Politics

☕ Afternoon briefing on September 18

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on September 18

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 on September 18 highlighted prevention as a strategic, fundamental, long-term, decisive, and sustainable approach to non-traditional security threats, stressing that comprehensive and holistic measures must be taken with the people at the centre as the main actors.

The PM addressed a national conference in Hanoi to launch Resolution 147/NQ-CP, a key strategy for the prevention of and response to non-traditional security threats by 2030, with a vision for 2045. Read full story

- National Assembly Vice Chairman Le Minh Hoan on September 18 met with Wouter Beke, chair of the European Parliament delelegation, who expressed the hope for stronger relations with both Vietnam and ASEAN.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 46th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-46) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Read full story

- Multilateralism and practical defence cooperation are indispensable in building a fairer and more rational global security governance system, Vietnamese Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang told delegates at the first plenary session of the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum on September 18.

Giang, who is Politburo member and Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, noted that in a context where traditional and non-traditional security challenges are increasingly intertwined, multilateralism is not merely an option but an inevitable path to maintain peace and stability. Defence cooperation, conducted in a spirit of transparency, self-defence and shared benefit, will serve as a vital bridge between principles and action. Read full story

- Ho Chi Minh City plans to roll out restrictions on mobile phone and electronic device use during break times at schools, starting from the 2025–2026 academic year.

The initiative will be piloted at 16 schools before expanded across the city from January 2026, heard a conference held by the municipal Department of Education and Training on September 18. Read full story

- Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Tuong Van proposed three key areas of cooperation at the 2025 China-ASEAN Ministerial Roundtable on Construction, which was held on September 15 in Guilin, Guangxi province, China.

Speaking at the plenary session, Van highlighted Vietnam’s achievements, experience, and orientations in housing and urban development. He reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to actively and responsibly participating in regional cooperation mechanisms, notably the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN). Read full story

- Vietnam is witnessing a steady rise in foreign direct investment (FDI) from Europe, with increasing businesses viewing the country as a strategic destination, particularly in clean energy, high technology, semiconductors, and infrastructure.

Figures show that European investors channelled 2.5 billion USD of FDI into Vietnam in 2022, climbing to 3.25 billion USD two years later. Read full story

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Hoi An ancient town has been named the most beautiful historic centre in Asia. (Photo: VNA)

- Vietnam’s ancient town of Hoi An has been named the most beautiful historic centre in Asia by French online travel platform Tourlane, placing it alongside globally acclaimed destinations such as Krakow in Poland, Avignon in France, and Cartagena in Colombia.

In its early September announcement, Tourlane evaluated old quarters across four criteria of pedestrian space, age, entrance fees, and popularity on Instagram. Hoi An tops the list for Asia due to its well-preserved 16th-century architecture, affordable entrance fees of 2 EUR (2.36 USD), and a pedestrian-friendly layout. Read full story

- Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung has signed off a plan to establish a national enterprise database with a view to serving governance and enhancing business support services.

The database will cover enterprises of all economic segments nationwide, comprising state-owned firms, non-state companies, and foreign-invested ones. Read full story

- VTN Architects’ Grand World Phu Quoc Welcome Centre has clinched the Special Award for Sustainability at the 2025 ARCASIA Awards for Architecture (AAA), Asia’s premier architectural competition.

The accolade, announced at the Asian Congress of Architects in the Republic of Korea, marks the eighth recognition for the company, solidifying its reputation as a trailblazer in green design across the continent./. Read full story

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