☀️ Morning digest on December 15

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

☀️ Morning digest on December 15

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

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 14 called on teams to accelerate the construction of the Long Thanh International Airport in the southern province of Dong Nai to make it ready for the first flight on December 19 and commercial operations in the first half of 2026.

During his trip to inspect the project’s construction site, PM Chinh commended units, contractors, and especially 15,000 experts, engineers, and workers, for speeding up the project’s construction to meet the schedule. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hailed the complex of Nhon Trach 3 and 4 power thermal plants in the southern province of Dong Nai as a benchmark project, exemplifying Vietnam’s determination, expertise, and national stature.

Attending a ceremony marking the inauguration and commercial operation of the project on December 14, the PM stressed that firmly ensuring national energy security is an integral component of national security and a strategic foundation, as well as an urgent requirement for the country’s rapid and sustainable development in the new context. Read full story

- National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man, together with the delegation of NA deputies in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, met with voters in Vi Thanh ward on December 13 afternoon shortly after the 15th legislature’s 10th session.

Voters highly praised the outcomes of the 10th session, describing it as a historic sitting. They particularly welcomed the NA’s adoption of a resolution introducing specific mechanisms and policies to remove obstacles in the implementation of the land law; amendments to education-related laws; and resolutions aimed at improving the quality of education and training, healthcare, population work and development for the 2026–2035 period. Read full story

- Hai Phong Port JSC on December 14 held a ceremony at container berths No. 3 and 4 of the Hai Phong International Container Terminal (HICT) to mark its handling of the 2 millionth TEU in 2025.

The achievement represents a historic milestone in the port’s over-150-year development, and makes Hai Phong Port the first seaport in northern Vietnam to record container throughput surpassing 2 million TEUs. Read full story

- The Moscow Power Engineering Institute (MPEI) on December 12 conferred an Honorary Doctorate on Professor Dr. Tran Hong Thai, Standing Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), in the presence of professors, scientists and delegates from Vietnam and Russia.

The prestigious title is reserved for individuals who have made outstanding contributions to scientific development, education and international cooperation in the energy sector. Read full story

- The Vietnamese Film Week in Paris officially came to a close on December 12 evening with a special highlight as ‘Red Rain’ - a film that once set box-office records in Vietnam and represented the country in the race for the Academy Awards - was screened at Pathé Palace, a venue closely associated with the origins of world cinema.

Adapted from the novel by Chu Lai, who also wrote the screenplay, the film draws inspiration from the 81-day battle to defend the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel in 1972. Read full story

- The Vietnam “Pho” Day, in response to the Pho Week in Europe 2025, kicked off in Germany and Bulgaria on December 12.

German partners welcomed the event initiated by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, which coincided with the 50th anniversary of Vietnam - Germany diplomatic ties, saying that it contributed to fostering cultural and culinary exchanges, especially by the iconic noodle soup to the host public. Read full story./.

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The appointment decision handover ceremony is held in Hanoi on March 12. (Photo: VNA)

PM appoints new leader for Vietnam’s top science academy

PM Pham Minh Chinh asked the VAST to continue to serve as the Party and State’s strategic advisory body on science – technology in key areas such as artificial intelligence, energy, marine economy, water security, and aerospace, alongside building a national sci-tech database.

Do Thanh Hai (right), Deputy Director-General of the East Sea Institute under the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, speaks at the dialogue. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, India promote maritime security cooperation through blue economy development

Through four rounds of bilateral “Track 1” Maritime Security Dialogue, the two sides have outlined priority areas of cooperation, including marine scientific research, blue economy development, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, naval and coast guard cooperation, maritime law enforcement, capacity building, and maritime connectivity.

Ha Thi Nga (right), Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, meets with V.G. Kalganov, Deputy Chairman of the External Relations Committee of Saint Petersburg, in Hanoi on March 12. (Photo: mattran.org.vn)

Vietnam, Saint Petersburg step up people-to-people exchanges

The VFF will continue strengthening bilateral ties and promoting cooperation activities, while seeking closer coordination and support from Saint Petersburg to expand people-to-people exchanges in the coming period, VFF Vice President and General Secretary Ha Thi Nga has said.

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

Top legislator asked for thorough preparations for NA, People’s Council election

With only three days left before voters head to the polls on March 15, the top legislator described the election as a particularly important political event and a major national occasion that demonstrates the people’s right to exercise their democratic power by directly choosing qualified representatives to the NA and People’s Councils at all levels.

Ship 17 of Brigade 171 under Naval Region 2 of the Vietnam People’s Navy. (Photo: VNA)

Navy ship completes Milan 2026 multinational exercise in India

Over a journey covering more than 5,000 nautical miles, the ship’s officers and crew combined operational participation with extended sea training aimed at enhancing command coordination capabilities, combat readiness, mastery of weapons and technical equipment, and overall physical endurance.

An overview of the 10th session of the 15th National Assembly which opens on October 20, 2025. (Illustrative photo: VNA)

France-based expert suggests elevating parliamentary diplomacy to support national development

Inter-parliamentary cooperation should be closely aligned with the country’s development priorities, including institutional reform, trade and investment, digital transformation, green transition, energy security, high-quality human resources development and the implementation of international commitments, said Le Van Tranh, a Vietnamese doctoral researcher in law at Paris Panthéon-Assas University in France.

Residents visit polling stations in their wards to review the list of candidates for deputies to the 16th National Assembly and members of People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 term. (Photo: VNA)

📝OP-ED: Resolutely removing discordant voices ahead of national election day

When March 15 arrives, one will see elderly voters approaching a hundred years old making their way to the polls, young voters casting their ballots with enthusiasm, and multi-generational families going together to fulfil their civic duty. Together, these moments will create a vibrant atmosphere, resembling a national celebration.

Le Thuong, Chairwoman of the Vietnamese Association in the Kansai region, Japan. (Photo: VNA)

OV in Japan place high expectations on NA, People’s Council election

Le Thuong, Chairwoman of the Vietnamese Association in the Kansai region, said overseas Vietnamese are closely following the upcoming election, viewing it as an important opportunity to strengthen the effectiveness of governance and ensure that development policies meet the country’s evolving needs.