☀️ Morning digest on July 8

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

☀️ Morning digest on July 8

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

- Party General Secretary To Lam on July 7 emphasised the need to strengthen inspection, supervision, and auditing to promptly detect, prevent, and handle corruption, wastefulness, and misconduct related to personnel arrangements, as well as public asset use during and after the restructuring of the organisational apparatus and the implementation of the two-tier local administration model.

Addressing the 28th meeting of the Central Steering Committee on Prevention and Control of Corruption, Wastefulness and Negative Phenomena, the Party leader called for the quick consolidation and enhancement of the operational effectiveness of the provincial-level steering committees, and the agencies responsible for combating corruption, wastefulness, and other wrongdoings in localities after mergers and reorganisations. Read full story

- Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung has urged the acceleration of efforts to ensure the timely completion of infrastructure projects serving the 2027 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week.

In a Government Office notice on the Deputy PM’s conclusions at the June 28 meeting on the implementation of infrastructure projects for APEC 2027, he requested all ministries, sectors, localities, and relevant agencies to review their assigned tasks, identify difficulties and obstacles arising during implementation and the provincial merger process, and seek solutions, ensuring the timely completion of the projects. Read full story

- A Vietnamese delegation, including Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu and Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong, is attending the 47th session of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee in Paris from July 6 to 16.

This session, chaired by Bulgaria, holds special significance as the World Heritage Committee will consider the nomination of around 30 new heritage pieces for inscription on the World Heritage List and the extension of two existing ones. Several Vietnamese heritage elements have also been nominated in this session. Read full story

- Ambassador Tran Duc Binh, acting head of the ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) delegation of Vietnam, attended the ASEAN SOM held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 7.

The meeting opened a series of activities within the framework of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM-58) and Related Meetings from July 8-11. It comprehensively reviewed the agenda and logistics for the upcoming meetings. Read full story

- A delegation from the Princess Maha Chakri Award Foundation (PMCAF), led by its Chairman Dr Krissanapong Kirtikara, visited Vietnam from July 6 to 8 to deepen educational cooperation, engage with former award recipients, and promote regional educational development across Asia.

On July 7, during a gathering at the Royal Thai Embassy in Hanoi with Vietnamese teachers previously honoured with the award, Dr Kirtikara highlighted the significance of the Princess Maha Chakri Award as a prestigious recognition for outstanding educators who play a vital role in shaping students’ futures. Read full story

- Vietjet inaugurated a new air route linking Hanoi and Xi’an, China, on July 7, offering more travel options for passengers seeking convenient connections between the two countries and cities in particular.

The service departs from Hanoi at 9:25 pm every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, and arrives in Xi’an at 1:10 am the following day. The return flight leaves Xi’an at 2:10 am every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and lands in Hanoi at 4:10 am (local time). Read full story./.

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Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (R) receives Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Rajpal Singh in Hanoi on August 12 (Photo: VNA)

Singapore remains one of Vietnam’s leading important partners: PM

Highlighting positive outcomes in Vietnam-Singapore cooperation across all areas, particularly since bilateral ties were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2025, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung proposed that the two sides maintain and step up high-level visits and exchanges at all levels.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (R) receives Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam Yaron Mayer in Hanoi on August 12 for a farewell visit as the diplomat concludes his four-year tenure in the country. (Photo: VNA)

Prime Minister receives outgoing Israeli Ambassador

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung asked the Israeli Government to continue creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese people living, studying and working in Israel at a meeting with outgoing Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam Yaron Mayer in Hanoi on August 12.

An overview of the first extraordinary session of the 16th National Assembly on August 12. (Photo: VNA)

Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh urged to embrace modern urban governance

According to Government proposals submitted to the legislature, Quang Ninh and Bac Ninh cities will be formed based on the respective natural areas, populations and numbers of commune-level administrative units of the two provinces. Both proposals meet all five conditions stipulated in the Law on Organisation of Local Administration No. 72/2025/QH15 and all seven criteria for establishing centrally-run cities under Resolution No. 112/2025/UBTVQH15.

Politburo member, Standing member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee's Secretariat Tran Cam Tu leads a high-level delegation of the CPV to attend the funeral service for Politburo member of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of the Lao National Assembly Xaysomphone Phomvihane on August 12, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese Party leader attends funeral service for top Lao legislator

The Party leader stressed that the passing of NA President Xaysomphone is a great loss to the Lao Party, State and people, while Vietnam has also lost a great friend and a close, loyal comrade who had always held deep affection for the country, offered valuable support, and worked tirelessly to nurture and consolidate the Vietnam-Laos great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion.

Politburo member and President of the National Assembly of Laos Xaysomphone Phomvihane passed away on August 8 at the age of 70. (Photo: VNA)

Condolences sent to Lao Front over parliamentary leader’s passing

For the VFF and the Vietnamese people, Xaysomphone Phomvihane was a great friend and close comrade who devoted himself to fostering and developing the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and peoples, as well as between the VFF and LFNC.

New Zealand officials welcome Party General Secretary and President To Lam (R) at Auckland International Airport. (Photo: VNA)

Party General Secretary and President To Lam begins state visit to New Zealand

Over more than five decades since the establishment of diplomatic relations on June 19, 1975, Vietnam and New Zealand have continuously worked to build a solid foundation for the bilateral ties. The two countries are expanding cooperation in smart agriculture, climate change adaptation and carbon markets in line with Vietnam’s green growth objectives.

Standing Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Loc Ha (R) and Vice Chairman of the Champasak provincial Administrative Committee Phimpone Phandanuvong sign an MoU on cooperation between the two localities for the 2026-2030 period. (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City-Champasak cooperation: A bright spot in Vietnam-Laos local ties

Cooperation priorities for the 2026-2030 period will cover trade, investment, agriculture, tourism, finance, education and human resources training, and socio-cultural affairs, with a focus on business connectivity, trade and investment promotion, tourism development, and support for education and human resources training.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and President To Lam (right) meets with Craig Bradshaw, CEO of EQ Resources Limited of Australia. (Photo: VNA)

Top Vietnamese leader highlights strategic mineral, high-tech cooperation with Australian firms

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and President To Lam received leaders of Australian businesses in Canberra on August 12 morning (local time), highlighting opportunities to expand cooperation in strategic mineral supply chains, high technology and innovation as the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations enters a new phase.

Dr Nguyen Thi Lan, Chairwoman of the Vietnamese Association in Chongqing and Sichuan (Photo published by VNA)

New impetus for overseas Vietnamese communities

On August 2, 2026, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President To Lam signed the resolution, marking an important shift after more than two decades of implementing Politburo Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW. It affirms that the overseas group is an inseparable part of the nation and one of the country’s important strategic resources, contributing to strengthening national collective power.