☀️ Morning digest December 20

The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last night by the Vietnam News Agency.
☀️ Morning digest December 20 ảnh 1

Hanoi (VNA) - The following is a list of selected news summariesreported last night by the Vietnam News Agency.

– General Secretary ofthe Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong and PresidentVo Van Thuong on December 19 sent messages of sympathy to General Secretary ofthe Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of China XiJinping over serious human and economic losses caused by an earthquake aday earlier.
The same day,Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh extended his sympathy to Chinese Premier LiQiang, and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue cabled a message ofsympathy to Zhao Leji, Chairman of the National People'sCongress (NPC) Standing Committee. Read full story

–Students should affirm and demonstrate their responsibility towards thecountry, with a view to realising the goal of becoming a developed country withhigh income by 2045, President Vo Van Thuong emphasised while addressing the11th National Congress of the Vietnamese Students’ Association (VSA) in Hanoion December 19.
Amid the complicated regional and global situationas well as difficulties and challenges inside the country, each Vietnamesestudent should understand that what they need to start their journey to thefuture must be knowledge, dignity and the glorious historical tradition of thenation, the values of Vietnamese culture, and the spirit of a peace-lovingnation with friendship and respect for other nations. Read full story

- The Communist Party ofVietnam (CPV) and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) held their 10ththeoretical workshop in Quang Ninh province on December 19, focusing onexperiences in developing culture and humans in the socialist-oriented nationaldevelopment process.
The event was part of acooperation programme on theoretical research and practice summarisationbetween the CPV and the LPRP. Read full story

-Deputy Minister of Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien and DirectorGeneral for International Relations and Strategy at the French Ministry of theArmed Forces Alice Rufo co-chaired the third Vietnam-France defence strategyand cooperation dialogue in Paris on December 18.
The two heads of delegations agreed that since thesecond dialogue in April 2022, bilateral defence cooperation has beencontinuously consolidated and strengthened in a practical, effective directionconsistent with signed cooperation documents and agreements, especially the JointVision Statement on Vietnam - France defence cooperation for the 2018 – 2028period and the Framework Agreement on Vietnam - France defence cooperation. Read full story

– The fourth joint peacekeeping exercise between Vietnam andIndia - VINBAX 2023 concluded in Hanoi on December 19.
Addressing the event, Deputy Chief of the GeneralStaff of the Vietnam People's Army (VPA) Senior Lieutenant General PhungSi Tan, who is head of the exercise steering board, lauded the contingentsof the two countries for their serious and active participation. Read full story

– Vietnam actively took part in and made importantcontributions to the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN - JapanFriendship and Cooperation while obtaining substantive results from bilateralactivities in Japan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet has said. 
In an interview granted to the press about theoutcomes of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit to Japan from December 15 to18, Viet highlighted Vietnam’s active participation in and importantcontributions to the commemorative summit, from making preparations andbuilding the agenda to delivering remarks at the event. Read full story

– The similarities inforeign policies is the string that binds the relations between Vietnam andLatin American countries throughout history, according to politicians and media.
Speaking on the occasionof Vietnam's 32nd National Diplomatic Conference which opened in Hanoi onDecember 19, they affirmed that the similarities include steadfastness andconsistency in applying external principles, but also showing openness, and adaptivenessto changes in the world situation. Read full story./.

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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.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam speaks at the meeting with female NA deputies in Hanoi on October 29. (Photo: VNA)

Top leader calls on female NA deputies to help shape national development policies

Top leader To Lam called on female NA deputies to contribute proactively to lawmaking from the earliest stages, ensuring that policies are grounded in practical evidence, constitutional, consistent and enforceable. They should identify shortcomings before laws are adopted, put forward initiatives in the common interest, maintain their independent judgement and uphold integrity to prevent group interests from distorting policymaking.

An overview of the talks between the Border Guard Command of Vietnam’s Quang Tri province and the Police of Laos’ Khammouane province. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese, Lao localities strengthen cooperation in border security

For the coming time, the two sides agreed to effectively implement signed agreements, enhance information sharing and joint patrols, and step up efforts against drug-related crime, human trafficking, smuggling, illegal weapons and explosives trafficking, illegal immigration and online fraud.

☕ Afternoon briefing on October 29

☕ Afternoon briefing on October 29

A ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the Central Council for Theoretical Studies, Vietnam attending the 20th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting and related activities in the Philippines, and the national strategy on child development for 2026–2035 approved are among news highlights on October 29.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung chairs a meeting on preparations for APEC Vietnam Year 2027 on October 28, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

PM pushes clear timelines for APEC Year 2027 preparations

PM Le Minh Hung said a successful APEC 2027, especially the Economic Leaders’ Week, will leave Vietnam’s mark on APEC and international friends, and help connect global resources for socio-economic development of the country, localities and businesses.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (R) meets with Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxim Ryzhenkov in Hanoi on October 28, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam wants deeper ties with Belarus: Prime Minister

Vietnam always follows and congratulates Belarus on its development gains under the leadership of President Aleksandr Lukashenko, PM Le Minh Hung said, praising positive results of bilateral cooperation, especially since General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam’s state visit to Belarus in May 2025.

The Party Central Committee’s Commission for Inspection has proposed the Secretariat discipline former Vice Chairman of the Cao Bang provincial People’s Committee Trinh Truong Huy. (Photo: thanhtra,com,vn)

Inspection commission proposes discipline against former Cao Bang officials

The former officials were said to have shown degradation in political thought, morality and lifestyle; violated Party rules and State law in performing their assigned duties, and in the fight against corruption, wastefulness and misconduct; and breached rules on what Party members are banned from doing and responsibility for setting an example, causing very serious consequences and badly damaging the reputation of the local Party Organisation and authorities to an extent that disciplinary action is required.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung holds talks with Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxim Ryzhenkov in Hanoi on October 28, 2026. (Photo: Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Vietnam, Belarus seek ways to strengthen strategic partnership

Trung affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to its traditional friendship and strategic partnership with Belarus. He expressed appreciation for the valuable support and assistance extended by the Belarusian people to Vietnam during its past struggle for national independence and its current process of national construction and development.

NA Vice President Nguyen Thi Hong meets with General Secretary of the United Left Movement (MIU) of the Dominican Republic Miguel Mejia in Hanoi on October 28, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Dominican Republic strengthen parliamentary cooperation

To advance bilateral ties, NA Vice President Nguyen Thi Hong proposed increasing exchanges at all levels, maintaining contacts between leaders and legislators, boosting the effectiveness of the parliamentary friendship groups, sharing more legislative information and experience, and expanding economic, trade and investment partnerships in line with the strong political and diplomatic relationship.