☀️ 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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National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man (R) and President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand Sophon Zaram in Hanoi during the latter's official visit to Vietnam from August 5-7, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Thailand's parliamentary leader concludes official visit to Vietnam

Thailand attaches great importance to its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam, and the two countries share a solid foundation of friendship, many common strategic interests and significant potential for cooperation, said President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand Sophon Zaram.

Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung speaks at the 33rd Diplomatic Conference's closing session in Hanoi on August 7, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

33rd Diplomatic Conference wraps up in Hanoi

Foreign relations are no longer viewed simply as relations with the outside world but as an integral component of national comprehensive strength and a responsibility shared by the entire Party, people, armed forces and political system.

Lawmakers in a group discussion (Photo: VNA)

Lawmakers seek legal reforms to promote telecom infrastructure data sharing

A deputy of Ha Tinh province said there is currently no clear legal basis for sharing technical infrastructure data. While the issue may be less apparent under normal circumstances, it could hamper local coordination and response during storms, floods and other disasters when detailed infrastructure data is not readily available.

Consuls general of ASEAN countries in Ho Chi Minh City show calligraphy works presented to them at the gathering on August 7. (Photo: VNA)

Get-together celebrates 59th founding anniversary of ASEAN

​Despite differences in history, culture, languages, religions, levels of development, and social conditions, ASEAN member states have chosen to respect one another, build consensus, and pursue shared regional interests. It’s the unity in diversity that has shaped ASEAN’s identity, strength, resilience, and central role in the regional architecture.

Vina Nadjibulla, former Vice President for Research and Strategy at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (Photo; VNA)

33rd Diplomatic Conference: Vietnam's foreign policy wins praise from Canadian expert

Vina Nadjibulla, former Vice President for Research and Strategy at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, credited pragmatic diplomacy with allowing Vietnam to build relationships with a range of partners without becoming overly dependent on any single country. That approach, she noted, has become more relevant as major-power rivalry heats up, the global economy fragments, and pressure mounts on countries to pick sides.

Minister of Agriculture and Environment Trinh Viet Hung speaks at the session (Photo: VNA)

Legislators review bills to streamline administrative procedures in agriculture, environment

Presenting the draft law on amending and supplementing several articles of 10 laws concerning administrative procedures and business conditions in the agriculture and environment sector, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Trinh Viet Hung said it is designed to institutionalise the Party's policy of reducing and simplifying administrative procedures and business conditions, while promoting decentralisation, innovation, and more effective state governance.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee (right) hosts a reception for Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn in Hanoi during her state visit to Vietnam in September last year (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Australia to further strengthen cooperation

The messages posted on Australian Government media platforms highlighted Australia and Vietnam as close regional partners with a long-standing friendship. This will be General Secretary and President Lam’s first visit to Australia since being appointed as President in April and it is also the first in-person meeting between the two leaders.

Lawmakers discuss bills in groups (Photo: VNA)

Lawmakers mull over various bills in group debates

The legislative package includes a draft Law on Urban Development, a bill amending and supplementing several articles of 10 laws that govern administrative procedures and business conditions in agriculture and environment, and the draft Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Radio Frequencies, the Law on Telecommunications, the Law on E-Transactions, and the Law on Technology Transfer.

A flag-raising ceremony is held to mark the 58th founding anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on August 8, 2025 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam remains active contributor to ASEAN Community Vision 2045

Vietnam's 31-year journey with ASEAN stands as compelling testimony to its strong commitment to regional integration, as well as its pioneering spirit, sense of responsibility, and proactive contributions to building a united and resilient ASEAN Community.

Bui Quang Hung, Deputy Director General of the Trade Promotion Agency, addresses the seminar. (Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Industry and Trade)

Vietnam, Netherlands seek deeper manufacturing cooperation

Manufacturing remains one of Vietnam's core industries, making a major contribution to economic growth, exports and foreign direct investment. The country has become an important production base for multinational corporations in electronics, precision engineering, electrical equipment and high-tech industries.

Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith (right) receives General Nguyen Trong Nghia, Chairman of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army on August 6 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Laos strengthen political, defence ties

The Lao leaders expressed satisfaction with the steady development of bilateral ties, noting that political relations have become increasingly close, deep and trustworthy, serving as the guiding force for overall cooperation.

Collins Chong Yew Keat, a foreign affairs, security and strategy analyst at the University of Malaya (Photo: VNA)

Malaysia-Vietnam defence ties set for more practical cooperation: expert

According to the expert, another key outcome was the reaffirmation of the 2023 defence cooperation MoU and the Action Programme for implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as the principal roadmap for future collaboration. The framework builds on existing cooperation in delegation exchanges, consultation mechanisms, military education, defence industry, and coordination within ASEAN and other multilateral forums.

Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung speaks at the networking session with business community on August 6. (Photo: VNA)

Diplomacy to accompany businesses in expanding Vietnam's development space

Opening the event, Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung said Vietnam is entering a new era of development in which foreign affairs and international integration is a crucial and regular task, contributing to maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, mobilising external resources and enhancing the country's international standing.