Morning digest

☀️ Morning digest August 7

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

☀️ Morning digest August 7

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

- A meeting of key leaders was held in Hanoi on August 6 to evaluate July performance and outline major tasks for August, under the chair of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam.

It was the first key leaders' meeting since Lam’s election as the General Secretary. The meeting also saw the participation of Politburo members, including Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, and permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Luong Cuong. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 6 presided over the inaugural meeting of the Steering Committee tasked with conducting a review of the 20-year Government apparatus model from the 12th to 15th tenures.

As head of the Steering Committee, PM Chinh underlined the importance of reforming the Government's organisation and operations. Read full story

- The Vietnamese Government is facilitating conditions for the Vietnamese and Japanese defence ministries to enhance exchanges, improve mutual understanding, build trust and collaborate together based on mutual need, capabilities and benefits, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told Japanese Minister of Defence Kihara Minoru during a reception in Hanoi on August 6.

Through the minister, PM Chinh conveyed thanks to Japanese leaders for sending special envoy and former Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide to the state funeral of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and extending condolences to the Vietnamese Party, State and people. He also extended an invitation to his Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time. Read full story

- National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man chaired a meeting in Hanoi on August 6 to review preparations for the Q&A session at the 36th meeting of the NA Standing Committee.

The session, slated for August 21 and the morning of August 22, marks the first time during the 15th NA's tenure that the NA Standing Committee will combine Q&A with a review of the implementation of the NA Standing Committee’s resolutions on thematic supervision and questioning. Read full story

- Developing ties with Russia is a consistent direction, strategic choice and top priority of the Vietnamese Party, State and people in the country's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of external relations, Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man said on August 6.

Hosting a reception for Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Gennady Bezdetko, the top legislator stressed that the Vietnamese people always bear in mind the whole-hearted support from the Russian people during Vietnam's struggle for national liberation in the past as well as the cause of construction and development nowadays. Read full story

- A disaster data and communication lab was inaugurated in the Lao capital city of Vientiane on August 6, marking a significant step in sci-tech cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

The 50 sq.m lab, a joint initiative of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) between VAST and the Lao Ministry of Technology and Communications, underwent renovation, equipment installation and software setup from July 26 to August 4. It is equipped with four display screens, two computers and various other devices used for real-time earthquake monitoring. Read full story

- The Korea Trade and Investment Promotion Agency in Hanoi (KOTRA Hanoi), part of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea (RoK) in Vietnam, held a conference on Vietnam-RoK cooperation in the semiconductor industry on August 6.

Speaking at the event, RoK Ambassador to Vietnam Choi Young Sam believed that the event would not only mark a milestone in traditional manufacturing sectors but also offer detailed solutions to advancing bilateral cooperation in the hi-tech industry. Read full story

- Vietnam’s pepper export earnings surged by 40.8% year-on-year to 764.2 million USD in the first seven months of this year, despite a slight decline of 2.2% in export volume, according to the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA).

Rising global pepper prices primarily drove the remarkable growth. The US remained Vietnam's top pepper importer, purchasing 43,349 tonnes of Vietnamese pepper, a significant 48.4% increase from the previous year, accounting for 26.4% of the market share. It was followed by Germany, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), India, and China. Read full story

- A ceremony to mark the 63rd anniversary of the Day for Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin Victims (August 10) was held in Ho Chi Minh City on August 6.

Speaking at the event, held by the city's Association for Victims of AO/dioxin, Chairman of the association Major General Tran Ngoc Tho laid tress on the devastating impact of the catastrophic AO disaster that left hundreds of thousands of people dead, and many others struggling with fatal diseases and deformities. Read full story./.

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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

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Pham Thu Hang (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam warns citizens against suspicious online job offers abroad

Job offers that do not require qualifications or skills, lack formal contracts, or are not arranged through licensed labour export enterprises or organisations may conceal risks of exploitation, forced labour or human trafficking, said Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Pham Thu Hang speaks at the ministry’s regular press briefing on May 14 (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

Vietnam’s proposals placed the highest priority on ensuring a peaceful and stable environment conducive for continued sustainable development and improving the well-being and happiness of the ASEAN people. They were praised by member states and incorporated into the core contents of the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the response to the Middle East crisis.

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang (Photo: Baoquocte.vn)

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

The spokesperson stated that the dispatch of personnel by relevant parties to features belonging to Truong Sa without Vietnam’s permission constitutes a violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty under international law. She stressed that such actions run counter to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) as well as ongoing efforts by countries to negotiate a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Delegates at the Siem Reap meeting (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Cambodia pledge to deepen traditional friendship

The two sides pledged to step up public awareness on the traditional friendship, solidarity and mutual support between the two countries, while promoting people-to-people exchanges, especially among younger generations, to strengthen the social foundation and long-term public support for bilateral ties.

Customs officers inspect import and export goods at Huu Nghi International Border Gate, Lang Son province. Photo: VNA

Vietnam firmly addresses each violation of intellectual property: Spokesperson

Vietnam is open to sharing information and clarifying its policies and regulations with international partners, including the US, to address differences constructively. This approach aims to foster a transparent, healthy investment and business environment in Vietnam while promoting international cooperation in intellectual property.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam presents the photograph "Uncle Ho with Children" to outstanding children at the meeting on May 14. (Photo: VNA)

Party, State leader welcomes 85 outstanding children

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam expressed confidence that the 85 exemplary children continue spreading positive values, humility and determination, while inspiring their peers nationwide to strive for progress and contribute to building a developed, prosperous and happy Vietnam.

☕ Afternoon briefing on May 14

☕ Afternoon briefing on May 14

The first meeting of the steering committee tasked with reviewing the Party’s century-long leadership of the Vietnamese revolution, the 100-year master plan of Hanoi approved, and Vietnam securing a berth at the FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 for the first time are among news highlights on May 14.

A view of the Hoan Kiem lake area, downtown Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi approves 100-year master plan

By 2035, Hanoi aims to become a green, smart and modern city, as well as an important regional centre for finance, commerce and innovation. Its gross regional domestic product (GRDP) is expected to reach approximately 200 billion USD, with per capita GRDP exceeding 18,800 USD.

At the steering committee's meeting (Photo: VNA)

Top leader confident in landmark national review for future development

He made the statement in Hanoi on May 14 while chairing the first meeting of a steering committee tasked with reviewing the Party’s century-long leadership of the Vietnamese revolution, mapping strategic directions for the next century, and evaluating four decades of the Platform on National Construction in the period of transition to socialism.

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam highly values the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in strengthening national capacity in crime prevention and criminal justice, drug control, and addressing emerging challenges, particularly cybercrime, said Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang.

Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Truong Thang (R) meets with French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet in Hanoi on May 13. (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Vietnam, France see new strides in defence ties

Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Truong Thang stressed that defence ties, a key pillar of bilateral relationship, have been growing substantively and effectively, with progress in the exchange of all-level delegations, especially those at high level, defence industry, training, and United Nations peacekeeping operations, consistent with agreements reached by leaders and the two defence ministries, plus signed cooperation documents.