☕ Afternoon briefing on June 11

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on June 11

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

- The second phase of the ninth session of the 15th National Assembly (NA) started on June 11 with many important issues high on the agenda, including the reorganisation of provincial-level administrative units.

In the morning, lawmakers listened to a proposal and a verification report on the reorganisation of provincial-level administrative units in 2025. Read full story

- The new international financial centre will help turn Vietnam into an important financial gateway which is capable of welcoming international capital flows and taking advantage of opportunities from the trend of shifting global supply chains, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh told the National Assembly on June 11.

Introducing the centre’s role and significance at the 15th legislature’s ongoing 9th session, Binh stated that it will be a diverse ecosystem of financial services concentrated within a specific area, bringing together many financial institutions such as banks, investment funds, financial service companies and trading platforms like securities, currency, and commodities exchanges, along with a wide range of supporting services. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to Sweden from June 11 to 13 is expected to inject fresh momentum and open up new avenues for breakthrough cooperation between Vietnam and Sweden across multiple fields, stated Vietnamese Ambassador to Sweden Tran Van Tuan.

Talking to the Vietnam News Agency, the ambassador noted that this is the highest-level visit by a Vietnamese leader to Sweden since 2019, and also marks PM Chinh’s first visit to a Nordic country. It is a major political and diplomatic event with strategic importance for bilateral relations. Read full story

z6694746374049-dc2c208442b7cc350e169d59e34f989c.jpg
Many Vietnamese people in Lithuania do business in shopping centres in Vilnius capital city. (Photo: VNA)

- The official visit to Vietnam by Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and his spouse from June 11 to 12 is expected to help strengthen political trust and promote strategic connectivity between the two countries, particularly within the framework of ASEAN-EU cooperation.

This is a highly significant diplomatic event, demonstrating the two countries’ mutual regard for their traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation, while also opening a new chapter in bilateral relations. Read full story

- The Argentine Chamber of Deputies and the ASEAN Committee in Buenos Aires (ACBA) co-organised a seminar on June 10 to promote cooperation between the Argentine parliament and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), following an initiative by the Vietnamese Embassy, which currently chairs the ACBA.

The event gathered diplomats from Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, along with Argentine lawmakers and officials from the Chamber of Deputies and ASEAN parliamentary friendship groups. Read full story

- The UK and Vietnam possess significant untapped potential for cooperation in digital trade, services, green technology, fintech, artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductor, quantum technology, and other emerging sectors, heard a workshop held in London on June 9.

The event was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK and the British Embassy in Vietnam, with the aim of further promoting bilateral ties in these areas. Read full story

z6694759097511-ef43cf6ffb50298faec737be0a283a31.jpg
A corner of Da Nang (Photo: VNA)

- Vietnam is on the right track with its strategy to develop an International Financial Centre (IFC). Experts both domestically and internationally have praised the decision to avoid concentrating the initiative in a single location, opting instead to create a coordinated financial ecosystem anchored by Ho Chi Minh City — the country’s economic powerhouse — and Da Nang — the innovation-driven hub of the central region.

This functional zoning model aims to capitalise on the unique strengths of each locality, promoting mutual support and balanced regional development. Read full story

- As Canada seeks to diversify its supply sources and reduce dependence on a single partner like the US, Vietnamese rice enterprises are presented with a golden opportunity to expand their share in this market.

Tran Thu Quynh, Trade Counsellor at the Vietnamese Embassy in Canada, stated that Canada, housing approximately 7 million people of Asian origin, is one of the world’s seven largest rice importers, with an annual demand worth around 500 million USD and a growing trend. Read full story

- Total state budget collection in the first five months of 2025 was estimated to reach 1,139 trillion VND (43.76 billion USD), equivalent to 57.9% of the yearly estimate, representing a year-on-year rise of almost 24.5%, according to the Ministry of Finance (MoF).

Of the sum, domestic revenue was estimated at 987.5 trillion VND, equivalent to 59.2% of the estimate and up 27.6% year-on-year, the ministry reported on June 10 at a meeting to review activities in May and implement tasks for June./. Read full story

VNA

See more

Vietnamese Ambassador to Venezuela Vu Trung My speaks at the event (Photo: VNA)

President Ho Chi Minh’s enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Jesús Faria expressed deep admiration for President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam’s indomitable struggle for national independence. He described President Ho Chi Minh as an immortal symbol of 20th-century national liberation movements, whose legacy continues to inspire leftist parties, progressive movements, and peoples across Latin America, including Venezuela.

