☕ Afternoon briefing on July 9

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on July 9

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

- President To Lam’s upcoming state visit to Laos, his first trip abroad after taking office in June, shows the Vietnamese Party and State's consistent policy on attaching great importance and giving the highest priority to reinforcing the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Laos, said Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung.

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Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung (Photo: VNA)

Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)’s resident correspondents in Vientiane ahead of the visit, spanning from July 11-12, the diplomat noted that the visit is to take place at a time when the two Parties and two countries are implementing their resolutions and socio-economic development plans, and the Vietnam-Laos relationship is growing strongly with the effective realisation of agreements, joint statements and cooperation deals. Read full story

– Many important results have been recorded in ethnic minority affairs, especially the implementation of related programmes and policies, so far this year, helping with socio-economic development and defence - security safeguarding in ethnic minority and mountainous areas.

This was announced at a national conference held by the Government’s Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs in Hanoi on July 8 to review the performance in the first half of 2024 and launch tasks for the remaining months. Read full story

– Vietnam’s economy will expand by 6.55-6.95% this year, according to a July 9 report by the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) on behalf of the German Government, at a workshop on Vietnam’s economy in the first half and prospects for the whole year.

In the first scenario, the GDP growth is forecast at 6.55%, and exports to increase by 9.54% compared to 2023. The average consumer price index (CPI) for the year is projected to rise by 4.31% year-on-year, and the trade balance to maintain a surplus of 5.7 billion USD. Read full story

- The public security force uncovered more than 3,000 corruption, economic and smuggling cases, with more than 4,900 individuals involved, in the first half of this year, heard a press conference held by the Ministry of Public Security in Hanoi on July 8.

The numbers of cases and defendants rose by 21.63% and 47.12%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. Read full story

– The role of supreme audit institutions (SAI) in fighting corruption and promoting transparency and good governance was highlighted at a workshop held by the State Audit of Vietnam (SAV) in Hanoi on July 9.

The event formed part of the activities marking the 30th anniversary of the SAV, and offered a platform for SAIs and international organisations to seek solutions to challenges in the fight against corruption and money laundering. Read full story

– For the first time in the history, the Vietnamese women’s national volleyball team has been qualified for the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s U21 World Championship after securing 5th place at the 2024 Asian Women’s 20 Volleyball Championship by defeating Chinese Taipei on July 8 in China.

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For the first time in the history, the Vietnamese women’s national volleyball team has been qualified for the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s U21 World Championship (Photo: FIVB)

Vietnam played one of their near-flawless performances to capture an exceptional straight-set 25-17, 25-19 and 25-15. Read full story

- The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT)'s information centre officially launched a promotional video for railway tourism on July 9 in conjunction with the 64th founding anniversary of the sector in Vietnam (1960-2024).

As part of the centre’s "Vietnam: Travel to Love!" media campaign, the 3-minute-and-30-second clip showcases stunning and breathtaking scenes from a trans-Vietnam journey along the North-South railway, which connects major cities and renowned tourist destinations across the country./.Read full story

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Minister of Industry and Trade Le Manh Hung holds talks with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick to discuss major orientations for advancing bilateral economic and trade cooperation.(Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, US seek to advance economic, trade cooperation

During a working visit to the US in mid-July, Minister of Industry and Trade Le Manh Hung, accompanied by the Vietnamese Ambassador to the US and senior officials from several ministries, met with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick on major directions for bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

The article posted on the official Facebook page of Pathet Lao. (Photo published by VNA)

Vietnam–Laos special relationship to deepen over time

The editorial says the historical milestones demonstrate and reaffirm that the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between the two Parties, States and peoples will continue to develop and deepen in the years ahead.

☕ Afternoon briefing on July 20

☕ Afternoon briefing on July 20

The third meeting of the 14th Party Central Committee, Standard Chartered sharply raising its forecast for Vietnam’s economic growth in 2026, and all six Vietnamese students winning medals at the 67th International Mathematical Olympiad are among news highlights on July 20.

Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation Trinh Van Quyet. (Photo: VNA)

Proactive strategy needed to counter cognitive warfare: Experts

Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation Trinh Van Quyet said hostile forces are increasingly using AI and digital platforms to wage cognitive warfare targeting the ideological foundation, public confidence and internal unity. He stressed that the challenge requires continuous innovation in both methods and capabilities.

The presidium of the preparatory session of the 14th National Party Congress. (Photo: VNA)

📝 OP-ED: Where public trust is secured, everything else falls into place

Instead of merely handling information after an incident already occurred, it is necessary to proactively gauge public sentiment, anticipate trends in public opinion and address at an early stage issues that could undermine public trust. In other words, the focus must shift from “managing information” to proactively “governing public trust”.

Vietnam News Agency reporters covering the 14th National Party Congress (Photo: VNA)

Telling Vietnam’s story to build national soft power

Former Director of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam Associate Professor Dr. Duong Van Quang said digital-era communications must help build knowledge, trust and credibility through authentic and culturally distinctive stories.

☀️ Morning digest on July 20

☀️ Morning digest on July 20

The government meeting with the business community, heavy losses caused by floods and landslides in the northern mountainous region, and Vietnamese students' impressive performance at the 2026 International Chemistry Olympiad and International Biology Olympiad are among news highlights last weekend.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietn Nam (CPV) Central Committee and State President To Lam (left) meets with Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. during his visit to the Philippines in June 2026 (Photo: VNA)

Congratulatory messages mark 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Philippines diplomatic ties

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and State President To Lam and Prime Minister Le Minh Hung sent congratulatory messages to Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Philippines (1976-2026).

Speakers at a panel discussion on Vietnamese language teaching and learning in Thailand. (Photo: VNA)

People-to-people, cultural ties strengthen Vietnam-Thailand friendship

Delivering a keynote speech on the future of Thailand-Vietnam relations after five decades of diplomatic ties, Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung underscored the important role of universities not only in preserving shared history but also in shaping the future of the bilateral partnership through education, research and people-to-people connections.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung welcomes Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritis in Hanoi on July 17 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam values traditional friendship with Greece: FM

To deepen practical cooperation, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung proposed increasing exchanges at all levels, especially high-level visits, while strengthening coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums, particularly as Greece serves as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2025–2026 term.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam present greeting flowers to the People'sPolice force on the occasion of the 64th anniversary of the force's traditional day (Photo: VNA)

Top leader asks for building stronger, more modern people's police force

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam highlighted the country's recent socio-economic achievements, recognising the significant contributions by the People's Public Security force, particularly the People's Police, senior police leaders over different periods and the Association of Former People's Public Security Officers through grassroots movements safeguarding national security.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung chairs a government meeting with the business community in Hanoi on July 18 (Photo: VNA)

PM urges stronger development foundations for sustainable growth

Opening the event, the PM underscored the significance of the meeting, saying that it is the first engagement between the new-term government’s members and the business community - the vanguard on the economic front, playing a key role in driving growth, generating employment, and enhancing national competitiveness.