India–Vietnam Strategic Upgrade: On Sept. 14, India and Vietnam agreed to mark 2025 as the “Year of India–Vietnam Friendship” after the 19th Joint Commission Meeting, with plans to deepen defence co-production, expand trade and resilient supply chains, and address market access for pharmaceuticals, marine products and agriculture. Party-to-Party Diplomacy: Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung met BJP leader Ram Madhav in New Delhi to push stronger exchanges and share development experience, underscoring political trust and shared visions. BRICS Sidelines, Vietnam’s Multilateral Push: Prime Minister Le Minh Hung met leaders including Russia’s Putin and Saudi FM Prince Faisal on the BRICS sidelines, stressing implementation of recent high-level outcomes and seeking more substantive cooperation. Thailand Royal Visit to Hanoi: Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida arrived for a three-day state visit, framed as a new milestone for Vietnam–Thailand ties ahead of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Top Leadership on Governance and Execution: General Secretary and President To Lam told a Hanoi political training course that national aspirations must be realized through sound vision, grounded decisions and execution governance. Hanoi Urban Politics Spotlight: A proposed 36-meter triumphal arch near Hoàn Kiếm and Grab drivers’ pay dispute sparked public debate over priorities and who gets heard. Vietnam–France Partnership in Motion: Vietnam and France issued a joint statement to implement their comprehensive strategic partnership framework, with officials and business voices pointing to turning political trust into concrete projects.