☕ 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.

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on July 9 called on ministries, sectors, and local authorities to take active and responsible roles in carrying out national key railway projects, stressing the need to avoid relying on others, delaying or evading responsibility to ensure that assigned tasks are swiftly translated into concrete actions and legal documents.

Chairing the third meeting of the steering committee for national key railway projects, held both in-person and via videoconference with nine involved localities, the PM reviewed the progress made in the first half of 2025 and assessed the implementation of directives issued at the committee’s previous session. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has requested the simultaneous implementation of land clearance for the North–South high-speed railway and Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong railway projects, with the goal of completing this critical phase by the end of 2026.

Chairing the third meeting of the steering committee for national key railway projects on July 9, the PM commended the proactive efforts of committee members, ministries, sectors, and localities, especially the Ministry of Construction, in carrying out assigned tasks. However, he also noted that several tasks have failed to meet the requirements. Read full story

- The National Election Council (NEC) held its first meeting on July 9 under the chairmanship of National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man, who also serves as President of the council.

Chairman Man said the NEC, established at the recent 9th session of the 15th parliament, held the first meeting to officially give opinions on the preparations for the election of deputies to the 16th NA and all-level People's Councils for the 2026–2031 tenure, slated for March 15 next year. He noted that the election is a political event of national importance reflecting the people's right to mastery and selecting outstanding deputies who represent the people's will and aspirations in the new tenure. Read full story

- The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee is scheduled to convene its 47th session on July 10, with July 11 set as a backup date, according to the NA Office.

At this meeting, the committee will consider and approve several key resolutions, including a resolution on funding for the organisation and implementation of social insurance and unemployment insurance policies for the 2025–2027 period; a resolution amending and supplementing several articles of the committee’s working regulations, issued under its Resolution No. 29/2022/UBTVQH15; a resolution on principles, criteria and norms for allocating recurrent state budget expenditures for 2026. Read full story

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Brazilian President Lula da Silva at the signing ceremony for the trade in commercial goods between the two countries. (Photo: VNA)


- Brazil’s Correio Braziliense newspaper on July 8 published an article by Vietnamese Ambassador to Brazil Bui Van Nghi, who affirmed that the relationship between the two countries is developing strongly, evidenced by the outcomes of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s recent working visit for attendance in the expanded BRICS Summit and bilateral activities.

In the article on Correio Braziliense - one of Brazil's most reputable and long-standing newspapers, Ambassador Nghi highlighted that on November 17, 2024, during the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, PM Chinh and Brazilian President Lula da Silva announced the elevation of bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership, marking a significant diplomatic milestone and demonstrating strong political commitment from both sides. Read full story

- Vietnam’s financial authorities are racing to upgrade the country’s stock market from frontier to emerging status by September 2025, a move that could unlock opportunities for domestic and global investors and cement Vietnam’s place on the international financial stage.

The push aligns with a broader strategy to meet global standards, with the Ministry of Finance (MoF) issuing new regulations to enhance transparency and efficiency in securities transactions, clearing, settlement, brokerage operations, and information disclosure. Read full story

- Vietnam and the US have entered a new chapter in their bilateral relationship as they mark 30 years of diplomatic ties (July 7, 1995–2025), with economic cooperation accelerating since the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2023.

Two-way trade is now on track to hit the 200 billion USD milestone in the near future, reflecting the growing depth and dynamism of the partnership. Read full story

- National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines on July 9 marked a key milestone in its 30-year development journey by welcoming its 350 millionth passenger on a flight from Hanoi to Hue.

The ceremony took place at Phu Bai International Airport, coinciding with the 65th anniversary of Vietnam’s tourism sector and the Visit Vietnam Year - Hue 2025. The flight was greeted with a water salute, a gesture reserved for notable aviation events./. Read full story

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PM Pham Minh Chinh (second from right) inspects the display of outstanding products. (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.

Party General Secretary To Lam, head of the Central Steering Committee for Prevention and Control of Corruption, Wastefulness, and Negative Phenomena, speaks at the event (Photo: VNA)

Party leader chairs 29th meeting of central steering committee for corruption control

Since the beginning of the year, Party committees and inspection commissions at all levels have disciplined more than 330 Party organisations and 9,600 Party members. The Party Central Committee and its Politburo, Secretariat, and Inspection Commission disciplined 23 officials under Party Central Committee management, including six prosecuted cases.

Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam continues to affirm standing, distinct identity at UN: Ambassador

The close attention and direct engagement of high-ranking Vietnamese Party and State leaders in key UN activities delivered the country’s powerful messages on upholding the values of peace, strengthening multilateral cooperation, addressing common challenges, and promoting sustainable development.

Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang (R) welcomes Minister of Defence Industry of Azerbaijan Vugar Mustafayev on December 25. (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Vietnam, Azerbaijan push defence industry ties during Hanoi talks

Vietnam – Azerbaijan defence ties have progressed in line with directions of the two countries’ leaders and defence ministries, as well as the signed cooperation agreements, yielding positive results, particularly in the exchange of delegations at various levels and in the defence industry.

All members of the NA Standing Committee present at the session vote in favour of resolutions on administrative unit standards and urban classification. (Photo: VNA)

Resolutions on urban classification and administrative unit standards approved

The draft resolution streamlines urban classification around three key areas - role and socio-economic conditions, urbanisation level, and infrastructure development. It also integrates green, smart, climate-resilient, and digital transformation requirements, while promoting decentralisation in urban management.