Vietnam-China Youth Seminar to Foster Closer Ties, Cooperation

Vietnam consistently regards strengthening its Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership with China as a top priority. General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army and Deputy Minister of National Defence, stated that Vietnam attaches importance to consolidating and developing its friendly neighbourliness and Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership with the Party, Government, people, and military of China. Chinese Ambassador He Wei noted that throughout a century of development, both sides have remained resilient in the face of changing global circumstances, continuously strengthening Party building to reinforce their leadership and provide the political foundation for socialism building in each country. This youth seminar is expected to foster exchanges and cooperation, forming part of the multifaceted cooperation between the two nations. In Vietnam, in the lead-up to the 79th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27, 1947–2026), government officials have been paying tribute to fallen soldiers and expressing gratitude and support for revolutionary contributors. Prime Minister Le Minh Hung offered incense and laid flowers in tribute to fallen soldiers at the Lang Son martyrs' cemetery. The Vietnam People's Army is also facilitating the transfer of materials, including a research dossier decoding the designation of Unit 962, which could provide additional leads in the search for fallen soldiers. This indicates Vietnam's engagement with its historical legacy and remembrance. Economically, a proposal for a regional minimum wage increase is set to be submitted to the Government for approval. The increase will range between VND310,000 (USD 11.81) and VND390,000 per month, depending on the region, which is anticipated to improve living standards for workers. In education, Ho Chi Minh City is set to introduce a free textbook loan program for all students in general education, continuing education, and literacy programs from the 2026-2027 academic year. Furthermore, according to the Ministry of Education and Training, nearly 467,600 out of over 874,800 university applicants have registered for STEM majors for the 2026 admissions cycle, accounting for 53.45% of all candidates, reflecting a growing interest in science and technology fields. Additionally, Vietnam has prioritized combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing as an urgent political priority. Directive No. 16/CT-UBND, recently issued by the provincial People's Committee, calls for concentrated resources to address shortcomings in fishing fleet management and holds agency heads and local leaders accountable for results. This move aims to strengthen sustainable fishing practices and compliance with international regulations. These developments highlight Vietnam's efforts to address domestic social and economic challenges, including historical remembrance and improving livelihoods, while strategically maintaining and developing its relationship with China, a key regional power. The country's commitment to digital transformation is also evident, with religious activities increasingly taking place in cyberspace, and higher education curricula focusing on measurable competencies. Copyright, VietnamPlus, Vietnam News Agency (VNA)