☕ Afternoon briefing on September 20

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on September 20

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

- The upcoming trip to attend the United Nations Summit of the Future and the 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 79), and to hold working sessions in the US by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and State President To Lam is of great significance, as it serves as an opportunity to affirm Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralism, and diversification of international relations.

The statement was made by Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung on the threshold of the visit. The trip coincides with the first anniversary of the two countries' comprehensive strategic partnership, and comes as both sides are preparing for the 30th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2025. Read full story

- Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet has suggested Vietnam and Bhutan promote cooperation and mutual understanding, towards further boosting the bilateral relations.

At a reception on September 19 for Ambassador of Bhutan to Thailand and Vietnam Kinzang Dorji on the occasion of the diplomat's visit to Vietnam to present his credentials, Viet highlighted the fruitful development of the Vietnam – Bhutan relations, proposing the two sides further strengthen delegation exchanges at all levels. Read full story

- Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang held separate meetings on September 18 with Danish Permanent Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Jeppe Tranholm-Mikkelsen, Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark Ole Thonke who is in charge of the Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit, and the organising board of the first edition of the summit in 2018 to learn experience from the European country in hosting the summit.

At the meetings, the two sides shared the delight at the growing relations between Vietnam and Denmark over the past more than 50 years with important strategic partnership frameworks, including the strategic partnership in the field of climate change, energy, environment and green growth since 2011, comprehensive partnership in 2013, and green strategic partnership in 2023. Read full story

- Typhoon Yagi has caused severe damage in many provinces and cities in the northern region, including major tourist centres such as Hanoi, Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, and Sa Pa (Lao Cai). In an effort to overcome the damage, many localities have organised activities to welcome tourists back.

In Quang Ninh province which was directly hit by the typhoon on September 7, from September 13, the Management Board of Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, has welcomed visitors at places that meet safety standards. Read full story

- Ho Chi Minh City plans to invest in compressed natural gas (CNG) filling stations at bus terminals at District 8, Nga Tu Ga and new Mien Dong (Eastern) Bus Station.

The city currently has three CNG filling stations at An Suong Bus Station, Ho Chi Minh City National University, and Pho Quang depot. These stations serve 510 CNG buses operating on 18 subsidised bus routes. Read full story

- Dr. Phan Bich Thien, a Vietnamese woman residing in Hungary, has become the only foreign woman featured in a book which highlights 21 Hungarian women that have made significant contributions across various fields, including science, society, economy, arts, and sports.

The book narrates their life stories and motivations through conversations between writer and journalist Szabó Attila Zoltan and these women. They include Hungarian chess champion Krizsán Edith; renowned singer Csepregi Éva; Prof. Dr. Szirmai Ágnes, Hungary's first female professor in the fields of ear, nose, throat (ENT), and balance neurology and 107-year-old Gizella, among others. 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.