☕ Afternoon briefing on August 21

The first plenary session of the National Committee for APEC 2027, the sixth bilateral meeting between the Vietnam Coast Guard and the Indian Coast Guard, and the inauguration of the Vietnam Space Museum are among news highlights on August 21.

☕ Afternoon briefing on August 21

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 signed an official dispatch asking ministries, sectors, and localities to strengthen security and public order measures as the country prepares for major celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day.

In the document, the Government leader highlighted that the commemorations during the four-day holiday are expected to attract large crowds, including international delegations. He warned that hostile forces may seek to take advantage of these occasions to sow division and undermine the great national solidarity. Besides, high travel demand, public gatherings, parades, and celebration activities raised concerns regarding public order, social safety, criminal activities, traffic safety, and fire prevention. Read full story

– Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has requested strengthened communication efforts and the early development of Vietnam’s APEC national branding, while chairing the first plenary session of the National Committee for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) activities in 2027 in Hanoi on August 21.

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The first plenary session of the National Committee for APEC activities in 2027, held in Hanoi on August 21. (Photo: VNA)

In his opening remarks, Son, who is also the Chairman of the National Committee underlined that hosting the APEC Year is a top-tier political and diplomatic task, providing an opportunity for Vietnam to showcase its role, responsibility, and strategic position in economy and trade as the new international economic order takes shape. Read full story

– The “AI Vietnam Academy” model should be quickly replicated across the country, requested Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung while attending the launch ceremony of the “AI Vietnam Academy” programme at the Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST) on the morning of August 21.

The programme is the result of cooperation between the Vietnam National Innovation Center (NIC), HUST, and the US-based tech giant NVIDIA, aiming to implement the cooperation agreement signed between the Vietnamese Government and NVIDIA. Read full story

– Panama is keen to unlock the full potential of its partnership with Vietnam, its Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez said at an August 20 ceremony in Panama City celebrating 50 years of the diplomatic relations, established on August 28, 1975.

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Panamian Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez (L) and Vietnamese Ambassador to Mexico and Panama Nguyen Van Hai at the ceremony (Photo: VNA)

The event was co-hosted by Vietnamese Embassy in Mexico and Panama, and the Panamanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Read full story

– The Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) and the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) convened their sixth bilateral meeting in Hanoi on August 20 to review cooperation outcomes and set directions for strengthening practical partnership and mutual support in the years ahead.

The meeting was co-chaired by Major General Vu Trung Kien, Deputy Commander for Law of the VCG, and Additional Director General Anand Prakash Badola of the ICG. Read full story

– Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) Atul Khare and UN Police Adviser Faisal Shahkar expressed admiration for proud achievements of the Vietnam People's Public Security Force over the past eight decades, highlighting its key role in maintaining security and social order, which supports the country’s socio-economic development and international integration.

Addressing an August 20 ceremony to celebrate the 80th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People's Public Security Force (August 19, 1945 – 2025) hosted by the Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, the UN officials highlighted the participation, contributions, professionalism, and strong discipline of Vietnam’s forces, including public security officers, in UN peacekeeping operations. Read full story

– The Vietnam Space Centre on August 21 officially inaugurated the Vietnam Space Museum at the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park in Hanoi, marking a major milestone in more than a decade of persistent effort by the centre and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) to develop domestic satellite capability and gradually master space science and technology.

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An exhibition corner at the Vietnam Space Museum (Photo: VNA)

Construction of the museum began in October 2022. Encompassing over 3,000 square metres, the museum features both indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces, organised into five thematic zones. Read full story

– Despite a temporary halt in rice import from the Philippines, Vietnam’s export is expected to exceed 8.2 million tonnes for the whole year, bolstered by rising shipments to such markets as Bangladesh, China, and South Africa.

In the first seven months of the year, Vietnam sold 5.5 million tonnes of the cereal abroad for 2.81 billion USD, with the Philippines continuing to serve as its biggest buyer. However, revenue experienced a year-on-year fall of 13.5%. Read full story./.

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