☕ Afternoon briefing on May 20

Party General Secretary To Lam's reception for Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre Lazare Eloundou Assomo, the Government's issuance of an action plan to implement the Politburo’s Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW on developing the private sector, and the second round of negotiations on a reciprocal trade agreement between Vietnam and the US are among news highlights on May 20.

☕ Afternoon briefing on May 20

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

– Vietnam is always an active, trusted partner, and supporter of UNESCO, making substantive contributions as a member of key executive agencies, including the World Heritage Centre, said Party General Secretary To Lam.

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Party General Secretary To Lam (R) receives Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, on May 20. (Photo: VNA)

He made the remark at a reception for Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of the World Heritage Centre under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in Hanoi on May 20. Read full story

– Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked ministers, heads of ministerial-level agences and leaders of localities to ensure that public investment capital is fully disbursed as planned, calling for a comprehensive database to track progress and enhance accountability.

Chairing a national teleconference on May 20, PM Chinh asked the Government Office to draft a directive for his issuance, aimed at guiding the acceleration of disbursement. The directive must detail clear assignments of personnel, tasks, timelines, outcomes, responsibilities and authority. Read full story

– National Assembly (NA) deputies on May 20 debated a draft resolution on piloting a number of special mechanisms and policies aimed at boosting the development of social housing.

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A building for low-income earners in Ho Chi Minh City's District 4. (Photo: VNA)

Delivering the resolution proposal, Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh highlighted the necessity of the resolution, which is expected to accelerate the progress and shorten investment and construction time for social housing projects by providing a sufficient, comprehensive, and consistent legal framework to remove obstacles to social housing construction and development. Read full story

– The UNESCO World Heritage Centre will continue to stand alongside Vietnam in safeguarding and promoting its world heritage, Director Lazare Eloundou Assomo affirmed during a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on May 19.

Assomo reiterated UNESCO’s ongoing commitment to providing technical advice and support for the management, conservation, and enhancement of the eight recognised world heritage sites in Vietnam. Read full story

– The Government has issued Resolution No. 138/NQ-CP issuing its action plan to implement the Politburo’s Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW, dated May 4, 2025, that aims at fostering the development of the private economic sector.

Under this plan, ministries, sectors, localities, and business associations are tasked with devising and implementing widespread and regular public communication campaigns to disseminate the key content of Resolution 68. Implementation plans of each ministry, sector, and locality must include quantifiable targets and clear allocation of responsibility to ensure equitable and fair treatment of the private sector and develop open, friendly, incorruptible, and development-enabling relations between administrations and enterprises. Read full story

– The second round of negotiations on a reciprocal trade agreement between Vietnam and the US is being held in Washington, D.C. from May 19 to 22, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).

The Vietnamese delegation is led by MoIT Minister Nguyen Hong Dien, who is also head of the Government negotiation team, and includes members of the team and representatives from various ministries and the State Bank of Vietnam. Read full story

– Facing rising global trade barriers and market fluctuations, Vietnam’s fishery industry is intensifying efforts to diversify its export markets and products to sustain growth and reduce risks.

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Workers at GODACO factory in My Tho Industrial Park process tra fish for export. (Photo: VNA)

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), aquatic product exports reached 3.3 billion USD in the first four months of 2025, a 21% increase compared to the same period last year. Shrimp led the growth with a 30% surge, followed by tra fish (pangasius), which rose by 9%. Read full story

– The People’s Committee of the northern mountainous province of Cao Bang held a teleconference with the People’s Government of China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on May 19 to discuss ways to strengthen collaboration in various fields.

Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of the Cao Bang provincial People's Committee Trinh Truong Huy suggested the two sides continue paying attention to enhancing trust, and stepping up regular contacts and meetings between their leaders, as well as cultural, social and people-to-people exchange activities. Read full story./.

