☀️ Morning digest on April 21

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

☀️ Morning digest on April 21

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

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presided over a ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City on April 19 to launch the construction of and inaugurate 80 key national projects and major works across the country, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 – 2025).

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the ceremony. (Photo: VNA)

The hybrid ceremony was held at Terminal T3 at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, and connected with 79 sites in 34 provinces and cities nationwide, and broadcast live on VTV1 channel of the Vietnam Television. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended a ceremony for the pilot rollout of the electronic identification, authentication, and biometric boarding solution at Terminal 3, a new facility of Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, on April 19.

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PM Pham Minh Chinh (fifth from left) and officials at the ceremony for the pilot rollout of the electronic identification, authentication, and biometric boarding solution at Terminal 3 of Tan Son Nhat International Airport on April 19. (Photo: VNA)

The event marked the completion of a major infrastructure project commemorating the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification (April 30, 1975–2025). Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh paid a visit to the southern province of Dong Nai on April 19 to inspect and encourage military, militia, and police forces preparing for the grand parade commemorating the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification (April 30).

The parade will feature 25 military and militia formations and 17 police formations, with more than 13,000 personnel from all services and branches of the Vietnam People’s Army, People’s Public Security, and militia forces. Read full story

- Leaders of Vietnam and China agreed to elevate the comprehensive strategic cooperation - between the two countries to a new, higher-quality, and deeper level, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has stated.

Talking to the press following Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping’s visit to three Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, Wang said that this year marks the 75th founding anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic relations. Xi chose Vietnam as the first stop in his foreign visits in 2025, while To Lam also selected China as his first overseas destination to come after assuming the role of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam last year. Read full story

- Sixty-eight servicemen from Army Officer Training School No. 1 are in intensive training to represent the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) at a parade in Moscow’s iconic Red Square to mark the 80th anniversary of Russia’s victory in the Great Patriotic War (May 9).

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General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army and Deputy Minister of National Defence, inspects the training. (Photo: VNA)

The school is conducting comprehensive training to enhance the troops' formation discipline and coordination skills, said Major General Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Thanh, vice rector of the school. Read full story

- Visitors traveling from the Phu Long cable car station to Xanh Island, a resort and tourism area on Cat Ba Island in the northern city of Hai Phong, will enjoy free electric vehicle service operated by Sun Group on a trial basis starting from April 18.

Accordingly, the service will be available from early morning until late evening, in accordance with the Sun World Cat Ba cable car schedule and events taking place at Xanh Island, making it more convenient for visitors to plan their travel and leisure activities. Read full story

- A wide range of activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification will be held in Ho Chi Minh City from April 19-30.

Speaking at a press conference on April 18, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Hai Binh highlighted the exceptional political significance of the event, saying that it is “a milestone event of half a century, significant for the entire country, and an event that also holds global importance.” Read full story

- The 10th-anniversary of IRONMAN in the country will be celebrated with the return of 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 Vietnam, the region’s largest multi-sports festival, on May 9 -11 in the central city of Da Nang.

This year’s theme, 'A Decade of Triumph – Where Every Finish Line is a New Beginning' marks ten years of the sport's growth, inspiring future athletes and highlighting Vietnam as a premier endurance sports destination./. Read full story

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (left) and Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra inspect the guard of honour in Hanoi on May 16. (Photo: VNA)

Prime Minister hosts welcome ceremony for Thai counterpart

This is the first visit to Vietnam by PM Paetongtarn since she took office, and also the first by a Thai Government leader in 11 years. Additionally, it marks the first joint cabinet meeting between the two countries’ prime ministers in 10 years.

The UN Day of Vesak celebration held at the UN headquarters in New York on May 14 (local time). (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam endorses widespread compassion, harmony, tolerance: ambassador

Vietnam has successfully hosted the 2025 UN Day of Vesak Celebrations, drawing Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns and followers from numerous countries. Giang noted that this year’s event coincided with Vietnam’s 50th anniversary of national reunification and forthcoming 80th National Day.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man (R) welcomes Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Hanoi on May 15. (Photo: VNA)

NA Chairman meets with visiting Thai Prime Minister

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man suggested Thailand continue to coordinate with Vietnam and other countries to maintain ASEAN's common viewpoint on the East Sea, striving to build the East Sea into a sea of ​​peace and cooperation.

Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)

Vietnam protests China's fishing ban in East Sea

The spokesperson reiterated that Vietnam’s position on China’s fishing ban in the East Sea is consistent and has been repeated many times. The ministry has conducted communications with the Chinese Embassy in Hanoi and handed over a diplomatic note to the Chinese side to oppose this fishing ban, she said.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives Mariam J. Sherman, World Bank Country Director for Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos in Hanoi on May 15. (Photo: VNA)

PM calls for WB’s assistance for large scale infrastructure projects

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated that the Vietnamese Government always regards the WB as an important, close, and trusted partner that has provided great support and made positive contributions to the country’s socio-economic development, helping the Southeast Asian nation achieve significant accomplishments in its “Doi moi” (renewal) process, international integration, and sustainable development.

Speakers at the Stimson Centre event (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, US review 50 years of peace and reconciliation

Rachel Stohl, Senior Vice President of Research Programmes at the Stimson Centre, said Vietnam and the US have gone from former foes to comprehensive strategic partners, and are working together for peace and for the benefit of their peoples.