Politics

☀️ Morning digest on July 10

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

☀️ Morning digest on July 10

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

- General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam hosted separate farewell receptions in Hanoi on July 9 for the outgoing ambassadors of Belgium, Norway, the Netherlands and Brazil.

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General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam (R) and Belgian Ambassador Karl Van den Bossche. (Photo: VNA)

Meeting Belgian Ambassador Karl Van den Bossche, General Secretary and President Lam commended his contributions to fostering the friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Belgium, thereby further cementing Vietnam’s relationship with the European Union (EU). Read full text

- Prime Minister Le Minh Hung on July 9 called for a modern, efficient restructuring of Vietnam’s healthcare facility network, stressing that investment in healthcare is an investment in the country’s future, as he attended the inauguration of Viet Duc University Hospital's second campus in Ninh Binh province.

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Prime Minister Le Minh Hung delivers remarks at the inauguration ceremony for Viet Duc University Hospital's second campus in Ninh Binh province. (Photo: VNA)

The ceremony, organised by the Ministry of Health, marked the official launch of one of Vietnam’s largest specialised medical facilities. Together with the nearby Bach Mai Hospital’s Ninh Binh campus, the new hospital is expected to strengthen regional healthcare capacity, ease chronic overcrowding at central-level hospitals and expand public access to high-quality specialised treatment. Read full text

- Vietnam officially inaugurated its first honorary consulate in Phuket, Thailand, on July 9, marking a new step in strengthening bilateral ties and expanding consular services for Vietnamese citizens in southern Thailand.

The honorary consulate has jurisdiction over eight southern coastal provinces, including Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, Trang, Satun, Ranong, Songkhla and Surat Thani. Read full text

- Vietnam will continue working closely with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member states to sign their free trade agreement (FTA) at an early date and effectively implement its commitments, paving the way for stronger trade and investment ties while expanding cooperation in the areas of mutual interest.

Spokeswoman of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang made the remarks in response to reporters' questions about the conclusion of the Vietnam-EFTA FTA, at the ministry's regular press briefing on July 9. Read full text

- Vietnam and Israel have substantial potential to expand cooperation in high-tech agriculture, particularly as the Southeast Asia nation is accelerating the restructuring of its agricultural sector towards higher added value, sustainable development, and greater application of science and technology in production, Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Nguyen Ky Son has said.

The ambassador made the remarks at the Vietnam–Israel high-tech agriculture networking seminar 2026, held in Tel Aviv on July 9 in both in-person and online formats, with the participation of representatives from Israel's Ministry of Economy and Industry, universities, research institutes, businesses, and organisations operating in the high-tech agriculture sector of the two countries. Read full text

- Singapore-based United Overseas Bank (UOB) has sharply raised its forecast for Vietnam's 2026 GDP growth to 8.5%, more than reversing the previous downgrade to 7%, citing stronger-than-expected first-half economic performance driven by manufacturing, investment and foreign direct investment (FDI).

According to the bank, Vietnam’s GDP growth strengthened to 8.39% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, from 7.94% in the first quarter, lifting the first half’s figure to 8.18%./. Read full text

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#To Lam #Le Minh Hung #outgoing ambassadors of Belgium #Norway #the Netherlands and Brazil #European Free Trade Association
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☀️ Morning digest on July 8

☀️ Morning digest on July 8

The first exchange programme between young officers of the Vietnam Coast Guard and the Philippine Coast Guard, Hanoi welcoming the 5 millionth international visitor in 2026, and nearly 400 km of new expressways put into operation in the first half of 2026 are among news highlights on July 7 evening.

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Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung (third from left) poses for a commemorative photo with Honorary Consul Thaneth Tantipiriyakij and officials from several southern Thai provinces in front of the Honorary Consulate of Vietnam in Phuket. (Photo:VNA)

Vietnam opens first honorary consulate in Phuket

The ambassador said the establishment of Vietnam's first honorary consulate in Phuket reflects both countries' commitment to enhancing cooperation with the Andaman sea economic gateway while meeting growing demand for consular services and better support for Vietnamese citizens and the Vietnamese community in southern Thailand.

Spokeswoman of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang speaks at the press conference on July 9. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam seeks early signing of trade deal with EFTA

Vietnam will continue working closely with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member states to sign their free trade agreement (FTA) at an early date and effectively implement its commitments.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang (3rd from left) and his Lao counterpart General Khamliang Outhakaysone (4th from left) in an activity held on July 9, 2026 as part of the third Vietnam – Laos Border Defence Friendship Exchange. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Laos strengthen border defence friendship

At Border Marker No. 460, the two defence ministers jointly took part in the traditional ceremony of repainting the marker. Beyond its symbolic significance, the ceremony reflected the determination of the two Parties, States and armed forces to safeguard every marker of national sovereignty, preserve the achievements of border demarcation and marker planting, and develop the Vietnam–Laos border into a symbol of peace, stability, cooperation and development.

The seminar held in Hanoi on July 8 shares the key experiences of the Communist Party of China and the Communist Party of Vietnam in leading the cause of socialism building. (Photo: VOV)

Vietnam, China share experiences in building socialism

Throughout a century of development, the two sides have remained resilient in the face of changing global circumstances, continuously strengthening the Party building to reinforce their leadership and provide the political foundation for socialism building in each country, said Chinese Ambassador He Wei.

Colonel Bui Quang Thuyen, Deputy Commander of Naval Region 4, presents flowers to Commodore Francisco C. Cacho, Deputy Commander of the Philippine Navy's Western Naval Command (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Vietnam, Philippines promote naval cooperation through friendship exchange

The ninth friendship exchange between Vietnamese and Philippine navies, held on Song Tu Tay island in the Truong Sa (Spratly) special zone of Vietnam, aimed to further strengthen friendship, cooperation, mutual trust and understanding between the army forces and navies of Vietnam and the Philippines, while effectively implementing bilateral naval cooperation agreements.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung speaks at the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Independence Day of the US in Hanoi on July 8. (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Vietnam, US pledge to jointly open new chapter in bilateral ties

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung said he hopes the two countries will together open up a new chapter of stable, substantive and effective development in their relationship based on respect for each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political regimes, as well as mutual benefit.

Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung meets with French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, in Hanoi on July 8, 2026. (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Vietnam, France push forward Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

At a meeting with Martin Briens, Secretary-General of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, in Hanoi on July 8, Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung highlighted the positive developments in bilateral ties since the two countries elevated their relationship. He noted that Vietnam–France cooperation has generated tangible benefits for both peoples while contributing to peace, stability, dialogue, and cooperation in the world.

NA Vice Chairman Nguyen Doan Anh (right) receives Deputy Chairman of the Committee for External Relations of Saint Petersburg Kalganov Vyacheslav Gennadievich in Hanoi on July 8 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese NA supports stronger local cooperation with Russia

Russia in general and Saint Petersburg in particular attach great importance to strengthening ties with Vietnam, expressing his hope for more exchanges between high-level parliamentary delegations and broader cooperation with Vietnamese localities to further deepen the bilateral relations.

Rescuers evacuate residents from flood-hit areas in Nanning, the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, on July 6, 2026 (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Vietnam extends condolences to China over natural disasters

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and State President To Lam cabled his condolences to General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping following recent severe rains, flooding, tornadoes and landslides that have caused significant loss of life and property in several localities in China.