☕ Afternoon briefing on June 19

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on June 19

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

- The 15th National Assembly opened its Q&A session on June 19, with Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang taking the centre first to address the country’s economic challenges.

The session is being broadcast live on television and radio. Read full story

- Along with the Politburo’s “four key resolutions” which are already underway, Party General Secretary To Lam has emphasised the need to continue designing more resolutions following the guiding principles of “all benefits must come to the people and "all power must belong to the people” as taught by President Ho Chi Minh.

Outlining the “Resolution Quartet” issued by the Politburo to usher Vietnam into a new era, the Party chief ordered the decisive, well-structured implementation, with practical outcomes as the measure of competence and success. Read full story

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Russian President Vladimir Putin answers General Director of the Vietnam News Agency Vu Viet Trang's question during the meeting with heads of news agencies from the Organisation of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA). (Photo: VNA)

- Russia’s cooperation with Southeast Asia is steadily expanding, with trade increasing across the region, including with Vietnam, President Vladimir Putin said on early June 19 (local time).

Speaking at a late-night, early-morning meeting with heads of news agencies from the Organisation of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA), Putin emphasised Southeast Asia’s strategic importance. Read full story

- Vietnam has reiterated its strong commitment to promoting gender equality and empowering women at the annual session of the Executive Board of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), held from June 17 to 19 at the UN headquarters in New York.

Nguyen Hoang Nguyen, Minister Counselor and Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, emphasised that the session offers an important opportunity for member states and UN Women to reaffirm their shared resolve and assess progress. Read full story

- New Zealand takes great pride in the growth of its partnership with Vietnam, a relationship that has become increasingly meaningful to both countries and their peoples, and the wider Indo-Pacific region, said New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Caroline Beresford.

In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and New Zealand (June 19, 1975 – 2025), Ambassador Beresford described the journey as remarkable. For 50 years, the two countries have worked together to uphold peace and prosperity for their peoples and the region. The friendship, cooperation, and mutual understanding Vietnam and New Zealand nurtured have grown from a seed into a deeply rooted, strong, and thriving tree, she stressed. Read full story

- Vietnam’s press industry is at a historic turning point with sweeping restructuring that includes ending operations, merging, streamlining, digital transformation, and a shift toward financial self-reliance, for sustainable development and enhancement of competitiveness in an evolving information landscape.

In this era of global integration and digitalisation, the press must adopt modern multimedia models to not only meet increasing information and communication demands but also align with the broader socio-economic development of the country. Read full story

- Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang outlined measures to achieve the goal of developing two million enterprises by 2030 as laid out in Resolution 68 on private sector development while fielding questions from deputies at the ongoing 15th National Assembly’s 9th session on June 19.

He acknowledged the target represents an important milestone for socio-economic development as well as a demonstration of the country’s aspiration for robust economic growth. However, he admitted formidable challenges like mounting external challenges and enterprises’ weak competitive capacity that require high determination, concerted efforts, and drastic actions. Read full story

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The research team collects seawater samples in Ha Long Bay and Cua Luc. (Photo: VNA)

- Vietnam has, for the first time, applied artificial intelligence (AI) and and remote sensing technologies to monitor seawater quality through a joint research initiative with Polish scientists, marking a significant step forward in enhancing environmental management and water resource governance in key coastal regions.

Rapid socio-economic development in recent years has led to growing environmental challenges in areas like Ha Long Bay and Cua Luc of Quang Ninh province, particularly the degradation of seawater quality, which threatens unique marine ecosystems. Traditional monitoring methods such as on-site sampling and laboratory analysis have proven to be costly, time-consuming, and limited in coverage. Read full story

- Vietnam’s 16 universities have been named in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2025, an increase of three compared to 2024.

These prestigious rankings evaluate universities worldwide based on their progress toward achieving the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which were introduced in 2016 to promote global peace, fairness, and prosperity. This year saw a total of 2,526 higher education institutions participate in the rankings./. Read full story

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Party General Secretary and State President To Lam meets with 101 outstanding journalists who win the National Press Awards over the years on June 16, 2026, ahead of the 101st anniversary of Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2026). (Photo: VNA)

Top leader highlights role of Vietnam’s revolutionary press in digital age

Digital transformation in journalism cannot be reduced to launching additional online platforms, opening social media accounts or investing in modern equipment. It requires a comprehensive overhaul of leadership thinking, newsroom models, production workflows, data management, content distribution, audience measurement, media economics and professional culture.

Le Thi Thuy, Secretary of the Party Committee and President of the Vietnam Women’s Union for the 14th tenure (2026–2031), speaks at the 14th National Women's Congress on June 18. (Photo: VNA)

Le Thi Thuy re-elected President of Vietnam Women’s Union

Le Thi Thuy, President of the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) for the 14th tenure, affirmed that in response to the country’s development requirements in the new era, the Central Committee and Standing Board of the VWU will continue to uphold the tradition of solidarity and unity, and make every effort to lead and coordinate the successful implementation of the Resolution of the 14th National Women’s Congress.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Nguyen Phuong Anh (L) presents her credentials to President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Alvaro Lario. (Photo: VNA)

IFAD praises Vietnam’s proactive, responsible role

President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Alvaro Lario affirmed that IFAD attaches importance to its cooperation with Vietnam and appreciates the country’s proactive and responsible engagement within IFAD, including its participation in the Fund’s replenishment cycles.

