☕ Afternoon briefing on August 9

☕ Afternoon briefing on August 9

☕ Afternoon briefing on August 9

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

– The Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee convened its regular meeting in Hanoi on August 9 under the chair of Party General Secretary and President To Lam.

At the meeting, Lam assessed that the Politburo and the Party Central Committee Secretariat have closely followed the Party Central Committee’s plan for the entire tenure and organised many conferences in flexible forms, both in-person and online, to effectively implement the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress. Read full story

– The election of President To Lam as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee demonstrates the recognition of his contributions and reputation, while affirming the Party leadership, said a Cuban scholar.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), Dr. Ruvislei González Saez, Vice President of the Cuba - Vietnam Friendship Association, said Lam’s views on external relations reflect the continuity of the Southeast Asian nation’s foreign policy, which identifies the most important factors to bilateral relations, and highlights the need to promote multilateral diplomacy. This approach is not in contrary to the principle that Vietnam wishes to befriend with all the countries and the "four no's" policy. Read full story

– General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong has won the respect and admiration of people worldwide, said Joy Puentes Saldise, Charge d'affaires a.i of the Cuban Embassy in Vietnam.

The late Party chief has left over a valuable ideological and theoretical system on the Vietnamese revolution in the new era, contributing to strengthening national solidarity, enhancing the country’s progress, creating motivation for the Vietnamese people, the diplomat said in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA). Read full story

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Female soldiers of the Engineering Unit Rotation 2 at a ceremony before leaving for the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Abyei (Photo: VNA)

- The launch of Vietnam’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (NAP WPS) comes at a critical juncture with global challenges impacting all, and women and girls all around the world’s continued facing of disproportionate vulnerabilities and discrimination makes this plan more crucial than ever, Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, said in her video message on the occasion of the country’s August 8 announcement of the plan.

“UN Women stands ready to support the government of Vietnam to extend partnership, leverage resources to ensure that no woman or girl is left behind,” Sima Bahous affirmed. Read full story

– Vietnam welcomes the UN Ad Hoc Committee on Cybercrime’s adoption of the draft UN Cybercrime Convention as an important first step for the UN General Assembly to consider and adopt it, said Nguyen Minh Vu, Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.

Addressing the committee’s meeting in New York on August 8, during which participants approved the draft, Vu said that when it enters into force, the convention will provide the first global legal framework to help promote cooperation among countries in responding to the threat of cybercrime. Read full story

– Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has recently signed a decision on the establishment of a national steering committee on semiconductor industry development (steering committee).

The steering committee, an inter-sectoral coordination organisation, is tasked with helping the Government and Prime Minister study, direct and coordinate with competent sides to handle important related issues. Read full story

– Many organisations, charitable groups, and the community have been joining hands with the Party and State to take care of and provide support in various forms for victims of Agent Orange/dioxin.

The Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange (VAVA), the National Humanitarian Portal, and MBBank's charity app launched the "Joining hands to ease the pain of Agent Orange in 2024 Programme", with the theme "Light up the future” on July 16./. Read full story

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Vietnamese Ambassador to the RoK Vu Ho speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)

President Ho Chi Minh honoured in RoK on 136th birth anniversary

With Vietnam–Korea ties expanding across multiple fields, he noted that honouring President Ho Chi Minh in the RoK carries significance beyond the overseas Vietnamese. It offers a chance to raise mutual understanding, empathy, and bonds between the Vietnamese and Korean people built on shared values of peace, cooperation, and development.

President Ho Chi Minh works at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi. (File photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh Thought guides development path: Top leader

In an article written on the occasion of President Ho Chi Minh’s 136th birth anniversary (May 19, 1890 – 2026), the top Vietnamese leader affirmed that “Ho Chi Minh Thought serves as a guiding light along our development path.”

