☕ Afternoon briefing on August 19

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on August 19

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

- Party General Secretary To Lam on August 19 attended a handover ceremony of the Bac Bo Phu building - part of the restoration and construction project for the Presidential Office headquarters at No. 2 Le Thach Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.

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Party General Secretary To Lam (centre), State President Luong Cuong (second from left), and other officials cut the ribbon to inaugurate the building. (Photo: VNA)

At the event, General Secretary Lam, State President Luong Cuong, and other leaders officially cut a ribbon to inaugurate the work, which is not only a significant historical witness of Hanoi and the nation but also the place where President Ho Chi Minh worked during the early days of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Read full story

- The simultaneous groundbreaking and inauguration of 250 projects and works across the country on August 19 will serve as a catalyst, and generate momentum for double-digit growth in the years to come, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed.

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Party General Secretary To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and delegates attned the groundbreaking and inauguration ceremony for 250 projects and works in 34 cities and provinces nationwide (PHoto: VNA).

The groundbreaking and inauguration ceremony was held online, connecting 80 locations across the 34 cities and provinces nationwide. Attending the event at the main venue – the Vietnam Exposition Centre in Hanoi’s Dong Anh commune – were Party General Secretary To Lam, PM Pham Minh Chinh, former PM Nguyen Tan Dung, former Permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Le Hong Anh, and Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Bui Thi Minh Hoai. Read full story

- State President Luong Cuong held talks with visiting Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in Hanoi on August 19, during which the two sides underlined the need to further expand multifaceted cooperation, especially in agriculture, science - technology, innovation, education - training, as well as culture and arts.

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State President Luong Cuong (R) shakes hands with Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (Photo: VNA)

President Cuong warmly welcomed the King’s visit, highlighting that this is the first by a Bhutanese head of state since the two countries set up diplomatic relations in January 2012. He noted that the trip holds special significance, marking a new chapter in the bilateral relations. Read full story

- Bhutanese Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck and Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet, spouse of State President Luong Cuong, paid a visit to Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi on August 19 to offer incense and discover the nearly 1,500-year-old spiritual landmark.

Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nha, abbot of the pagoda, briefed the guests on the history and unique architecture of Tran Quoc Pagoda, regarded as the oldest in Thang Long–Hanoi and recognised by international media as one of the world’s most beautiful Buddhist sites. Read full story

- The Ministry of Public Security’s Department of Traffic Police on August 19 announced traffic restrictions on major routes leading to Hanoi as the capital city prepares to host the 80th anniversary celebrations of the August Revolution and National Day.

Trucks of ten tonnes and above as well as coaches with 45 seats or more will face access restrictions during specific time frames, from 3pm on August 21 to 5am on August 22, from 3pm on August 24 to 5am on August 25, from 3pm on August 27 to 5am on August 28, from 4pm on August 29 to 5pm on August 30, and from 4pm on September 1 to 5pm on September 2. Read full story

- The Vietnam Railways Corporation (VRC) on August 19 launched the “Hanoi Five City Gates” Train (The Hanoi Train) and a biometric ticket control system at Hanoi Station, as part of the 250 projects inaugurated or staring construction nationwide to mark the 80th National Day anniversary.

From August 19, the biometric ticket authentication system using chip-based ID cards is officially operational at Hanoi Station. The system will later be integrated with the VNeID app, enabling passengers to verify tickets with electronic identification data without carrying physical ID cards. Read full story

- Ho Chi Minh City took a major step toward establishing itself as a global financial hub with the opening of the Saigon Marina International Financial Centre (Saigon Marina IFC) Tower on August 19, one of the 80 landmark projects launched to celebrate Vietnam’s 80th National Day (September 2).

In his speech, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc described the tower as a convergence point for capital, technology, and talent, positioning it as a home to multinational corporations, global financial institutions, and springboard for startups and innovation. Read full story

- The Ministry of Public Security held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Gia Binh International Airport project in Gia Binh commune, the northern province of Bac Ninh, on August 19.

Construction of the An Khanh Data Centre and the Viettel Research & Development Centre began on August 19, part of a nationwide campaign to mark the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19) and National Day (September 2), which sees 250 projects launched or inaugurated simultaneously across 34 provinces and cities. Read full story

- The Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group (Viettel) said the two facilities will play a foundational role, affirming its pioneering position in implementing the Politburo’s Resolution 57 on developing research centres, testing facilities, and national key laboratories for strategic technologies.

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The Viettel R&D Centre will be built on 13ha at the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park in Hanoi with total investment of 10 trillion VND (about 380 million USD) (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Addressing the event, Minister of Public Security Gen. Luong Tam Quang stressed that Gia Binh International Airport is a key national project holding special importance in the nationwide airport network. Designed as a strategic dual-use airport in the Capital Region, it will serve civil aviation and also as the base of the Air Force Regiment of the People’s Public Security force./. Read full story

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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)

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

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

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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)

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