☀️ Morning digest on February 12

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

☀️ Morning digest on February 12

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

- The all-level Party congresses for the 2025-2030 term hold exceptional significance. They are not only major, wide-reaching political activities within the Party and the people but also serve as a vital premise for the successful organisation of the 14th National Party Congress.

The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) respectfully introduces a translation of the article, titled “Ensuring the successful organisation of all-level Party congresses for the 2025-2030 term” by Party General Secretary To Lam. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh highlighted the critical task of developing sci-tech, innovation and quality workforce while chairing a conference in Hanoi on February 11, noting that they are essential drivers of economic restructuring, enhanced labour productivity, and greater competitiveness in today’s fast-changing world.

In his address, PM Chinh asked relevant ministries and the Government Office to collect feedback at the event to propose a draft directive for this national effort. Read full story

- The 9th extraordinary session of the 15th National Assembly (NA) will open on February 12, with its activities taking place in person at the NA House in Hanoi.

During the 8-day session, legislators will review and pass the drafts of the revised law on amendments and supplements to the Law on organisation of the NA, the revised Law on organisation of the Government, and the revised Law on promulgation of legal documents. Read full story

- Working at one of the world’s largest and most respected centres for scientific research, a Vietnamese female scientist is positive about changes at home, particularly when seeing young people value Vietnam's vast traditional culture.

Pham Le Thu Ha, or Joni Pham, is a PhD student from the University of Melbourne and a physicist at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva, Switzerland. CERN is home to the world's largest particle accelerator. It is renowned for its groundbreaking scientific discoveries and its goal of unraveling the mysteries of the universe such as dark matter and dark energy, while affirming the role of science in promoting peace in a world filled with turmoil. Read full story

- The Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) has played a decisive and leading role in the country's current renewal process, according to Professor Liu Ying at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies under the Renmin University of China.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)’s resident correspondents in Beijing on the occasion of the CPV’s 95th founding anniversary, Liu said that through scientific decisions, wise leadership, and effective policy implementation, the CPV has promoted the comprehensive development of Vietnamese society. Particularly in the economic field, it has successfully implemented the reform and open-door policies, transforming Vietnam from an agricultural country into a key economy in Southeast Asia. Read full story

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Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov (R) speaks at the opening of the exhibition marking the 75th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Russia in Moscow on February 11. (Photo: VNA)

- The friendship and sympathy between the Vietnamese and Russian people have overcome the test of time and political circumstances, said Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov in his opening speech at an exhibition marking the 75th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties in Moscow on February 11.

Russia is proud to have supported heroic Vietnam during the years of fighting for freedom and independence as well as during the period of peace building, he said.Read full story

- Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son had bilateral meetings with leaders of Laos and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) within the framework of the World Governments Summit 2025 (WGS 2025) in Dubai on February 11.

Meeting with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Son provided an overview of Vietnam's socio-economic achievements and drastic measures the country has taken to realise the Resolution on continued reform and re-organisation of the political system for streamlined, effective and efficient operations. Read full story

- Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien represented Vietnam at the 14th Japan-ASEAN Defence Vice-Ministerial Forum in Tokyo, Japan, on February 11.

In his speech, Chien stressed that the world is undergoing era-defining transformations. Against this backdrop, the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+) has proven effective in managing regional security, fostering dialogue, and enhancing cooperation to address emerging challenges, helping to maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific. Read full story

- Despite the US’s imposition of 25% tariff on imported steel and aluminum, Vietnam still holds promising opportunities to continue its exports to the US market as US producers have yet to fully meet domestic demand, said Commercial Counsellor Do Ngoc Hung, Head of the Vietnam Trade Office in the US.

