Information minister receives Xinhua News Agency’s Vice President

Deputy head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education and Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung hosted a reception in Hanoi on October 15 for Vice President of China’s Xinhua News Agency Zhang Sutang.
Information minister receives Xinhua News Agency’s Vice President ảnh 1 Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung (R) and Vice President of Xinhua News Agency Zhang Sutang (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy head of the Party CentralCommittee’s Commission for Information and Education and Minister ofInformation and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung hosted a reception in Hanoi onOctober 15 for Vice President of China’s Xinhua News Agency Zhang Sutang.

Zhang is making a working visit to Vietnam from October 14 –18 at the invitation of the State-run Vietnam News Agency (VNA).

Minister Hung expressed his delight at the outcomes ofcooperation between the VNA and Xinhua over the past years, which he said hascontributed to popularizing each country’s external policies, enhancingfriendship between the two Parties and mutual understanding between the Vietnameseand Chinese people.

He hailed Xinhua for its renovation efforts recently such asadopting new technologies such as big data, cloud computing,Internet-of-Things, and artificial intelligence.

Zhang briefed the host about the organisational structure andoperating model of Xinhua - the national news agency of China.

He believed that Xinhua and VNA share many similarities and willcontinue to effectively carry out signed agreements, enhance informationsharing and exchange of visits, as well as support each other’s residentreporters.

VNA General Director Nguyen Duc Loi also received the Xinhuadelegation the same day, during which he expressed thanks to Xinhua for its helpto VNA through providing equipment and training for reporters and editors.

On information sharing, he said Xinhua’s news, especiallythose in English and Chinese, provide an important source of international newsfor VNA, especially those regarding China and Northeast Asia.

The host suggested that both sides should increaseinformation sharing and fight negative news about their respective countries’situation, especially distorted and reactionary news that aims to divide thetwo nations.

As national news agencies, Xinhua and VNA should carry morepositive news about the other country, thus strengthening public trust in thepolitical system and protecting the ideological foundation and the path tosocialism in each country, he said.

Zhang shared Loi’s view that the two sides should promotethe sharing of information and expertise towards improving news quality andmutual understanding between the two countries’ people.

Also in the morning the same day, VNA Deputy GeneralDirector Vu Viet Trang held talks with Vice President Zhang.

Both sides reviewed the implementation of the professionalcooperation agreement signed in 2017 during a Vietnam visit by Xinhua PresidentCai Minzhao and commitments during the China visit in 2018 by General DirectorLoi.

Trang said English news by Xinhua is one of the major newssources used by VNA.

VNA receives about 5,000 – 6,000 photos from Xinhua eachmonth, and sends about 10 photos featuring Vietnam’s political, socio-economicand cultural situation to Xinhua each day, she said, adding that VNA also usesvideo news with stable quality provided by Xinhua.

Host and guest pledged to expand cooperation in moderncommunications and share experience in new reporting methods.

As Vietnam and China will celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year, both sides promised to work closelytogether to cover visits by leaders as well as the traditional friendship andachievement of cooperation between Vietnam and China.

In the afternoon, the Xinhua delegation visited the VietnamAcademy of Social Sciences./.

VNA

See more

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam (8th from left, first row) and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly, and Swiss President Guy Parmelin and his spouse Caroline Parmelin present flowers to artists performing at the banquet. (Photo: VNA)

Top Vietnamese leader hosts banquet in honour of Swiss President

The General Secretary and President noted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1971, Vietnam and Switzerland have consistently nurtured their friendship, strengthened political trust and expanded cooperation across various fields for the benefit of their people.

Madam Ngo Phuong Ly (second from right) and Madam Caroline Parmelin (second from left) make herbal pillows using traditional ingredients. (Photo: VNA)

Spouses of Vietnamese, Swiss leaders visit Hanoi University of Pharmacy

Hanoi University of Pharmacy holds special significance in bilateral relations as it is closely associated with Alexandre Yersin, a French scientist of Swiss origin born in 1863 in the canton of Vaud, the homeland of President Parmelin. Yersin was the first principal of the Indochina Medical College, the predecessor of today’s Hanoi University of Pharmacy and Hanoi Medical University. He also made important contributions to the development of medicine in Vietnam.

