☕ Afternoon briefing on August 15

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on August 15

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 has demanded the establishment of specific criteria to evaluate the business environment and satisfaction levels of citizens and enterprises as Resolution No.68-NQ/TW on private economic development is being implemented.

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Resolution No.68-NQ/TW is implemented to unlock resources for more than 940,000 private firms and 5.2 million business households nationwide. (Photo: VNA)

At a working session with the board for private economic development research (Board IV) under the Prime Minister’s Advisory Council for Administrative Procedure Reform, the Government leader underscored that the resolution must be carried out effectively, igniting a transformative shift in Vietnam’s private sector. Read full story

- Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on August 14 held talks with member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China’s Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, on the sidelines of the 10th Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Yunnan, China.

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At the talks between Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China’s Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi in Yunnan, on August 14. (Photo: VNA)

During the talks, both sides underlined the importance of further strengthening bilateral relations in the time ahead. Read full story

- Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Sandeep Arya highlighted India’s key socio-economic achievements since independence and seven decades of robust ties with Vietnam on the occasion of India’s 79th Independence Day on August 15.

In his article, Arya affirmed India’s determination to elevate the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to a new height, in line with India’s “Developed India @ 2047” vision and Vietnam’s 2045 development goals. Read full story

- Viet Hai village in the Cat Hai special zone, the northern province of Hai Phong was announced on August 14 as a community-based tourism site under a decision by the municipal People’s Committee on June 19.

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Foreign tourists in Viet Hai community-based tourism site. (Photo: VNA)

Comprising two hamlets with 87 households and 295 residents, Viet Hai is celebrated for its untouched natural landscapes and rich ecological environment, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and those seeking tranquil, unspoiled beauty. Visitors can experience the village’s unique cultural identity and the simple, peaceful lifestyle of its people. In recent years, it has been gaining popularity as a sought-after destination for both domestic and international travellers. Read full story

- A seminar linking the central city of Hue, the northern province of Dien Bien, and the southern province of Tay Ninh with Australian partners was held in Sydney on August 14 to help Vietnamese enterprises promote products, explore market trends in Australia, and foster two-way business and investment ties.

Addressing the event, hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy under Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vietnamese Consul General in Sydney Nguyen Thanh Tung stressed the role of local-level diplomacy as a flexible and effective way to match the strengths of Vietnamese provinces with foreign partners. Read full story

- Hanoi municipal police on August 14 issued a special arrest warrant for Doan Bao Chau, a well-known karate instructor, for making, storing, disseminating or spreading information, documents and materials aimed at opposing the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Chau, born in 1968 in Hanoi, was indicted on the above charges but fled in July. Before going on the run, he lived at No.66C Thu Le, Giang Vo ward. Read full story

- Viettel and Qualcomm have signed a strategic partnership aimed at making Vietnam a global hub for technology research and development.

Under the deal, the two sides will accelerate joint projects in strategic fields including 5G/6G infrastructure, AI-driven network management, data centres, smart devices, and AI applications for government and business. These technologies align with Vietnam’s target of a 30% digital economy share of GDP by 2030. Read full story

- In celebration of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19) and National Day (September 2), the Government will host a nationwide hybrid ceremony on August 19 to simultaneously inaugurate and break ground for around 250 projects at 80 sites across the country.

Minister and Chairman of the Government Office Tran Van Son reported that as of August 13, 250 eligible projects in 34 provinces and cities had been confirmed, with a total investment of about 1.28 quadrillion VND (48.73 billion USD). These comprise 89 completed projects ready for inauguration and 161 new ones set to start construction. Read full story

- The Government has issued Resolution No. 3/2025/NQ-CP detailing special mechanisms and policies for investment in the construction of Gia Binh International Airport in the northern province of Bac Ninh.

The resolution, released on August 14, covers key component projects including the main airport, flight operation facilities, resettlement, infrastructure for site clearance, and the connection road implemented via public-private partnership (PPP). All related projects within the airport’s scope are included. Read full story

- By 8:00 am on August 15, donations for Cuba via account No. 2022 at the Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank had topped 117 billion VND (over 4.45 million USD) from nearly 590,000 people, far exceeding the 65-billion-VND target.