However, the new tariffs could squeeze profit margins for Vietnamese exporters, making it crucial for businesses to adapt swiftly, Hung said./. Read full story

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) welcomes Austrian Ambassador to Vietnam Philipp Agathonos in Hanoi on March 26 evening. (Photo: VNA)

PM welcomes newly-appointed Austrian Ambassador to Vietnam

PM Chinh congratulated Agathonos on assuming his new task in Vietnam, and expressed his belief that with many years of experience working in diplomacy, the Ambassador will actively contribute to consolidating and strengthening the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Austria.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (L) witness the exchange of the cooperation agreement between the Vietnam-Singapore Friendship Association and the Singapore International Foundation. (Photo: VNA)

Singaporean PM concludes official visit to Vietnam

Hosting the Singaporean PM, the Vietnamese leaders emphasised the significance of Wong’s official visit, describing it as a key milestone - the first high-level exchange following the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Party General Secretary To Lam’s official visit to Singapore.

A fierce forest fire in Andong in North Kyungsang province of the RoK on March 25, 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam offers sympathy over severe wildfires in RoK

Vietnamese leaders on March 26 sent messages of sympathy to the Republic of Korea (RoK) following severe wildfires in the country’s southeastern regions, which caused significant loss of life and property, and environmental damage.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man (R) welcomes Singaporean PM Lawrence Wong. (Photo: VNA)

National Assembly Chairman receives Singaporean PM

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Singapore to assist the Vietnamese NA in building its legislative agenda with a focus on digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and streamlining the administrative system through digitalisation while ensuring benefits for officials.

mbassador Tran Duc Binh, Director of the ASEAN Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam strengthens efforts to advance women, peace, and security agenda

The diplomat underscored the significance and importance of the United Nations Security Council’s Resolution 1325 on WPS, adopted in 2000, and its related resolutions. He stressed the need to ensure women’s participation and gender incorporation in every stage of the peace process.

State President Luong Cuong addresses the ceremony. (Photo: VNA)

Militia must develop into well-structured, high-quality force: State President

President Cuong highlighted the Militia and Self-Defence Force's 90-year journey, from a grassroots paramilitary group to an essential component of the Vietnam People’s Armed Forces. It has always excellently completed its tasks, making great contributions to the cause of national liberation and reunification in the past and the process of Fatherland building and safeguarding.

Pedro da Oliviera, General Secretary of the Brazil-Vietnam Friendship Association. (Photo: VNA)

President Ho Chi Minh lays foundation for Vietnam-Brazil relations: Brazilian official

Oliviera expressed his confidence that the Brazilian President’s visit would significantly enhance trade and diplomatic ties between Brazil and Vietnam – a highly dynamic economy. In 2024, bilateral trade reached 7.7 billion USD, up 14% year-on-year. Semiconductor manufacturing and aerospace are promising sectors for the two sides’ future cooperation, the official noted.

State President Luong Cuong (R) shakes hands with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam treasures relations with Singapore: State President

State President Luong Cuong held a meeting with visiting Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence in Hanoi on March 26, underlining that Vietnam values its relations with Singapore, and hopes for the effective and substantive implementation of the comprehensive strategic partnership to further strengthen bilateral ties in the coming time.

☕ Afternoon briefing on March 26

☕ Afternoon briefing on March 26

The talks between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his visiting Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong, Vietnamese airlines' ban of power banks on their flights, and Vietnam's emphatic victory over Laos at their 2027 Asian Cup qualifying match are among news highlights on March 26.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) shakes hands with his Sngaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong in Hanoi on March 26. (Photo: VNA)

Prime Minister holds talks with visiting Singaporean counterpart

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong agreed on decisive and timely measures for enhancing political trust and creating new breakthroughs for the two countries' comprehensive strategic partnership, during their talks in Hanoi on March 26.

☀️ Morning digest on March 26

☀️ Morning digest on March 26

The meeting of standing members of the Central Steering Committee for Prevention and Control of Corruption and Negative Phenomena, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong starting an official visit to Vietnam, and the signing of an MoU on consumer protection between Vietnam and the UK are among news highlights on March 25 evening.