☕ Afternoon briefing on July 18

The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency on July 18.
☕ Afternoon briefing on July 18 ảnh 1

Hanoi, (VNA) – The following is abrief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency on July18.

– A ceremony was held in Hanoi on July 18 tocelebrate the 60th founding anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic relations(1962-2022) and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the bilateral Treaty ofAmity and Cooperation (1977-2022). Participants at the event includedParty General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, PrimeMinister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, as well asincumbent and former Party and State leaders.
Politburo member,permanent member of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) CentralCommittee’s Secretariat and Lao Vice President Bounthong Chitmany and ahigh-ranking delegation of the Party and State of Laos attended the event. Read full story

– The Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam FriendshipYear 2022 holds special significance to communications and education campaignstargeting people from all walks of life, particularly youth, on the uniquebilateral traditional, special, and close-knitted ties between the twocountries, affirmed President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and visiting Lao Vice PresidentBounthong Chitmany at their meeting in Hanoi on July 17.
Both host andguest agreed to increase the effectiveness of their cooperation ineducation-training, health, and people-to-people exchange. It is also importantto raise the frequency of commercial flights and effectively exploit bordergates between the two nations, the officials noted. Read full story

- Axel van Trotsenburg, the World Bank (WB)Managing Director of Operations is paying an official visit toVietnam on July 18-19, during which he will discuss future cooperation betweenthe bank and Vietnam and areas it will support the country in the next 4-5years, with Vietnamese leaders.
Trotsenburg is scheduled to havemeetings with President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh,National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, President of the Ho ChiMinh National Academy of Politics (HCMA) and Chairman of theCentral Theory Council Nguyen Xuan Thang, and Governor of the State Bankof Vietnam Nguyen Thi Hong.Read full story

– The People's Committee of the Mekong Deltaprovince of Long An on July 18 held a memorial and re-burial services atthe Vinh Hung - Tan Hung martyrs cemetery in Vinh Hung district forthe remains of 42 Vietnamese volunteer soldiers andexperts who laid down their lives in the battlefields in Cambodiaduring wartime. The  remains were found in Cambodia’s SvayRieng, Pailin, Battambang provinces by Team K73 of the Long An MilitaryCommand during the 2021-2022 dry season.Read full story

– Although the 2020-2022 period was a toughtime for both State-owned and private enterprises due to macro-economicfluctuations after the COVID-19 pandemic, it provided a good chance forbusinesses that managed to exist and make breakthrough growth, according to areport by Vietnam Report JSC.
The report noted that enterprises thatsuccessfully adapted to and overcame the period are businesses that boaststrong financial capacity and are willing to change themselves. Read full story

– Nong Thuy Hang from the Tay ethnic group inthe northern mountainous province of Ha Giang was crowned Miss Ethnic Vietnam2022. The 23-year-old winner is 1.7 m tall and weighs 52 kg. Shegraduated from the National Economics University. By winning the pageantthat sought participation of young women from all 54 ethnic groups in thecountry, Hang will represent Vietnam at Miss Earth 2022.Read full story/.
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Wei Tao, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (Photo: VNA)

China’s Guangxi advances “three connectivity” with Vietnam

The Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China is stepping up cooperation with Vietnamese localities through three key pillars “hard connectivity” in infrastructure, “soft connectivity” in trade and investment, and “people-to-people connectivity” through cultural exchanges.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man (left) hands over a letter from Party General Secretary and State President To Lam to Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican (Photo: VNA)

NA Chairman meets Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican

The Party and State of Vietnam consistently create favourable conditions for the Catholic community to practice their faith while contributing to the nation, following the orientation of “living the Gospel in the heart of the nation,” said National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man.

A roundtable in Moscow reviews key outcomes of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)

New cooperation directions drive Vietnam–Russia ties

As Russia pivots towards the Asia–Pacific and Vietnam deepens its global integration, Vietnam is increasingly viewed as a key bridge connecting Russia with Southeast Asia, a role expected to elevate the strategic value of bilateral ties and unlock new cooperation opportunities.

Permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu departs Techo Airport for home. (Photo: VNA)

Cambodia highlights significance of Party official’s visit

The official visit to Cambodia by Politburo member and Permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu has been described by Cambodian officials as carrying profound political and diplomatic significance, helping reinforce the traditional ties between the two Parties and countries.

Ambassador and Head of the Vietnamese Mission to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Mai Phan Dung meets with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on April 10, 2026. Photo: VNA

Vietnam strongly supports multilateral trading system

Vietnam has always been an active and responsible WTO member, fully participating in activities, discussion sessions, and side events, while regularly making statements and contributing to major negotiation dossiers, said Ambassador and Head of the Vietnamese Mission to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Mai Phan Dung.

The welcoming ceremony is held for National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his spouse at Ciampino Airport in Rome, Italy. Photo: VNA

NA Chairman begins official visit to Italy

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man's official visit to Italy is to promote ties between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the Italian Parliament, and further deepen bilateral relations in a substantive and effective manner.

Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung.

Senior Party official’s official visits to Laos, Cambodia successful: FM

The Party, State, and people of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia will continue the exchange of visits and delegations at all levels, especially at the high-level and via Party and State channels, to enhance understanding, strengthen trust, improve cooperation effectiveness, and jointly address emerging issues.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his spouse depart Hanoi to attend the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-152) in Istanbul, Türkiye. Photo: VNA

NA Chairman leaves Hanoi for 152nd IPU Assembly in Türkiye, official visit to Italy

Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man, his spouse, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation departed from Hanoi on early April 11 morning to attend the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-152) in Istanbul and conduct a number of bilateral activities in Türkiye, and pay an official visit to Italy from April 11-17.

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man (second from right) hands over decisions of the Standing Board of the NA Party Committee to the three Secretaries of Party Committees of the three NA bodies. (Photo: VNA)

National Assembly Chairman hands over decisions on personnel affairs

Politburo member, Secretary of the National Assembly (NA) Party Committee and NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the importance of strengthening the contingent of officials and Party members with firm political mettle, strong moral integrity and professional competence; promoting innovation in working methods; and advancing digital transformation and the application of artificial intelligence to enhance transparency, efficiency and effectiveness.

Officers of Army Corps 34 take care of the recovered remains of 12 fallen soldiers from Doch1 village in Ia Ly commune of the central province of Gia Lai. (Photo: VNA)

Army Corps 34 recovers remains of 12 fallen soldiers in Gia Lai province

According to historical records, the area once served as an operational base for units of Regiments 609, 66, 24 and 320, as well as staff and logistics agencies of the Central Highlands front (B3) during the 1966–1969 period. Between 2020 and 2025, the corps had already recovered remains from 46 martyrs in the Chu Pa mountain area.

From left: Politburo member and Permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu (4th), Vice President of the Cambodian People’s Party Samdech Men Sam An (5th) and other official at the meeting with Cambodian alumni in Phnom Penh on April 10, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam’s senior Party official meets with Cambodian alumni in Phnom Penh

Tu expressed his appreciation for the practical and effective contributions made by generations of Cambodian students who studied in Vietnam. Serving in various roles across the Party, State, ministries, localities and businesses, these alumni have effectively applied their knowledge and experience to contribute to Cambodia’s development, while also playing an important role in promoting mutual understanding, trust and cooperation between the two countries.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam (C) presents the Politburo’s decision on the appointment of the NA Party Committee, its Standing Board, Secretary and Deputy Secretaries of the NA Party Committee for the 2025–2030 term to NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man (third from right) and Vice Chairpersons. (Photo: VNA)

Top leader hands over Politburo decision on NA Party Committee for 2025–2030 term

In his remarks, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam stressed that the consolidation of the NA Party Committee’s personnel is of significant importance, aiming to strengthen the Party’s direct and comprehensive leadership over the legislature and ensure the effective performance of its three core functions: legislation, supreme supervsion, and decision-making on major national issues.