Liechtenstein Prime Minister Brigitte Haas (L) is welcomed at Noi Bai International Airport by Minister of Finance Ngo Van Tuan. (Photo: VNA)

Liechtenstein Prime Minister arrives in Hanoi, starting official visit to Vietnam

The visit comes at a favourable time, following the conclusion of negotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in July 2026. The agreement is expected to provide an important framework for further expanding Vietnam’s economic ties with Liechtenstein and other EFTA members, facilitating trade, investment and business connections.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Hungary Bui Le Thai (L) shakes hands with Prof. Dr. Csaba Gyuricza, Rector of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences Research (MATE). (Photo published by VNA)

Vietnam, Hungary promote cooperation in agriculture, science, technology

Noting that Vietnam is accelerating its shift towards a growth model driven by science and technology, innovation and digital transformation, the Ambassador called on MATE to strengthen cooperation with Vietnamese partners in areas of shared strengths and complementary needs, including biotechnology, climate-resilient crop breeding, agricultural product processing and preservation, sustainable aquaculture, smart agriculture and artificial intelligence (AI) applications.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam (second from right) and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly pose for a photo with Swiss President Guy Parmelin and his spouse Caroline Parmelin. (Photo: VNA)

Top Vietnamese leader hosts welcome ceremony for Swiss President

Over the past 55 years since establishing diplomatic relations, Vietnam and Switzerland have become reliable and effective partners across various fields. Political trust has continued to be strengthened through visits and high-level meetings. In January 2025, the two countries established a Comprehensive Partnership, marking a new milestone in the bilateral relations. Since then, their cooperation has continued to deepen and become more effective.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang (R) receives State Secretary at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Astrid Bergmål in Hanoi on October 16. (Photo: Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Vietnam, Norway promote multifaceted cooperation

Hang welcomed Bergmål’s first visit to Vietnam, affirming that Vietnam attaches importance to its traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Norway. She expressed her satisfaction with the positive development of the bilateral ties, underpinned by political trust, mutual respect and a shared commitment to sustainable development.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung delivers a report on the implementation of the 2026 socio-economic development plan and a proposed plan for 2027 at the 16th National Assembly’s second session, which opened on October 17 morning. (Photo: VNA)

Fourteen of 15 key targets for 2026 to be met or exceeded: PM

Amid a complex international and regional environment, proactive engagement across the entire political system has yielded major and relatively comprehensive socio-economic achievements, with 14 out of the 15 primary socio-economic targets expected to be met or exceeded.

The opening session sees the presence of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam (sixth from left, first row), and incumbent and former Party and State leaders. (Photo: VNA)

NA President calls for high-quality legislation to drive national development

NA President Tran Thanh Man said the session takes place shortly after the fourth plenum of the 14th Party Central Committee and less than two months after the NA’s first extraordinary session, demonstrating the determination and urgency to institutionalise the Party’s guidelines and decisions, address bottlenecks, mobilise resources and create new drivers for rapid and sustainable national development.

Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Dai Thang (R) welcomes Swiss President Guy Parmelin and his spouse Caroline Parmelin at Noi Bai International Airport. (Photo: VNA)

Swiss President Guy Parmelin arrives in Hanoi, beginning official visit to Vietnam

Over 55 years of trust-building and cooperation, Vietnam and Switzerland have maintained friendly relations while gradually expanding collaboration across a wide range of areas. The elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Partnership in January 2025 reflected the two sides’ determination to usher their relations into a new phase of development.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam, other Party and State leaders, and NA deputies come to pay tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his Mausoleum before the opening of the 16th NA's second session on October 17 morning. (Photo: VNA)

16th National Assembly commences second session

The parliament’s second session is scheduled to last until November 21. It is divided into two phases, with the first from October 17 to November 14, and the second from November 20 to 21.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and Head of the Vietnamese Mission to the European Union Nguyen Huong Tra speaks in an interview with the VNA. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam-EU, Belgium ties poised for new heights

The upcoming official visits to the European Union (EU) and Belgium by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam aims to strengthen political trust, deepen ties and translate high-level commitments into concrete action, laying the groundwork for a new phase in relations with both partners.