Vietnam’s National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong held bilateral talks with top legislators from Bangladesh, Fiji, and Georgia on the margins of the plenary session of the 136th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on April 3.
![]() |
| Vietnam’s National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong (second from right) meets with Speaker of Bangladeshi Parliament Sharin Sharmin Chaudhury (third from right) (Photo: VNA) |
At a meeting with Speaker of Bangladeshi Parliament Sharin Sharmin Chaudhury, Phong affirmed that Vietnam wants to enhance the traditional friendship and sound cooperation with Bangladesh, and suggested the two sides maintain visits at all levels and people-to-people exchanges.
She also called for continued mutual support at multilateral forums, especially those under the United Nations framework.
The host recommended both countries step up collaboration via the parliament channel. She accepted the Vietnamese National Assembly’s invitation to participate in the IPU Asia-Pacific thematic symposium on tackling climate change and realizing the UN sustainable development goals, which is scheduled to take place in Ho Chi Minh City on May 11-13.
While meeting with Speaker of the Parliament of Fiji Jiko Luveni, Vice NA Chairwoman Phong reiterated Vietnam’s consistent policy of cementing friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with countries in the Asian-Pacific region, including Fiji.
Vietnam is willing to help Fiji in the fields of its strengths such as agriculture, food security, fisheries, infrastructure building, and healthcare by means of experience sharing, training support or experts dispatch, she said.
Phong also invited the Fiji top legislator to attend the IPU symposium in HCM City in May 2017 and the 26th Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) to be held in Vietnam in January 2018.
Jiko Luveni said Fiji is ready to share know-how with Vietnam in training personnel for the UN peacekeeping activities, and agreed to cooperate with Vietnam at international forums.
During a meeting with Chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze, Phong extolled the long-standing relations between the two countries despite geographical distance.
She said the Vietnamese people always remember the valuable assistance of Georgia during the wartime and in the cause of national construction.
Vietnam’s policy is to preserve and develop rapports with traditional partners, including Georgia, she said, adding that Vietnam wants to boost comprehensive cooperation with Georgia in economics, tourism, culture and education, thus increasing mutual understanding and trust for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and beyond.
Irakli Kobakhidze agreed that the two sides need to promote mutual visits and people-to-people exchanges and stressed Georgia is willing to share experience and support Vietnam in the fields of education and science-technology.
He suggested the two countries’ legislatures increase meetings between relevant committees and agencies to propel the bilateral cooperation forward.
Party General Secretary and State President To Lam urged the Vietnam Trade Union to reform more rapidly, deeply and substantively. It must work together with the State, enterprises and training facilities to improve workers’ professional qualifications, digital skills and adaptability.
VGCL President Nguyen Anh Tuan said achievements obtained over the past ternure reflect the close guidance of the Party, effective coordination among State agencies, local authorities, the Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organisations, support from employers and, above all, the dedication and innovation demonstrated by trade union officials, members and workers across the country.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung emphasised the need to further improve institutions and policy frameworks, develop digital infrastructure and data resources, and create the necessary conditions for science, technology, innovation and digital transformation to become new drivers of economic growth.
Prof. Huang Rihan of Huaqiao University in China’s Fujian province said the Vietnamese leader’s address highlighted three major crises currently facing the world - the crisis of the international order, the crisis of development models, and the crisis of strategic trust.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang said that alongside the robust growth of relations between the two countries, defence cooperation has continued to develop extensively and intensively, becoming increasingly practical and effective.
Adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 24, 2024, and opened for signature in Hanoi in October 2025, the convention is the first global multilateral treaty dedicated to combating cybercrime.
The visits also took place at a time when the Philippines is serving as ASEAN Chair in 2026, Singapore is preparing to assume the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2027, and Vietnam is set to host the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in 2027.
Ngo Phuong Ly, spouse of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, expressed her emotion at seeing the children’s optimism despite difficult circumstances, noting that both Vietnam and the Philippines place children at the centre of their development policies, from education, health care to child protection.
Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, his spouse and a high-level Vietnamese delegation departed Manila on June 1, concluding a successful state visit to the Republic of the Philippines from May 31 to June 1 at the invitation of Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and his spouse.
Participants reviewed rental housing demand in each area, considering different market segments and target groups. They also examined the gap between supply and demand, and pinpointed issues in policy frameworks.
Vietnam and the Philippines have agreed to elevate their relationship to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership, opening a new phase of cooperation in politics, defence and security, economic ties and other key areas.
Vietnam and the Philippines on June 1 issued a Joint Statement on the Enhanced Strategic Partnership during General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam’s state visit to the Philippines.
Economic cooperation between Vietnam and the Philippines should move to a new level, with greater emphasis on quality, depth and substance, as the two countries seek to maximise opportunities under their newly upgraded Enhanced Strategic Partnership.
Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and his spouse are paying state visit to the Philippines from May 31 to June 1 at the invitation of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and his spouse.
General Secretary and President To Lam encouraged the Vietnamese in the Philippines to remain united, abide by local laws, contribute practically to the homeland and continue fostering friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
By moving from crisis response to proactive risk reduction, Vietnam has positioned itself as a responsible and mature “architect” of regional peace, said a Malaysia-based expert.
The President Ho Chi Minh monument in the ASEAN Garden holds profound historical, cultural, and diplomatic significance, reflecting the friendship between Vietnam and the Philippines, as well as the solidarity within the ASEAN community.
The trip demonstrates Vietnam's high regard for its friendship and cooperation with the Philippines, as well as with ASEAN and the Southeast Asian region.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam on May 30 met with leaders of major Singaporean corporations, technology companies, financial institutions and banks with long-standing investments and business operations in Vietnam.
General Secretary and President Lam expressed his hope that the community will remain united, preserve the Vietnamese language and cultural identity, and strengthen ties with the homeland.