Vietnam Focuses on National Security and Economic Growth

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam on July 15 lauded the achievements of the "All People Protect National Security" movement in Son La province, calling it a model for other localities nationwide. This initiative is a key component of Vietnam's one-party system, aimed at strengthening national security through public participation. On the same day, Lam emphasized that caring for revolutionary contributors is both a political and moral obligation, stressing the need for comprehensive and timely policies to ensure they receive due care and respect. This reflects the socialist state's commitment to social integration and honoring those who contributed to nation-building after the Vietnam War. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung paid tribute to fallen soldiers at the Vi Xuyen National Martyrs' Cemetery in Tuyen Quang province on July 15, ahead of the upcoming War Invalids and Martyrs' Day on July 27. This public event underscores the nation's respect for its history and sacrifices. Prime Minister Hung also urged Lang Son province on July 15 to transform its border-gate economy into a new growth engine by accelerating institutional reforms, infrastructure development, and digital transformation to achieve double-digit growth. This strategy aims to leverage Vietnam's strategic border location with China for economic benefit. Furthermore, on July 14, PM Hung instructed Phu Tho province to shift its development mindset by prioritizing high value-added and high-tech investments while rejecting labor-intensive, outdated, and environmentally harmful projects, with the goal of turning the northern region into an industrial powerhouse. This signals Vietnam's transition towards a more sustainable and technology-intensive economic model, moving beyond export-led growth. In the semiconductor sector, Vietnam recognizes the necessity of cultivating a highly skilled workforce and a robust innovation ecosystem. The establishment of the national semiconductor chip prototyping support center is expected to accelerate the country's drive towards technological self-reliance, a strategy to mitigate geopolitical risks in global supply chains and respond to international competition in technology. On the diplomatic front, Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung visited Indonesia on July 14, co-chairing the sixth meeting of the Vietnam-Indonesia Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation and signing the 2026-2030 Action Plan to realize their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This move signifies Vietnam's efforts to expand its influence and deepen regional cooperation in Southeast Asia. Prime Minister Le Minh Hung received US Ambassador to Vietnam Jennifer Wicks in Hanoi on July 13 as she began her diplomatic tenure. The last seriously injured victim of the deadly canoe capsize off Phu Quoc Island was transferred to Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City on July 13 for further treatment. Members of Team K51 under the Dak Lak Provincial Military Command are continuing their search for the remains of fallen Vietnamese soldiers across the Central Highlands, overcoming difficult terrain to help reunite missing war heroes with their families decades after the war ended. Over the past few years, many mountainous communes in the central province of Thanh Hoa province have promoted community-based tourism alongside the preservation of ethnic cultural heritage. The approach has helped make tourism a key economic sector, boosting local incomes and contributing to poverty reduction. Police in An Giang province have launched a criminal investigation and detained Nguyen Hong Hai, captain of the speedboat that capsized off Phu Quoc, for alleged violations of regulations linked to the accident that killed 15 Indian tourists. After more than a month of spectacular fireworks over the Han River, Portugal's Macedos Pirotecnia was crowned champion of the 2026 Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF). Drawing tens of thousands of spectators each night, the festival once again cemented Da Nang's reputation as a leading destination for international events and festivals. As travellers increasingly seek authentic local experiences, Hanoi is encouraging hotels and accommodation providers to become cultural destinations in their own right. By integrating traditional crafts and local design into hospitality spaces, the city aims to enrich tourism while preserving its heritage. Following the canoe capsize off Phu Quoc, authorities in An Giang province and the Phu Quoc Special Zone are mobilizing all available resources to provide medical care for the victims. In Kim Lien commune, Nghe An province - the hometown of President Ho Chi Minh, the lotus is more than a cherished cultural symbol. By combining high-value lotus products with immersive tourism experiences, the locality is creating new economic opportunities for residents while enriching the visitor experience and showcasing the unique heritage of the Land of Lotus. France’s online magazine Journal des Français à l'étranger has described the central coastal city of Da Nang as the "Miami of Vietnam", praising its affordable living costs, improving infrastructure and high quality of life, making it an increasingly popular destination for digital nomads. The Coast Guard Region 4 Command deployed personnel and vessels for search and rescue operations on the afternoon of July 11, immediately after receiving reports of the capsizing of the Osean Pearl passenger canoe near May Rut Ngoai Island in the Phu Quoc Special Zone of An Giang province. Search and rescue operations following a canoe capsize off Phu Quoc Island were completed by 3:30 pm on July 11, with all 36 people on board brought ashore. They included 32 Indian tourists, one tour guide and three crew members. Twenty-one people were rescued, while 15 were confirmed dead. Copyright, VietnamPlus, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Editor-in-chief, Mr. Tran Tien Duan.