Vietnam Accelerates Strategic Shifts for Economic Growth, Enhancing Infrastructure and International Ties

On the occasion of the 79th anniversary of Vietnam’s War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day, Vietnamese diplomatic missions and overseas communities in Cambodia and Germany held solemn ceremonies to pay tribute to heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives for national liberation and peace. Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man attended a ceremony held in Hanoi on August 8 to mark the 70th traditional day of the Economic Police (August 10, 1956–2026), requesting the force continue to solidify its core role in the fight against corruption, wastefulness, negative practices, economic crimes, and smuggling. Established on August 8, 1967 with five founding members, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has, over nearly six decades, grown into a common home for the 11 Southeast Asian nations, steadily strengthening its role, stature and reputation as a successful model of regional cooperation and integration. Ho Chi Minh City is capitalising on its seaport advantages and stronger regional connectivity following its administrative merger to drive logistics and the marine economy. By prioritising infrastructure investment and strengthening its role as a maritime gateway, the city aims to become a regional logistics hub. Standard Chartered has sharply raised its forecast for Vietnam’s economic growth in 2026 to 9.5%, up from its previous projection of 7.2%, citing stronger-than-expected recovery in manufacturing, investment and domestic consumption. The third Plenary Meeting of the 14th Party Central Committee discussed 13 key issues, with decisions expected to deliver four strategic shifts: removing bottlenecks, unlocking resources and creating new drivers of national development. The outcomes have been welcomed by local authorities, businesses and the public. Deputies to the 16th National Assembly on August 7 discussed a draft resolution providing special mechanisms and policies to address difficulties facing projects serving the 2027 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in Phu Quoc special zone of An Giang province. Parliamentary cooperation is a key pillar of Vietnam–Thailand relations, helping to strengthen political trust, and effectively implement the agreements reached by the two countries' high-ranking leaders. During his official visit to Laos on August 6, General Nguyen Trong Nghia, Chairman of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army (VPA), led a delegation to engage in a series of activities in Vientiane, to strengthen Vietnam-Laos defence and security cooperation. National Assembly deputies voiced strong support for the Government’s proposal to establish the northern provinces of Quang Ninh and Bac Ninh as centrally governed cities from September 1 and September 20, respectively. They endorsed both the Government’s submission and the verification report. Vietnam's economy maintained solid growth in the first seven months of 2026, with industrial production, foreign investment, consumption and tourism posting strong gains, laying a solid foundation for achieving the full-year growth target. Ho Chi Minh City is accelerating the digital transformation of its cultural heritage as part of its strategy to develop the cultural industries. From national heritage sites and museum collections to traditional performing arts, cultural treasures are being digitised to preserve the past while making them more engaging and accessible for younger generations. From spectacular waterfalls and a unique volcanic cave system to the rich cultural heritage of indigenous communities, UNESCO Dak Nong Global Geopark has become an increasingly attractive destination for both domestic and international visitors. Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man hosted a reception for US Ambassador Jennifer Wicks, who came to pay a courtesy call at the start of her tenure in Vietnam, on August 6. Party General Secretary and State President To Lam on August 6 called for strong reforms of infrastructure planning and development, stressing that infrastructure has become a decisive factor in enhancing national competitiveness and must be planned and managed with a long-term strategic vision. Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand Sophon Zaram agreed on August 6 to step up the substantive implementation of the "Three Connects" Strategy. 2026 marks a special milestone in relations between Vietnam and Thailand as the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties (August 6, 1976–August 6, 2026). Over five decades of sustained efforts, Vietnam–Thailand relations have developed comprehensively, becoming one of the most dynamic and effective bilateral relationships in the region. Prime Minister Le Minh Hung has stressed that cybersecurity must combine the protection of information systems with the protection of people, describing citizens’ safety, security and well-being as the ultimate measure of all cyber policies. National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand Sophon Zaram have agreed to work closely to effectively implement cooperation agreements between the two legislatures, while expanding parliamentary exchanges and coordination in support of the Vietnam–Thailand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. A delegation of 10 outstanding Vietnamese high school and university students took part in an interactive Q&A session with some of the world's leading scientists on August 4 as part of the Asian Science Camp 2026 at the University of Hong Kong in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Vietnam attaches great importance to fostering its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Malaysia in a stable, sustainable and long-term manner, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung said while receiving Malaysian Minister of Defence Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin in Hanoi on August 5. Copyright, VietnamPlus, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Editor-in-chief, Mr. Tran Tien Duan.