The Live Arena in Moscow hosted the latest edition of “Intervidenie”, the singing competition that brought together the countries of the Eastern Bloc during the Soviet era. Revived after Russian singers were excluded from the Western event due to the invasion of Ukraine, it brought together artists from 22 ‘friendly’ nations, with Dyk Fuk, a rapper from Hanoi, ultimately winning.
The Marian Centre in Tàpao (Vietnam) recently hosted a meeting of youth ministry leaders, promoted by the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences. Unemployment, identity crises, and cultural pressures are among the main challenges facing the continent's younger generations. The aim is to have a “close, compassionate, and patient” Church that stands by them.
Some 22 heads of state and government will attend the "expanded" summit of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation in Tianjin opening tomorrow. Vietnam’s Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính will attend as China's “invited guest”. The meeting will focus on growing economic co-operation but also competition in the South China Sea.
The Vietnamese Catholic Church celebrated the 400th anniversary of the birth of its first martyr, who was killed at the age of 19, with a live-streamed event involving communities across the country and the diaspora, which was also attended by the Pope.
Vietnam has announced the construction of a park dedicated to the soldiers of Russia, China, Cuba, Laos, and Cambodia who backed the communist North during the war against the United States. This marks a turning point in its official historical narrative, which until now had emphasised nationalism and downplayed foreign assistance. The project is part of a strategic balancing act with the great powers – ideologically, Vietnam embraces China’s rhetoric, but economically, it must maintain access to the US market.
In the second quarter of 2025, Vietnam's GDP grew by 7.96 per cent thanks to booming exports. The new trade agreement with the US has improved the climate of confidence, but transhipped goods from China risk affecting the entire regional production chain.
