☀️ Morning digest on August 3

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

☀️ Morning digest on August 3

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

- Party General Secretary and State President To Lam attended and delivered a keynote address at the opening session of the 33rd Diplomatic Conference in Hanoi on August 1.

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Party General Secretary and State President To Lam speaks at the opening session of the 33rd Diplomatic Conference in Hanoi on August 1. (Photo: VNA)

The conference was held in-person at the International Convention Centre in the capital city, and connected online to the Party Committees of provinces and cities, as well as the country’s representative missions abroad. Read full story

- Party General Secretary and State President To Lam on August 1 called on the diplomatic sector to play a pioneering role, strengthen strategic research and forecasting, provide sound policy advice and take timely action to safeguard national interests and create resources for development.

Addressing the opening of the 33rd Diplomatic Conference in Hanoi, the Party and State leader requested the seven-day conference to enable the entire foreign affairs system to clearly identify what has been accomplished, what remains behind schedule, and agree on priority tasks, coordination mechanisms and specific outcomes. Read full story

- The 22nd National Conference on Foreign Affairs was held in Hanoi on August 2 within the framework of the 33rd Diplomatic Conference.

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The 22nd national conference on foreign affairs takes place in Hanoi on August 2 within the framework of the 33rd Diplomatic Conference. (Photo: VNA)

The conference brought together more than 500 delegates, including representatives from ministries, central agencies, sectors, localities, local external affairs agencies, Vietnamese representative missions abroad, and leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Read full story

- The Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade) under the Ministry of Industry and Trade signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Meta on July 31 in Singapore to support Vietnamese businesses in digital transformation and market expansion.

The document was signed by Vietrade Director Vu Ba Phu and Sarim Aziz, Meta's Director of Public Policy on the sidelines of the 10th ASEAN Conference themed ASEAN’s Future in a Fractured World organised by the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) under the patronage of the Singapore Government and the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Read full story

- The 2026 Halong Bay Heritage Marathon is expected to draw around 18,000 domestic and international runners when it takes place from November 20–22, with race day scheduled for November 22, organisers announced on August 2.

The event remains Vietnam's only road race to hold the World Athletics Label, recognising its international-standard organisation, stringent medical and safety protocols, anti-doping measures, and high-quality race course. Read full story

- The Autumn Festival, one of the four seasonal highlights of Hue Festival 2026, will take place throughout August and September, offering visitors a diverse programme of cultural, sporting, musical and heritage events celebrating the rich identity of the former imperial capital.

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Hue's tourism activities attract a large number of visitors (Photo: VNA)

According to the organising committee, throughout August, the Hue Sports Festival will feature 19 sporting events alongside other Autumn Festival activities. Held in response to the campaign "All people practice physical training following the example of great Uncle Ho," the programme seeks to improve public health, preserve traditional sports and cultural values, and strengthen exchanges between Hue and other localities. More than 15,000 domestic and international athletes and spectators are expected to take part. Read full story

- More than 5,000 people joined the “For Agent Orange/dioxin Victims” charity walk on Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street in Ho Chi Minh City on August 2.

Participants included former Party and State leaders, city officials, representatives of foreign consulates in the city, domestic and international organisations, armed forces personnel, youth union members, students, artists, businesses, donors and local residents. Read full story

- A new railway tourism service linking the former imperial city of Hue with Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is scheduled to begin operation on September 1, under a cooperation agreement signed by Quang Tri province, Hue city and Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR).

The agreement was announced at a seminar held in Quang Tri on July 31, where the three parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly develop the "Hue Ancient Capital – Phong Nha: Journey to Wonders and World Heritage" railway tourism product./. Read full story


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Professor Qu Qiang from Minzu University of China, in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency. (Photo: VNA)

Four orientations demonstrate shift in Vietnam’s development thinking: Chinese scholar

The most notable change is Vietnam’s transition from “organisational restructuring” to “improving governance effectiveness.” Previously, reforms focused on streamlining the apparatus and reducing intermediary levels. With organisational reforms largely completed, the more important task is now to ensure the new system operates more effectively, according to Professor Qu Qiang from Minzu University of China.

