☕ Afternoon briefing on August 2

The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.
☕ Afternoon briefing on August 2 ảnh 1

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

– President Vo Van Thuong on August 2 presenteda Friendship Order to outgoing Italian Ambassador to Vietnam AntonioAlessandro, on the occasion of the ambassador coming to bid farewell at the endof his tenure. 
The President appreciated and thanked theambassador for his coordination with Vietnamese agencies to make thoroughpreparations for his recent State visit to Italy which, he said, contributed tothe success of his trip.Read full text

– National development has been promoted inboth quality and quantity over the 10 years of implementing the Politburo’sresolution on international integration, but there remains huge room forVietnam to further integrate into the world, said Prime Minister Pham MinhChinh.
The PM, who is also head of the steering committeefor the plan on reviewing the 10-year implementation of the Politburo’sResolution 22-NQ/TW on international integration, made the remarks whilechairing the committee’s first meeting on August 2.Read full text

– Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Hoang XuanChien led a Vietnamese delegation to attend the ASEAN Defence Senior Official’sMeeting (ADSOM) in Jakarta, Indonesia on August 2.
Addressing the meeting, Chien praised the efforts of the IndonesianMinister of Defence in ASEAN Chairmanship year. He also expressed his beliefthat the event will be a success, helping cement the solidarity and combinedstrength of ASEAN to flexibly and proactively cope with security challenges fora peaceful, prosperous and secure region.Read full text

– Theoretical and practical issues related tothe socialist-oriented renewal process in Vietnam over the past four decadeswere reviewed during the first meeting of the Defence-Security-Foreign AffairsGroup on August 2.
The event was chaired by the group's headGeneral Luong Cuong, Politburo member, member of the Standing Board of theCentral Military Commission, and Director of the General Department of Politicsunder the Vietnam People's Army (VPA).Read full text

– The Vietnam Association of Realtors (VARS)has proposed allowing foreigners to purchase and own houses, including privatehouses and apartments, in Vietnam during the time they work in the country.
VARS said it is necessary to specify theminimum remaining working time at the time of purchase, and supplementconditions when foreigners purchase a certain number of properties, to preventspeculation.Read full text

– A Vietnamese diplomat has highlighted thecountry’s wish to enhance cooperation with the Geneva-based International TradeCentre (ITC) while addressing the recent 57th session of the ITC’s JointAdvisory Group.
In her remarks, Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai,Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, the World TradeOrganisation (WTO) and other international organisations in Geneva, highlyvalued the ITC’s assistance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises(MSMEs) over the past years, especially for their digital transformation, greentransition and access to foreign markets, along with its trade facilitation.Read full text

– Since the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement(EVFTA) took effect in August 2020, most commitments in the agreement have beenimplemented and left positive impacts on business activities, especially trade,said Do Viet Ha of the Trade Office of the Vietnamese Embassy in Germany.
She cited statistics from the General Departmentof Vietnam Customs which showed Vietnam’s total export turnover to 27 membercountries of the European Union (EU) in the period 2020-2022 recorded goodgrowth.Read full text./.

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General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and President To Lam and Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia Valentina Matvienko see photos depicting the Vietnam-Russia relationship. (Photo: VNA)

Top leader meets with Chairwoman of Russia’s Federation Council

Top Vietnamese leader To Lam proposed that the legislative bodies of Vietnam and Russia continue to play their role in improving a favourable legal framework for bilateral cooperation; and strengthen oversight of and urge the implementation of agreements reached by the senior leaders and Governments of the two countries, thereby helping translate political commitments into concrete programmes, projects and cooperation outcomes.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang (right) and Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov exchange souvenirs. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Russia promote defence cooperation

In order for bilateral defence ties to truly match its role as a strategic pillar of the Vietnam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the new period, the two sides agreed to focus on promoting several key areas, including delegation exchanges and contacts at all levels, particularly high-level one; maintaining effective defence strategic consultation and dialogue mechanisms; training; and United Nations peacekeeping operations.

At the meeting between General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow on September 8. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese, Russian leaders call for stronger trade cooperation

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustino agreed to study the establishment of new cooperation mechanisms and specialised working groups in various fields, and pledged to encourage businesses from both countries to expand their operations in each other’s markets.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam (L) meets with Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of Russia Vyacheslav Volodin in Moscow on September 8. (Photo: VNA)

Top Vietnamese leader meets with Chairman of Russia’s State Duma

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam reaffirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to its traditional friendship and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Russia, considering Russia one of Vietnam’s leading important partners in its foreign policy.

Vietnam, US seek to boost cultural and educational exchanges

Vietnam, US seek to boost cultural and educational exchanges

Vietnam consistently regards education and training as a top national priority and a key driver of the country’s breakthrough development. The country is prioritising the development of high-quality human resources in science and technology, innovation and digital transformation.

Professor Reena Marwah of the University of Delhi. (Photo: VNA)

Indian expert highlights Vietnam’s important role in BRICS

Vietnam has the potential to play a deeper role in BRICS if the grouping continues to expand and strengthen its role in global economic governance. It should engage substantively in BRICS cooperation mechanisms while maintaining a balance among BRICS, ASEAN and other partners to consolidate its strategic position.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam (left) meets with Russian Presidential Aide and Chairman of the Maritime Board Nikolai Patrushev on September 8, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Top leader highlights promising Vietnam–Russia maritime cooperation

Welcoming the two sides’ identification of orientations for maritime cooperation in 2026–2030, General Secretary and President To Lam called on relevant agencies of both countries to urgently translate them into highly feasible programmes and projects, avoiding a situation in which agreements remain merely at the level of orientations and policies.

President of the Vietnamese National Assembly Tran Thanh Man (R) meets with Chairman of the Korea-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group Moon Jin Seok in Seoul on September 8. (Photo: VNA)

NA President meets RoK-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group chief

President of the Vietnamese National Assembly Tran Thanh Man said the Vietnamese delegation was the first foreign one to make an official visit at the invitation of NA Speaker of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Cho Jeong Sik, with representation from the Party, NA, Government and localities.

National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man (R) receives Mongolian Ambassador to Vietnam Ganbaatar Hulan in Hanoi on August 26, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Mongolia work to deepen bilateral ties in substantive, effective, sustainable manner

This is the second visit by a top Vietnamese legislator to Mongolia since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1954, and the first official visit by NA President Man to Mongolia in his capacity. The visit demonstrates Vietnam’s high regard for bilateral relations and the important role of parliamentary diplomacy in the countries’ overall relations.