☀️ Morning digest on April 25

State President Luong Cuong's talks with the top leader of Laos, Party General Secretary To Lam's receptions for the ambassadors of the EU and the Philippines, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' regular press conference are among news highlights on April 24 evening.

☀️ Morning digest on April 25

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

– Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong held talks with General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith in Vientiane on April 24, right after the welcome ceremony held with the highest protocol for a head of state.

Sisoulith warmly welcomed Cuong's first visit in his new role from April 24-25, saying that the visit reflects the importance that the Vietnamese Party, State, and President himself attach to the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation with Laos. Read full story

– Vietnam is a trusted and prioritised partner of the European Union (EU) in the Asia-Pacific, affirmed EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier at a meeting with Party General Secretary To Lam in Hanoi on April 24.

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Party General Secretary To Lam (R) and EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier at their meeting in Hanoi on April 24. (Photo: VNA)

The Party leader expressed his confidence that, with joint efforts, Vietnam – EU relations would continue to strengthen and advance to new heights. He underlined that the EU remains a top partner in Vietnam’s foreign policy and noted with satisfaction the dynamic and comprehensive growth of the bilateral ties across all areas since the establishment of diplomatic relations 35 years ago (1990–2025). Read full story

– Vietnam always values the strategic partnership with the Philippines and aspires to elevate it to new heights, making it deeper and more comprehensive, said Party General Secretary To Lam while receiving Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Meynardo Los Banos Montealegre in Hanoi on April 24.

The leader hailed the ambassador for his active contributions to promoting the Vietnam-Philippines Strategic Partnership in recent times. He emphasised that the year 2025 holds special significance, marking the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership between the two nations, which has seen positive and effective developments, both bilaterally and multilaterally. Read full story

– Vietnam has expressed its readiness to engage in dialogue with the US following the latter’s announcement of steep tariffs on solar panels imported from four countries in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam.

Speaking at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' regular press briefing on April 24, spokesperson Pham Thu Hang stressed that Vietnam is willing to work with relevant US authorities to resolve the matter, ensuring that all information is reviewed in an objective and fair manner and in line with international practices, thereby facilitating and promoting bilateral cooperation in economy, trade, and investment. Read full story

– Vietnam highly appreciates Pope Francis’s role in promoting the relationship between Vietnam and the Vatican, Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said at the ministry’s regular press conference in Hanoi on April 24.

Hang said Vietnam also treasures the Pope’s guidance and recommendations encouraging Vietnamese Catholic dignitaries and followers to accompany the nation and contribute to its process of national construction and development. Read full story

– Opportunities for collaboration in clean energy technology development took centre stage at the Vietnam–China–ASEAN international energy forum, held in Hanoi on April 24.

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The Vietnam–China–ASEAN international energy forum takes place in Hanoi on April 24. (Photo: VNA)

The event drew participation from representatives of ASEAN embassies, several European nations, and leading enterprises and corporations from Vietnam, other bloc member countries, and China. It served as a vital platform for business networking and policy dialogue, and also offered a space for industry leaders and policymakers to exchange insights, explore new technologies, and reinforce cooperation toward sustainable energy development, particularly in Vietnam. Read full story

– Three major telecom operators namely MobiFone, Viettel, and VNPT, have agreed to jointly develop a standardised digital platform under the GSMA Open Gateway initiative, aiming to enhance digital identity verification, combat online fraud, and promote a safer digital ecosystem.

They will jointly develop a standardised platform to enhance network interoperability and drive digital transformation through the GSMA Open Gateway initiative, by deploying CAMARA APIs. Read full story

– The Global Sourcing Fair Vietnam 2025 opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 7 on April 24.

Co-organised by VINEXAD and Global Sources of Hong Kong (China), this year’s exhibition brings together more than 400 exhibitors with 500 booths from countries and territories such as India, Hong Kong (China), Bangladesh, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea (RoK), the Netherlands, and Vietnam. Approximately 30,000 export-standard products are on display, covering key sectors including fashion and accessories, home decor and gifts, and consumer electronics. Read full story./.

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NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man speaks at the meeting (Photo: VNA)

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Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh (standing, left) and his Russian counterpart Mikhail Mishustin (standing, right) witness the signing of the agreement between the two governments on cooperation in building a nuclear power plant on the territory of Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)

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Vietnamese mission staff and overseas Vietnamese in Australia visit Ship 016–Quang Trung (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese naval ship completes mission at Kakadu Exercise 2026

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has wrapped up the official visit to Russia from March 22 to 25. (Photo: VNA)

PM arrives in Hanoi, concluding official visit to Russia

With the outcomes achieved and strong implementation efforts by both sides, the Vietnam – Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is expected to grow further, contributing to socio-economic development in each country as well as to peace, friendship and cooperation in the region and the world.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (left) meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on March 25. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese Prime Minister meets Russian President in Moscow

President Putin said Vietnam remains a sincere friend and an important partner of Russia in the Asia-Pacific, stressing that Russia attaches importance to further deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (Source: MoFA)

Vietnamese, Philippine foreign ministers hold phone talks

They agreed to further elevate cooperation across all areas, including politics, diplomacy, defence, security, economy, and people-to-people exchanges, contributing to the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (July 12, 1976 – 2026).

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh (R) receives Chay Borin, Minister of Cult and Religion of Cambodia, in Hanoi on March 25 (Photo: VNA)

Deputy PM receives Cambodian Minister of Cult and Religion in Hanoi

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Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam (R) and Thongly Sisoulith, member of the Lao Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Youth Union at a photo exhibition held as part of the ceremony marking he 95th anniversary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union in Vientiane on March 25. (Photo: VNA)

95th anniversary of Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union marked in Laos

Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam described Vietnamese and Lao youth as the “architects” of the future of bilateral ties and called on young Vietnamese in Laos to strengthen their political awareness, pioneer digital transformation and entrepreneurship, and act as ambassadors of friendship between the two countries' people.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Minh Vu pays a New Year visit to the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Cambodia foster friendship, solidarity

At a meeting on March 25 at the headquarters of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces High Command, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Minh Vu conveyed his best New Year wishes to General Vong Pisen and all officers and soldiers of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) meets with Russian Railways CEO Oleg Belozyorov (Photo: VNA)

PM works with leading Russian infrastructure enterprises

At the meeting with AFK Sistema Chairman Vladimir Petrovich Evtushenkov and the group’s executives, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hailed the corporation’s proactive engagement with major Vietnamese enterprises to promote cooperation programmes in recent times.