☀️ Morning digest on July 21

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

☀️ Morning digest on July 21

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

- The two-day 12th plenary session of the 13th Party Central Committee concluded on July 19 afternoon, fulfilling the agenda set out at the start of the meeting.

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At the closing session of the 12th plenary meeting of the 13th Central Party Committee. (Photo: VNA)

Delegates held in-depth, comprehensive, and highly unified discussions on three strategic content groups with long-term implications crucial for preparing for the 14th National Party Congress and advancing the country's continued renewal and sustainable development in the new era. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presided over the third meeting of the Government’s steering committee for science – technology development, innovation, digital transformation, and a project on developing resident data, e-ID and e-authentication applications (Project 06) in Hanoi on July 20 to review performance in the first half of 2025 and set directions for the rest of the year.

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presides over the third meeting of the Government’s steering committee for science – technology development, innovation, digital transformation, and Project 06 in Hanoi on July 20. (Photo: VNA)

The event brought together Deputy Prime Ministers Nguyen Hoa Binh, Bui Thanh Son, Ho Duc Phoc, and Nguyen Chi Dung, along with ministers, heads of ministry-level agencies, government bodies, and leaders from major technology corporations. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has issued an urgent dispatch following the capsizing of the Vinh Xanh 58 tourist service boat near Ti Top island in the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh.

The incident occurred at approximately 3:30 p.m. on July 19. In response, the PM extended his heartfelt sympathies to those affected and expressed deep condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha was immediately dispatched to the scene to direct rescue and relief efforts. Read full story

- All six Vietnamese students won medals at the 66th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) in 2025 in Queensland, Australia, the Ministry of Education and Training reported on July 19.

With two golds, three silvers, and one bronze, Vietnam scored a total of 188 points, ranking 9th among 113 participating countries and territories joining the competition, following China (1st), the US (2nd), the Republic of Korea (3rd), Poland and Japan (4th), Israel (6th), India (7th), and Singapore (8th). Read full story

- Rescue forces in the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh are racing against time to search for victims of a tourist boat that sank in world natural heritage site Ha Long Bay on July 19.

Vice Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Pham Duc An, along with other provincial leaders and representatives from relevant departments and agencies, have been present at the scene to directly oversee the rescue operations, with the top priority giving to ensuring the safety of all tourists and crew members. Read full story

- Forty-five out of 49 people aboard the Vinh Xanh 58 tourist boat had been found as of 1:40 am on July 20 following the tragic capsizing incident in Ha Long Bay a day earlier, with 10 survivors, 35 confirmed dead, and four still unaccounted for, the People’s Committee of Quang Ninh province announced on July 20 morning.

The boat, carrying 46 tourists and three crew members, was struck by an unexpected thunderstorm while on a sightseeing tour to Sung Sot Cave and Titop Island. The steel-hulled vessel, built in 2015, lost GPS signal contact at 2:05 pm on July 19. Read full story

- A powerful line of thunderstorms tore through northern Vietnam and the Gulf of Tonkin on July 19 afternoon, unleashing torrential rain, lightning, and fierce winds that culminated in a tragic capsizing of a tourist boat in Ha Long Bay, officials said.

The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting attributed the extreme weather to a convergence zone sweeping through the region, which, combined with three days of scorching temperatures, created unstable atmospheric conditions ripe for severe storms. Read full story

- Authorities of localities in northern and central Vietnam have been urged to make urgent preparations as Storm Wipha, the third tropical one to hit the East Sea this year, gathers strength and threatens to bring widespread heavy rain and dangerous weather conditions.

In an official dispatch issued on July 19, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment called on People’s Committees of provinces and cities in the northern region and along the coast from Quang Ninh to Dak Lak to closely monitor the storm’s developments and be ready in response to it./. Read full story

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General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietn Nam (CPV) Central Committee and State President To Lam (left) meets with Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. during his visit to the Philippines in June 2026 (Photo: VNA)

Congratulatory messages mark 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Philippines diplomatic ties

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and State President To Lam and Prime Minister Le Minh Hung sent congratulatory messages to Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Philippines (1976-2026).

