☕ Afternoon briefing on June 13

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on June 13

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

- Minister Counsellor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen, Chargé d’Affaires of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), has affirmed Vietnam’s commitment to protecting and promoting the rights of people with disabilities (PwD) when he attended the 18th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP18) held from June 10-12 at the UN headquarters in New York.

khuyet-tat-1.jpg

Nguyen said that the commitment was demonstrated through its promulgated policies and legal documents, including the 2010 Law on Persons with Disabilities and the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2014. Read full story

- Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has freshly signed a decision approving a project on adjustments to the Ho Chi Minh City Master Plan until 2040, with a vision to 2060.

Accordingly, by 2060, the southern metropolis will establish itself as a global, civilised, modern, and compassionate city whose development level is comparable to that of large cities worldwide. It will become an economic, financial, and service hub of Asia, a growth powerhouse, and a development impulse for the South and Vietnam as a whole. It is expected to have high living standards and quality, along with well developed economy and culture while serving as a destination of international financial institutions and corporations. Read full story

- Journalist and scholar Gaston Fiorda from the East Asian centre under Argentina’s Gino Germani Research Institute has described Vietnam as an important destination within ASEAN at a recent scientific workshop recently held in the South American country.

In his presentation, the scholar laid stress on the leadership role of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), particularly Party General Secretary To Lam, in driving state apparatus streamlining while accelerating science-techology development, digital transformation, international integration, and private sector growth. Read full story

- Miyake Kazuhisa, former chief representative of Kyodo News in Vietnam, has recently shared his insightful perspectives on the remarkable evolution of Vietnamese journalism, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Vietnam's Revolutionary Press Day (June 21).

Talking to Vietnam News Agency (VNA) correspondents in Japan, Miyake, who served two terms as Kyodo’s bureau chief in Hanoi, reflected on the stark contrast between the two periods. Read full story

- Wutip, the first storm arising in the East Sea so far this year, has caused widespread flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage in central localities, prompting them to take urgent response measures.

vna-potal-mua-lon-khien-nhieu-noi-o-mien-nui-quang-tri-bi-sat-lo-8089355.jpg
Landslides on a section of the Ho Chi Minh Road in Quang Tri province (Photo: VNA)

In Quang Tri, thousands have been urgently evacuated as authorities race to protect lives and minimise further losses. Read full story

- The High-level People's Court in Hanoi held an appeal hearing to review the appeals of 11 defendants involved in the second phase of the "repatriation flight" case during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among those appealing are Tran Tung, former Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs in Thai Nguyen province; Nguyen Van Van, former Deputy Director of Quang Nam province’s Department of Health; Le Ngoc Tuong, former Deputy Director of Quang Nam province’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism; along with several other defendants from companies and businesses linked to the case. Read full story

- In preparation for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in 2027, Phu Quoc island city in the southern province of Kien Giang is actively raising public awareness and encouraging community involvement in building a green, clean, beautiful, and civilised city so as to shape the image of “Every Phu Quoc resident serves as a tourism ambassador.”

Hosting this important event is expected to offer a chance for the city to build a long-term development foundation in terms of infrastructure, management mindset, investment attraction, and urban planning. Read full story

- The Ministry of Construction officially granted an air transport licence to Sun Phu Quoc Company Limited (Sun PhuQuoc Airways), an airline brand invested in and developed by Vietnamese conglomerage Sun Group.

san-bay-pq.jpg
A graphic image of a new terminal of Phu Quoc International Airport (Photo: CPG Consultants)

Sun PhuQuoc Airways (SPA) has been licensed to operate under a traditional full-service business model with high-quality standards, while also incorporating a charter flight model. With Phu Quoc as its central hub, Sun PhuQuoc Airways aims to connect Vietnam’s island paradise with major domestic economic and tourism centers such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and other key cities. Read full story

- The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel has advised Vietnamese citizens to strictly follow safety and security regulations issued by local authorities, minimise inter-city travel, and stay close to shelters when possible.

The recommendation follows the issuance of nationwide emergency security guidelines by Israel’s Home Front Command on June 13 amid the heightened risk of a large-scale missile attack from the east, as Israel continues its military campaign targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile facilities. Read full story

- The Central Executive Board of the Hoa Hao Buddhist Sangha held a ceremony on June 13 at An Hoa Tu Pagoda in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang to commemorate the 86th anniversary of the sect’s founding (1939–2025).

