☕ Afternoon briefing on July 23

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on July 23

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

- Prime Minister Le Minh Hung on July 23 reaffirmed that caring for revolution contributors remains a consistent policy of the Party and State, reflecting the profound humanitarian value of the socialist regime.

Speaking at a national conference honouring revolution contributors ahead of the 79th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day (July 27) in Hanoi, the PM expressed gratitude to veteran revolutionaries, Heroic Vietnamese Mothers, Heroes of the People's Armed Forces, Labour Heroes, war invalids, martyrs, martyrs' families, as well as other contributors who sacrificed for national independence. Read full story

- Politburo member and Permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee's Secretariat Tran Cam Tu chaired a conference in Hanoi on July 23 to announce the Politburo’s and Party Central Committee Secretariat’s decisions on personnel work.

At the conference, Hoang Trung Dung, Member of the Party Central Committee, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Organisation Commission, announced five decisions on personnel assignments. Read full story

- Compared with many countries in the region, Vietnam has emerged as a notable performer in the intellectual property (IP) field, with significant improvements in various indicators and criteria.

During the recent 68th series of meetings of the assemblies of the member states of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan praised WIPO’s role in developing the global IP system, particularly in strengthening state management capacity, supporting businesses, training human resources, and promoting the commercialisation of intellectual assets. Read full story

- Vietnam is facing a need to study the development of a national digital governance platform to unify public administration, strengthen data governance and improve the delivery of public services, as the country accelerates administrative reform and digital transformation.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs' Department of Administrative Reform, Vietnam eliminated 697 administrative procedures and simplified another 673 in the first six months of 2026. It also abolished 1,754 business registration requirements, cutting processing time by 53% - equivalent to 51,247 out of 96,675 working days - and reducing compliance costs by 54.6% compared with 2024. Read full story

- The central city of Da Nang has completed a special administrative framework for its Free Trade Zone (FTZ), including 34 new and revised procedures, to pave the way for the zone's launch and strengthen its appeal to investors and global traders.

Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Hung has signed Decision No. 3157/QD-UBND, introducing 34 amended and supplementary administrative procedures in the import – export sector. The decision authorises the Da Nang Hi-Tech Park and Industrial Zones Authority to issue certificates of origin (C/O) for goods manufactured within the FTZ’s functional zones, completing a key component of the administrative system supporting investment, production, trade and exports. Read full story

- Soldiers in the northern mountainous province of Lai Chau are working around the clock to build new homes for families displaced by devastating flash floods in Muong Than commune, with authorities aiming to complete the project before August 30.

Flash floods that struck Ban Chit and nearby villages in Muong Than on July 17 destroyed the homes of 24 families, prompting provincial authorities to launch an emergency resettlement programme. Read full story

- A total of 93 international students are joining young Vietnamese volunteers in the 33rd Green Summer Volunteer Campaign in Ho Chi Minh City in 2026, contributing to community projects while fostering friendship and cultural exchanges.

A welcome ceremony for international volunteers was held on July 22 at the District 12 Vocational Education and Continuing Education Centre in Trung My Tay ward. Read full story./.

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Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung attends the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum in the Philippines on July 23, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

ASEAN Regional Forum adopts Manila Plan of Action for 2026–2036

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung affirmed that ASEAN would continue working with China to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and to conclude at an early date a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) that is consistent with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

A view of the third plenum of the 14th Party Central Committee on July 23, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Press release on fourth working day of 14th Party Central Committee's third plenum

The Party Central Committee on July 23 discussed a proposal to transfer responsibility for giving advice on mass mobilisation work from the Party Central Committee's Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation to the Party Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and central mass organisations, as well as a proposal to rename the Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation as the Commission for Information and Education.

Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Vietnam calls on parties concerned to fully implement DOC in East Sea

Responding to a reporter's question about recent clashes around Bai Co May (internationally known as Second Thomas Shoal) in the East Sea, Hang said Vietnam urged the parties concerned to act with restraint, respect the sovereign rights and jurisdiction of coastal states over their exclusive economic zones and continental shelves as established in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and fully and effectively implement the DOC.

