Hanoi (VNA) – The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.
– State President Luong Cuong on November 18 attended the Great National Unity Festival in Bao An village, Go Noi commune, Da Nang city, on the occasion of the 95th traditional day of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (November 18, 1930 – 2025), which is also the 2025 Great National Unity Day.
On behalf of Party and State leaders, President Cuong extended his heartfelt sympathy to people of Da Nang city and communities across the country for the losses and damage caused by storms and floods. He showed his profound gratitude to frontline forces, including the military and police, village and commune officials, authorities at all levels, and citizens nationwide, who have shared what they have, braved dangers, and devoted themselves to protecting the lives and property of the people. Read full story
– Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called for urgent, proactive and coordinated measures to prevent, respond to and quickly remedy the impacts of severe flooding in the central region, stressing the need for maximum vigilance, determination and preparedness for worst-case scenarios.
In Official Dispatch No. 219/CD-TTg issued to the provinces and cities of Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, Hue, Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Khanh Hoa and Lam Dong, along with ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, Government units and the Office of the National Civil Defence Steering Committee, the PM requested immediate implementation of essential actions to safeguard communities, with the protection of human life placed above all else. Read full story
– President of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic Milos Vystrcil arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on November 18, beginning a five-day official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man.
The visit by the Czech Senate President demonstrates that parliamentary cooperation is an important pillar of bilateral relations and underscores the commitment of both countries to strengthening linkages, promoting cooperation, and elevating Vietnam – Czech relations to a new height. Read full story
– Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Slovakia Robert Kaliňák in Hanoi on November 18, during which the host suggested the two sides strengthen exchanges and establish cooperation mechanisms to enhance mutual understanding and explore measures to step up their collaboration.
Giang also expressed his hope that Slovakia will soon appoint a Defence Attaché to Vietnam to help facilitate the implementation of agreed cooperation activities. Read full story
– Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed a decision approving a plan for implementing the Protocol Amending the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.
The plan forms an important basis for Vietnam to fully meet its obligations under the agreement and to promote a more sustainable approach to fisheries management. Read full story
– The Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), in coordination with the Missions of Austria, Australia, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Laos, and South Africa and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), hosted a diplomatic reception on November 17 to celebrate the successful opening for signature of the UN Convention against Cybercrime (Hanoi Convention).
A roundtable discussion was also held to discuss the acceleration the convention’s entry into force and effective implementation. Read full story
– Vietnam has continued to strengthen its position as Singapore’s 10th largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching a total of 33 billion SGD (around 25.3 billion USD) in the first ten months of 2025, setting a new record for their trade volume.
The Vietnam Trade Office in Singapore cited statistics from the Singapore Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) as showing that during this period, bilateral trade exceeded the full-year 2024 record of 31.67 billion SGD to increase 26.7% compared to the same period last year. Read full story
– Floods triggered by torrential rains and landslides from November 16 night have battered the central region, leaving at least 14 people dead or missing, according to the Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
The south-central province of Khanh Hoa has reported the heaviest losses, with nine people dead or missing, including seven deaths and two people unaccounted for. Read full story
– The US has pledged an emergency assistance package worth 500,000 USD to support Vietnam in dealing with the devastation caused by Typhoon Fengshen and Typhoon Kalmaegi.
This follows the 500,000 USD in relief aid Washington provided in October. Read full story./.
