☕ Afternoon briefing on August 8

President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.

☕ Afternoon briefing on August 8

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 urged the financial sector to maintain a pioneering, committed, and innovative force for a prosperous and powerful Vietnam, while attending a ceremony held in Hanoi on August 8 to celebrate its 80th traditional day (August 28, 1945 - 2025).

Commending the dedication and efforts of all officials, public servants, and employees, the Party leader affirmed that the sector is not only a pillar of the country's financial policy but also a pioneering force in the renewal and development of the national economy, earning high recognition from the Government, the business community, and both domestic and international investors. Read full story

– President Luong Cuong has affirmed that his state visit to Angola reflects Vietnam’s commitment to deepening its relationship with one of the most trusted partners in Africa, expressing his hope for a new era of politically deep and economically strong relations with vibrant people-to-people exchanges, and for the bilateral ties to become as a model for South – South cooperation.

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President Luong Cuong delivers a keynote policy address at the plenary session of the Angolan National Assembly on August 7. (Photo: VNA)

He delivered a keynote policy address at a special plenary session of the Angolan National Assembly on August 7 afternoon (local time). Read full story

– Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Angola Carolina Cerqueira described Vietnam as a friend who is always in the heart of her country while meeting with Vietnamese President Luong Cuong in Luanda on August 7 (local time).

The meeting, part of the Vietnamese leader’s state visit to the African country, followed his policy speech at a special plenary session of the Angolan parliament held on the occasion of the trip. Read full story

– Vietnam and Angola celebrated the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations (November 12, 1975–2025) with a ceremony held in Luanda on August 7.

Vietnamese President Luong Cuong, his spouse, and a high-ranking delegation, who are on a state visit to the African nation, attended the event. Read full story

– Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.

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Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term on August 8, 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Speaking at the event, PM Chinh stressed the congress’s significance as a major political event for Tay Ho ward, taking place a month after the launching of the two-tier local administration model. This is the first congress of the Party Organisation, the administration, and people of Tay Ho ward after the reorganisation, marking the way and inspiring a new development path. Read full story

– The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a flag-hoisting ceremony in Hanoi on August 8 to mark the 58th founding anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (August 8, 1967 – 2025).

The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community. Read full story

– Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son has penned an article titled “A 30-year journey: From shared aspirations to a trusted and responsible member” on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Vietnam’s accession to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (July 28, 1995 – 2025) and bloc's 58th founding anniversary, underscoring Vietnam’s active and responsible engagement as well as its growing role within the group.

Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise. Read full story

– Vietnam saw a strong rise in business formation and resumption in the first seven months of 2025, with 174,000 enterprises newly established or returning to operations, up 22.9% year-on-year, according to the National Statistics Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Finance.

Of the total, 107,700 were new firms, with combined registered capital of 928.4 trillion VND (35.4 billion USD), up 10.6% in number and 5.5% in capital compared with the same period last year. Read full story

– The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has raised the 2025 credit growth target for credit institutions and pressed ahead with lending rate cuts, in a move aimed at boosting capital flows into the economy and meeting the Government’s ambitious GDP growth goal of 8.3–8.5% this year.

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A customer conducts transaction at an Agribank office in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

The decision comes as system-wide credit expanded by about 10% in January-July, signalling stronger capital absorption and a clearer economic rebound compared to last year. Read full story

– The Central Committee of the Vietnam Youth Federation (VYF) on August 8 launched a nationwide media campaign “Toi yeu To quoc toi” (I Love My Country), aiming to foster national pride, love for the homeland, and positive actions among Vietnamese youths at home and abroad.

The campaign is part of activities to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19) and National Day (September 2), and to implement the federation’s plan for the “I Love My Country” journey – a cyber communication initiative. Read full story./.

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

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