☀️ Morning digest on August 24

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

☀️ Morning digest on August 24

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

- National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man held talks with his Côte d’Ivoire counterpart Patrick Achi in Hanoi on August 23, following an official welcome ceremony at the National Assembly building.

The talks took place in an open and cordial atmosphere, with NA President Man expressing his pleasure that Achi had chosen Vietnam as one of his first destinations in Asia since taking office in January, and just four months after their meeting on the sidelines of the 152nd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Türkiye in April. Read full story

- Legislators, at their August 23 sitting during the 16th National Assembly (NA)’s first extraordinary session, passed three laws related to national defence, security and State compensation, strengthening the legal framework for preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, building a streamlined and modern military, and protecting the rights of those seeking State compensation.

With 473 of 474 participating deputies voting in favour, or 94.6%, the NA passed the Law on Prevention and Combating the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. The 36-article law, comprising four chapters, will take effect on July 1, 2027. Read full story

- The upcoming official visit to Singapore by Member of the Political Bureau and Permanent Member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Tran Cam Tu demonstrates the two countries’ determination to turn common perceptions and high-level agreements into concrete programmes, projects and cooperation outcomes, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong.

At the invitation of the Singaporean People’s Action Party (PAP) Central Executive Committee, Politburo member and Permanent Member of he CPV Central Committee's Secretariat Tran Cam Tu will lead a high-level CPV delegation to Singapore and co-chair the inaugural Singapore-Vietnam Strategic Dialogue from August 24-25. Read full story

- Chilean Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna is paying an official visit to Vietnam from August 23-25 at the invitation of Vietnamese Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung.

Welcoming Minister Mackenna to Vietnam, Minister Trung spoke highly of the visit, saying that it demonstrates the Chilean Government’s determination to advance the Vietnam-Chile Comprehensive Partnership as the two countries celebrate the 55th anniversary of their diplomatic relations (March 25, 1971 – 2026). Read full story

- The upcoming official visit to Singapore by Member of the Political Bureau and Standing Member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Tran Cam Tu is expected to create fresh momentum to turn the two countries’ major orientations into concrete, breakthrough cooperation programmes and projects that generate long-term value, with small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) playing an important role in implementation.

From the Digital Economy-Green Economy Partnership to connectivity programmes between Enterprise Singapore and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, policy mechanisms are no longer merely on paper but have become practical resources, creating a secure and favourable legal framework for businesses. Read full story

- Singaporean media on August 21 widely reported on the upcoming official visit to Singapore by Politburo member and Standing member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee's Secretariat Tran Cam Tu from August 24–25 and his co-chairing of the inaugural Singapore-Vietnam Strategic Dialogue (SVSD).

The Straits Times and AsiaOne reported that political leaders and senior officials from Singapore and Vietnam will attend the dialogue on August 25 to exchange views on governance, leadership development and public service transformation. Read full story

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Vietnamese fans turn out to support their team. (Photo: VNA)

- Vietnam have made an almost perfect step towards successfully defending their ASEAN Cup title after securing a convincing 2-0 victory over Thailand in the first leg of the final at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on August 22.

As expected, the first half was a tightly contested affair, with Vietnam adopting a disciplined defensive approach, maintaining compact lines and engaging the hosts in fierce midfield battles. Both sides created opportunities, but neither could find the breakthrough before the interval./. Read full story

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Member of the Political Bureau and Permanent Member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Tran Cam Tu leaves Hanoi on August 24 morning for a two-day official visit to Singapore where he will co-chair the first Vietnam-Singapore Strategic Dialogue between the CPV and People’s Action Party (PAP) of Singapore. (Photo: VNA)

Key leader leaves Hanoi for official visit to Singapore

The visit marks several first milestones, as it is the first official visit to Singapore by a Permanent Member of the CPV Central Committee’s Secretariat. It is also the first meeting of the Vietnam-Singapore Strategic Dialogue mechanism, which the two countries' leaders agreed to establish during the state visit to Singapore by General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and President To Lam in May.