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General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and President To Lam and delegates attend the International Space Summit in Paris, France, on September 10 (Photo: VNA)

Top Vietnamese leader proposes space network for development and resilience at International Space Summit

In his speech, General Secretary and President Lam highly valued French President Emmanuel Macron’s initiative to organise the International Space Summit, which provides an opportunity for countries to exchange views and help shape a new vision in which the development of capabilities goes hand in hand with responsibility, and national interests are aligned with the common interests of the international community.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (left) and his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot on September 10 (Photo published by VNA)

Vietnam, France seek to deepen comprehensive strategic partnership

Vietnam attaches importance to its relations with France, one of its leading partners in Europe and on the international stage, and wishes to continue close coordination with France to deepen the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in a substantive and effective manner.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga, spouse of President of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man (right) and Gantsetseg Tsendsuren, spouse of Chairman of the State Great Hural (Parliament) of Mongolia Sandag Byambatsogt (left) at the official welcome ceremony on September 10 (Photo: VNA)

Spouses of Vietnamese, Mongolian top legislators hold meeting

Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga, spouse of President of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man, had a meeting with Gantsetseg Tsendsuren, spouse of Chairman of the State Great Hural (Parliament) of Mongolia Sandag Byambatsogt, in Ulaanbaatar on September 10.

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung has a working session with Mongolian First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Development Jadamba Enkhbayar in Ulaanbaatar on September 10 (Photo: VNA)

Deputy PM works with Mongolian counterpart

The two sides noted that Vietnam-Mongolia relations have seen substantial progress across a variety of fields, particularly since the two countries established a Comprehensive Partnership during General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam’s visit to Mongolia in September 2024.

SCAVI Hue, a wholly French-invested company owned by Financière B’Lao, specialises in manufacturing underwear, sportswear and protective clothing at Phong Dien Industrial Park in Hue. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, France seek new impetus for comprehensive strategic partnership

The official visit to France by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and President To Lam from September 9-12 demonstrates the close ties the two countries have built and maintained, according to Dr. Sophie Boisseau du Rocher, a member of the Asie21 research group and former researcher at the Centre for Asian Studies of the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI).

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam, his spouse, and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, lay a wreath at the Ho Chi Minh Monument in Montreau Park in Montreuil. (Photo published by VNA)

Top Vietnamese leader lays wreath at Ho Chi Minh Monument in France

In his speech, General Secretary and President Lam recalled the late leader’s years abroad seeking a path to national liberation and thanked the French people for their support during his years in France. He called Montreau Park a “red address” and sacred return site with deep historical meaning for Vietnamese visitors to France.

National Assembly (NA) President Tran Thanh Man (right) meets with Mongolian Prime Minister Nyam-Osor Uchral in Ulaanbaatar on September 10 (Photo: VNA)

NA President meets Mongolian Prime Minister

The Vietnamese National Assembly stands ready to remove institutional barriers and obstacles to facilitate Vietnam-Mongolia economic and trade cooperation, said National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man.

☕ Afternoon briefing on September 10

☕ Afternoon briefing on September 10

NA President Tran Thanh Man's activities during his official visit to Mongolia, Vietnam spending over 4 billion USD on meat and fishery imports in eight months, and the Government targeting 45-50 million international visitors by 2030 are among news highlights on September 10.

NA President Tran Thanh Man (L) and Chairwoman of the Mongolia–Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group J. Bayarmaa at their meeting in Ulaanbaatar on September 10 (Photo: VNA)

NA President meets Mongolia–Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group leader

Building on the past gains and common perceptions reached by leaders of both countries and their legislatures, NA President Tran Thanh Man proposed that the Mongolia–Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group remains a friendship bridge and drive substantive cooperation between the two parliaments.

Michel Criaud, a member of the French National Assembly’s Defence Committee. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, France strengthen cooperation based on dialogue, trust

The Vietnam-France relationship is rooted in history but, more importantly, has been strengthened through sincere dialogue, mutual respect and forward-looking cooperation. The two countries have built solid ties in areas including economy, higher education, culture and people-to-people exchanges.

President of the Vietnamese National Assembly Tran Thanh Man (L) and Chairman of the State Great Hural of Mongolia Sandag Byambatsogt at their talks in Ulaanbaatar on September 10, 2026 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Mongolia deepen parliamentary cooperation

The two leaders concurred in enhancing the role of the two legislatures in supporting efforts to promote substantive and effective connectivity between the two economies, commensurate with each country's potential.

President of the Vietnamese National Assembly Tran Thanh Man (L) and Chairman of the State Great Hural of Mongolia Sandag Byambatsogt at the MoU signing ceremony in Ulaanbaatar on September 10 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese, Mongolian legislatures sign MoU on cooperation

Under the MoU between the Vietnamese and Mongolian parliaments, the two sides agreed to foster legislative cooperation, contributing to effectively realising orientations and agreements reached by leaders and driving the Vietnam-Mongolia Comprehensive Partnership in a substantive and effective manner.