Overseas Vietnamese Policy Update: Vietnam’s Politburo has adopted Resolution No. 23-NQ/TW, moving overseas Vietnamese affairs into a new phase that treats the diaspora as a strategic resource—more than remittances, with emphasis on knowledge, tech, networks, and market access. BRICS Culture & Heritage: At the New Delhi Declaration, BRICS leaders backed protecting cultural heritage and called for repatriation of spiritual, ancestral, and historical objects, while also stressing culture’s role in people-to-people ties. Vietnam–Russia & Vietnam–France Momentum: Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung says General Secretary To Lam’s Russia and France visits delivered “comprehensive and substantive” outcomes, deepening cooperation across political, economic, science-tech, and cultural channels. Vietnam Skills for Semiconductors: Vietnam is pushing to close major talent gaps for chips—aiming for far more graduates and specialized engineers by 2030 as it seeks stronger participation in global tech value chains. Vietnam in Everyday China-Influence: A report notes young Vietnamese increasingly embrace Chinese culture and language through streaming, social media, and study opportunities—showing a softer, daily-life shift despite long-standing strategic tensions. Lifestyle Spotlight: AEON announced two more Vietnam mall openings in 2026, signaling continued retail expansion beyond big cities into regional hubs. Culture Abroad: Vietnamese pianist Khoi Luu won a commissioned-composition award at the NTD International Piano Competition in New York, highlighting Vietnam’s growing presence in global classical events.