Vietnam–Malaysia Trade: Vietnam and Malaysia are aiming to push bilateral trade to $18B in 2026, with the $20B target “within reach,” but Vietnam’s exports still lag imports—leaving a $5.67B deficit in 2025 and nearly $4B in the first half of 2026, as halal certification is flagged as a key hurdle and opportunity. Diplomacy Upgrade: Vietnam and Canada elevated ties to a “strategic partnership” during President Tô Lâm’s Ottawa visit, with talks covering energy, agriculture, defense cooperation and people-to-people links. Crypto Crime Case: A Vietnamese national, Trung Nguyen Van, has been charged in the U.S. over alleged laundering tied to a $53M “pig butchering” crypto romance scam. Maritime Industry: Damen’s Vietnamese partner yard launched a TSHD 1000 trailing suction hopper dredge for New Zealand’s Port Otago and Napier Port, with delivery expected later this year. Business & Finance: AM Best affirmed BIDV Insurance’s ratings, while Jollibee agreed to sell an 11% Highlands Coffee stake to VTI for about $88M, shifting majority control to the Vietnamese partner. Sports: Vietnam’s football squad faces the Philippines in the FIFA ASEAN Cup opener amid injury concerns and leadership changes.