National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man (right) and his Côte d’Ivoire counterpart Patrick Achi in Hanoi on August 23 (Photo:VNA)

Parliamentary cooperation a pillar of Vietnam - Côte d’Ivoire ties

The talks took place in an open and cordial atmosphere, with NA President Man expressing his pleasure that Achi had chosen Vietnam as one of his first destinations in Asia since taking office in January, and just four months after their meeting on the sidelines of the 152nd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Türkiye in April.

Vietnamese Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung holds talks with Chilean Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna on August 23 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Chile deepen political ties, strengthen mutual trust

Welcoming Minister Mackenna to Vietnam, Minister Trung spoke highly of the visit, saying that it demonstrates the Chilean Government’s determination to advance the Vietnam-Chile Comprehensive Partnership as the two countries celebrate the 55th anniversary of their diplomatic relations (March 25, 1971 – 2026).

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang presents the Government’s report at the 16th National Assembly (NA)’s first extraordinary session on August 23 (VNA)

NA passes laws on defence, security and State compensation

With 473 of 474 participating deputies voting in favour, or 94.6%, the NA passed the Law on Prevention and Combating the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. The 36-article law, comprising four chapters, will take effect on July 1, 2027.

The Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group signed a cooperation agreement with Unicom of Singapore on February 4, 2026 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Singapore seek to turn shared vision into concrete cooperation

This is the first official visit to Singapore by a Permanent Member of the CPV Central Committee’s Secretariat. It also features the first meeting of the Vietnam - Singapore strategic dialogue mechanism, agreed by the two sides’ leaders during General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and President To Lam’s state visit to Singapore in May.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung holds phone talks with his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand on August 22. (Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Vietnam, Canada look forward to early elevation of bilateral ties

Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung stressed Vietnam attaches importance to its relations with Canada and stands ready to work with the latter to step up substantive cooperation towards the early elevation of the Vietnam–Canada Comprehensive Partnership, in line with the political trust, cooperation potential and interests of the two countries’ peoples.

The Chinese Embassy delegation and Tay Ninh leaders attend the Vietnam–China friendship tree presentation and planting ceremony at the Ba Den Mountain national tourism area on August 22, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Tay Ninh promotes exchanges, cooperation with China

An official affirmed that Tay Ninh will continue to accompany, support and facilitate investors, including Chinese ones, within the framework of Vietnamese law, enabling them to implement projects effectively, stably and over the long term.

An overview of the event (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Uzbekistan drive people-to-people diplomacy

Over the past 30 years, the Vietnam-Uzbekistan Friendship Association has actively staged people-to-people exchanges, serving as a bridge to tighten bilateral ties, spread cultural and historical values, increase mutual understanding and nurture friendship between the two peoples.

Representatives of the Nghe An provincial Border Guard Command and the Military Commands and Departments of Public Security of the three Lao provinces of Xiengkhuang, Bolikhamsai and Houaphanh at the MoU signing ceremony. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Laos strengthen cooperation in border management and security

On this occasion, they signed memoranda of understanding, agreeing to step up coordination in managing and protecting the border, while tightening control of cross-border movement through border gates, trails and crossings with the aim of promptly detecting and handling cases of illegal entry and exit and other violations, contributing to maintaining political security and social order and safety in border areas.

Aqua City project in southern Dong Nai province (Photo: VNA)

Lawmakers debate real estate bill to shield buyers, curb price rigging

Under Article 20 of the draft Law on Real Estate Business, buyers may pay up to 70% of the contract value before receiving the property and up to 95% before obtaining an ownerhsip certificate, with the remaining 5% held in escrow or secured through another mechanism. The draft also features regulations on bank guarantees for off-plan housing.

A view of the Vietnam - Russia deputy foreign ministerial-level political consultation in Moscow on August 21. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Russia seek to step up comprehensive strategic partnership

The two sides reviewed bilateral relations since the previous consultation in Hanoi in February 2025 and discussed concrete orientations and measures to address difficulties and promote cooperation between the two countries and their foreign ministries. They agreed to closely coordinate preparations for high-level delegation exchanges, particularly those scheduled for the remaining months of 2026.