☕ Afternoon briefing on September 19

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man's talks with leaders of the Malaysian parliament, a new regulation on the list of leadership positions and groups of leadership positions in the political system, and Hanoi’s retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue in eight months are among news highlights on September 19.

☕ Afternoon briefing on September 19

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

– Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man held talks with Speaker of the Malaysian House of Representatives Tan Sri Dato’ Johari bin Abdul, following an official welcome ceremony organised for the top Vietnamese legislator in Kuala Lumpur on September 19.

Speaker Johari bin Abdul appreciated the significance of Chairman Man’s first official visit to Malaysia, expressing his belief that it will help enhance cooperation between the two legislative bodies, and contribute to the effective implementation of the Vietnam – Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, as well as the success of the 46th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter‑Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-46). Read full story

– Vietnam treasures and wants to effectively deploy its comprehensive strategic partnership with Malaysia, serving the interests of the people of both countries, and contributing to the building of a united and cohesive ASEAN, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man told President of the Malaysian Senate Dato Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah.

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National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and President of the Malaysian Senate Dato Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah at their meeting in Kuala Lumpur on September 19, 2025. (Photo: VNA)

At his talks with Ali Basah in Kuala Lumpur on September 19 as part of his official visit to Malaysia, the top Vietnamese legislator reaffirmed his support for the “Sustainability and Inclusivity” theme of ASEAN 2025, and pledged close coordination with Malaysia— ASEAN Chair 2025 and AIPA-46 President - and other member states to implement the set priorities. Read full story

– On behalf of the Politburo, Politburo member and Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu has signed off Regulation No. 368-QD/TW on the list of leadership positions and groups of leadership positions in the political system.

A key change is that the post of Permanent Member of the Secretariat is added to the list of "key Party and State leaders", alongside the Party General Secretary, State President, Prime Minister, and National Assembly Chairperson. Read full story

– Professor and Academician Le Truong Giang, Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), has been recognised an academician of the International Association of Academies of Sciences (IAAS), becoming the second Vietnamese to receive this title.

The title presentation ceremony took place on September 18 within the framework of the 38th meeting of the IAAS Council in Minsk, Belarus. Read full story

– Vietnam is forging powerful development momentum for a new era through sweeping reforms and transformative policies to create fresh impetus for its economic growth while opening unprecedented cooperation opportunities with international partners, including Italy, according to Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang.

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Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang speaks at the Vietnam – Italy Investment Connection Forum in Milan, the capital of Italy's Lombardy region, on September 18 (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

At the Vietnam – Italy Investment Connection Forum in Milan, the capital of Italy's Lombardy region, hosted by the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance on September 18 (local time), Thang underscored that the Vietnamese Government is drastically completing economic institutions, improving the business and investment environment, comprehensively removing bottlenecks to unlock all resources for development. Read full story

– Hanoi’s total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue reached 615.7 trillion VND (23.3 billion USD) in the first eight months of 2025, up 12.6% year-on-year, according to the National Statistics Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Finance.

Retail sales accounted for the largest share at 387.9 trillion VND, up 12.2%. Revenue from accommodation and restaurant services totalled 85.2 trillion VND, making up 13.8% and rising 16.1%. Tourism earnings stood at 22.1 trillion VND, representing 3.6% and surging 21.4%. Other services generated 120.5 trillion VND, accounting for 19.6% and increasing 10.2%. Read full story

– The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has reported that the national men’s football team fell one place to 114th in the latest FIFA rankings for September 2025, despite not playing any international matches during the recent FIFA Days.

The slip was largely due to Libya, previously behind Vietnam, climbing five places from the 117th to 112th place after consecutive victories over Angola and Eswatini. Read full story./.

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NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man and other leaders, former leaders at the 4th Dien Hong Awards honouring journalistic works on the NA and People’s Councils in Hanoi on December 18, 2025. (Photo: daibieunhandan.vn)

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane in Hanoi on December 18, 2025. (Photo: VNA)

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National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man (R) and Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane in Hanoi on December 18 (Photo: VNA)

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Vietnamese Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung (R) and his Lao counterpart Thongsavanh Phomvihane at the 12th Vietnam–Laos political consultation at the foreign ministerial level in Hanoi on December 18, 2025 (Photo: VNA)

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☕ Afternoon briefing on December 18

☕ Afternoon briefing on December 18

The introduction of special mechanisms for technology transfer in key railway projects, the opening of the Vietnam International Gifts and Housewares Expo 2025, and VinSpeed's deal on high-speed rail development with Siemens Mobility GmbH are among news highlights on December 18.

Venezuelan Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Tatiana Pugh speaks at the ceremony on December 17. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Venezuela mark 36th anniversary of diplomatic ties in Caracas

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☀️ Morning digest on December 18

☀️ Morning digest on December 18

The PM's urgent dispatch detailing key tasks to drive economic growth, Vietnam's endorsement of the joint statement to strengthen the global partnership against online scams, and the conclusion of a four-year partnership to strengthen child justice in Vietnam are among news highlights on December 17 evening.

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man checks photo display for the award ceremony (Photo: VNA)

NA Chairman attends rehearsal for fourth Dien Hong awards

More than 10 months after the competition’s launch, the organising board received 3,508 entries from 125 media outlets nationwide. After initial screening, 659 works proceeded to preliminary judging, from which a preliminary jury selected 91 entries for the final round. The final jury ultimately selected 64 works for awards.

Illustrative image (Source: VNA)

PM directs tasks to boost economic growth

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At the meeting between the Dien Bien Party Committee’s Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation and the propaganda information and training commissions of the Party committees of the Lao provinces of Phongsaly, Oudomxay and Luang Prabang, held in Vietnam's northwestern mountainous province on December 17. (Photo: dienbientv.vn)

Dien Bien strengthens cooperation, exchanges with three northern Lao provinces

A meeting between the Dien Bien Party Committee’s Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation and the propaganda information and training commissions of the Party committees of the Lao provinces of Phongsaly, Oudomxay and Luang Prabang was held in Vietnam's northwestern mountainous province on December 17.

Politburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu speaks at the meeting with Lao Cai voters on December 17. (Photo: VNA)

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