☕ Afternoon briefing on August 4

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on August 4

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 met with outstanding representatives of the People’s Public Security Force at the 9th patriotic emulation congress “For the Fatherland's security” in Hanoi on August 4, emphasising that the emulation spirit starts from each individual’s mindset, dedication, and daily affairs.

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Party General Secretary To Lam speaks at the meeting with outstanding representatives of the People’s Public Security Force at the 9th patriotic emulation congress “For the Fatherland's security” in Hanoi on August 4, 2025. (Photo: VNA)

He commended those who have set aside personal happiness to fulfill their duties and safeguard the peaceful life of the people, noting that the efforts, dedication, and sacrifices of each officer and soldier in all units have produced positive results, bringing happiness and security to the people. Read full story

- State President Luong Cuong has expressed Vietnam's desire to join hands with Arab countries to write a new chapter of multidimensional cooperation for peace, collaboration, and development, which is based on the history of solidarity, close attachement and traditional friendship.

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State President Luong Cuong delivers a policy address at the League of Arab States’ headquarters in Cairo on August 4. (Photo: VNA)

While delivering a policy address at the League of Arab States’ headquarters in Cairo on August 4 as part of his state visit to Egypt, President Cuong shared Vietnam’s views on the current global and regional situation, the country's achievements during the Doi moi (renewal) process, directions in the new era, and vision for ties between Vietnam and Arab countries in the coming time. Read full story

- State President Luong Cuong and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation had a working session with Vietnamese Ambassadors to African countries in Cairo on August 3 evening on the occasion of his state visit to Egypt.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' report, Africa is a region that is considered a growth pole of the world in the coming decades with huge room and potential to be further exploited and promoted. Vietnam currently has eight diplomatic representative agencies covering a large area with 55 countries. Vietnam's external activities in Africa have made positive progress in recent years and will continue to be promoted in the coming years. Many heads of state and high-ranking leaders of regional countries have paid official visits and attended major events organised by Vietnam, demonstrating their respect for Vietnam's position, prestige and potential as well as their desire to promote relations with the Southeast Asian nation. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called for stronger and more coordinated efforts across all sectors to advance Vietnam’s semiconductor industry, stressing that the country must move swiftly to establish itself as a key player in the global value chain.

PM Chinh, who is also Head of the National Steering Committee on Semiconductor Industry Development, made the call while concluding the committee’s second meeting in Hanoi on August 4. He urged accelerated implementation of the national strategy for semiconductor industry development and the associated human resources training programme, calling for cohesive efforts across sectors to transform Vietnam into a global semiconductor hub. Read full story

- National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man has underlined the need for the administration to proactively approach the people, ensuring a two-tier local government system that is close to the people with smooth operations.

The top legislator, who is a Politburo member, made the statement while addressing the 1st Congress of the Party Organisation of Thanh Xuan commune of Can Tho city for the 2025-2030 tenure held on August 4. Read full story

- Developing an international financial centre (IFC) has been designated a national strategy with Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang implementing concrete steps to prepare for the centre’s development.

The initiative to build the IFC has been affirmed as a strategic priority through key Party and Government documents, including the Politburo's Resolution 43-NQ/TW, Conclusion 79-KL/TW, and Announcement 47-TB/TW. The Central Steering Committee has issued a detailed action plan outlining the creation of a comprehensive legal framework and policies aimed at attracting capital, advanced technologies, talents, and innovation. Read full story

- Vietnam’s agriculture, forestry, and fisheries exports reached 39.68 billion USD in the first seven months of this year, a 14.7% year-on-year increase, with a trade surplus of 11.52 billion USD, up 15.9%, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Leading the growth were agricultural products, with exports valued at 21.49 billion USD, up 17%. This was followed by forestry products at 10.38 billion USD, up 8.6% and seafood at 6.06 billion USD, up 13.8%. Read full story

- In its article titled "Cross-border trade driving China-Vietnam ties", the China Daily wrote that at dawn, Vietnamese tourists lined up at Hekou Port, the largest land port along the Yunnan section of the China-Vietnam border, drawn by more than mere sightseeing. These vibrant exchanges of goods and people are a microcosm of the ties between China and Vietnam, which have been continuously deepened by the engines of shopping, trade and tourism.

According to the article, this bustling scene is driven by Vietnam's cross-border shopping boom, propelling a wave of Chinese goods southward. This shopping frenzy is reshaping the border economy as foreign consumers increasingly flock to Chinese e-commerce platforms for Made in China products. Read full story

- A new report from Personar, a cybersecurity surveillance platform, has revealed the disproportionate impact of cyberattacks on Thailand and Cambodia.

The data indicates that Thailand has suffered attacks on 438 of its systems, while Cambodia has experienced an even greater number, exceeding 500 system breaches./. Read full story

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Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (R) receives Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritis in Hanoi on July 17. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam–Greece ties still hold considerable untapped potential: PM

PM Le Minh Hung recommended that the two sides step up all-level exchanges and meetings, especially those at high level, make full use of the existing cooperation mechanisms, expand collaboration in the economy, trade and investment, and effectively implement the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam offers incense at the memorial stele dedicated to heroic martyrs. (Photo: VNA)

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Get-together marks 73rd anniversary of Cuba’s Moncada Barracks attack

Building on the long-standing friendship between Vietnam and Cuba, the Vietnam–Cuba Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City has worked closely with the Consulate General of Cuba in Ho Chi Minh City to organise a wide range of activities in recent years, including gatherings marking major national anniversaries, cultural and artistic exchanges, and programmes connecting organisations and localities from the two countries

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Modern criminal justice system proposed under revised Criminal Procedure Code

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Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang has a working session with Vietnamese associations in Udon Thani province, northeastern Thailand, on July 16. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese community in Thailand urged to strengthen friendship bridge

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang commended the unity and sense of responsibility shown by the Vietnamese community in Udon Thani and across Thailand, urging them to continue preserving the Vietnamese language and cultural identity while helping build a positive image of Vietnamese people and contributing to bilateral relations.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang (R) and Minister in charge of the General Secretariat of the Mauritanian Government Moctar Al Housseynou Lam. (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)

Vietnam seeks Mauritania’s role as bridge to African Union for deeper ties

Vietnam expects Mauritania to act as a bridge for substantive cooperation between Vietnam and the African Union (AU), said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang during a reception in Hanoi on July 16 for Minister in charge of the General Secretariat of the Mauritanian Government Moctar Al Housseynou Lam.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (R) and Minister in charge of the General Secretariat of the Mauritanian Government, Moctar Al Housseynou Lam. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam treasures traditional friendship with Mauritania: FM

The two officials agreed to continue their long-standing coordination at multilateral forums, including the Francophonie, while reinforcing practical collaboration with regional organisations such as ASEAN and the AU, for the benefit of their people and for peace, stability and development in their respective regions and globally.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang (L) pays a courtesy call on Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Laos strengthen cooperation on overseas community affairs

The two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in overseas Vietnamese and overseas Lao affairs for the 2026–2030 period, providing a framework for future collaboration. Laos will send a delegation to Vietnam to study preparations for the World Conference of Overseas Vietnamese, scheduled for December 2026.