China's newly-elected Premier Li Qiang takes the oath at the first session of the National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, China, on March 11. (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
Legislators are due to pass several amended laws, including the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy, and the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality.
Vietnamese localities' readiness to implement the two-tier local administration model, the evacuation of 18 Vietnamese citizens from Iran, Petrovietnam's 11th ranking in the 2025 Fortune Southeast Asia 500 are among news highlights on June 17 evening.
The General Secretary underlined the resolve to achieve a growth rate of at least 8% in 2025, laying the groundwork for double-digit growth in the following period. He noted that these are mandatory targets, with no alternative path to success.
Restructuring and improving the quality of officials, civil servants, and public employees is no longer a choice, but an urgent requirement to transition from administrative management to governance in service of the people.
Vietnamese leaders have sent congratulatory messages to their Icelandic counterparts on the occasion of Iceland’s National Day (June 17).
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel has advised Vietnamese people living there to proactively prepare and seek ways to leave the country via land border crossings, especially toward Jordan or Egypt, when security and safety conditions allow.
Vietnam and New Zealand are working toward a breakthrough to achieve a bilateral trade target of 3 billion USD by 2026. Education and training will remain a key pillar of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with diverse joint programmé and attractive scholarships to build a high-quality workforce for the future.
The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.
Responding to concerns from international reporters about the potential impact of the reform scheme on the business environment, Deputy Minister of Finance Ho Sy Hung emphasised that the changes will not pose obstacles to investment or business operations.
India and Can Tho city agreed to enhance multi-sector bilateral cooperation at a working session on June 17 between municipal leaders and Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Sandeep Arya.
From July 1, 2025 to December 31, 2026, the VAT rate will be reduced to 8% from 10% for goods and services specified in Clause 3, Article 9 of the Law on VAT No. 48/2024/QH15.
Quang Ninh is among the first localities nationwide to pilot the two-tier model, ahead of the full national roll-out scheduled for July 1.
The implementation results of socio-economic development plans in 2024 and the first months of 2025 are among issues under discussion on June 17.
The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last night by the Vietnam News Agency.
Assoc. Prof. Phan Thi Hong Xuan, Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City’s Vietnam–Southeast Asia Friendship Association described the event as a reflection of the enduring solidarity between the two nations and a shared commitment to a future of deeper, long-term cooperation within the ASEAN community.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son described Australia as one of Vietnam’s most trusted and important partners in the region, with high level of political trust and shared strategic vision on key issues.
Instead of relying solely on ticket revenues, investors may be granted rights to exploit land around railway stations and urban areas, thereby generating resources for reinvestment, accoding to the draft revised law.
The reforms included the NA’s resolution on the amendments and supplements to several articles of the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the revised Law on Organisation of Local Government, and the ordinance amending and supplementing Article 10 of the Population Ordinance.
During the session, Nguyen Thi Quyen Thanh, a deputy from the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long, proposed that the drafting committee further specify support policies to further encourage and facilitate the participation of women in UN peacekeeping missions.
Discussions centred on appointments to the NA Ethnic Council and the NA Committee on Deputy Affairs, as well as personnel proposals to be submitted for consideration at the 15th NA’s ongoing ninth session.
