War Invalids & Martyrs Day Message: Party General Secretary and State President To Lam sent a letter for July 27, thanking heroic mothers, war invalids, martyrs’ families and veterans, stressing that the nation’s land is “steeped” in generations’ sacrifices and that unidentified remains remain a lasting duty. Party Leadership & Governance Shift: The 14th Party Central Committee’s third meeting opened in Hanoi, with To Lam urging a move from restructuring to stronger leadership and governance capacity, unified management of development space and resources, and a shift toward productivity, knowledge, technology and people. Culture-Led Development: Experts and artists said To Lam’s directives position culture as Vietnam’s spiritual foundation and endogenous resource, calling for closing gaps between cultural potential and turning it into development value and soft power. Online Party Oversight Report Withdrawn: State outlets reportedly removed or altered coverage about plans to monitor officials’ and Party members’ social media, after Central Steering Committee 35 guidance on ideological protection and online “wrongful” views. Public Security Modernisation: To Lam asked the People’s Police to be more revolutionary, professional, elite and modern, while highlighting the role of former officers in passing traditions to younger generations. Vietnam–China Party Ties: CPV and CPC leaders discussed cooperation on internal affairs, political-legal work and discipline inspection, including anti-corruption and full, rigorous Party management. Vietnam–Japan Party Dialogue: National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man met Japan’s LDP acting secretary general, reaffirming long-term strategic partnership and closer party coordination to deepen implementation of the Vietnam–Japan comprehensive strategic partnership. Vietnam–China Foreign Ministers in ASEAN: Le Hoai Trung met China’s Wang Yi in Manila, citing fresh momentum from To Lam’s April China visit and recent prime-minister talks to strengthen political trust and cooperation. Diplomacy & External Relations Momentum: Vietnam highlighted foreign affairs as “vital and regular,” including PM Le Minh Hung’s talks with Greece on EVFTA-linked trade, investment and maritime/logistics cooperation. Vietnam–Laos Treaty Reminder: A Lao scholar said the 1977 Vietnam–Laos friendship treaty remains the legal foundation for autonomy, solidarity and cooperation across defence, security and development.