Vietnam–Canada Strategic Partnership: General Secretary and President Tô Lâm’s Canada state visit was framed as a long-term cooperation upgrade, with a new comprehensive framework spanning trade and investment, transport and supply chains, digital/AI, energy and food security, defence and maritime ties, education, and people-to-people exchanges; both sides also signed/renewed MoUs on energy, maritime transport, environment and food safety, and expanded air transport to enable more direct passenger and cargo flights. Sports as national strength: At a working session on implementing Party resolutions on physical education and sports, Tô Lâm said health and fitness are part of national strength and urged full review of the past 15 years’ implementation while pushing effective rollout under new conditions. Party-state diplomacy and public trust: In Hanoi, leaders highlighted the need for stronger communications work grounded in reality and tangible results, while also stressing proactive security approaches that shift from reacting to threats toward forecasting, prevention and shaping. Legislative agenda: The National Assembly Standing Committee convened its 7th session to prepare for the 16th legislature’s second sitting, with draft laws and budget/citizens’ petition reports on the agenda. Hanoi’s governance and legal reform push: Tô Lâm called for sweeping refinement of laws on civil and administrative dispute prevention and judgment enforcement, warning against loopholes and illegal interference while tightening oversight. Human rights dispute over arrests: Vietnam confirmed the detention of Australian and Norwegian activists linked to Viet Tan, citing “terrorism” charges after alleged illegal entry from Cambodia—while rights groups and Viet Tan denounced the case as “transnational repression” and “fabricated” accusations. Regional ties: Vietnam also marked diplomatic progress with Timor-Leste as it appointed its first resident ambassador there, and leaders continued cooperation coordination with Cambodia’s inspection authorities.