Hoa Hao Buddhism was founded by Huynh Phu So on the 18th day of the fifth lunar month in 1939, which falls on June 13 this year./. Read full story

VNA

See more

Delegates at the meeting (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, US enhance cooperation in education - training

Affirming that Vietnam regards the US as one of its top strategic partners, Vice President of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Thanh said Vietnam wishes to further advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the US in a substantive and in-depth manner on the basis of respect for each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political systems.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (R) receives Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Rajpal Singh in Hanoi on August 12 (Photo: VNA)

Singapore remains one of Vietnam’s leading important partners: PM

Highlighting positive outcomes in Vietnam-Singapore cooperation across all areas, particularly since bilateral ties were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2025, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung proposed that the two sides maintain and step up high-level visits and exchanges at all levels.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (R) receives Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam Yaron Mayer in Hanoi on August 12 for a farewell visit as the diplomat concludes his four-year tenure in the country. (Photo: VNA)

Prime Minister receives outgoing Israeli Ambassador

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung asked the Israeli Government to continue creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese people living, studying and working in Israel at a meeting with outgoing Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam Yaron Mayer in Hanoi on August 12.

An overview of the first extraordinary session of the 16th National Assembly on August 12. (Photo: VNA)

Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh urged to embrace modern urban governance

According to Government proposals submitted to the legislature, Quang Ninh and Bac Ninh cities will be formed based on the respective natural areas, populations and numbers of commune-level administrative units of the two provinces. Both proposals meet all five conditions stipulated in the Law on Organisation of Local Administration No. 72/2025/QH15 and all seven criteria for establishing centrally-run cities under Resolution No. 112/2025/UBTVQH15.

Politburo member, Standing member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee's Secretariat Tran Cam Tu leads a high-level delegation of the CPV to attend the funeral service for Politburo member of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of the Lao National Assembly Xaysomphone Phomvihane on August 12, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese Party leader attends funeral service for top Lao legislator

The Party leader stressed that the passing of NA President Xaysomphone is a great loss to the Lao Party, State and people, while Vietnam has also lost a great friend and a close, loyal comrade who had always held deep affection for the country, offered valuable support, and worked tirelessly to nurture and consolidate the Vietnam-Laos great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion.

Politburo member and President of the National Assembly of Laos Xaysomphone Phomvihane passed away on August 8 at the age of 70. (Photo: VNA)

Condolences sent to Lao Front over parliamentary leader’s passing

For the VFF and the Vietnamese people, Xaysomphone Phomvihane was a great friend and close comrade who devoted himself to fostering and developing the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and peoples, as well as between the VFF and LFNC.

New Zealand officials welcome Party General Secretary and President To Lam (R) at Auckland International Airport. (Photo: VNA)

Party General Secretary and President To Lam begins state visit to New Zealand

Over more than five decades since the establishment of diplomatic relations on June 19, 1975, Vietnam and New Zealand have continuously worked to build a solid foundation for the bilateral ties. The two countries are expanding cooperation in smart agriculture, climate change adaptation and carbon markets in line with Vietnam’s green growth objectives.

Standing Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Loc Ha (R) and Vice Chairman of the Champasak provincial Administrative Committee Phimpone Phandanuvong sign an MoU on cooperation between the two localities for the 2026-2030 period. (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City-Champasak cooperation: A bright spot in Vietnam-Laos local ties

Cooperation priorities for the 2026-2030 period will cover trade, investment, agriculture, tourism, finance, education and human resources training, and socio-cultural affairs, with a focus on business connectivity, trade and investment promotion, tourism development, and support for education and human resources training.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and President To Lam (right) meets with Craig Bradshaw, CEO of EQ Resources Limited of Australia. (Photo: VNA)

Top Vietnamese leader highlights strategic mineral, high-tech cooperation with Australian firms

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and President To Lam received leaders of Australian businesses in Canberra on August 12 morning (local time), highlighting opportunities to expand cooperation in strategic mineral supply chains, high technology and innovation as the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations enters a new phase.