☕ Afternoon briefing on July 14

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on July 14

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 has emphasised that Nghia Tru commune in the northern province of Hung Yen must assert its role in a new development space that encompasses larger population, broader natural areas, and a diversified economy.

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Party General Secretary To Lam (L) attends the first congress of Nghia Tru commune's Party orgnisation on July 14. (Photo: VNA)

Attending the first congress of the communal Party orgnisation on July 13-14, the Party leader urged the locality to turn itself as a model for urban development integrated with ecological agriculture, new rural services, and the preservation of traditional values. Due attention should be given to multi-axis economic development, capitalising on its advantages as a suburban area to pursue rapid, sustainable, and targeted economic growth. Read full story

- Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Thi Thanh held a series of bilateral meetings with leaders of the French Parliament and various mechanisms of the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie (APF) as part of her trip to France to attend the 50th APF General Assembly (APF-50) from July 12–13.

At her meetings with President of the French National Assembly Yaël Braun-Pivet and President of the French Senate Gérard Larcher, Thanh highly appreciated the role of the French Parliament in the APF and congratulated France on successfully hosting APF-50. She emphasised the sound bilateral relations between Vietnam and France, noting that in 2024, France became the first country in the European Union to establish a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam. Read full story

- The Vietnam People’s Navy and the Philippine Navy successfully held their eighth friendship exchange on Song Tu Dong island on July 12.

The Vietnamese delegation was led by Colonel Nguyen Vinh Nam, Deputy Commander of Naval Region 4, and the Philippine side by Colonel Joel C. Bonavente, Deputy Commander of the Phillipine Western Naval Command. Read full story

- Four decades after the first joint recovery mission, the US and Vietnam continue to race against time in their joint search for those missing from the war, a humanitarian mission that officials say has become a foundation of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

“We’re talking about former enemies that came together in a spirit of reconciliation,” Director of the US Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) Kelly McKeague told Viet Nam News. Read full story

- The World Heritage Committee of UNESCO on July 13 approved the expansion of the world natural heritage site of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park in Vietnam’s Quang Tri province to include Hin Nam No National Park in Laos' Khammouane province.

The decision was made during the 47th session of the committee held in Paris, France. Following the adjustment, the world natural heritage site is officially named “Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Park”. Read full story

- Vietnam has emerged as a top choice for Australian tourists seeking “meaningful cultural adventures,” according to an article published recently by Sky News Australia, which highlights the Southeast Asian country’s high-quality travel experiences at a fraction of the cost compared to other popular destinations.

The article describes Vietnam as a vibrant, atmospheric, and culturally rich nation. Citing the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), it notes that the number of Australians visiting Vietnam in the first quarter of 2025 surged by 54% compared to the same period in 2019, outpacing all other international destinations./. Read full story

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Party and State leaders attend the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress. (Photo: VNA)

11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress officially opens in Hanoi

The 11th National Congress of Patriotic Emulation is an extremely important political and social event of the country, aiming to summarise the patriotic emulation movement and commendation work in the 2021-2025 period, and to propose and launch the patriotic emulation movement for the 2026-2030 stage.

Party General Secretary To Lam (9th from left), together with senior Party and State officials, cut the ribbon to kick off the exhibition in Hanoi on December 26. (Photo: VNA)

Exhibition on national Party congresses opens in Hanoi

The exhibition offers Party members and the public, particularly younger generations, an opportunity to gain deeper insights into the Party’s national congresses as well as the major victories and achievements secured by the country and its people under the Party’s leadership.

Politburo member and Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu speaks at a year-end performance review of the Committee's Commission for Policies and Strategies in Hanoi on December 26. (Photo: VNA)

Party’s policy-strategy body holds year-end performance review

Politburo member and Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu urged the commission to keep reforming its thinking and action, elevate the quality of the strategic advisory work, and enhance its capacity for research, analysis, and forecasting—especially in response to major global trends.

The book “50 Years of Germany – Vietnam Relations: Partners in the Past, Present and Future” (Source: the Vietnamese – German University)

New publication highlights Germany – Vietnam partnership

Vietnam has become Germany’s “strategic anchor” in Southeast Asia. The shift from a donor – recipient model to a partnership of equals marks a defining turning point, demonstrating the special importance of bilateral relations.

Party General Secretary To Lam meets outstanding and exemplary ethnic minority pupils, students and young people in Hanoi on December 26. (Photo: VNA)

Ethnic affairs a strategic, long-term task: Party leader

The development of ethnic and mountainous areas is a strategic, long-term task of special importance to political stability, sustainable development and the consolidation of the great national unity bloc, Party leader To Lam said.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh inspects the photo exhibition on the patriotic emulation movement throughout different periods, organised by the Vietnam News Agency. (Photo: VNA)

PM inspects preparations for 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress

Emphasising that the successful organisation of the congress would not only create strong momentum for patriotic emulation but also provide valuable experience for preparations for the 14th National Party Congress, PM Chinh requested adjustments and refinements to decorations, exhibitions and artistic performances.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha speaks at the hybrid meeting to discuss draft decrees guiding the implementation of National Assembly Resolution No. 254/2025/QH15 on mechanisms and policies to address difficulties and obstacles in enforcing the Land Law. (Photo: VNA)

Land valuation must align with law, international practice: Deputy PM

Chairing a hybrid meeting to discuss draft decrees guiding the implementation of National Assembly Resolution No. 254/2025/QH15 on mechanisms and policies to address difficulties and obstacles in enforcing the Land Law, the Deputy PM emphasised that the draft decrees must strictly adhere to Resolution No. 254/2025/QH15, serving only as implementation guidelines without expanding authority beyond what the Resolution permits.

Party General Secretary To Lam (fourth from left) and other delegates attend the “Ho Chi Minh – Journey of Aspiration 2025” programme (Photo: VNA)

Party chief calls for stronger patriotism, resolve to follow President Ho Chi Minh’s example

Building on the thousand-year tradition of nation-building and defence, the great national unity bloc and the aspiration to rise forward, under the guidance of Ho Chi Minh Thought and the Party’s leadership, Vietnam will continue writing glorious new chapters, building a prosperous, civilised and happy nation with an increasingly important role in the international community, said Party leader To Lam.

Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Rogelio Polanco Fuentes (second from left) and delegates at the launch of the special publication. (Photo: VNA)

Special publication on Vietnam-Cuba brotherhood launched

The 180-page publication, with its rich content, is a practical effort to honour an exemplary and unprecedented relationship in international relations, while meaningfully concluding the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Year 2025.

Delegates to the talks between the Youth Union of Vietnam’s Son La province and the Youth Unions of Laos' Oudomxay and Xayabury provinces (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese, Lao provinces enhance youth cooperation

With a spirit of solidarity, trust, responsibility, and strong determination, the Youth Unions of Son La province and Laos' Oudomxay and Xayabury expressed confidence that agreed cooperation orientations will continue to be translated into concrete and meaningful programmes and activities, further deepening youth cooperation in the coming time.

Vietnamese, Chinese soldiers begin conducting joint border patrol (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese, Chinese soldiers conduct joint border patrol

The patrol was carried out in two time frames, lasting a total of seven hours. During the operation, both sides deployed three working teams with 48 officers and soldiers, used six vehicles, held 12 on-site meetings, distributed 300 information leaflets, provided outreach to 300 border residents, and patrolled a total distance of 150 km.