Speakers at a panel discussion on Vietnamese language teaching and learning in Thailand. (Photo: VNA)

People-to-people, cultural ties strengthen Vietnam-Thailand friendship

Delivering a keynote speech on the future of Thailand-Vietnam relations after five decades of diplomatic ties, Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung underscored the important role of universities not only in preserving shared history but also in shaping the future of the bilateral partnership through education, research and people-to-people connections.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung welcomes Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritis in Hanoi on July 17 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam values traditional friendship with Greece: FM

To deepen practical cooperation, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung proposed increasing exchanges at all levels, especially high-level visits, while strengthening coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums, particularly as Greece serves as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2025–2026 term.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam present greeting flowers to the People'sPolice force on the occasion of the 64th anniversary of the force's traditional day (Photo: VNA)

Top leader asks for building stronger, more modern people's police force

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam highlighted the country's recent socio-economic achievements, recognising the significant contributions by the People's Public Security force, particularly the People's Police, senior police leaders over different periods and the Association of Former People's Public Security Officers through grassroots movements safeguarding national security.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung chairs a government meeting with the business community in Hanoi on July 18 (Photo: VNA)

PM urges stronger development foundations for sustainable growth

Opening the event, the PM underscored the significance of the meeting, saying that it is the first engagement between the new-term government’s members and the business community - the vanguard on the economic front, playing a key role in driving growth, generating employment, and enhancing national competitiveness.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (R) receives Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritis in Hanoi on July 17. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam–Greece ties still hold considerable untapped potential: PM

PM Le Minh Hung recommended that the two sides step up all-level exchanges and meetings, especially those at high level, make full use of the existing cooperation mechanisms, expand collaboration in the economy, trade and investment, and effectively implement the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam offers incense at the memorial stele dedicated to heroic martyrs. (Photo: VNA)

Identifying fallen soldiers a sacred responsibility towards Fatherland: Top leader

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam stressed that every set of remains recovered represents far more than a technical achievement. It marks the return of a son or daughter to the Fatherland and to his/her family, the restoration of a missing chapter of history, and a reaffirmation of the country's enduring tradition of remembering those who served the nation.

Representatives of the liaison committee of veterans of Battalion 261 - Giron in Ho Chi Minh City present a commemorative photo to Mauricio Alejandro Martínez Duque, Consul General of Cuba in the city. (Photo: VNA)

Get-together marks 73rd anniversary of Cuba’s Moncada Barracks attack

Building on the long-standing friendship between Vietnam and Cuba, the Vietnam–Cuba Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City has worked closely with the Consulate General of Cuba in Ho Chi Minh City to organise a wide range of activities in recent years, including gatherings marking major national anniversaries, cultural and artistic exchanges, and programmes connecting organisations and localities from the two countries

National Assembly Vice Chairman Nguyen Khac Dinh addresses the fourth session of the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on July 17, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Modern criminal justice system proposed under revised Criminal Procedure Code

The revised code proposes more progressive procedural rules to enhance adversarial proceedings, tighten power oversight and better protect human and citizens' rights. It will retain effective existing provisions, amend or repeal outdated regulations, and introduce new procedures to expedite case handling, reduce procedural costs and improve efficiency while ensuring fairness, objectivity and greater protection of the lawful rights and interests of organisations and individuals. It also aims to modernise criminal proceedings through the wider application of digital technologies and closer alignment with international practices.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang has a working session with Vietnamese associations in Udon Thani province, northeastern Thailand, on July 16. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese community in Thailand urged to strengthen friendship bridge

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang commended the unity and sense of responsibility shown by the Vietnamese community in Udon Thani and across Thailand, urging them to continue preserving the Vietnamese language and cultural identity while helping build a positive image of Vietnamese people and contributing to bilateral relations.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang (R) and Minister in charge of the General Secretariat of the Mauritanian Government Moctar Al Housseynou Lam. (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)

Vietnam seeks Mauritania’s role as bridge to African Union for deeper ties

Vietnam expects Mauritania to act as a bridge for substantive cooperation between Vietnam and the African Union (AU), said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang during a reception in Hanoi on July 16 for Minister in charge of the General Secretariat of the Mauritanian Government Moctar Al Housseynou Lam.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (R) and Minister in charge of the General Secretariat of the Mauritanian Government, Moctar Al Housseynou Lam. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam treasures traditional friendship with Mauritania: FM

The two officials agreed to continue their long-standing coordination at multilateral forums, including the Francophonie, while reinforcing practical collaboration with regional organisations such as ASEAN and the AU, for the benefit of their people and for peace, stability and development in their respective regions and globally.