☀️ Morning digest on July 11

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

☀️ Morning digest on July 11

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

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse on July 10 evening met with Vietnamese and international female diplomats on the occasion of the International Day of Women in Diplomacy of the UN (June 24), towards celebrating the upcoming 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s diplomatic sector.

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his spouse, and Vietnamese and international female diplomats at the meeting in Hanoi on July 10, 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Addressing the event, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang expressed her honour to serve as a female diplomat, stressing that the foundation for every female diplomat entering the international political arena lies in her nation's historical traditions, cultural identity, and national interests. Read full story

- National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man and Yorrys Raweyai, Deputy Speaker of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) of Indonesia, had a meeting in Hanoi on July 10, expressing satisfaction with the progress in their countries' parliamentary cooperation in recent years.

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NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man (R) meets with Yorrys Raweyai, Deputy Speaker of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) of Indonesia, in Hanoi on July 10, 2025. (Photo: VNA)

The top legislator of Vietnam congratulated Indonesia on its remarkable achievements across the board in recent time. He highly valued the DPD's important role and substantial contributions within Indonesia's legislature, expressing his belief that Indonesia will continue to prosper, enhance its international position, and achieve the “Golden Indonesia 2045 Vision” on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of its independence. Read full story

- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on July 10 called for the Mekong–Japan cooperation framework to adopt new thinking, new methods, and new approaches in order to develop a more innovative and adaptive Mekong–Japan Cooperation (MJC) mechanism.

He made the statement while co-chairing the 16th Mekong–Japan Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held within the framework of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and related events in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Read full story

- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son had bilateral meetings with Foreign Ministers of Japan and Switzerland on the sidelines of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM-58) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 10.

During their meeting, Son and Japanese FM Iwaya Takeshi expressed their delight at the fruitful development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, which has become increasingly substantive and effective across all areas. Read full story

- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son led the Vietnamese delegation to attend the ASEAN+1 foreign ministers’ meetings with China, Australia, Canada, India, and New Zealand in Kuala Lumpur on July 10.

Vietnam also co-chaired the ASEAN-New Zealand Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in its capacity as coordinator for ASEAN-New Zealand relations. Read full story

- With the support of Vietnam, the remains of 740 US servicemen have been identified and returned to their families, according to Kelly McKeague, Director of the Defence POW/MIA Accounting Agency under the US Department of Defence.

Visiting the National Archives Centre III under the Vietnamese Ministry of Home Affairs’ State Records and Archives Department on July 10, McKeague stated that the year 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of Vietnam’s reunification, the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam–US diplomatic relations, and, notably, the 40th anniversary since the US first sent a team to Vietnam to search for missing service members. Read full story

- Hanoi’s tourism sector has introduced a range of new tourism products and programmes to boost demand and attract both domestic and international visitors head of the National Day holiday (September 2).

From July, new offerings include the heritage tour of Ha Mo (O Dien commune), the “Nam Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Road” route, the community tourism model in My Duc commune showcasing ethnic minority culture, and the agricultural tour of Tich Loc commune. Read full story

- The Co To special zone in northern Quang Ninh province officially launched its “Co To Digital” application on July 9, marking a significant step forward in its digital transformation efforts.

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A corner of Co To special zone. (Photo published by VNA)

Designed as an intelligent and user-friendly platform, the app goes beyond a conventional e-government tool. It serves as a digital companion for both local residents and tourists, providing quick access to a range of integrated services. Users can easily check ferry timetables, locate dining and accommodation options, explore the island’s cultural and historical sites, and receive real-time updates on local events and weather conditions. Read full story

- The Vietnamese men's national football team have dropped four places to 113th in the latest FIFA rankings announced on July 10, according to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF).

This result accurately reflects the reality following Vietnam’s 0-4 loss to hosts Malaysia in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. The defeat cost Vietnam 13.91 ranking points, while Malaysia gained 14.91 points and climbed six places to 125th globally. Read full story

- The international match-play golf tournament Vietnam-Singapore Alliance Cup 2025 will take place in the south central province of Lam Dong from July 30 to August 1, the Vietnam Golf Association (VGA) announced on July 10.

Sponsored by the VGA and co-organised by the Singapore Professional Golfers’Association (SPGA), the tournament promises thrilling matchups between the two nations’ golfers./. Read full story

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Prime Minister Le Minh Hung presents the First-Class and Second-Class Fatherland Protection Orders to the collectives for their achievements in search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in Venezuela. (Photo: VNA)

PM calls for building elite, professional international search and rescue force

During its mission from June 29 to July 7, the team worked around the clock under extremely hazardous conditions amid heavily damaged and contaminated disaster zones. Despite the challenges, rescue personnel recovered 57 victims' bodies and handed them over to local authorities and families. They also identified and reported several suspected locations where additional victims might be trapped.

People gather at Den Thuong (Upper Temple) during the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day in Phu Tho province. (Photo: VNA)

📝 OP-ED: Respect for history, gratitude a lasting cultural value of Vietnamese people

In Vietnamese cultural life, gratitude toward preceding generations has long been preserved as an integral part of the nation's identity. This tradition is reflected in ancestor worship practiced in families, the Worship of the Hung Kings, village deities, national heroes and eminent cultural figures, as well as tributes to generations who sacrificed their lives for the nation's independence and freedom.

General Phan Van Giang (R) and General Khamlieng Outhakaysone plant a tree at Thanh Thuy border gate. (Illustrative photo: VNA)

Border community twinning strengthens Vietnam–Laos friendship

Over the past decade, the twinning relationship between Thuy Phong village in Nghe An’s Kim Bang commune, and Xop Tuong village in Nam On commune, Xaychamphone district, Bolikhamxay province of Laos, has become a model for fostering a shared border of peace, friendship and cooperation.

Delegates from the two nations, along with military attachés from several countries accredited to Vietnam, lay flowers in tribute to the Cuban military experts at the memorial monument within the Vietnam Military History Museum in Hanoi on July 10. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Cuba pay tribute to fallen Cuban military experts

Cuba and Vietnam on July 10 commemorated six Cuban military experts who lost their lives 60 years ago while supporting the Vietnamese people's resistance war, reaffirming the enduring solidarity and defence ties forged through the two countries' shared history.

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.