Vietnam-Australia/New Zealand Diplomacy: Party General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm’s state visits to Australia and New Zealand (Aug 9–14) are framed as a push to turn the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into concrete deals, with more than a dozen expected agreements across education, agriculture, health care, tech, tourism, defence and security, and a focus on Việt kiều and South China Sea maritime security. Sci-Tech Diplomacy: Vietnam’s diplomatic sector is tasked with making science-and-technology cooperation a regular mission, linking digital transformation and strategic technologies to growth and governance. Governance Modernization: British researcher Kyril Whittaker says Tô Lâm’s “strategic shifts” signal easier working with Vietnam via streamlined administration and tech-enabled public services like VNeID. Regional Legislative Ties: Vietnam and Thailand highlight parliamentary cooperation as a key pillar, with leaders urging implementation of the 2026–31 action plan under the “Three Connects” strategy. Economic Security & Anti-Corruption: Vietnam’s Economic Police are urged to strengthen their core role against corruption and economic crimes while adapting to new risks tied to data, finance, supply chains and cybersecurity. Transnational Repression & Rights: Reports say Vietnam’s crackdown on independent voices is reaching abroad, including convictions in absentia of exiled journalists and activists, raising fresh international pressure as Tô Lâm meets partners.