The national fundraising campaign to rally support for the Cuban people on the occasion of the Vietnam – Cuba Friendship Year and the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties (1960 – 2025) between the two nations, which was launched on August 13, continues to receive enthusiastic response from millions of Vietnamese people. Read full story

- Grab Vietnam – the local arm of Singapore-based ride-hailing Grab – has launched “Grab Cyclo” in the central city of Hue, the first digital cyclo service in the country.

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Hue launches Vietnam’s first ride-hailing cyclo service (Photo: VNA)

The trial, unveiled on August 15, aims to drive digital transformation in the transport and tourism sectors. Read full story

- Vietnam unveiled its national tourism data platform “Visit Vietnam” in the northern province of Quang Ninh on August 15, a strategic move to design an integrated tourism database for destination information, reviews, and travel service bookings.

The ecosystem was launched by the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), National Data Association (NDA) and Sun Group at the conference on tourism data in digital economic development./. Read full story

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Vietnamese Ambassador to Brazil and Guyana Bui Van Nghi speaks at the event. (Photo courtesy of the Vietnamese Embassy in Brazil)

Vietnam highlights diplomatic gains, growing ties with Brazil, Guyana

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam – Guyana diplomatic ties, Ambassador Bui Van Nghi described the milestone as an opportunity for both sides to deepen political trust, broaden cooperation in potential areas, and make positive contributions to peace, cooperation and sustainable development in the regions and beyond.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh addresses the third National Forum on Digital Economy and Digital Society in Hanoi on December 20. (Photo: VNA)

Digital economy as driver, digital society as foundation of growth: PM

The forum, themed “Developing an inclusive and comprehensive digital economy and digital society to achieve double-digit GDP growth in the 2026–2030 period,” brought together leaders of ministries and localities, technology enterprises, research institutions, experts and representatives of international organisations in Vietnam.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang (R) and Benoit Guidée, Director of the Asia–Oceania Department at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs meet in Hanooi on December 19. (Photo: VNA)

Deputy FM meets French official

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang stressed that Vietnam attaches great importance to its relationship with France, the first European Union country with which Vietnam has established a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, noting that the two sides enjoy a solid foundation and significant potential for further cooperation.

Politburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu speaks at the event in Hanoi on December 19 (Photo: VNA)

Senior Party official reviews preparations for 14th National Party Congress

Politburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu expressed his belief that relevant agencies will continue to make efforts to basically complete organisation- and service-related preparations by December 31, ensuring readiness for the final rehearsals ahead of the opening of the 14th National Party Congress.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh addressing the conference of the the Ministry of Industry and Trade on December 19 (Photo: VNA)

PM urges industry, trade sector to pioneer in six key areas

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that to make a substantive contribution to national development, the industry and trade sector must also achieve double-digit growth, generate new jobs, strengthen traditional growth drivers such as export and consumption, and accelerate emerging engines of growth, including the green, digital, circular, knowledge-based and sharing economies.

State President Luong Cuong (middle) presents congratulatory flowers to the two promoted officers (Photo: VNA)

Two military officers promoted to rank of Senior Lieutenant General

Lieutenant General Do Xuan Tung, Vice Director of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA), and Lieutenant General Do Van Banh, Political Commissar of the National Defence Academy were promoted to the rank of Senior Lieutenant General at a ceremony in Hanoi on December 19.

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone (R) hosts a reception for Prosecutor General of the Supreme People’s Procuracy of Vietnam Nguyen Huy Tien. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam–Laos step up cooperation in procuracy sector

They highly valued the effective and substantive cooperation results achieved by the Supreme People’s Procuracies of Vietnam and Laos in recent years, and called on both sides to continue enhancing coordination, stepping up exchanges of delegations at all levels, sharing professional and technical experience, and maintaining and expanding training and capacity-building programmes for officials.