Vietnamese leaders extend sympathies over Texas flash floods
Party General Secretary To Lam, State President Luong Cuong, and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on July 7 sent messages of sympathy to US President Donald Trump upon receiving news of the devastating flash floods that struck Kerr county, Texas, on July 4.
Devastating flash floods strike Kerr county, Texas on July 5. (Photo: US Coast Guard/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Party General Secretary To Lam, State Pres🍒ident Luong Cuong, and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on July 7 sent messages of sympathy to US President Donald Trump upon receiving news of the devastating flash floods that ඣstruck Kerr county, Texas, on July 4.
The same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son also sent sympathy to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The disaster claimed many lives and caused widespread damage to homes and facilities./.
The discussions follow President Donald Trump’s announcement of reciprocal tariffs of between 20%- 40% after his phone talks with the Vietnamese Party chief, during which the two leaders discussed the bilateral ties.
Vietnam was among the earliest countries to engage in trade negotiations with the US, and the third large trading partner of the latter to reach a preliminary agreement on tariffs.
At 10:25 a.m. on July 2 (local time), US President Donald Trump posted on the social media platform Truth Social that he had just reached a trade deal with Vietnam.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasised that the Party and State of Vietnam highly valued the diverse and substantive outcomes of recent high-level exchanges, which have helped advance the relationship between the two Parties and the two countries.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held separate meetings with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov, and UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Ali Bin Al Sayegh in Rio de Janeiro on July 7 (local time) as part of his Brazil visit for the expanded BRICS Summit.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed the two sides soon negotiate and sign an agreement on investment promotion and protection, an agreement on visa exemption for ordinary passport holders, and an agreement on cooperation in science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation.
PM Chinh proposed that the two countries jointly develop an action plan to implement the comprehensive strategic partnership for the 2025–2030 period, while promoting cooperation in economy, trade, investment, agriculture, and emerging sectors such as digital economy, green transition and energy.
He reaffirmed Vietnam’s strong commitment to reaching net zero emissions by 2050, and its readiness to contribute responsibly and actively to global environmental and health cooperation.
Vietnam treasures and promotes multifaceted cooperation with Chile, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said during his meeting with Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font on the sidelines of the expanded BRICS summit on July 7 (local time).
UNESCO was founded on November 16, 1945, and Vietnam officially became a member of the organisation in July 1976, marking one of the country’s important steps in the process of global integration.
Over the years, the State has conducted multiple rounds, benefiting hundreds of thousands of prisoners who qualified for amnesty due to good conduct, learning, and working, allowing them to reintegrate into the community and society.
Committee members voiced support for a project on studying the establishment of a public lawyer mechanism in the socialist rule-of-law State of Vietnam. They said such research will help meet the practical need of protecting State interests, as government agencies and state-owned enterprises are facing growing legal risks related to foreign investment and trade, as well as civil, administrative, financial, asset, and land-related relationships.
In the first half, Vietnam's defence cooperation with other countries, particularly with neighbours and key partners, was strengthened. Meanwhile, multilateral defence diplomacy contributed to building trust, securing international support, and advancing collaboration in other areas.
In the first half of 2025, the Party Central Committee, and its Politburo and Secretariat issued over 100 documents on Party building and the prevention and control of corruption, wastefulness, and other negative phenomena. The National Assembly amended several articles of the 2013 Constitution, and passed 38 laws and 45 resolutions.
Vietnam not only provides updates on its progress but also shares practical experiences, contributing to global discussions on common concerns. These efforts have been met with positive feedback from international partners, reinforcing Vietnam’s standing and credibility at multilateral forums, including the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
The effective execution of Vietnam’s reforms could not only consolidate its current economic growth trajectory but also serve as a potential governance model for other low- and middle-income countries, and play an important role in the collective development of developing countries, said a Chinese scholar.
PM Pham Minh Chinh's speech at a high-level discussion of the expanded BRICS summit 2025, his meetings with world leaders in Rio de Janeiro, and Vietnam topping Asia-Pacific in international tourist growth during Q1 are among news highlights on July 7.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh put forward three important and practical proposals, calling for a renewed international commitment to multilateralism, equitable development, and sustainable progress.
PM Pham Minh Chinh has called for stronger multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and other countries, as well as the WTO, while meeting with their leaders in Rio de Janeiro.
PM Chinh reaffirmed the Party, State and people of Vietnam’s consistent support for Cuba, demanding the US to end its embargo against and remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the sidelines of the expanded BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on July 6 (local time), during which they agreed to foster bilateral cooperation in several specific areas.
PM Pham Minh Chinh thanked WHO for its effective support, which has contributed significantly to Vietnam’s success in containing the COVID-19 pandemic and achieving swift recovery.
