☀️ Morning digest August 21

The following is a list of selected news summaries last weekend by the Vietnam News Agency.
☀️ Morning digest August 21 ảnh 1
Hanoi (VNA) - The following is a list of selected newssummaries last weekend by the Vietnam News Agency.

- Vietnam and Belgium have seen their relationship growing continuously acrossall areas over the past 50 years since they set up diplomatic relations onMarch 22, 1973, only two months after the signing of the Paris Peace Accords.

Belgium has made positive contributions to the success of Vietnam throughdevelopment cooperation programmes. The two sides have also coordinated closelyat multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations and the framework ofthe Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and ASEAN-EU partnership. Read full story

-  A programme to celebrate the50th founding anniversary of Vietnam - Canada diplomatic ties (1973-2023)was held by the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) andthe Canadian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City on August 20.

This is part of activities intended to further strengthen the friendshipand cooperation between the two countries’ people. Read full story

- Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Vietnam Yerlan Baizhanov has highlighted thesignificance of the  official visit toVietnam by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev from August 20-22,stressing that the trip affirms high political trust between the two countriesand contributes to promoting multifaceted partnership.

Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the thresholds of the visit, the diplomatsaid this is the first time Tokayev has visited Vietnam in his new position,and also the first visit of a Kazakh President to Vietnam in the past 12 years. Read full story

- Vietnam attended the consultations between ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) andthe EU, Canada, the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and HongKong (China) that took place in Semarang, Indonesia on August 20 within theframework of the ongoing 55th AEM Meeting.

The events aimed to discuss the regional and international economic situationrecently, and share information and cooperation orientations between ASEAN andthe partners in the time to come. Read full story

- Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien had a working session onAugust 19 with Indonesian Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan on the sidelines ofthe 55th ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) that is taking place in Semarang,Indonesia. Read full story

- The US-led Pacific Partnership 2023 (PP23) has been implemented in the southcentral coastal province of Phu Yen, featuring activities like schoolconstruction, medical training workshops, free surgeries for local residents,and musical exchanges, among others.

The programme is in some ways a microcosm of the broader cooperation that theUS enjoys with Vietnam in many different areas, said US Ambassador to VietnamMarc Knapper in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency following thesuccessful programme. Read full story

- Various new products and services have been provided by museums and relicsites in Hanoi with an aim to lure more visitors, especially youngsters, andpromote their values at the same time.

Recently, Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam relic site has entertained young visitors withan exciting journey of “finding mascots on ancient architecture”, which isdesigned in the form of games on an iPad. Read full story./.
VNA

See more

US Coast Guard cutter USCGC Bertholf (WMSL-750) docks at Saigon Gateway Port in Ho Chi Minh City on November 1 (Photo: znews.vn)

US Coast Guard cutter visits Ho Chi Minh City

While in Ho Chi Minh City, the commanding officer and crew of USCGC Bertholf will pay courtesy calls on the city’s leaders and the Coast Guard Region 3 Command, take part in diplomatic engagement activities and professional exchanges on maritime operations, and participate in friendly sports competitions with officers and personnel of Coast Guard Region 3.

Vice President of the Vietnamese National Assembly Nguyen Hong Dien (right) receives Bok Gi-wang, vice head of the Korean National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee in Hanoi on October 30, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, RoK step up economic, parliamentary cooperation

Speaking highly of the RoK's experience in railway development, NA Vice President Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed its businesses' interest in Vietnam’s railway projects and encouraged their participation as partners, investors or contractors in line with Vietnamese law.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam (right) receives Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan Elchin Amirbayov Hanoi on October 30, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Top leader receives Azerbaijani presidential envoy

Welcoming the Azerbaijani envoy to Vietnam, the Vietnamese leader affirmed that Vietnam treasures the friendship, valuable support and assistance extended by the State and people of Azerbaijan to Vietnam during its past struggle for national independence, as well as its current process of national construction and development.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Fukuda Yasuo (Photo published by VNA)

Vietnam sends condolences on passing of former Japanese PM Fukuda Yasuo

In the message, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung extended his deepest condolences and expressed profound appreciation for Mr. Fukuda’s special affection for and valuable support to Vietnam and its people, as well as his contributions to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Japan.

A view of Ho Chi MInh City (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City’s 100-year master plan gets the green light

Under the overall development model, the megacity will comprise five growth poles, namely international financial services at the centre; innovation in the East; industry, high technology and logistics in the North; seaports, free trade, international logistics and energy in the South; and urban development, education and healthcare in the West.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Tien Chau writes in the condolence book. (Photo: VNA)

Deputy PM pays tribute to former Japanese PM Fukuda Yasuo

The State and people of Vietnam are deeply saddened by the passing of Japan's former Prime Minister Fukuda Yasuo, a great and close friend of Vietnam. On behalf of the Government and people of Vietnam, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Tien Chau extended the deepest condolences to the Government and people of Japan, as well as his family.