☕ Afternoon briefing on August 7

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on August 7


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

- General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam, his spouse, and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam are scheduled to pay a state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) from August 10 to 13.

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Party General Secretary To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly (File photo: VNA)

The trip will be made at the invitation of President of the RoK Lee Jae Myung and his spouse, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has urged accelerated and breakthrough actions across all sectors and levels of government so as to realise the nation’s socio-economic development targets amidst mounting global and domestic challenges.

Chaired the Government's regular meeting for July on August 7, connected virtually with leaders from all the 34 provinces and cities, the PM acknowledged the growing complexities of the global landscape, including reciprocal tariffs from the US, low global growth forecasts, prolonged conflicts in some regions, fierce strategic competition among major powers, and complicated non-traditional security issues. Read full story

- The state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam and his spouse from August 10-13 will contribute to further strengthening political trust, while marking an important milestone, opening a new chapter for the two countries’ relationship, according to RoK President Lee Jae Myung.

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President of the Republic of Korea Lee Jae Myung (Photo: Yonhap/VNA)

Ahead of the visit, the President granted an interview to the Vietnam News Agency's correspondent in Seoul on the significance of the visit, the potential for bilateral collaboration, and his country’s policy priorities in its partnership with Vietnam. Read full story

- As the Association of the Southeastern Asian Nations (ASEAN) celebrates its 58th founding anniversary (August 8) and Vietnam marks 30 years of its membership (July 28), ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn has underscored the country’s considerable role in maintaining stability and driving sustainable development in the region.

In a recent interview with the Vietnam News Agency, Kao underscored the country’s 30-year membership journey, praising its active role which has been reflected through the initiatives and proposals it has put forth. Read full story

- The National Innovation Centre (NIC) under the Ministry of Finance and VCCorp on August 7 launched the Better Choice Awards (BCA) 2025 in Hanoi, marking the third season of the initiative that celebrates innovation and digital advancement in Vietnam.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, NIC Deputy Director Kim Ngoc Thanh Nga said BCA goes beyond merely recognising smart choices - it serves as a testament to the strength and vibrancy of Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem. Read full story

- The Hanoi Department of Public Security on August 7 organised a rehearsal for a parade around Hoan Kiem Lake in celebration of the “Festival for a Peaceful Capital" and in preparation for personnel deployment to ensure security and public order for activities marking the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19, 1945–2025) and National Day (September 2, 1945–2025).

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Special Task Police unit participates in the rehearsal. (Photo: VNA)

The participating units represent different forces, including: the people’s security force; criminal investigation police; traffic police; mobile police; fire prevention, fighting and rescue police; drug crime investigation police; forces responsible for administrative management, logistics, and technical affairs; and commune-level police. Read full story

- The retail prices of petrol increased slightly from 3pm on August 7, following the latest adjustment by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance.

The maximum retail price of E5 RON92 petrol has increased by 207 VND to 19,608 VND (0.75 USD) per litre while that of RON95-III rose by 234 VND to 20,074 VND per litre. Read full story.

- Da Nang stands as the sole Vietnamese destination to secure a place among the most favoured international travel spots for tourists from the Republic of Korea (RoK) in summer 2025, particularly attracting young travellers with its compelling experiences and affordable pricing.

The RoK’s leading daily newspaper Chosun Ilbo recently reported on the ranking of international destinations most favoured by Korean travellers for summer 2025. The data was sourced from Tripbtoz, a travel experience platform targeting young Korean consumers, based on over 32,000 searches and travel service bookings by users during June and July. Read full story

- The Ministry of Finance will pilot the implementation of electronic tax payments through intermediary payment service providers (PSPs) under a newly issued circular, which governs electronic transactions in the field of taxation related to exports, imports, goods in transit, and vehicles entering, exiting, or transiting through Vietnam.

The move is expected to offer greater convenience and more payment options for taxpayers, while supporting the cashless payment scheme under the direction of the Prime Minister./. Read full story

VNA

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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)

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

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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)

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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)

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

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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)

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.