Vietnamese Ambassador to Venezuela Vu Trung My speaks at the event (Photo: VNA)

President Ho Chi Minh’s enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Jesús Faria expressed deep admiration for President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam’s indomitable struggle for national independence. He described President Ho Chi Minh as an immortal symbol of 20th-century national liberation movements, whose legacy continues to inspire leftist parties, progressive movements, and peoples across Latin America, including Venezuela.

Standing Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Loc Ha (R) and EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier. (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City, EU boast ample room for sustainable development cooperation

Since the establishment of their diplomatic ties in 1990, Vietnam and the EU have deepened the bilateral ties into one of the bloc’s most dynamic and in-depth partnerships with an ASEAN member, Ha noted, adding that the relationship entered a new chapter in January when the President of European Council’s visit upgraded it to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang speaks at a discussion session on reforming multilateral systems and global governance, held on May 15, 2026, as part of the expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in India. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam ready to strengthen BRICS connection with Asia-Pacific

Hang called on countries to act responsibly in accordance with international law and the UN Charter; respect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of states; refrain from using or threatening to use force; and settle disputes peacefully through dialogue. She also underscored the importance of ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation through straits in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (centre), DPRK Vice Minister Pak of Foreign Affairs Sang Gil (left), and Vietnamese Ambassador to the DPRK Le Ba Vinh cut the ribbon to open the exhibition. (Photo: VNA)

Photo exhibition highlights Vietnam–DPRK relations

Visitors at the exhibition were moved by historical photographs dating back nearly 70 years, including images of the founding leader of the DPRK Kim Il Sung personally welcoming President Ho Chi Minh and a CPV delegation at Pyongyang’s Sunan International Airport during their visit to the DPRK from July 8–12, 1957. In return, the DPRK leader paid an official visit to Vietnam from November 27 to December 3, 1958.

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

Deputy PM calls for substantive assessment of two-tier local administration operations

Chairing a meeting on the development of a scheme to review the first-year operations of the political system’s organisational apparatus and the two-tier local administration model, Tra emphasised that the review must comprehensively and objectively evaluate the nationwide implementation of administrative unit restructuring and the operation of the new local administration model.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi (right) and First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of Russia Andrey Yatskin at their meeting in Moscow on May 14. (Photo: VNA)

Key directions for Vietnam–Russia cooperation in 2026

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi had a working session with a delegation from the Russian Federation Council led by First Deputy Chairman Andrey Yatskin, in Moscow on May 14, discussing the expansion of multifaceted cooperation in 2026.

Officials from Cao Bang province of Vietnam and Baise city in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China hold talks on May 15. (Photo: VNA)

Cao Bang, China’s Baise city eye to boost all-around cooperation

Cao Bang province of Vietnam and Baise city in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China are exploring a “red tourism” route linking Pac Bo and Meng Mo (China) to promote revolutionary tradition education and strengthen bilateral friendship. They are also stepping up cooperation in human resource development through training exchanges and efforts to improve workforce quality.

Atsaphangthong Siphandone (centre), Secretary of the Vientiane Party Committee and Chairman of the municipal People’s Council, speaks at the working session. (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City, Vientiane strengthen cooperation for 2026–2030

Under the MoU, the two sides will strengthen cooperation in politics – diplomacy, security – defence, legal and judicial affairs, economic affairs, education, culture and society, cooperation among mass organisations and socio-political organisations, and development support.

Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (left) meets with Jo Yong Won, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) and Chairman of the SPA of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, in Pyongyang on May 15. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam wishes to unceasingly develop ties with DPRK: Foreign Minister

Jo Yong Won, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) and Chairman of the SPA of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), expressed confidence that under the leadership of the CPV, headed by General Secretary and President Lam, Vietnam will successfully achieve the strategic goals set forth at the 14th National Party Congress.

New Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar (front) at the swearing-in ceremony of the new Government in Budapest on May 12, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Congratulations to newly-elected Hungarian leaders

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man on May 15 sent messages of congratulations to Magyar Péter and Forsthoffer Ágnes on their election as Prime Minister and Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary, respectively.