[VOVWORLD] - August 1 marked six years since the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) entered into force, with bilateral trade posting impressive growth over the period.

[VOVWORLD] - The 33rd Diplomatic Conference opened in Hanoi on Friday in a hybrid format, connecting participants from ministries, localities and Vietnam's overseas representative missions. Discussions focused on practical data and breakthrough solutions in key sectors, thus shaping Vietnam’s foreign affairs strategy in a new era of national development.

[VOVWORLD] - The US respects ASEAN’s central role and consensus-based approach in addressing issues related to the East Sea (internationally known as South China Sea), US Ambassador to ASEAN Kevin Kim said on Friday, stressing that regional agreements should not undermine the interests of third parties or the principle of freedom of navigation.

[VOVWORLD] - The four guiding directions adopted at the 3rd Plenum of the 14th Party Central Committee represent an important shift in Vietnam’s development mindset, said Professor Qu Qiang of the Minzu University of China and a commentator for the China Global Television Network (CGTN).

[VOVWORLD] - The Vietnamese Embassy in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with Viettravel and the Hayleys Group, on Friday organized a tourism promotion event in Colombo under the theme "Vietnam – A World of Endless Wonders."

[VOVWORLD] - Iran announced on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz has been closed to all maritime traffic, marking the second time in July that Tehran has declared the strategic waterway off limits.

[VOVWORLD] - The European Union has agreed to establish a Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) in Benghazi, eastern Libya, to strengthen search-and-rescue operations and improve migration management along the central Mediterranean route.

[VOVWORLD] - The Board of Peace on Friday released a 15-point roadmap to implement a peace agreement for Gaza after US President Donald Trump announced that Hamas had accepted a comprehensive disarmament framework aimed at ending the conflict.

[VOVWORLD] - A new tourist train linking the former imperial capital of Hue with Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park will begin operations in September, following a cooperation agreement signed by authorities in Quang Tri Province, Hue City and Vietnam Railways.

[VOVWORLD] - The 33rd Diplomatic Conference opened in Hanoi on Friday, with Vietnam's diplomatic sector setting priorities for the country's next stage of development following the 14th National Party Congress.