Vietnam dispatches rescue team to Venezuela and announces free city buses

Vietnam’s Party Central Committee opened its third plenary meeting in Hanoi, where General Secretary and President To Lam urged the People’s Public Security Force to unify its approach to national security and support the implementation of the country’s security strategy.

The Vietnamese government pledged $300,000 in emergency humanitarian aid and sent a search‑and‑rescue team with 40 tonnes of supplies to assist Venezuela after two devastating earthquakes on 24 June. Vietnamese rescuers were later awarded a first‑class “Hero of Venezuela” medal for their work.

In domestic policy, Ho Chi Minh City announced a free‑bus program that will run from 1 July to 31 December 2026 to encourage public‑transport use and reduce congestion. Vietnam also took part in the 35th‑anniversary ASEAN‑Russia summit in Kazan and hosted the ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in Hanoi.

Additional highlights included the sighting of a pod of large dolphins near Cai Chien Island and an extreme heat wave affecting the north and central regions of the country.