Politics

☕ Afternoon briefing on May 9

A Government meeting on expediting the reorganisation of administrative units, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment's opposition to China’s seasonal fishing ban in certain areas of the East Sea, and the opening of IRONMAN 70.3 Vietnam 2025 are among news highlights on May 9.

☕ Afternoon briefing on May 9

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

– Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has directed the urgent allocation of funds to support individuals retiring or impacted by the ongoing restructuring of the political system's administrative apparatus during a Government meeting on May 9.

At the meeting, which focused on expediting the reorganisation of administrative units and the implementation of a two-level local government model, PM Chinh also called for clear guidance regarding the management of public assets and facilities throughout the restructuring process. Read full story

– Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son had a meeting with Azerbaijani Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov in Baku on May 8 as part of Party General Secretary To Lam’s state visit to the Central Asian country.

Son expressed gratitude to Bayramov and his Azerbaijani colleagues for their meticulous preparations and warm reception for the Vietnamese Party chief’s first-ever trip to the country, laying stress on the historic significance of the visit which demonstrated the deep political trust between the two nations and their desire to develop the bilateral relations in a more substantive and effective manner. Read full story

– China’s seasonal fishing ban in certain areas of the East Sea is invalid as it violates Vietnam’s sovereignty, sovereign rights, jurisdiction and interests in the sea, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

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A Vietnamese fishing vessel operating in the northern waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. (Photo: VNA)

The ministry made the statement in an official dispatch sent to the People’s Committees of coastal provinces and centrally-run cities regarding China’s announcement of a temporary fishing ban in the East Sea. Read full story

– Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien led a Vietnamese delegation to the second Special ASEAN Economic Ministers' Meeting on negotiations for upgrading the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), which took place on May 9 in an online format.

Dien supported the early conclusion of the ATIGA upgrade negotiations and praised the positive results done by the ATIGA Upgrade Trade Negotiating Committee (TNC) and technical groups in recent times. Read full story

– Vietnam Airlines has officially resumed its direct flight service between Hanoi and Moscow, following a three-year suspension.

The inaugural flight, coded VN63, departed from Noi Bai International Airport at 9:45 am on May 8 and arrived at Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow at 3:40 pm local time. The flight carried 254 passengers, achieving full capacity. All passengers on board received commemorative gifts from the national flag carrier to mark this occasion. Read full story

– Vietnam expects a bumper crop of lychee this year with an output of 303,000 tonnes, about 30% higher than that of last year, according to the Plant Production and Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

Favourable weather conditions and proper disease control are attributed to the increased production. Read full story

– Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has issued a dispatch asking for coordinated actions to maintain stability in the production, sale, and export of agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products in response to mounting global trade uncertainties.

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Efforts will be focused on promoting large-scale, sustainable, and green agricultural practices (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam’s agro-forestry-fishery sector has enjoyed steady growth over recent years, especially in food production. However, tariff policy changes in several countries signal looming global trade disruptions that could severely impact both production and exports, particularly of agricultural products. Still, the PM noted this is considered an opportunity to push for sustainable reform, product diversification, and market expansion. Read full story

– IRONMAN 70.3 Vietnam 2025, the largest multi-sports festival in Southeast Asia, opened in the central coastal city of Da Nang on May 9, drawing over 3,500 athletes from more than 70 countries and territories.

Themed "A Decade of Triumph – Where Every Finish Line is a New Beginning", the tournament celebrates the 10th year of IRONMAN in Vietnam, affirming the country’s position as a premier endurance sports destination. Read full story./.

VNA
#afternoon briefing #reorganisation of administrative units #East Sea #IRONMAN 70.3 Vietnam #ATIGA #lychee
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