☀️ Morning digest December 24

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

☀️ Morning digest December 24

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

- Party General Secretary To Lam hosted a reception for outgoing Australian Ambassador Andrew Goledzinowski in Hanoi on December 23.

Lauding the diplomat’s efforts, contributions, and successful tenure, marked by the elevation of the two countries’ relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, the Party leader affirmed that Australia remains a priority in Vietnam’s foreign diplomacy and an important partner of the country in the region. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has just agreed with a proposal of the Vietnam Farmers’ Union Central Committee regarding the organisation of his dialogue with farmers in 2024, according to a dispatch by the Government Office.

The Prime Minister also tasked the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development; Planning and Investment; Finance; Natural Resources and Environment; Science and Technology; Industry and Trade; Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs; and Culture, Sports and Tourism; and the State Bank of Vietnam to prepare content regarding the issues to be raised by farmers and cooperatives, in accordance with their respective authorities, functions, and assigned duties. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 23 signed a directive, outlining urgent measures for fire prevention, fighting, and rescue operations at high-risk establishments and crowded venues ahead of the upcoming New Year and Lunar New Year holidays.

The directive highlights that despite the Government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen fire safety, several critical tasks remain inadequately implemented by certain ministries and localities. There has been insufficient oversight of businesses like karaoke parlors and nightclubs, with many still violating fire safety regulations. In some areas, responsibilities for enforcing fire safety measures are unclear, and local authorities have failed to properly inspect or enforce the regulations. Furthermore, fire safety measures for multi-story buildings, mixed-use residential properties, and rental housing are not strong enough, with many localities yet to issue necessary guidance to improve fire safety as directed by the Prime Minister.functions, and assigned duties. Read full story

- The Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) organised an international seminar themed “55 Years of Vietnam-Sweden Diplomatic Relations in Hanoi on December 23, drawing a large number of domestic and foreign experts and scholars.

In his opening remarks, VASS Vice President Dr. Dang Xuan Thanh said that January 11, 1969, marked a milestone as Sweden became the first Western country to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam. Over the past 55 years, Sweden has not only been the largest Nordic donor of non-refundable aid to Vietnam but also an equal partner, with mutually beneficial cooperation. Read full story

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Tourists in Sa Pa (Photo: VNA)

- Sa Pa, a renowned resort town in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai, has prepared a range of unique events aimed at welcoming approximately 200,000 visitors eager to explore its stunning natural beauty and distinctive cultural experiences.

At the heart of the town, a Christmas 2024 space, featuring a giant Christmas tree at the Sa Pa ethnic cultural park, has been open to the public since December 20 and will continue through the New Year holiday of 2025. Read full story

- The Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) organised an international seminar themed “55 Years of Vietnam-Sweden Diplomatic Relations in Hanoi on December 23, drawing a large number of domestic and foreign experts and scholars.

In his opening remarks, VASS Vice President Dr. Dang Xuan Thanh said that January 11, 1969, marked a milestone as Sweden became the first Western country to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam. Over the past 55 years, Sweden has not only been the largest Nordic donor of non-refundable aid to Vietnam but also an equal partner, with mutually beneficial cooperation. Read full story

- The Ho Chi Minh Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) on December 23 held a gathering to mark 66th National Liberation Day of Cuba (January 1, 1959-2025) and the 64th anniversary of the Vietnam-Cuba diplomatic relations (December 2, 1960-2024).

In her remarks, HUFO Chairwoman Truong Thi Hien said despite their geographical distance, the two nations share a close-knitted, loyal, pure, and sincere relationship, cultivated by Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh and Cuban Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro and strengthened by generations of the sides’ leaders and people./. Read full story

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Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, at the opening of the International Conference on Infrastructure (ICI) 2025 in Jakarta, June 11, 2025. (Photo: Antara)

Indonesia targets universal access to clean water by 2045

Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono called on all stakeholders to work together in building a sustainable clean water system, stressing that universal access can only be achieved through broad-based cooperation and shared commitment across society.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono (third, left) and his New Zealand counterpart Winston Peters (third, right) co-chair the 12th meeting of the Indonesia-New Zealand Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) in Jakarta, on June 13. (Photo: ANTARA)

Indonesia, New Zealand promote cooperation on strategic areas

The cooperation between Indonesia and New Zealand covers several fields, including economy, trade, investment, and education. In the economic sector, the ministers agreed to encourage more balanced and sustainable trade to achieve the bilateral trade target of 6 billion NZD (3.62 billion USD) by 2029.

Cambodian workers collect salt from the fields ready to store it in warehouses in Kampot province. (Photo: Phnom Penh Post)

Adverse weather drives fall in Cambodia’s salt production

March to April is the full time for salt harvesting, but in March, there was a sudden rain in a day that disrupted the production for a week and 10 days, he said, adding that in April, it rained continuously, so the association decided to finish the harvest by the end of April.

Through the ASEAN Economic Community Strategic Plan, ASEAN member countries aim to significantly enhance intra-regional trade by building greater resilience to external shocks and promoting the connectivity of the common market for goods, services and investment. (Photo: VNA)

ASEAN poised for greater role in global economy

ASEAN is a peaceful region, which makes it a conducive location for foreign direct investment and business ventures that can come from across the globe, said the chief economist of Bank Muamalat Malaysia Berhad.

Indonesian Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono atUNOC-3 at Port Lympia, Nice, France. (Photo: ANTARA)

Indonesia reaffirms sustainable ocean management commitment at UNOC-3

Indonesia implements blue economy concrete actions, such as expanding marine conservation areas to cover 30% by 2045, implementing responsible quota-based fisheries, promoting sustainable aquaculture, monitoring coastal ecosystems, and involving communities in reducing plastic waste in seas.

Cargo at Long Beach Port, California, the US. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

ASEAN accelerates trade talks with US ahead of tariff suspension deadline

According to the earlier US tariff announcement, Cambodia encounters the highest rates of 49%, followed by Laos (48%), Vietnam (46%), Myanmar (44%), Thailand (36%), and Indonesia (32%). Meanwhile, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, and Singapore face lower rates ranging from 10% to 24%.

At the panel discussion (Photo: VNA)

Indonesia seeks urban infrastructure to combat flooding

Indonesia, with over 17,000 islands, is among the countries most vulnerable to rising sea levels, storms, flooding and seismic activity. Jakarta, in particular, is experiencing severe land subsidence — with some areas sinking by as much as 25 centimetres per year — which, coupled with tidal surges, has led to increasingly frequent and severe flooding.

Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz (Photo: Bernama)

Malaysia to hold second round of trade talks with US

Malaysia has expressed its readiness to negotiate in four key areas: addressing the US’s reported 24.8 billion USD trade deficit with Malaysia, removing non-tariff barriers, strengthening protections for technology and national security, and exploring the possibility of a bilateral trade agreement.