Standing Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Loc Ha (R) and EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier. (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City, EU boast ample room for sustainable development cooperation

Since the establishment of their diplomatic ties in 1990, Vietnam and the EU have deepened the bilateral ties into one of the bloc’s most dynamic and in-depth partnerships with an ASEAN member, Ha noted, adding that the relationship entered a new chapter in January when the President of European Council’s visit upgraded it to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang speaks at a discussion session on reforming multilateral systems and global governance, held on May 15, 2026, as part of the expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in India. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam ready to strengthen BRICS connection with Asia-Pacific

Hang called on countries to act responsibly in accordance with international law and the UN Charter; respect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of states; refrain from using or threatening to use force; and settle disputes peacefully through dialogue. She also underscored the importance of ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation through straits in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (centre), DPRK Vice Minister Pak of Foreign Affairs Sang Gil (left), and Vietnamese Ambassador to the DPRK Le Ba Vinh cut the ribbon to open the exhibition. (Photo: VNA)

Photo exhibition highlights Vietnam–DPRK relations

Visitors at the exhibition were moved by historical photographs dating back nearly 70 years, including images of the founding leader of the DPRK Kim Il Sung personally welcoming President Ho Chi Minh and a CPV delegation at Pyongyang’s Sunan International Airport during their visit to the DPRK from July 8–12, 1957. In return, the DPRK leader paid an official visit to Vietnam from November 27 to December 3, 1958.

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

Deputy PM calls for substantive assessment of two-tier local administration operations

Chairing a meeting on the development of a scheme to review the first-year operations of the political system’s organisational apparatus and the two-tier local administration model, Tra emphasised that the review must comprehensively and objectively evaluate the nationwide implementation of administrative unit restructuring and the operation of the new local administration model.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi (right) and First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of Russia Andrey Yatskin at their meeting in Moscow on May 14. (Photo: VNA)

Key directions for Vietnam–Russia cooperation in 2026

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi had a working session with a delegation from the Russian Federation Council led by First Deputy Chairman Andrey Yatskin, in Moscow on May 14, discussing the expansion of multifaceted cooperation in 2026.

Officials from Cao Bang province of Vietnam and Baise city in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China hold talks on May 15. (Photo: VNA)

Cao Bang, China’s Baise city eye to boost all-around cooperation

Cao Bang province of Vietnam and Baise city in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China are exploring a “red tourism” route linking Pac Bo and Meng Mo (China) to promote revolutionary tradition education and strengthen bilateral friendship. They are also stepping up cooperation in human resource development through training exchanges and efforts to improve workforce quality.

Atsaphangthong Siphandone (centre), Secretary of the Vientiane Party Committee and Chairman of the municipal People’s Council, speaks at the working session. (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City, Vientiane strengthen cooperation for 2026–2030

Under the MoU, the two sides will strengthen cooperation in politics – diplomacy, security – defence, legal and judicial affairs, economic affairs, education, culture and society, cooperation among mass organisations and socio-political organisations, and development support.

Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (left) meets with Jo Yong Won, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) and Chairman of the SPA of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, in Pyongyang on May 15. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam wishes to unceasingly develop ties with DPRK: Foreign Minister

Jo Yong Won, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) and Chairman of the SPA of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), expressed confidence that under the leadership of the CPV, headed by General Secretary and President Lam, Vietnam will successfully achieve the strategic goals set forth at the 14th National Party Congress.

New Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar (front) at the swearing-in ceremony of the new Government in Budapest on May 12, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Congratulations to newly-elected Hungarian leaders

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man on May 15 sent messages of congratulations to Magyar Péter and Forsthoffer Ágnes on their election as Prime Minister and Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary, respectively.

Ministers and deputy ministers from BRICS member and partner countries pose for a group photo while attending the Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in India on May 14. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang shared Vietnam’s approach to building an independent and self-reliant economy linked to deep international integration, while proposing several key areas for enhanced cooperation between BRICS and partner countries at the Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting that opened on May 14 in India.

Dr Anatoly Sokolov from the Oriental Research Institute under the Russian Academy of Sciences in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s correspondent in Russia. (Photo: VNA)

President Ho Chi Minh’s experience in Soviet Union crucial to Vietnam’s revolution: Russian scholar

The Russian scholar emphasised that Ho Chi Minh’s years in the Soviet Union provided him with essential experience in organising the masses and conducting political work for revolutionary purposes. This knowledge proved crucial when he later successfully led the August Revolution in 1945, establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam - the first people’s democratic state in Southeast Asia - without relying on external assistance. The victory became a powerful inspiration for national liberation movements across colonised countries worldwide, he added