☕ Afternoon briefing on April 21

The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.
☕ Afternoon briefing on April 21 ảnh 1

Hanoi (VNA) - The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on April 21 morninghosted an official welcome ceremony for his Czech counterpart Petr Fiala who ison an official visit to Vietnam from April 20-22.

☕ Afternoon briefing on April 21 ảnh 2Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) welcomes Prime Minister Petr Fiala. (Photo: VNA)

After the welcome ceremony, the two PMs held talks.As scheduled, the Czech government leader will also witness the signing ofbilateral cooperation pacts, pay a courtesy call to President Vo Van Thuong,and attend a Vietnam-Czech Republic business forum. Read full story

- National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and President ofthe National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernández comparednotes on orientations and measures to further strengthen the fraternalsolidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States,legislatures and peoples during their talks in Havana on April 20 (local time).

☕ Afternoon briefing on April 21 ảnh 3National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (R) and President of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernández (Photo: VNA)

At the talks, which took place following a welcomeceremony for the Vietnamese top legislator, host and guest also briefed eachother on the domestic situation, and exchanged views on regional andinternational issues of shared concern. Read full story

- Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) VuongDinh Hue had a meeting with Cuban revolution leader Gen. Raúl Castro Ruz, andFirst Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of Cuba MiguelDíaz-Canel in Havana on April 20 (local time).

☕ Afternoon briefing on April 21 ảnh 4NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (L) and First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel at the meeting in Havana on April 20. (local time). (Photo: VNA)

The two hosts welcomed the first official visit toCuba by Chairman Hue, who is also the first foreign leader to have visitedtheir country after it successfully held the elections of deputies to theNational Assembly of People’s Power for the 2023 - 2028 tenure and electedthe new State and Government leadership. Read full story

- Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) VuongDinh Hue met with Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz in Havana on April20 afternoon (local time), stressing Vietnam’s resolve to further reinforce itstime-tested ties with Cuba.

☕ Afternoon briefing on April 21 ảnh 5Vietnamese NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (R) meets Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz in Havana on April 20 afternoon (local time). (Photo: VNA)

Chairman Hue, who is paying an official visit tothe Latin American nation, affirmed that the Party, State, Government, NationalAssembly, and people of Vietnam always support the just revolutionary cause ofthe fraternal Cuban people. They also attach importance to and are determinedto further intensify the long-standing solidarity and comprehensive cooperationwith Cuba. Read full story

- Promoting the role of multilateralism is of greatimportance in tackling the current global multidimensional crisis, helpingsecure financial resources for the implementation of the sustainabledevelopment goals (SDGs), recommended Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Vietnam’sPermanent Representative to the United Nations (UN).

In his speech at the 2023 UN Economic and SocialCouncil (ECOSOC) Forum on Financing for Development, held from April 17-20, thediplomat called on the international community to make more efforts to narrowthe financial gap between countries and suggested that the G7 and G20 nationsaccelerate the implementation of their commitments to support developingcountries in accessing preferential financial resources for SDGs and climatechange response. Read full story

- General Director of Vietnam News Agency Vu VietTrang visited the headquarters of Cuban News Agency (ACN) and held talks withACN Director General Edda Diz Garcés on April 20 (Cuba times).

During the talks, two sides reviewed theirbilateral cooperation and highlighted the importance of reliable informationsources in the context of rampant fake news. Read full story   

- Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrellexpressed his deep impression on Vietnam’s economic growth as well as the waythe country has improved living standards of people, during his visit to theSoutheast Asian nation from April 16-20.

In an interview granted to the press, the ministernoted that there's been "a wonderful relationship between Australia andVietnam over the last 50 years” and Australia wants to work with Vietnam tocontinue the improvement in living standards so that Vietnam can beat the goalof being a fully developed country by 2045. Read full story

- Export of pepper beans and spices would earn Vietnam 2billion USD in 2025, according to President of the Vietnam Pepper Association(VPA) Hoang Thi Lien.

At a conference on pepper and spice export onApril 21, Lien said the forecast is based on expectations that pepper priceswill rise as demand recovers after COVID-19 while supply remains scarce. Read full story     

- Natural disasters caused economic loss worth nearly19.5 trillion VND (approximately 830 million USD) in 2022, up 3.4 times fromthe loss recorded in 2021, a conference of the national steering committee fornatural disaster prevention and control heard on April 20.

Also, 175 persons were killed or went missingduring natural disasters last year, it was reported at the conference, held ina hybrid format with the participation of all 63 provinces and centrally-runcities./.Read full story

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Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, speaks at the general debate of the UN General Assembly’s Second Committee (Economic and Financial Committee) in New York. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam calls for stronger int'l cooperation to drive sustainable development

Vietnam calls for stronger global partnerships tailored to the needs and conditions of countries at different levels of development, including fair access to new and emerging technologies. Such cooperation will help developing countries acquire knowledge, skills and technologies needed for innovation and competitiveness.

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (R) meets with his Panamanian counterpart Javier Eduardo Martínez-Acha Vásquez in Hanoi on October 7. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese, Panamanian foreign ministers discuss bilateral cooperation

The two sides encouraged businesses from both countries to expand investment and business links, making use of Panama’s strengths as a maritime transit hub and a regional centre for aviation, logistics and finance, as well as Vietnam’s strengths in manufacturing, export, economy and digital services.

