☕ Afternoon briefing on June 17

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on June 17

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

- The implementation of two-tier local administration model will not negatively impact the business environment and foreign investment attraction policies of Vietnam, heard an international press conference in Hanoi on June 17.

Jointly held by the Party Central Committee's Commission for Information, Education, and Mass Mobilisation, the the Party Central Committee's Organisation Commission, the National Assembly Office, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the event focused on issues related to amendments to certain articles of the 2013 Constitution, and the implementation of the two-tier local administration model starting July 1, 2025. Read full story

- The 15th National Assembly (NA) voted to pass a resolution on value-added tax (VAT) reduction, and a law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Enterprises on June 17 morning, part of its ongoing 9th session.

The legislature adopted the resolution on VAT reduction with 452 deputies present voting in favour, accounting for 94.56% of the total. Meanwhile, 455 lawmakers, or 95.19% of the deputies present at the plenum, voted in favour the law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Enterprises. Read full story

- The Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation is committed to supporting the continued development of the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), enabling it to fulfil its mission entrusted by the Party and State and maintain its role as the nation’s key news agency amid rapid digital transformation and global integration.

Vice Chairman of the commission Lai Xuan Mon made the remark during his visit to the VNA on June 17 to mark the 100th anniversary of Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2025). Read full story

- Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh has signed a decision to establish the Da Nang Free Trade Zone (FTZ), which will be connected to main infrastructure facilities, opening up new development opportunities for the central coastal city.

According to the decision, the zone will cover 1,881 ha, comprising functional areas for production, logistics, trade and services, digital technology industry, information technology, and innovation. Read full story

- National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has announced the upcoming launch of the first-ever direct air route between Vietnam and Denmark, linking Ho Chi Minh City with the Danish capital, Copenhagen, starting from December 15.

The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. Read full story

- An event was held in Paris, France, on June 16 to promote the historical, cultural, and spiritual significance of the Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son – Kiep Bac complex.

The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July. Read full story

- A contract was signed on June 16 for the construction of a multi-purpose hall at the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Site in the Thai northeastern province of Udon Thani, part of the site expansion project to honour the legacy of Vietnam’s revered leader.

The 22 million THB (680,000 USD) hall construction is slated for completion within three years, just in time for the 2028 centennial of President Ho Chi Minh’s arrival in Thailand. Read full story./.

VNA

See more

The meeting between Vietnamese Ambassador to Bulgaria Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet and leader of the Alcomet factory. (Photo courtesy of the Vietnamese Embassy in Bulgaria)

Vietnam, Bulgaria expand cooperation between key localities

Ambassador Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet noted that the Vietnam – Bulgaria Strategic Partnership has opened up fresh opportunities for cooperation in logistics, maritime transport, port operations, information technology, education and coastal tourism.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam (first, right) presents the National Assembly’s resolution on the establishment of Dong Nai city to local officials at the ceremony on May 18, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

City status marks great turning point for Dong Nai: top leader

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam noted that the new status requires a new development vision; a larger development space demands stronger governance capacity; and greater pride must be transformed into a greater sense of responsibility toward the people and the nation.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung receives Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman in Hanoi on May 18. Photo: VNA

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam and Croatia should strive to double bilateral trade turnover from the current level of 161 million USD; study the establishment of a Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation to create a long-term, stable, and effective framework for collaboration, said Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.

At the working session between NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man and standing members of the NA's Committee for Cultural and Social Affairs. (Photo: VNA)

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

The NA's Committee for Cultural and Social Affairs has moved fast to reshuffle its organisation after the 14th National Party Congress and the election of deputies to the 16th NA, updating its work agenda to match new directives set out in the resolutions of the 14th National Party Congress and the first Congress of the NA Party Organisation for the 2025–2030 term.

Delegates visit a photo exhibition about the career of President Ho Chi Minh. (Photo: VNA)

President Ho Chi Minh’s legacy of peace, friendship honoured in Japan

Consul General Trinh Thi Mai Phuong said the celebration was an occasion for Vietnamese people at home and abroad to express profound gratitude and respect for President Ho Chi Minh – the great leader of the Vietnamese nation, a national liberation hero and a great man of culture.

Delegates pose for a group photo at the welcoming ceremony for the ship. (Photo: VNA)

Thailand's naval ship pays friendship visit to Ho Chi Minh City

The visit is expected to strengthen mutual trust and cooperation between the defence ministries of Vietnam and Thailand, as well as between the two countries’ navies, while contributing to activities marking 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Vietnamese Ambassador to the RoK Vu Ho speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)

President Ho Chi Minh honoured in RoK on 136th birth anniversary

With Vietnam–Korea ties expanding across multiple fields, he noted that honouring President Ho Chi Minh in the RoK carries significance beyond the overseas Vietnamese. It offers a chance to raise mutual understanding, empathy, and bonds between the Vietnamese and Korean people built on shared values of peace, cooperation, and development.