The inaugural English edition of the Vietnam Journal of Asian–African Studies marks an important milestone in the journal’s efforts to broaden international scholarly engagement. This issue features in-depth studies on shifts in African trade, geopolitical competition in the Middle East, Ho Chi Minh’s legacy in India–Vietnam relations, and the evolution of Vietnam’s foreign policy through the lens of historical institutionalism. With its interdisciplinary approach and attention to contemporary regional dynamics, the journal seeks to foster substantive academic dialogue and enhance understanding of Asia–Africa relations in a global context.