Politics

☕ Afternoon briefing on February 26

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on February 26

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

- Malaysia always treasures and wants to further develop its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam in a more profound and comprehensive manner, in line with the newly established framework of relations, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim affirmed at his meeting with Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong in Hanoi on February 26.

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Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong (R) welcomes Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. (Photo: VNA)

Welcoming PM Anwar, who is in Vietnam to attend the 2nd ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) 2025, President Cuong said that his trip is of significant importance as the two countries have just become Comprehensive Strategic Partners. Read full story

- Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh shared insights and answered numerous questions on key regional and global issues, including sustainable development, climate change, security, and cybercrime prevention at the high-level plenary of the 2nd ASEAN Future Forum (AFF 2025) that took place in Hanoi on February 26.

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Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (centre) speaks at the plenary session of the 2nd ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi on February 26. (Photo: VNA)

The 2nd ASEAN Future Forum 2025 is being held in Hanoi from February 25-26 under the theme “Building a United, Inclusive, and Resilient ASEAN amidst Global Transformations”. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a welcome ceremony on February 26 afternoon for his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon who is paying an official visit to Vietnam and attending the 2nd ASEAN Future Forum (AFF).

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (L) and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon inspect the guard of honour. (Photo: VNA)

This is the first official visit of PM Luxon to Vietnam since he was appointed as the Prime Minister. It takes place at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations (June 19, 1975 - 2025) and the relationship between the two countries is developing positively and effectively. The visit is expected to contribute to enhancing political trust, deepening the Strategic Partnership, and making the Vietnam-New Zealand bilateral relationship more practical and effective. Read full story

- Vietnam is a key strategic partner for Malaysia in the region, affirmed Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, reiterating his strong commitment to enhancing practical cooperation between the two nations under their newly established Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

At a working breakfast with his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh on February 26 during his visit to Vietnam and participation in the 2nd ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi, the Malaysian leader spoke highly of Vietnam's achievements in socio-economic development over the past time. Read full story

- Vietnam is likely to secure high annual growth of 8%, or even double-digit rates after recording a 7% expansion last year, according to Suan Teck Kin, executive director of Global Economics and Markets Research at Singapore-based United Overseas Bank (UOB).

The National Assembly (NA)’s recent decision to raise Vietnam’s GDP growth target to at least 8% in 2025 and double-digit rates in the 2026-2030 period shows a high level of consensus across the political system for the country's new development goals, despite many challenges facing the economy.Read full story

- The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and the Military Industry and Telecoms Group (VIETTEL) co-launched the second Photo and Video Award “Technology with heart” in Hanoi on February 26.

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At the launching ceremony of the second Photo and Video Award “Technology with heart” in Hanoi on February 26. (Photo: VNA)

Themed “Vietnamese Creativity – Path to Prosperity”, the award aims to honour the values that technology brings to life, to inspire creativity, and to foster pride in Vietnam’s groundbreaking technological achievements. By highlighting technology’s transformative impacts across various areas, the contest seeks to lay a sustainable foundation for the nation’s prosperity in the new era, towards the 80th anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the 40th anniversary of the Doi Moi (Renewal) process. It will highlight meaningful and emotional stories through photos and videos capturing everyday life, both in Vietnam and around the world. Read full story

- A 2-year-old girl in Cambodia's southeastern Prey Veng province died after contracting the H5N1 bird flu virus, marking the country's second fatality from the disease so far this year, the Ministry of Health announced on February 25.

According to medical records, the child was in contact with infected chickens raised by her family and passed away on February 25 after developing symptoms like fever, cough, and shortness of breath./.Read full story

VNA
#Luong Cuong #Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim #Pham Minh Chinh #Christopher Luxon #Technology with heart
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Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (centre) speaks at the plenary session of the 2nd ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi on February 26. (Photo: VNA)

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right) and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. (Photo: VNA)

Malaysia vows to strengthen ties with Vietnam

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Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung (Photo: VNA)

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Vietnamese Minister of Public Security General Luong Tam Quang (R) shakes hands with Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Agency of Kazakhstan Zhumagali Askhat. (Photo: VNA)

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Nhon - Hanoi Station urban railway in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)

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General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam (R) shakes hands with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. (Photo: VNA)

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Regarding the East Sea issue, the two sides agreed to continue supporting ASEAN’s common stance on the East Sea, ensuring the full and serious implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and expediting negotiations to conclude an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), towards building the East Sea into a sea of peace and cooperation.

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (R) and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn in Hanoi on February 25. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Cambodia committed to implementing Parties' agreements

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