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (L) and Vice-President of the European Commission and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas (Photo: VNA)

AMM-59: Vietnam proposes substantive, sustainable ASEAN-EU ties

Looking ahead, Vietnam proposed the two sides prioritise stronger regional resilience by scaling up energy cooperation, pooling financial resources and cracking down on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, all aimed at building a resilient and sustainable blue economy.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung greets Heroic Vietnamese Mothers at the national conference honouring revolution contributors ahead of the 79th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day (July 27) in Hanoi on July 23. (Photo: VNA)

Caring for revolution contributors reflects Vietnam’s deep humanitarian value: PM

The PM urged all-level authorities, sectors, localities, and the public to fully implement relevant Party resolutions and directives as well as preferential policies for revolution contributors, push ahead with the 500-day campaign, expand gratitude movements, accelerate housing support for children of Agent Orange/dioxin victims and strengthen patriotic education.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (L) meets with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Manila on July 23. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, US pledge to deepen Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

At the meeting, Trung welcomed Rubio's participation and active contributions to the ASEAN meetings, saying they reflected the US' commitment to maintaining engagement in the region, supporting ASEAN centrality, and contributing to peace, stability and prosperity in Southeast Asia.

Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang meets with Governor of Upper Austria Thomas Stelzer on July 22. (Photo published by VNA)

Vietnam, Austria seek to promote strategic technology cooperation

Highlighting strengths of Linz city and Upper Austria in general in advanced technology, innovation and high-quality human resources training, Vietnamese Ambassaor to Austria Vu Le Thai Hoang proposed stronger links among businesses, research institutes and universities. He identified artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, robotics, automation, quantum computing and biotechnology as promising areas for cooperation.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang (right) and UNRWA Acting Commissioner-General Christian Saunders (Photo published by VNA)

Vietnam reaffirms support for UNRWA, readiness to assist Gaza recovery efforts

During a meeting with the UNRWA official in Manila, the Philippines on July 22, Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang affirmed Vietnam’s consistent support for UNRWA’s role and operations, praising its efforts to maintain humanitarian, educational and healthcare assistance for Palestinians amid the complex situation.

At a meeting on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM-59) and Related Meetings in Manila, the Philippines. (Photo: Courtesy of Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Vietnam attends ASEAN foreign ministers’ meetings with partners

The Vietnamese delegation proposed making energy security and transition a pillar of ASEAN-Canada relations, and urged Canada to support the implementation of the ASEAN Power Grid and expand cooperation in renewable energy, hydrogen, energy storage and nuclear power for civilian purposes.

Le Hoai Trung, Politburo member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, Minister of Foreign Affairs (L), meets with Wang Yi, Politburo member, Director of the Office of the Commission for Foreign Affairs of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, in Manila, the Philippines, on July 22. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, China step up bilateral cooperation

The two ministers agreed to continue seriously and effectively implementing important common perceptions reached by the top leaders of the two Parties and countries; promote the strategic guiding role of high-level exchanges; and advance the building of the Vietnam-China Community with a shared future that carries strategic significance in an increasingly practical and profound manner in accordance with the “six major orientations”.

Nguyen Duy Ngoc, Politburo member, Chairman of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee's Organisation Commission and Chairman of the Vietnam-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Group (R) hosts a reception in Hanoi on July 22 for Executive Acting Secretary-General of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Hagiuda Koichi and his delegation. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Japan seek to deepen cooperation between ruling parties and legislatures

The two sides expressed satisfaction with the robust development of the Vietnam-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership across all fields, noting that Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae's official visit to Vietnam in May 2026 had created fresh momentum for strengthening ties between the two parties and the two countries.

Foreign ministers of the Mekong countries and Japan reaffirm commitment to strengthening partnership through co-creation (Photo: Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Mekong, Japanese foreign ministers reaffirm commitment to co-creating partnership

Mekong-Japan cooperation, together with ASEAN-led mechanisms, contributes to building a peaceful, stable, resilient and prosperous Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific region, they stressed, noting that amid growing uncertainties, emerging cooperation opportunities and challenges, the mechanism should continue to innovate and adapt to better meet the development demands of Mekong countries and Japan.

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (L) and his Australian counterpart Penny Wong in their meeting in Manila on July 22. (Photo: Courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Vietnam, Australia agree to deepen cooperation in priority areas

The two ministers reaffirmed their support for ASEAN's common position and underscored the need to maintain peace, security, stability, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight. They reiterated that disputes should be resolved through peaceful means in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Delegates at the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with Russia on July 22. (Photo: The Courtesy of the Foreign Affairs)

Vietnam calls for deeper, more practical ASEAN-Russia strategic partnership

Addressing the ASEAN-Russia Foreign Ministers' Meeting held on July 22 on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM-59) and related meetings in the Philippines, Trung described the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit marking 35 years of dialogue relations held in Kazan, Russia, in June as an important milestone that reaffirmed the strategic value of ASEAN-Russia relations and injected fresh momentum into bilateral cooperation.