ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi: Cambodia’s PM Hun Manet arrives for an official visit and the 3rd ASEAN Future Forum, with Vietnam’s PM Le Minh Hung hosting an official welcome as both sides stress trade, investment and regional economic cooperation. Diplomacy in motion: Thailand’s PM Anutin Charnvirakul also lands in Hanoi for talks and attendance at the forum, aiming to turn diplomatic momentum into projects across trade, energy, tourism and logistics. Hanoi congress spotlight: The 9th National Congress of the Vietnam Farmers’ Union opens in Hanoi with nearly 600 delegates representing more than 10 million farmers, setting up leadership and charter discussions for 2026–31. Economy and markets: Vietnam’s central bank deputy governor says fiscal policy should lean expansionary to hit growth targets as monetary policy room narrows, while rice exports rise in volume but revenue slips on weaker prices. Business and finance: Masan Group secures a $750m loan facility at sharply lower pricing, and Vietnamese firms increasingly pursue mergers to strengthen value chains and competitiveness. Tech push: Eric Schmidt backs Vietnam’s AI ambitions, and VinDynamics and Skild AI sign an MoU to advance humanoid robotics and embodied AI. Public safety: A truck collision in central Vietnam kills two and injures another. Regional shock: A powerful quake off Mindanao triggers tsunami alerts across parts of the Pacific.