☀️ Morning digest August 19

The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last weekend by the Vietnam News Agency.

☀️ Morning digest August 19

Hanoi (VNA) - The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last weekend by the Vietnam News Agency.

- General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and State President To Lam, his spouse, and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam arrived in Beijing on August 18 evening, continuing their state visit to China from August 18-20.

Departing from Guangzhou city, Guangdong province, the plane carrying the Vietnamese delegation landed at Beijing Capital International Airport at 6:40 pm. (local time). Read full story

- Party General Secretary and State President To Lam had a meeting with Secretary of the Party Committee of Guangdong province Huang Kunming and the provincial Party Committee’s Standing Committee in Guangzhou on August 18, the first day of his ongoing visit to China.

Lam congratulated the province on its development achievements, especially on economics, urban management, special economic models, and expressed his hope that Guangdong will continue reaping greater attainments. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak to maintain its momentum in pursuing rapid, sustainable, comprehensive and inclusive socio-economic development at a working session with the Standing Board of the provincial Party Committee on August 18.

PM Chinh highlighted four growth pillars for Dak Lak, including quality agricultural and forestry products for exports, large-scale agro-processing and renewable energy production; urban economy, digital and irrigation infrastructure; and logistics and tourism services based on digital platforms and socio-economy. Read full story

- A 500-day emulation campaign for completing 3,000km of expressways was launched at a ceremony held in the presence of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak on August 18.

The event, organised by the Central Emulation and Commendation Council, was connected via videoconference with 14 provinces and centrally-run cities with expressways under construction. Read full story

- The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) hosted a ceremony on August 18 to celebrate the 57th founding anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and 29 years since Vietnam joined the bloc.

In her speech, President of the Vietnam-ASEAN Friendship Association Asso. Prof. Dr Phan Thi Hong Xuan said the ASEAN’s 57th founding anniversary was an occasion to remember and honour the efforts of generations of leaders and citizens from member countries who have dedicated themselves to the region's development. The values and goals of ASEAN have been, and will continue to be, the guiding light to build a united, prosperous and peaceful ASEAN Community. Read full story

- Foreign direct investment (FDI) from China has continued to flow into Vietnam, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

In the first seven months of this year, among 91 countries and territories investing in Vietnam, China held the top position in the number of new investment projects, accounting for 29.7% of the total. Read full story

- The Vu Lan Festival was held at Phat Tich pagoda in Vientiane on the morning of August 18, with the attendance of representatives from the Vietnamese Embassy, associations of Vietnamese in Laos, and a large number of Vietnamese and Lao Buddhist monks, nuns, and followers.

The festival, which falls on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month, or August 18 this year, is a Buddhist tradition aimed at honouring and showing gratitude to parents who are alive and those who passed away. Read full story

- The four-day ITF - BT50 Fleur De Lys Cup 2024 kicked off in the south-central province of Binh Dinh on August 18, while the ITF - BT50 Vietravel Cup 2024 will be held in the same location from August 22-25.

It is the first time Vietnam has hosted the two international beach tennis tournaments, which offer total cash prizes of 4,000 USD each. Read full story

- The International Dance Festival 2024 opened in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue on August 17 evening, bringing together nearly 500 artists and performers from 17 troupes representing Laos, the Philippines, China, India, Indonesia, Cambodia, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

In his opening speech, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Ta Quang Dong said the festival is a significant cultural and art event held every three years to foster cooperation in the field of culture and arts between Vietnam and countries worldwide. Read full story./.

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Vietnamese Ambassador to Venezuela Vu Trung My speaks at the event (Photo: VNA)

President Ho Chi Minh’s enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Jesús Faria expressed deep admiration for President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam’s indomitable struggle for national independence. He described President Ho Chi Minh as an immortal symbol of 20th-century national liberation movements, whose legacy continues to inspire leftist parties, progressive movements, and peoples across Latin America, including Venezuela.

