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.
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.
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
