Hanoi–UOB FDI Push: Hanoi and UOB Vietnam signed an MoU to steer higher-quality foreign investment into priority sectors like high-tech, digitalisation, green growth, semiconductors, finance, and infrastructure, while also backing Vietnamese firms to plug into global supply chains and expand regionally. Venezuela Earthquake Response: Vietnam Airlines operated a special flight carrying 124 defence and public security personnel, rescue dogs, and about 25 tonnes of relief gear to support earthquake-hit areas, underscoring Hanoi’s growing disaster-response footprint. Hanoi Cultural Diplomacy: A China–ASEAN travelling art exhibition opened in Hanoi, featuring more than 90 works and highlighting shared cultural ties—another soft-power channel for regional engagement. Governance & Rule of Law: A rights group warns Vietnam is ramping up arrests under broad laws to crush dissent, raising fresh concerns about legal safeguards. International Legal Milestone: Vietnam’s first-ever judge at ITLOS is noted as a milestone for the country’s international standing and legal expertise. Hanoi Tourism Showcase: The Hanoi Lotus Festival 2026 drew around 300,000 visitors, with organisers linking heritage preservation to tourism development. Digital Economy Angle: A new VPS 2.0 model was launched by Vietnamese professionals and students in the US, aiming to deepen Vietnam–US cooperation in science, high-tech, and the digital economy.