☕ Afternoon briefing on October 18

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on October 18

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

- Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man and other top legislators of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA)’s member countries attended a meeting of the AIPA Executive Committee within the framework of the organisation’s 45th General Assembly in Vientiane on October 18.

Participants discussed and approved the working agenda for the 45th AIPA General Assembly. Read full story

- National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his counterparts from Laos Saysomphone Phomvihane, who is Chair of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), and Cambodia Khuon Sudary had a working breakfast in Vientiane on October 18 on the occasion of the 45th General Assembly of the AIPA.

Man and Khuon Sudary congratulated Laos on its success in performing the role of the ASEAN Chair in 2024, and expressed their belief that with the thorough preparations and rich experience of the Lao NA leader, the country will continue to reap more successes as the AIPA Chair in 2024, contributing to enhancing the country’s position and role in the region and the word. Read full story

- Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man on October 18 met with General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith in Vientiane, within the framework of his official visit to the neighbouring country and his attendance at the 45th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).

Welcoming Man and the high-level NA delegation, Sisoulith said that the visit carries important significance and will contribute to further strengthening the closely-knit relationship between the two countries. It serves as a great encouragement and motivation for Laos during its tenure as ASEAN Chair and AIPA Chair in 2024. Read full story

- The 10th National Congress of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) held its closing session in Hanoi on October 18.

At the session, delegates listened to a report on results of speeches and discussions at the congress. Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long provided an overview of the country’s socio-economic development and the coordination between the Government and the VFF Central Committee. Meanwhile, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Quang Phuong delivered an address on the coordination between the parliament and the VFF Central Committee. Read full story

- Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha had a meeting with General Director of Pacific Construction Group of China Wo Jing in Hanoi on October 18.

The Vietnamese official welcomed leading Chinese corporations and businesses to explore opportunities for investment and business cooperation in Vietnam through major projects that exemplify China's technological advancement and align with Vietnam's demands. Read full story

- The Australia-Vietnam Policy Institute (AVPI) Conference 2024 was held in Adelaide city on October 17, under the theme of “Embracing transition, transformation and trust: Exploring the future of the Australia-Vietnam relationship”.

The event brought together over 130 delegates who are esteemed experts and scholars specialising in Vietnam-Australia relations, as well as representatives from the two countries’ businesses. They discussed and explored emerging opportunities while analysing the importance of building and maintaining trust, and identifying solutions to enhance bilateral cooperation across all sectors, contributing to their development and prosperity in the coming time. Read full story

- Vietnam is 99th out of the 165 countries in the Economic Freedom of the World ranking by Canada’s Fraser Institute, up four places from last year.

The institute has released its annual report with 2022 data. The rankings measure the degree to which the policies and institutions of countries are supportive of economic freedom, considering five metrics: size of government, legal system and property rights, sound money, freedom to trade internationally, and regulation. Read full story

- Vietnam has been voted as one the 20 best countries favoured by global travelers in 2024 by the renowned US travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler.

Over 575,000 readers of the New York-based magazine participated in the survey, sharing insights on various travel experiences, including cities, islands, hotels, resorts, cruise ships, spas, and airlines. Read full story

- A comic exhibition featuring 64 works by Vietnamese and Spanish artists opened in the central city of Da Nang on October 17, highlighting the image of women as “superheroines”.

Opening the event, Vice Director of the Da Nang Culture and Sports Department Nguyen Thi Hoi An said this is an opportunity for the Da Nang public to get a deeper insight into the culture and life of the Spanish nation and people, especially women - the "superheroines" portrayed through the unique and creative drawings by female artists. Read full story./.

VNA

See more

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam (L) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi witness the exchange of cooperation documents between the two countries. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam-India relations enter new phase of development: Indian expert

The elevation of bilateral ties to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership reflects the increasingly deep convergence of geopolitical, economic, maritime and civilisational interests between the two countries, former Indian Deputy National Security Adviser S.D. Pradhan told Vietnam News Agency correspondents in New Delhi.

At the meeting between Vietnam's Politburo member Nguyen Thanh Nghi and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka G. Weerasinghe and General Secretary of the Sri Lanka-Vietnam Solidarity Association Sudasinghe Sugathapala. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese Party official meets leaders of Sri Lankan political parties

Nguyen Thanh Nghi, Politburo member, Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and Chairman of its Commission for Policies and Strategies, held meetings in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on May 8 with leaders of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP - People's Liberation Front), the Communist Party of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka-Vietnam Solidarity Association.

Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Numan Kurtulmuş (R) receives Vietnamese Ambassador to Türkiye Dang Thi Thu Ha (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Türkiye strengthen parliamentary cooperation

Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Numan Kurtulmuş affirmed that Türkiye considers Vietnam an important partner in Southeast Asia, emphasising that similarities in historical depth, cultural identity, foreign policy orientations and family values provide a strong foundation for elevating bilateral ties to a new level.

Participants pose for a group photo at the ceremony in Hanoi on the evening of May 8,2026, to celebrate Europe Day (May 9). (Photo: VNA)

Europe Day 2026 marked in Hanoi

EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier reaffirmed the bloc's commitment to accompanying Vietnam in achieving its goals of becoming a developed economy by 2045 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, while ensuring energy security amid global uncertainties.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam (L) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet the press to announce the outcomes of their talks. The two sides issued a joint statement on the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and India. (Photo: VNA)

Top leader’s visits opening new phase of deeper, more effective ties with India, Sri Lanka: FM

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung described the visits as particularly important and historic, taking place at a meaningful moment as Vietnam and India mark the 10th anniversary of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and just one month after the top leader of Vietnam assumed his new position. For Sri Lanka, this was the highest-level visit by a Vietnamese leader since the two countries established diplomatic relations.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung attends the plenary session of the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Philippines. (Photo: VNA)

PM’s presence in ASEAN Summit spreads message of dynamic, strongly rising Vietnam: official

Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang said that the Vietnamese delegation made important contributions to the summit’s success, reflecting the foreign policy orientation set out by the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, which continues to place ASEAN at the centre of Vietnam’s regional engagement, as well as its commitment to proactive, positive and responsible contributions to ASEAN Community-building process.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam reviews the honor guard. Photo: VNA

Vietnam’s top leader concludes successful state visit to Sri Lanka

Vietnam and Sri Lanka agreed to elevate political trust and comprehensively develop the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation as well as expand high-level and all-level exchanges and contacts, regularly implement bilateral cooperation mechanisms across various fields.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President of Vietnam To Lam (R) meets with Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Harini Amarasuriya in Colombo on the afternoon of May 8. (Photo: VNA)

Top Vietnamese leader meets with Sri Lankan PM in Colombo

The two leaders agreed that their countries will work together to turn the good intentions and aspirations for bilateral relations into tangible outcomes so that in the future, they could look back with pride on the achievements born from today’s determination.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (fifth, left) and heads of delegations from ASEAN countries attend the opening ceremony of the 48th ASEAN Summit on May 8, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

PM Le Minh Hung concludes trip to 48th ASEAN Summit

The trip was considered a success both multilaterally and bilaterally, leaving a positive impression of Vietnam’s proactive, active and responsible spirit, as well as its substantive and effective contributions to ASEAN’s common work and efforts to promote ties with member states.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (right) and his Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone at their meeting in Cebu on May 8 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam PM meets with Lao, Malaysian counterparts in Philippines

Vietnam always gives the highest priority to the Vietnam–Laos relationship and will continue joining Laos in nurturing and deepening bilateral cooperation in a sustainable and practical manner for the benefit of the two countries' people, said Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (right) meets with ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn in Cebu, the Philippines, on May 8. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese Prime Minister meets ASEAN Secretary-General

Vietnam wishes to continue working closely with ASEAN member states and the ASEAN Secretariat in the community building process, said Prime Minister Le Minh Hung while meeting ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn on May 8 on the sidelines of the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Philippines.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (right) and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at their meeting in Cebu, the Philippines, on May 8 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese PM meets leaders of Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia

Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung held separate meetings with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on May 8 as part of his trip to attend the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Philippines.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (fifth, left) and the heads of delegations attend the retreat session of the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Philippines, on May 8 (Photo: VNA)

PM outlines three key proposals to respond to energy crisis at ASEAN Summit

ASEAN should take the lead in upholding rules and strengthening trust in international relations by consistently promoting multilateralism and respect for international law. It should actively contribute to maintaining security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight globally and in the region, said Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central and President of Vietnam To Lam (second, right) talks to Speaker of Sri Lanka's Parliament Jagath Wickramaratne at their meeting in Colombo on May 8 (Photo: VNA)

Top leader of Vietnam stresses parliamentary ties' importance to relations with Sri Lanka

Highlighting the important role of parliamentary cooperation, the Party and State leader of Vietnam expressed his wish for the two legislatures to strengthen coordination, soon sign a cooperation agreement, and work together to effectively supervise the implementation of the high-level agreements and signed cooperation documents, especially economic cooperation initiatives aimed at achieving 1 billion USD in bilateral trade turnover.