☕ Afternoon briefing on September 8

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on September 8

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 has issued an official dispatch, setting forth directions for the coordination of fiscal and monetary policies, with a clear focus on sustaining macroeconomic stability while driving economic growth.

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Transaction at Vietcombank (Photo: VNA)

The official dispatch, dated September 7, underlines the Government’s determination to achieve the 2025 GDP growth target of 8.3–8.5%, laying the foundation for double-digit expansion in subsequent years. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on September 7 evening chaired a high-level meeting with key ministries and agencies to review progress and accelerate the implementation of the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway project, during which he stressed the need for prompt completion of the project’s feasibility study.

Discussions focused on finalising high-speed railway standards and securing capital for rail infrastructure projects. Read full story

- The Hanoi People’s Court opened the first-instance trial on September 8 for former Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly Office Pham Thai Ha and 28 co-defendants involved in a major corruption case connected to the Thuan An Group.

The charges include “violating bidding regulations causing serious consequences”, “abuse of position and power while performing duty,” and “abuse of power to influence others for personal gain”. Read full story

- Vietnam’s economy expanded by 7.5% in the first half of 2025, one of the fastest rates in the region, reflecting strong momentum despite continued global uncertainties, according to the latest Vietnam Economic Update by the World Bank (WB), released on September 8.

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At the launch event for the World Bank’s Vietnam Economic Update. (Photo: VNA)

The report said the strong momentum provides a solid basis for Vietnam to achieve its growth target for the whole year, even as the global economy continues to face geopolitical and trade challenges. Read full story

- Vietnam’s wushu team has wrapped up their tournament at the 2025 World Championships in Brazil with two gold, two silver and three bronze medals.

Early on September 8 (Vietnam time), fighter Dinh Van Tam competed in the men’s 52kg sanda (combat) category, earning the silver medal. Tam was the only Vietnamese male sanda fighter to reach this year's final. Read full story

- "Love in Vietnam", a co-production between Innovations India and Samten Hills Vietnam, had its official premiere in New Delhi on September 7, attracting wide interest from audiences in both countries.

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The film "Love in Vietnam" is the first co-production project between Vietnam and India. (Photo: Saigon Giai phong)

Inspired by the renowned Turkish novel "Madonna in a Fur Coat", the film portrays the tender love story of Manav (Shantanu Maheshwari), a young man aspiring to become a singer who is sent to study in Vietnam. There, he is enchanted by the self-portrait of Linh (Kha Ngan), a painter and dancer, setting the stage for a poignant romance. Read full story

- The Ho Chi Minh City International Travel Expo 2025 (ITE HCMC 2025) attracted more than 46,000 visitors, including international buyers, journalists and social media influencers, according to organisers.

The event took place from September 4 to 6 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in Tan My ward, with an expanded scale and connections to the Export Forum 2025 and the “International Supply Chain Connectivity” event. Read full story

- Vietnam left a strong impression at the Embassy Festival in The Hague of the Netherlands on September 6, where art and fashion performances by the Vietnamese community showcased a nation that is both traditional and modern, graceful yet powerful.

The annual Embassy Festival drew tens of thousands worldwide to celebrate cultural diversity. Its 13th edition, featuring nearly 50 embassies under the theme “Honouring unity, heritage and cultural diversity,” underscored culture’s power to connect people, foster harmony, and open doors to understanding. Read full story

- The Exhibition of National Achievements at the National Exposition Centre in Hanoi’s Dong Anh commune is drawing crowds, serving as both a major political and cultural event and a vibrant showcase of 34 cities and provinces restructured under recent administrative reforms.

The event offers visitors a vivid “miniature journey” through Vietnam’s diverse regions. Inside halls H5, H6, and H7, every booth is a dazzling deep dive into a locality’s culture, history, and economic potential./. Read full story

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