Standing Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Loc Ha (R) and EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier. (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City, EU boast ample room for sustainable development cooperation

Since the establishment of their diplomatic ties in 1990, Vietnam and the EU have deepened the bilateral ties into one of the bloc’s most dynamic and in-depth partnerships with an ASEAN member, Ha noted, adding that the relationship entered a new chapter in January when the President of European Council’s visit upgraded it to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang speaks at a discussion session on reforming multilateral systems and global governance, held on May 15, 2026, as part of the expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in India. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam ready to strengthen BRICS connection with Asia-Pacific

Hang called on countries to act responsibly in accordance with international law and the UN Charter; respect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of states; refrain from using or threatening to use force; and settle disputes peacefully through dialogue. She also underscored the importance of ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation through straits in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (centre), DPRK Vice Minister Pak of Foreign Affairs Sang Gil (left), and Vietnamese Ambassador to the DPRK Le Ba Vinh cut the ribbon to open the exhibition. (Photo: VNA)

Photo exhibition highlights Vietnam–DPRK relations

Visitors at the exhibition were moved by historical photographs dating back nearly 70 years, including images of the founding leader of the DPRK Kim Il Sung personally welcoming President Ho Chi Minh and a CPV delegation at Pyongyang’s Sunan International Airport during their visit to the DPRK from July 8–12, 1957. In return, the DPRK leader paid an official visit to Vietnam from November 27 to December 3, 1958.

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

Deputy PM calls for substantive assessment of two-tier local administration operations

Chairing a meeting on the development of a scheme to review the first-year operations of the political system’s organisational apparatus and the two-tier local administration model, Tra emphasised that the review must comprehensively and objectively evaluate the nationwide implementation of administrative unit restructuring and the operation of the new local administration model.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi (right) and First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of Russia Andrey Yatskin at their meeting in Moscow on May 14. (Photo: VNA)

Key directions for Vietnam–Russia cooperation in 2026

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi had a working session with a delegation from the Russian Federation Council led by First Deputy Chairman Andrey Yatskin, in Moscow on May 14, discussing the expansion of multifaceted cooperation in 2026.

Officials from Cao Bang province of Vietnam and Baise city in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China hold talks on May 15. (Photo: VNA)

Cao Bang, China’s Baise city eye to boost all-around cooperation

Cao Bang province of Vietnam and Baise city in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China are exploring a “red tourism” route linking Pac Bo and Meng Mo (China) to promote revolutionary tradition education and strengthen bilateral friendship. They are also stepping up cooperation in human resource development through training exchanges and efforts to improve workforce quality.

Atsaphangthong Siphandone (centre), Secretary of the Vientiane Party Committee and Chairman of the municipal People’s Council, speaks at the working session. (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City, Vientiane strengthen cooperation for 2026–2030

Under the MoU, the two sides will strengthen cooperation in politics – diplomacy, security – defence, legal and judicial affairs, economic affairs, education, culture and society, cooperation among mass organisations and socio-political organisations, and development support.

Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (left) meets with Jo Yong Won, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) and Chairman of the SPA of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, in Pyongyang on May 15. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam wishes to unceasingly develop ties with DPRK: Foreign Minister

Jo Yong Won, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) and Chairman of the SPA of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), expressed confidence that under the leadership of the CPV, headed by General Secretary and President Lam, Vietnam will successfully achieve the strategic goals set forth at the 14th National Party Congress.

New Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar (front) at the swearing-in ceremony of the new Government in Budapest on May 12, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Congratulations to newly-elected Hungarian leaders

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man on May 15 sent messages of congratulations to Magyar Péter and Forsthoffer Ágnes on their election as Prime Minister and Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary, respectively.

Ministers and deputy ministers from BRICS member and partner countries pose for a group photo while attending the Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in India on May 14. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang shared Vietnam’s approach to building an independent and self-reliant economy linked to deep international integration, while proposing several key areas for enhanced cooperation between BRICS and partner countries at the Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting that opened on May 14 in India.

Dr Anatoly Sokolov from the Oriental Research Institute under the Russian Academy of Sciences in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s correspondent in Russia. (Photo: VNA)

President Ho Chi Minh’s experience in Soviet Union crucial to Vietnam’s revolution: Russian scholar

The Russian scholar emphasised that Ho Chi Minh’s years in the Soviet Union provided him with essential experience in organising the masses and conducting political work for revolutionary purposes. This knowledge proved crucial when he later successfully led the August Revolution in 1945, establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam - the first people’s democratic state in Southeast Asia - without relying on external assistance. The victory became a powerful inspiration for national liberation movements across colonised countries worldwide, he added