☕ Afternoon briefing on August 13

The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.

☕ Afternoon briefing on August 13

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

- As part of his state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK), Party General Secretary To Lam, his spouse, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation on August 13 attended the inauguration ceremony of the Consulate General of Vietnam in Busan and a celebration marking the 30th anniversary of the friendly and cooperative relations between the Korean city and Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City.

Addressing the inauguration event, Vietnamese Consul General in Busan Doan Phuong Lan said the city is home to a large Vietnamese community that is increasingly integrating into local society. The opening of the consulate general reflects the Vietnamese Party and State’s deep concern for citizens living, studying, and working in the RoK’s southern region. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has expressed his strong support for CT Group’s advanced technology development initiatives, praising the conglomerate’s focused investment in cutting-edge innovations that align with Vietnam’s development priorities.

Presiding over a working session on August 13 with leaders of ministries, sectors, and CT Group to look into science – technology development, innovation, and digital transformation, especially the firm's development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), AI, and semiconductor technology, PM Chinh commended CT Group for its efforts, dedication, and plans to invest in state-of-the-art technologies. Read full story

- Vietnam must place citizens at the heart of its smart urban development while advancing resources and mechanisms for the effort, Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh told the June 13 conference reviewing the Vietnam’s sustainable smart urban development scheme for 2018–2025, with a vision to 2030.

The event, co-hosted by the Ministry of Construction (MoC) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) in Hanoi, assessed progress since the Prime Minister’s 2018 decision to launch the scheme. Minh noted that, nearly seven years later, it has yielded encouraging results. Read full story

- Khanh Hoa province is ramping up efforts to attract major investors from the Republic of Korea (RoK), with provincial leaders holding talks and signing a deal with industry giants during the ongoing state visit to the RoK by Party General Secretary To Lam.

On August 12 in Seoul, a delegation from Khanh Hoa, led by member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Nghiem Xuan Thanh, met with leaders of HD Hyundai – a leading corporation in shipbuilding and heavy industry. Read full story

- A national donation campaign was launched in Hanoi on August 13 to rally support for the Cuban people on the occasion of the Vietnam – Cuba Friendship Year and the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Organised by the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRCS) Central Committee in coordination with ministries, central agencies, and mass organisations, the event was held in person and online, connecting with 33 localities nationwide. Read full story

- As the capital gears up to mark the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day (September 2), it has put in place comprehensive measures to ensure visitors enjoy a safe, comfortable, and well-serviced stay.

Under the direction of Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Tran Sy Thanh, the city’s Department of Agriculture and Environment has worked with military units, relevant agencies, and local authorities to install 1,012 toilets for the National Day parade and related events. Read full story./.

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Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (R) receives Jon M. Huntsman, Vice Chairman and President of Strategic Growth at US-based Mastercard, in Hanoi on September 15. (Photo: baoquocte.vn)

FM Le Hoai Trung receives Mastercard Vice Chairman Jon M. Huntsman

Trung affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to its relations with the US and welcomed the stable, positive and increasingly substantive development of bilateral ties, particularly since the two countries established their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2023.

National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man (R) meets with King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana of Thailand in Hanoi on September 15, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Top legislator meets with King of Thailand in Hanoi

The top Vietnamese legislator and Thai King said the two countries share many similarities in history, culture and social life, and have favourable conditions for strengthening exchanges and sharing experience. They emphasised that the close bonds between the two peoples are an important foundation for the sustainable development of Vietnam–Thailand cooperation.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (R) meets with King of Thailand Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Thailand have ample room to complement and develop together: PM

Welcoming the Thai King and Queen and the Royal delegation to Vietnam on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung stressed that the visit was an important event long anticipated and prepared by both sides, contributing to consolidating and deepening Vietnam-Thailand friendship and cooperation, particularly after the two countries upgraded their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2025.

Vietnamese Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Vu Ho (second from right) chairs the roundtable with nearly 30 Korean semiconductor and electronics companies in Seoul on September 15, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Embassy seeks to boost Vietnam–RoK cooperation in semiconductors, electronics

Key topics discussed included the stages of the value chain Vietnam should focus on attracting, the requirements Korean companies have for expanding production, opportunities for bilateral cooperation in technology, research and development, and human resources, as well as strategies for Vietnamese firms to strengthen their access to supply chains.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Slovakia Pham Truong Giang (R) and Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Juraj Blanar said at a recent ceremony in Bratislava marking the 81st National Day of Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)

Slovakia highlights Vietnam’s growing international role

Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Juraj Blanar emphasised that the elevation of Vietnam-Slovakia relations to a strategic partnership during Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s official visit to Vietnam in April was not merely politically significant, but also reflected the two countries’ long-term commitment to deepening bilateral ties and translating growing political trust into concrete outcomes.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung attends the opening of the 2026-2027 academic year at the National Defence Academy in Hanoi on September 15. (Photo: VNA)

National Defence Academy must become top military think-tank: PM

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General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam speaks at the meeting with the 7th-term Executive Committee of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) on September 15. (Photo: VNA)

VUFO must focus on building networks for mobilising resources: Top leader

General Secretary and President To Lam expressed his confidence that VUFO will truly become a sharp and effective spearhead, proactively building trust, turning trust into resources and, through concrete actions, contributing to the country’s breakthrough development in the new era of national rise

Politburo Member and Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Dr Tran Cam Tu delivers a thematic presentation on the Party building on September 15. (Photo: VNA)

Key leader highlights important tasks in Party building

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Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane (right) hosts a reception for Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Thi Hoang Van in Vientiane on September 14. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam seeks deeper cooperation with regional countries, partners

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Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (first, right) and his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico (first, left) witness the signing of an MoU between the Commission for Standards, Metrology and Quality of Vietnam (STAMEQ) and the Office of Standards, Metrology and Testing (UNMS) of Slovakia in Hanoi on April 13, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam-Slovakia strategic partnership ushers in new chapter

With strong political determination, complementary economies and concrete mechanisms of action, the Vietnam-Slovakia strategic partnership is expected to generate substantive progress, particularly in economy, science, technology and innovation, contributing to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Vu Duy Long presents his credentials to Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on September 14. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese ambassador presents credentials to Algerian President

Vietnam and Algeria, despite their geographical distance, share longstanding ties, particularly during their struggles for national independence. Vietnam was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Algeria on October 28, 1962, shortly after Algeria gained independence.

Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (File Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, India seek stronger Party-to-Party ties

Vietnam and India enjoy a special relationship based on traditional friendship, solidarity, mutual support and high political trust. The elevation of bilateral ties to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam’s visit to India in May 2026 was an important milestone.