☀️ Morning digest on July 4

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

☀️ Morning digest on July 4

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

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered a three-pronged acceleration strategy requiring all government levels, ministries, and localities to boost total social investment, accelerate public investment disbursement, and intensify efforts to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses to meet the economic growth target of at least 8%.

At the regular June cabinet meeting and the national online conference between the Government and local authorities on July 3 – the first of its kind held following the launch of a two-tier local government system and the administrative restructuring, PM Chinh called for an 11–12% year-on-year increase in total social investment. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has set clear deadlines for three major tasks of eliminating makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide, advancing key national transport projects, and accelerating the disbursement of public investment capital for 2025, according to a notice from the Government Office.

Regarding the task of eliminating substandard houses nationwide, the PM directed the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs to continue updating and clearly identifying difficulties and obstacles facing localities to proactively address them within its authority. Read full story

- The National Assembly (NA), especially its advisory bodies, is responsible for further improving the institutional framework and ensuring that Party regulations and State laws are aligned with the new organisational model following the streamlining of the political apparatus and the restructuring of administrative units, stated NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man.

Chairing a meeting on July 3 with the NA agencies, the NA Office, and advisory bodies of the NA Party Committee to review the implementation of tasks in the first six months of 2025, and outline key tasks for the second half, the top legislator stressed that current efforts to streamline the organisational apparatus and restructure administrative units are only the initial steps. Read full story

- Administrative procedures for citizens and businesses had been issued in a timely manner, with clear and detailed regulations, and were promptly put in place to ensure seamless implementation as the two-tier local administration model began operations on July 1, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Nguyen Thi Ha said at the Government’s regular press conference on July 3.

According to the official, the Prime Minister had issued 28 decrees on the decentralisation, delegation of authority, and delineation of responsibilities between central and local administrations, as well as between provincial and communal-level administrations. Additionally, ministries had issued 58 circulars, providing a comprehensive legal foundation for the implementation of the two-tier local administration model. Read full story

- Vietnam’s economy outpaced forecasts in the first half, with GDP growth likely to exceed projections by 0.2 to 0.3%, Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Tran Van Son said on July 3.

At a press briefing to announce the outcomes of the regular Cabinet meeting and the online conference between the Government and 34 provinces and cities, along with 3,321 communes, wards, and special zones the same day, Son said GPD growth for Q2 is estimated at 7.67%, bringing the six-month figure to 7.31%. Read full story

- The Immigration Division of southern Dong Nai province has issued Level-2 electronic identification (e-ID) accounts to over 200 foreign residents during the first two days of implementation, as part of the Ministry of Public Security’s 50-day campaign running from July 1 through August 19.

Most of the recipients are representatives of foreign-invested enterprises (FDI) operating in the province. Read full story

- Vietnam’s Foreign Trade University (FTU) received a special recognition from the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at the awards ceremony of the International Prize for Gender Equality in Trade held at the WTO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland on July 2.

Trinh Thu Huong, Director of the WTO Chairs Programme at the university, said the programme has built a broad and strong network of partners, including central agencies such as the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the Vietnamese Mission in Geneva, domestic industry associations, international organisations, universities, and research centres. Read full story./.

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Vietnamese Ambassador to Egypt Nguyen Nam Duong (L) has a working session with Egypt’s Red Sea Governor Walid Al Barqi on July 11. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam seeks stronger economic links with Egypt's Red Sea Governorate

Beyond traditional exports, there remains considerable room to expand bilateral trade. Vietnam has potential to increase exports of tea, rice, frozen shrimp, machinery and electrical equipment, while Egypt could boost shipments of citrus fruits, grapes, fertilisers and, in particular, phosphate ore.

Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee for National Defence, Security and Foreign Affairs Le Tan Toi (R) meets with Jean-Michel Jacques, Chairman of the French National Assembly's National Defence and Armed Forces Committee. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, France seek to deepen Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Both sides agreed to continue promoting regular exchanges and practical cooperation within their respective areas of responsibility, contributing to closer ties between the two legislatures and further strengthening the Vietnam-France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Spokesperson of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam reaffirms goodwill in adhering to 1982 UNCLOS

Vietnam’s clear and consistent stance is that maritime disputes must be resolved through peaceful means, with respect for diplomatic and legal processes, without the use or threat of force, and in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS

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.