☀️ Morning digest on July 28

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

☀️ Morning digest on July 25
☀️ Morning digest on July 25

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

- Party General Secretary To Lam and his entourage on July 27 offered flowers and incense in commemoration of heroes and martyrs at the Martyrs’ Temple at the Dien Bien Phu Battlefield, and the A1 National Martyrs’ Cemetery in the northern mountainous province of Dien Bien, on the occasion of 78th War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27, 1947 – 2025).

They showed their profound gratitude to late President Ho Chi Minh - the hero of national liberation and a great man of culture, and General Vo Nguyen Giap -the elder brother of the Vietnam People’s Army, along with officers, soldiers, youth volunteers, frontline workers, the armed forces and people across the country who fought heroically and sacrificed their lives for the Dien Bien Phu Victory on May 7, 1954 that “shook the world and resounded across five continents.” Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh joined a national candle-lighting ceremony held at the Truong Son National Martyrs’ Cemetery in central Quang Tri province on the evening of July 26, ahead of the 78th War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27).

The event, co-organised by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Quang Tri province, aimed to commemorate and express deep gratitude to those who laid down their lives for the cause of national liberation and defence. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on July 27 chaired a meeting with relevant ministries and agencies on the implementation of a campaign to construct schools and boarding facilities for students and teachers in land border communes across the country.

The PM has directed the Ministries of Education and Training, Construction, Finance, Ethnic and Religious Affairs, and Agriculture and Environment to coordinate with localities to implement the policy. Read full story

- National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man, his spouse Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation arrived in Geneva, Switzerland, on July 27 afternoon (local time) to attend the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament and engage in bilateral activities from July 27-30.

Chairman Man is expected to deliver a keynote speech at the plenary session of the conference, demonstrating Vietnam’s strong commitment to addressing global issues. Read full story

- A vibrant series of cultural diplomacy events is underway across Russia to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Russian Federation (1950–2025).

Organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in coordination with Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and authorities in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, the events celebrate the Vietnamese people’s rich cultural heritage. Read full story

- A biometric identification and digital authentication system integrated with the VNeID application officially began operation at Terminal T3 of Tan Son Nhat International Airport, streamlining passenger procedures from check-in to boarding.

Under this system, passengers are guided by police and airline staff to complete online check-in via the VNeID app. They are then verified using facial recognition scanners. Once authenticated, they can bypass traditional security, ticket, and document checks. Facial recognition scanners placed at security checkpoints now allow passengers to proceed through the airport in a matter of seconds. Read full story

- Vietnamese women's team claimed the championship title in the quadrant event after a comeback 2-1 victory over Thailand at the World Sepak Takraw Championship Thai King’s Cup 2025 on July 27.

This marks the third time the Vietnamese women's team has won the world title in this event, following their previous victories in 2022 and 2023. Read full story./.

VNA

See more

Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee for National Defence, Security and Foreign Affairs Senior Lieutenant General Le Tan Toi (right) meets with First Vice President of the Belgian Senate Andries Gryffroy. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Belgium boost parliamentary cooperation, deepen bilateral relations

Toi called on the Belgian Senate to continue supporting stronger Vietnam-EU relations, including the effective implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and promoting the European Commission's early removal of its "yellow card" warning against Vietnamese seafood exports, in recognition of Vietnam's efforts to improve its legal framework and promote sustainable fisheries management.

Director of the General Department of Politics under the Vietnam People’s Army General Nguyen Trong Nghia inspects the ongoing search and recovery operation for martyrs’ remains at Le Thi Rieng Park in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA)

Senior military officer inspects martyrs’ remains search at Le Thị Rieng Park

Nghia described the ongoing 500-day campaign as a sacred mission that embodies the Vietnamese tradition of remembering those who served and sacrificed for the nation. The current generation, he said, must spare no effort in carrying out the Party’s policy and fulfilling the aspirations of the people, particularly the families of the fallen.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (L) 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.