On the sidelines of the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines, on the afternoon of May 8, 2026, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung met with the then-Prime Minister of Laos, Sonexay Siphandone. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam-Laos ties move from ‘special solidarity’ to ‘strategic cohesion’

As Vietnam and Laos enter a new development period, their relationship has been elevated to a new level under the framework of “great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion.” The addition of “strategic cohesion” reflects not only the long-standing foundation of bilateral ties but also a shared vision, closely linked interests and a common path for the two nations to advance together over the long term.

Party General Secretary and President To Lam (second from right) and President of Panama José Raúl Mulino Quintero (second from left) witness the exchange of cooperation documents between the two countries. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Panama issue Joint Statement

Vietnam's Party General Secretary and President To Lam and Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino Quintero agreed to intensify high-level dialogue to provide orientations for the development of Vietnam-Panama relations through bilateral visits and meetings between high-ranking leaders of the two States, Governments, and National Assemblies, as well as ministries and sectors of the two countries.

National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man meets with President of Panama José Raúl Mulino Quintero in Hanoi on October 7, 2026. Photo: VNA

Vietnam sees Panama as key partner in Latin America: Top legislator

Strengthening ties between the two legislatures is an important pillar of Vietnam-Panama relations, helping consolidate political trust, promote and oversee the implementation of high-level agreements, and support the bilateral agenda, said NA President Tran Thanh Man.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (R) meets with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino in Hanoi on October 7. (Photo: VNA)

Panama regards Vietnam as leading important partner in Southeast Asia: Panamanian President

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung called on the two sides to promote exchanges of delegations at all levels, including State and parliamentary diplomacy and people-to-people exchanges; strengthen the presence and activities of diplomatic and consular missions; utilise existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Joint Committee on Economic, Trade and Investment Cooperation; facilitate market access for each side’s key products; and enhance transport, logistics and supply-chain connectivity.

☕ Afternoon briefing on October 7

☕ Afternoon briefing on October 7

Vietnam advancing parliamentary diplomacy at IPU-153, the APEC 2027 National Committee’s 27 members unveiled, and Vietnam's national brand value jumping 45% to over 462 billion USD are among news highlights on October 7.

Vietnamese PM’s upcoming Cambodia visit to tighten bond: Minister

Vietnamese PM’s upcoming Cambodia visit to tighten bond: Minister

Dr. So Naro, Minister Delegate Attached to the Cambodian PM in charge of ASEAN Affairs mentioned that the trip aims to implement strategic guidance agreed in February by Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen and General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and President To Lam. The two nations are gearing up to celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2027, with their prime ministers set to exchange views on global and regional matters of mutual interest and concern.

Officers and members of Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 7, who recently returned home after completing their duties at the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, pay tribute to President Ho Chi Minh and report on their achievements at the Ho Chi Minh Museum – Ho Chi Minh City Branch on October 7, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese peacekeeping force pays tribute to President Ho Chi Minh

Addressing the ceremony, Major General Pham Manh Thang, Director of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations, stressed that Vietnam has consistently regarded the deployment of personnel to UN peacekeeping operations as not only a defence diplomacy task but also a political responsibility, reflecting the Party, State and military’s foreign policy of peace, independence, self-reliance and proactive international integration.

The opening session of the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-153) in Arusha, Tanzania, on October 5, 2026 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam advances parliamentary diplomacy at IPU-153

Vice President of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Hong Dien held bilateral meetings with government and parliamentary leaders from Tanzania, Malaysia, Australia, Russia and Algeria on October 5 on the sidelines of the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-153), which is taking place in Arusha, Tanzania.

Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc, who is also Chairman of the APEC 2027 National Committee (Photo: VNA)

APEC 2027 National Committee’s 27 members unveiled

The 27-member committee will be led by Deputy PM Tuc, with Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung as Vice Chairman. Members include Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan, deputy ministers and other officials.

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong (Photo: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Vietnam’s ties with Laos, Cambodia grow substantively, effectively: Deputy FM

The visits affirm the great importance and high priority Vietnam attaches to its relations with the two neighbours. They are expected to further deepen the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Vietnam and Laos, and the good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability between Vietnam and Cambodia.

☀️ Morning digest on October 7

☀️ Morning digest on October 7

General Secretary and President To Lam's talks with President of Panama José Raúl Mulino, a forum on prospects for Vietnam–Tanzania economic cooperation, and the 2026 "I Love My Fatherland" journey drawing over 7.9 million young people are among news highlights on October 6 evening.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam (right) and President of Panama José Raúl Mulino at their meeting in Hanoi on October 6. (Photo: VNA)

Top Vietnamese, Panamanian leaders hold talks in Hanoi

General Secretary and President Lam believed that the two countries will continue tapping their potential for cooperation in trade, agriculture, maritime affairs, aviation, logistics and digital transformation, thus making bilateral ties more substantive, effective and sustainable for the benefit of their people and contributing to peace, cooperation and development in both regions.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam and his spouse welcome Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino and his spouse (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Panama cast themselves as gateways between Southeast Asia and Latin America

In his speech, General Secretary and President Lam stressed that Mulino's official visit holds special significance for bilateral ties. He expressed his belief that the visit will not only resume high-level contacts after a long gap but also give new momentum to ties, moving them into a more substantive, effective and deeper phase.