☀️ Morning digest December 23

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

☀️ Morning digest December 23

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

– Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh inspected the construction site of the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway project and attended the groundbreaking ceremony of a social housing project in Lao Cai city in the northern mountainous province of the same name on December 22.

The nearly-400-kilometre railway, expected to have a total investment of around 11.6 billion USD, will pass through nine provinces and cities, namely Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, Hai Duong and Hai Phong. Its construction is expected to start at the end of 2025 and be completed by the end of 2030. Read full story

– PM Pham Minh Chinh on December 22 attended the inauguration ceremony of the resettlement area projects in three villages of the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai which had been severely affected by flash floods and landslides caused by Typhoon Yagi in early September.

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (second from left) meets with Lang Nu villagers. (Photo: VNA)

Typhoon Yagi hit Vietnam’s mainland in September, causing severe human and asset losses in the northern region. In Lao Cai alone, the typhoon left 139 dead, 12 missing, and 88 injured, and caused an estimated economic damage of 7 trillion VND (275 million USD). Particularly in the villages of Lang Nu, Nam Tong and Kho Vang in Lao Cai, flash floods left 84 dead and missing, while dozens of houses were buried or washed away. Read full story

– The central city of Da Nang must fully harness its distinctive potential, outstanding opportunities, and competitive advantages to achieve double-digit economic growth, solidifying its role as a growth hub of the central - Central Highlands region and the nation, said PM Pham Minh Chinh on December 21.

The cabinet leader made the request while chairing the first meeting of the Steering Committee for implementation of the Resolution on urban governance and pilot special mechanisms and policies for Da Nang’s development. Read full story

– Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh on December 22 visited the Archbishop Residence of Hanoi, the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (North), and the Committee for Solidarity of Vietnamese Catholics to offer greetings for Christmas 2024 and the upcoming New Year 2025.

Binh highlighted the Party’s and State's policy on supporting the development of Christianity, encouraging its followers to embrace good deeds, fulfill their civic duties, and contribute to economic development serving the prosperity of the nation. Read full story

– Do Van Chien, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee, on December 22 visited and extended Christmas greetings to Nguyen Nang, Archbishop of the Ho Chi Minh City Archdiocese and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam.

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Do Van Chien, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee (fourth from left, first row) and Nguyen Nang, Archbishop of the Ho Chi Minh City Archdiocese and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam (fifth from left, first row) pose for a photo with others. (Photo: VNA)

On behalf of the Party and State's leaders, Chien wished all Catholic priests, dignitaries and followers in the HCM City Archdiocese and the whole country a peaceful and merry Christmas. Read full story

– Sixteen contracts worth 286.3 million USD in total, and 17 cooperation agreements between Vietnam’s defence industry units and businesses from various countries such as the US, India, France and Belgium were signed at the Vietnam International Defence Expo 2024 held in Hanoi from December 19-22.

As of 12:00 PM on December 22, the expo had welcomed over 260,000 visitors, and 1,872 bilateral meetings and contacts had been held, with collaboration opportunities in various potential areas discussed. Read full story

– Vietnam expects to officially export fresh passion fruit to the US in 2025 as negotiations on plant quarantine measures for the fruit near completion, according to the Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The ministry has said negotiations on technical issues were already completed in August. Now, legal procedures are underway for the official export of fresh passion fruit to the US. The Vietnam Association of Vegetables and Fruit forecasts that Vietnam might earn around 50-100 million USD from exporting fresh passion fruit to the US each year. Read full story

– Ho Chi Minh City marked a significant milestone in its long-awaited mass transit development on December 22, with the official launch of its first metro line after years of delay.

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The line comprises 17 trains, each consisting of three carriages, with a total capacity of 930 passengers. (Photo: VNA)

The Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro line links Ben Thanh Market in district 1 with Suoi Tien Theme Park in Thu Duc city, marking the first of eight planned routes for its mass transit system. Read full story

– Vietnam clinched an impressive 5 - 0 victory over Myanmar on December 21 evening, retaining their top spot in Group B and securing a place in the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024 semi-finals, where they will take on Singapore.

In his national team debut, naturalised striker of Brazilian origin Nguyen Xuan Son struck a brace and created two assists, while the other goals were scored by Vi Hao, Quang Hai, and Tien Linh. Read full story./.

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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (L) and Lao PM Sonexay Siphandone. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese Deputy PM meets with Lao, UAE leaders in Dubai

Meeting with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son provided an overview of Vietnam's socio-economic achievements and drastic measures the country has taken to realise the Resolution on continued reform and re-organisation of the political system for streamlined, effective and efficient operations.

The National Assembly House in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

NA’s 9th extraordinary session to open on February 12

During the 8-day session, legislators will review and pass the drafts of the revised law on amendments and supplements to the Law on organisation of the NA, the revised Law on organisation of the Government, and the revised Law on promulgation of legal documents.

Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien speaks at the forum (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam attends 14th Japan-ASEAN Defence Vice-Ministerial Forum

Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien stressed that the world is undergoing era-defining transformations. Against this backdrop, the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+) has proven effective in managing regional security, fostering dialogue, and enhancing cooperation to address emerging challenges, helping to maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific.

Australian official lauds thriving partnership with Vietnam

Australian official lauds thriving partnership with Vietnam

Australian Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Julian Hill suggested the two countries work closely on people-to-people exchange and promote tourism activities, noting with satisfaction the rapid increase in the number of Australian visitors to Vietnam and welcoming more Vietnamese tourists to the Australian shores.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son holds a telephone talks with Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono on February 10. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Indonesia seek deeper collaboration

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono affirmed that Indonesia highly values its strategic partnership with Vietnam and proposed that both sides continue to enhance substantial cooperation across all fields, including joint activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations (December 30, 1955 –2025).

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, head of Vietnam's permanent mission to the United Nations (UN), delivers a speech at the meeting. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam begins term as UN Women Executive Board member

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, head of Vietnam's permanent mission to the United Nations (UN), on February 10 attended the annual session of the UN Women Executive Board as a newly elected member for the 2025-2027 term.

Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien (R), Politburo member, member of the Standing Board of the Central Military Commission, and Deputy Minister of National Defence of Vietnam, and Kano Koji, Japan’s Vice Minister of Defence, at the 11th Vietnam-Japan defence policy dialogue in Fukuoka on February 10 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Japan hold 11th defence policy dialogue

Vietnam is willing to cooperate with countries and international organisations for peace and development in the region and the world, said Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defence.