Politics

☀️ Morning digest on April 18

☀️ Morning digest on April 18

☀️ Morning digest on April 18

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

- Party General Secretary To Lam has called on France, a key and influential member of the European Union (EU), to further bolster Vietnam–EU relations, contributing to peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region and beyond.

lam.jpg
Party General Secretary To Lam receives French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet in Hanoi on April 17. (Photo: VNA)

During a reception in Hanoi on April 17 for French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet, Lam highlighted France’s role as the first EU nation to establish a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam, a testament to its commitment to strengthening bilateral friendship and cooperation. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh praised insightful and dynamic discussions at the fourth Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit in Hanoi from April 14-17, highlighting valuable lessons, success stories, bold and forward-looking initiatives shared by delegates.

gh.jpg
PM Pham Minh Chinh at the fourth P4G Summit in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)

In his closing speech, PM Chinh underscored green transition as an inevitable path, an objective requirement, a strategic choice, and a top priority for achieving sustainable development goals. This process requires global cooperation and multi-stakeholder collaboration among governments, businesses, communities, and individuals to ensure inclusive and equitable development in which no one is left behind. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a dialogue between leaders and the business community on Public-Private Partnership for innovation and sustainability held in Hanoi on April 17 within the framework of the 4th Partnership for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit, attracting more than 300 participants.

Addressing the dialogue, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed emphasised that green energy is a unique investment opportunity in the 21st century. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on April 17 affirmed that Vietnam is ready to host the 16th session of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) in October 2025.

Speaking at the meeting with Secretary-General of the UNCTAD Rebeca Grynspan, who is in Vietnam to attend the 4th Partnership for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit in Hanoi, PM Chinh said Grynspan's participation contributes to the overall success of the summit and demonstrates UNCTAD's valuable support for Vietnam. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received United Nations (UN) Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed in Hanoi on April 17 on the sidelines of the 4th Partnership for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit.

The PM said he highly appreciates the positive relationship between Vietnam and the UN, as well as the operations of UN organisations in the country. He called on the UN to continue supporting Vietnam in the fields of science and technology development, innovation, just energy transition, green economy, and in accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Read full story

- Vietnam values and wishes to deepen the friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Kenya, State President Luong Cuong said while receiving Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Defence Soipan Tuya in Hanoi on April 17.

vna-potal-chu-tich-nuoc-luong-cuong-tiep-bo-truong-bo-quoc-phong-kenya-soipan-tuya-7977643.jpg
President Luong Cuong and Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Defence Soipan Tuya in Hanoi on April 17. (Photo: VNA)

The President welcomed the Kenyan official who represents Kenyan President William Ruto to attend the 4th Partnership for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit in Hanoi, saying that her presence at the event shows Kenya's strong commitment to development issues and contributes to the success of the summit. Read full story

- Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and his spouse Zinash Tayachew left Hanoi on April 17 afternoon, wrapping their official visit to Vietnam and attendance at the 4th Partnership for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit in Hanoi from April 14-17, at the invitation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse.

At the Noi Bai International Airport, the Ethiopian delegation was seen off by Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong. Read full story

- Vietnamese Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang held talks with his Chinese counterpart Senior Lieutenant General Dong Jun in the northern border province of Lang Son on April 17, within the framework of the 9th Vietnam–China Border Defence Friendship Exchange.

Giang emphasised that activities held prior to the exchange, such as medical check-ups and treatment, and the distribution of medicine for border people, exchange activities of the two countries’ people, students, and young officers, have contributed to realising the Vietnam-China Year of Humanistic Exchange. Read full story

- Nearly 76,000 train tickets have been sold as the upcoming April 30 – May 1 holiday is approaching, the Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR) has reported.

The number of passengers is expected to keep rising in the days leading up to the holiday, especially on short-distance and regional routes./. Read full story

VNA
#morning digest
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

☀️ Morning digest on April 17

☀️ Morning digest on April 17

Activities of the 4th Partnership for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit, Vietnamese leaders' meetings with foreign guests on the sidelines of the event, and the second full-scale rehearsal for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification are among news highlights on April 16 evening.

See more

Vietnamese Ambassador to the RoK Vu Ho speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)

President Ho Chi Minh honoured in RoK on 136th birth anniversary

With Vietnam–Korea ties expanding across multiple fields, he noted that honouring President Ho Chi Minh in the RoK carries significance beyond the overseas Vietnamese. It offers a chance to raise mutual understanding, empathy, and bonds between the Vietnamese and Korean people built on shared values of peace, cooperation, and development.

President Ho Chi Minh works at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi. (File photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh Thought guides development path: Top leader

In an article written on the occasion of President Ho Chi Minh’s 136th birth anniversary (May 19, 1890 – 2026), the top Vietnamese leader affirmed that “Ho Chi Minh Thought serves as a guiding light along our development path.”

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.