Vibrant Vietnam
Vietnam to work with Brics as PM Chinh meets with China, Russia leaders
Chinh fell short of stating Vietnam's explicit interest in joining the club, a move that could bring the Communist-run southeast Asian nation closer to China and Russia
 "Vietnam to work with Brics as PM Chinh meets with China, Russia leaders")
Vietnam's top security official Lam confirmed as new prez, replaces Trong
Vietnam's top security official To Lam was confirmed on Wednesday as the nation's new president. He oversaw police and intelligence operations over a period when rights groups say basic liberties have been systematically suppressed, and its secret service was accused of violating international law. Lam was confirmed by Vietnam's National Assembly after his predecessor resigned amid an ongoing anti-corruption campaign that has shaken the country's political establishment and business elites and has resulted in multiple top-level changes in government. Vietnam's presidency is largely ceremonial, but his new role as head of state puts the 66-year-old in a very strong position to become the next Communist Party general secretary, the most important political position in the country, said Nguyen Khac Giang, an analyst at Singapore's ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was elected to a third term in 2021, but at age 80, he may not seek another .
 "Vietnam's top security official Lam confirmed as new prez, replaces Trong")
Australian, Vietnamese PMs elevate their nations' economic relations
Australian and Vietnamese prime ministers on Thursday discussed ways of improving an already booming economic relationship, as part of Australia's strategy to diversify trade away from China. Vietnamese Pham Minh Chinh's official state visit came after he attended a summit of Southeast Asian leaders this week co-chaired by his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese and Laotian Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. The Vietnam bilateral relationship has proved a success in Australia's hedge against Chinese economic moves. Australia says China's official and unofficial trade barriers have cost Australian exporters up to 20 billion Australian dollars (USD 13 billion) a year since 2020, though those steps have been relaxed gradually since Albanese's government came to power in 2022. Albanese said trade between Australia and Vietnam had increased 75 per cent in two years to USD 25.7 billion in 2022, the most recent year for which data was available. Vietnam had become Australia's ...
 "Australian, Vietnamese PMs elevate their nations' economic relations")
Nestled in lap of nature, a vibrant Vietnam with receding residuals of war
The war casts a shadow, but Da Nang is alive with colour, life and great food
 "Nestled in lap of nature, a vibrant Vietnam with receding residuals of war")
