Politics

☕ Afternoon briefing on November 19

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on November 19

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

- Party General Secretary To Lam on November 19 led a Party Central Committee delegation to visit Hon Khoai island in Dat Mui commune, the southernmost province of Ca Mau, where he held a working session with military units, Party Organisation and administration of the province.

Hon Khoai is the largest among five islands in Hon Khoai cluster, with its peak reaching 318 metres above the sea. It is characterised by rocky terrain, freshwater resources and a diverse ecosystem. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his spouse, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation arrived at Houari Boumediene International Airport in Algiers on November 18 afternoon (local time), starting a three-day official visit to Algeria at the invitation of Algerian Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb.

This is the first visit to Algeria by a Vietnamese PM in 10 years, since 2015. PM Sifi Ghrieb personally greeted and presented flowers to PM Chinh, his spouse, and the Vietnamese delegation at the foot of the aircraft stairs. Read full story

- Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have affirmed their shared priority of strengthening practical and effective defence cooperation during a series of high-level meetings held on the sidelines of the Dubai Airshow 2025.

As part of his working visit and participation in the Dubai Airshow and the 2025 Dubai International Air Chiefs’ Conference (DIACC), Deputy Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien met with Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Defence Lieutenant General Ibrahim Nasser Al-Alawi. Read full story

- Vietnam has moved up from fourth to third place in ASEAN in terms of mobile internet speed, according to the Speedtest Global Index.

Specifically, mobile speeds in Singapore are around 163.29 Mbps, in Malaysia about 163.00 Mbps, and in Vietnam approximately 146.64 Mbps. Read full story

- Mikazuki Japanese Resorts & Spa on November 18 broke ground on the second phase of its seaside complex in the central city of Da Nang, marking a new step in expanding the Japanese-style resort and entertainment hub on Da Nang Bay.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mikazuki Group Chairman Yoshimune Odaka said the resort has welcomed 2.2 million guests since it opened in June 2022, achieving an average occupancy rate of more than 70% across its 342 rooms. He said this performance provides a strong basis for continued investment. Read full story

- The Ministry of Public Security recorded an average public satisfaction rate of 96.37% for administrative procedures handled by the public security force in 2025.

The figure was released at a conference held in Can Tho city on November 18 to review the five-year implementation of the 2021–2030 state administrative reform programme within the sector. Read full story

- Torrential rains and flooding have left nine people dead, six missing and 19 injured; and forced the evacuation of nearly 16,000 residents across the central and Central Highlands regions.

According to preliminary reports from the Department of Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority (VDDMA) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, as of 11:00 on November 19, flooding had damaged 85 houses and submerged 20,454 homes, an increase of nearly 6,700 compared to the previous day. Read full story

- Dr. Do Thi Ngoc Linh, plastic surgeon at Viet Duc Hospital, and Dr. Le Diep Linh, Vice Director at the Centre for Craniofacial and Plastic Surgery, 108 Military Central Hospital, have been awarded the Honorary Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (FRCS), one of the most esteemed distinctions in global medicine. The fellowship certificate awarding ceremony was held at RCS in London.

Founded over two centuries ago, the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS) is a world-renowned institution dedicated to advancing surgical excellence, education, and patient care. The Fellowship of the College is recognised internationally as the highest mark of professional achievement for surgeons. The Honorary FRCS is reserved for individuals whose contributions to surgery and medicine have had outstanding and far-reaching impact. Read full story./.

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