Vatican-Vietnam Ties: Pope Leo XIV’s envoy Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle presided over the first beatification ceremony on Vietnamese soil for Father Francis Xavier Truong Buu Diep in Ca Mau, drawing tens of thousands of Catholics and highlighting warming Vatican–Hanoi relations. Population Policy: Vietnam’s new population law kicks in, extending maternity leave for second-child births and adding prenatal and newborn support plus one-off cash bonuses, as the country tries to counter rapid ageing. Economy & Income Status: The World Bank upgraded the Philippines to upper-middle-income status, placing it alongside Vietnam and other regional peers—an economic milestone expected to shape development priorities. Trade Deal: EFTA says it has concluded a free trade agreement with Vietnam, covering rules of origin, investment, IP, competition, trade remedies and procurement. Climate Finance: The Green Climate Fund approved $50m for Mekong Capital’s Mekong Earth Regeneration Fund, backing lower-Mekong agribusinesses with blended finance for regenerative, lower-emission farming. Governance & Compliance: Vietnam’s central bank and regulators continue tightening the investor and media landscape, including new rules for foreign media activities and updates to the compliance environment for investors. Illegal Timber Watch: A report by the UK’s Environmental Investigation Agency says illegal timber imports from Cambodia and Laos are still finding ways into Vietnam’s supply chains, urging tighter verification and oversight.