A view of the opening ceremony of the 16th NA's first extraordinary session (Photo: VNA)

First extraordinary session of 16th National Assembly opens

The first extraordinary session of the 16th National Assembly (NA) kicked off in Hanoi on August 3, with lawmakers set to consider and decide on a series of items, including 15 draft laws, four draft normative resolutions and a range of major issues concerning national development.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Tien Chau chairs several meetings to hear reports on the progress of the comprehensive review. (Photo: Ministry of Justice)

Over 43,000 legal normative documents reviewed

As of July 30, ministries, agencies and localities had conducted a preliminary review of more than 43,000 legal normative documents nationwide, identifying provisions that need to be amended, supplemented, replaced or annulled.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man addresses the meeting (Photo: VNA)

Legislation must pave the way for development: NA leader

For the NA, he said, success should not be measured simply by completing the legislative agenda, but by improving the quality of every law and resolution so that each legal instrument effectively addresses institutional obstacles and generates momentum for growth.

A parade through streets in Bac Giang ward, Bac Ninh province helps spread the message of building a safe and civilised traffic culture among the public (Photo: VNA)

Proposal on establishment of centrally-run Bac Ninh city approved

Under Resolution No. 205/NQ-CP dated August 1, 2026, the Government assigned the Ministry of Home Affairs to coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to fully incorporate comments from Government members into the submission, the proposal, and the draft National Assembly (NA) resolution on the establishment of the centrally-run city in accordance with regulations.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam delivers a keynote address at the 33rd Diplomatic Conference on August 1, 2026. Photo: VNA

Address by Party General Secretary and State President at 33rd Diplomatic Conference

By upholding the tradition of Vietnam’s revolutionary diplomacy and bringing into full play collective wisdom, mettle and sense of responsibility, the entire diplomatic sector and external relations forces will remain united, proactive and creative in successfully fulfilling their tasks, contributing to maintaining peace, safeguarding the Fatherland, expanding development space and enhancing Vietnam’s international standing.

Congratulations sent to Switzerland on National Day

Congratulations sent to Switzerland on National Day

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam on August 1 sent a congratulatory message to President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin on the occasion of the 735th National Day of Switzerland (August 1, 1291 – 2026).

Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung in an interview with the press on the sidelines of the 33rd Diplomatic Conference (Photo: VNA)

33rd Diplomatic Conference: Top leader’s broad directions provide fresh impetus for new stage of development

To effectively carry out top leader To Lam's directions, the diplomatic sector’s first and most fundamental step is to further improve awareness and professional capacity across all spheres. Diplomats must gain a deep understanding of the Party's and the State's directions, fully grasp the country's development requirements in the current context, and stay abreast of new demands arising from the rapidly changing international environment.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Canada Pham Vinh Quang (Photo: VNA)

Diplomatic achievements lay groundwork for upgrading Vietnam–Canada ties: diplomat

Among Vietnam's broader diplomatic achievements, relations with Canada stand out as one of the partnerships with the greatest potential for future development. The two countries share many common interests and complementary strengths, particularly in sustainable development, green transition, supply chain security, science-technology, and innovation.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Nguyen Ky Son (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam remains steadfast in principles, flexible in implementing foreign policy in Middle East

The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel will continue to place economic and science-technology diplomacy at the centre of its activities, while promoting Party-to-Party and people-to-people diplomacy to strengthen the political and social foundation for bilateral relations. These efforts will contribute to further developing Vietnam-Israel ties in a substantive, effective and sustainable manner, matching the potential and aspirations of both countries.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam speaks at the opening session of the 33rd Diplomatic Conference in Hanoi on August 1. (Photo: VNA)

Top leader attends opening of 33rd Diplomatic Conference

Since its inception in 1957, the Diplomatic Conference has served as the foreign affairs sector’s most important forum for reviewing international developments, assessing diplomatic performance, disseminating the Party’s foreign policy and guidelines, and defining priorities for the coming period.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam holds a working session with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' leadership and Vietnamese ambassadors and heads of representative missions abroad in Hanoi on July 31. Photo: VNA

Development-focused diplomacy must be at the centre: Top leader

Heads of representative missions overseas should always bear in mind that they represent a nation undergoing profound transformation and that every achievement made abroad can be translated into opportunities for people at home, top leader To Lam said.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung and Vietnam’s honorary consuls abroad at the meeting (Photo: VNA)

Foreign Minister receives Vietnam's honorary consuls abroad

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung congratulated the delegates on the conference's success and thanked the honorary consuls for their longstanding contributions to citizen protection, as well as trade, investment, education, tourism and cultural exchanges.