Border Boarding Schools to Deepen Vietnam's Ties with Neighbours

Construction sites for inter-level ethnic minority boarding schools in border communes across Dien Bien province are entering a crucial phase, with contractors racing against time to complete the projects before the start of the new academic year. Local authorities were instructed to mobilise the entire political system and launch a “100-day peak campaign”, closely monitoring progress on a daily and weekly basis to ensure all 100 schools are completed before August 30 this year. The construction of boarding schools in land border communes is a particularly important political task receiving close attention from the Politburo and Party General Secretary and State President To Lam. The programme not only aims to improve learning conditions for students in border areas, but also carries strategic significance for social welfare, human development, national defence and security, and safeguarding territorial sovereignty. Vietnam will continue working closely with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member states to sign their free trade agreement (FTA) at an early date and effectively implement its commitments. The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency. Presenting the Government’s proposal, Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang said the draft resolution is intended to institutionalise the Party’s policies and provide legal safeguards for officials who carry out innovation, think big, act bold, and pursue the common good without engaging in corruption, wastefulness or misconduct. The new designation means that alongside the Ho Chi Minh monument and park, Vladivostok now has another public landmark bearing the name of Vietnam's revered leader. At Border Marker No. 460, the two defence ministers jointly took part in the traditional ceremony of repainting the marker. Beyond its symbolic significance, the ceremony reflected the determination of the two Parties, States and armed forces to safeguard every marker of national sovereignty, preserve the achievements of border demarcation and marker planting, and develop the Vietnam–Laos border into a symbol of peace, stability, cooperation and development. Throughout a century of development, the two sides have remained resilient in the face of changing global circumstances, continuously strengthening the Party building to reinforce their leadership and provide the political foundation for socialism building in each country, said Chinese Ambassador He Wei. The ninth friendship exchange between Vietnamese and Philippine navies, held on Song Tu Tay island in the Truong Sa (Spratly) special zone of Vietnam, aimed to further strengthen friendship, cooperation, mutual trust and understanding between the army forces and navies of Vietnam and the Philippines, while effectively implementing bilateral naval cooperation agreements. Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung said he hopes the two countries will together open up a new chapter of stable, substantive and effective development in their relationship based on respect for each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political regimes, as well as mutual benefit. The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last night by the Vietnam News Agency. At a meeting with Martin Briens, Secretary-General of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, in Hanoi on July 8, Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung highlighted the positive developments in bilateral ties since the two countries elevated their relationship. He noted that Vietnam–France cooperation has generated tangible benefits for both peoples while contributing to peace, stability, dialogue, and cooperation in the world. Russia in general and Saint Petersburg in particular attach great importance to strengthening ties with Vietnam, expressing his hope for more exchanges between high-level parliamentary delegations and broader cooperation with Vietnamese localities to further deepen the bilateral relations. General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and State President To Lam cabled his condolences to General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping following recent severe rains, flooding, tornadoes and landslides that have caused significant loss of life and property in several localities in China. The top leader stressed that rapid growth must go hand in hand with sustainability, better governance and improved quality of life. Prime Minister Le Minh Hung chaired a meeting of the Central Steering Committee on judgment enforcement and the recovery of misappropriated and lost assets in criminal cases in Hanoi on July 8. According to the NA Chairman, the legislature will consider and decide on 27 items, including 20 laws and normative resolutions, three major national issues, and first-time discussions on four draft laws. At the meeting, Thailand officially handed over the ASEAN-OSHNET chairmanship to Vietnam, while Brunei assumed the vice chairmanship. Vietnam also transferred its role as the network’s Secretariat, which it had held for the 2023–2026 term, to Brunei for the 2026–2029 period. The Government’s law-building session for July, the World Energy and Environment Forum – Vietnam 2026, and Vietnam's provision of 300,000 USD in emergency humanitarian assistance to support Venezuela's recovery from the twin earthquakes are among news highlights on July 8. The government leader requested ministers and heads of sectors to directly take charge of institutional building, prioritise resources and bear responsibility for legal development in their respective fields. Vietnam wants to build a substantive and effective relationship and establish a new partnership framework that matches the level of bilateral ties, he said, adding that Vietnam supports Mexico’s efforts to bolster ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), thus contributing to peace, cooperation and development between the two regions. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang expressed his hope that the Japanese ambassador will continue to support the implementation of bilateral defence cooperation, helping to secure tangible outcomes. Copyright, VietnamPlus, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Editor-in-chief, Mr. Tran Tien Duan.