Le Thi Thuy, Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and President of the Vietnam Women's Union (VWU), delivers the opening speech at the congress on June 18. (Photo: VNA)

Women's congress charts new direction for empowerment, development

Le Thi Thuy, Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and President of the Vietnam Women's Union (VWU), highlighted the significant achievements recorded by the Union and women's movements during the previous term, saying Vietnamese women have continued to demonstrate resilience, creativity, intellectual capacity and a strong commitment to national development.

Vietnamese Minister of Finance Ngo Van Tuan (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Russia seek to remove bottlenecks in economic cooperation

Two-way trade has continued to grow, with Russia exporting products such as fertilisers and potash to Vietnam, while importing Vietnamese goods including garments-textiles and coffee. However, both sides agreed that overall trade turnover remains modest relative to the potential and the level of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

☀️ Morning digest on June 18

☀️ Morning digest on June 18

PM Le Minh Hung's activities as part of his trip to attend the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit in Russia, and a meeting of the permanent members of the Steering Committee for reviewing 100 years of the Party’s leadership of the revolution are among news highlights on June 17 evening.

PM Le Minh Hung, staff of the Vietnamese agencies, and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Russia at the meeting in Kazan on June 17. (Photo: VNA)

PM hails Vietnamese community’s contributions to Vietnam – Russia ties

The PM lauded the role and highly effective activities of the Union of Vietnamese Organisations in Russia, along with business associations, fellow-countrymen associations, professional associations, and community organisations, in uniting the community, protecting their rights and legitimate interests, upholding national cultural identity, and maintaining bonds with the homeland.

An overview of the event (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City wishes for stronger ties with Russia

The Vietnam–Russia relationship, founded on a longstanding tradition of friendship and elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, has withstood the test of time and remained resilient amid global changes

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra chairs a meeting of the Steering Committee for the War Invalids and Martyrs Day celebrations (July 27, 1947–2027) (Photo: VNA)

Deputy PM calls for practical actions to honour war heroes

Gratitude must be transformed into practical, effective, and meaningful actions. All activities should aim to provide the best possible care for relatives of martyrs, war invalids, sick veterans, and people with meritorious services to the revolution, said Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra.

 Contest on Japanese law launched for Vietnamese community in Japan

Contest on Japanese law launched for Vietnamese community in Japan

Nearly 700,000 Vietnamese are currently living, studying, and working in Japan. The vast majority integrate well into local society, respect Japanese laws and customs, pursue personal and professional development, and contribute to the host country's socio-economic growth.

Vice State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan (R) receives outgoing Argentine Ambassador Marcos Antonio Bednarski (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam praises Comprehensive Partnership with Argentina: Vice State President

Vice State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan highlighted the importance of strengthening links among business associations, enterprises, and localities through cultural exchanges, tourism, and trade promotion activities. Vietnam also seeks expanded cooperation with Argentina in science and technology, innovation, education and training, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges, she said.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam addresses the meeting (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam’s 100-year vision must reflect development aspirations: Top leader

The vision should answer major questions about what kind of developed nation Vietnam seeks to become, what foundations must be preserved, what new growth drivers should be cultivated, what breakthroughs are required, what risks the country must prepare for, and what values should be protected and promoted.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung on June 17 morning (local time) visits the "Made in Tatarstan" exhibition in Kazan, the capital of Russia's Republic of Tatarstan. (Photo: VNA)

Prime Minister visits Tatarstan's industrial and high-tech exhibition

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung on June 17 morning (local time) visited the "Made in Tatarstan" exhibition in Kazan, the capital of Russia's Republic of Tatarstan, as part of his trip to Russia to attend a summit marking the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-Russia relations and conduct bilateral activities.

The working session between Hai Phong authorities and the Lao delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Khamphan Phommathat on June 17 (Photo: VNA)

Hai Phong, Lao localities deepen cooperative ties

Hai Phong has already established friendship and cooperation agreements with the Lao provinces of Vientiane and Oudomxay, which cover Party and administration building, education - training, healthcare, tourism, investment, and trade. On the education front, the city runs scholarships for 134 students from the two provinces.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Minh Vu (R) presents the Friendship Order to former Cambodian Ambassador to Vietnam Chea Kimtha. (Photo: VNA)

Former Cambodian Ambassador to Vietnam awarded Friendship Order

During her tenure as Cambodian Ambassador to Vietnam from 2023 to 2026, Chea Kimtha made significant contributions to promoting the bilateral relations, advancing Party, State and people-to-people diplomacy, and strengthening connections among ministries, sectors and localities of both countries to effectively implement bilateral agreements.