged the need for joint efforts in reconciliation and addressing the aftermath of the war.

Evaluating the USIP report on Vietnam-US reconciliation, PhD. Dung remarked that it is one of the most comprehensive and in-depth reports to date in this field.

Report team members had interviewed numerous individuals from both sides, including representatives from the two governments, to provide a balanced view, helping to better understand the extraordinary efforts made by both sides, from former foes to friends, strategic partners and comprehensive strategic partners following the upgrade in 2023.

This study serves as an excellent resource for training and research in the area of reconciliation between Vietnam and the US, and it can also serve as a model for other stakeholders involved in conflicts worldwide to learn from, said PhD. Dung.

Meanwhile, PhD. Andrew Wells-Dang, a senior expert on Southeast Asia at USIP and leader of the Vietnam War Legacies and Reconciliation Initiative at USIP, revealed that USIP plans to open an exhibition on Vietnam-US relations from April to July 2025, highlighting achievements in addressing the consequences of war, including bomb clearance and support for Agent Orange victims.

In addition, USIP will host seminars and talks on Vietnam-US relations, representing a significant opportunity to promote the advancements in bilateral relations, particularly in implementing specific commitments following the upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Number of Vietnamese universities in 2025 THE World University Rankings sets record

Nine Vietnamese universities were named in the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for 2025, three more than in the previous year.

The University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City debuted in the rankings, securing the highest position among the nine, joining the 501-600 groups.

Duy Tan University and Ton Duc Thang University, located in Ho Chi Minh City, maintained their positions in the 601-800 groups.

The other two newcomers this year include Hanoi Medical University, ranked between 801 and 1,000 and Ho Chi Minh City Open University, placed in the 1,201-1,500 range, VGP reported.

The University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City secures the highest position among nine Vietnamese universities named in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for 2025.

Other Vietnamese universities featured in the rankings include Vietnam National University, Hanoi (1,201-1,500), Hanoi University of Science and Technology (1,501), Hue University in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue (1,501), and Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City (1,501).

Van Lang University was listed as a 'reporter' this year.

THE is one of the three major university ranking organizations, along with QS and the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). In June, QS released its 2025 rankings, featuring six Vietnamese universities.

The 2025 Times Higher Education World University Rankings assessed 2,092 institutions from 115 countries and territories. Universities were evaluated based on 18 indicators, grouped into five categories: Teaching (29.5 percent), Research Environment (29 percent), Research Quality (30 percent), International Outlook (7.5 percent), and Industry Income (4 percent).

Vietnam News Today (Oct. 11): Vietnam Treasures Cooperative Ties With EU And Its Members Vietnam News Today (Oct. 11): Vietnam treasures cooperative ties with EU and its members: PM; Vietnam and India promote science - technology cooperation; Vietnam, UK ...

Vietnam News Today (Oct. 12): Vietnam Shines at ASEAN Summits, Strengthens Regional Ties Vietnam News Today (Oct. 12): Vietnam shines at ASEAN Summits, strengthens regional ties; HSBC raises Vietnamese GDP growth forecast to 7.0% this year; Chinese Premier’s ...