Hanoi (VNA) – The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last night by the Vietnam News Agency.
- Party General Secretary and State President To Lam on July 8 urged Hanoi to accelerate economic growth while improving development quality while chairing at a working session with the municipal Party Committee on the city's socio-economic performance in the first half of 2026 and the implementation of the Politburo's Resolution on Hanoi's development in a new era.
The top leader stressed that rapid growth must go hand in hand with sustainability, better governance and improved quality of life. Read full story
- Prime Minister Le Minh Hung chaired a meeting of the Central Steering Committee on judgment enforcement and the recovery of misappropriated and lost assets in criminal cases in Hanoi on July 8.
During the meeting, committee members, representatives of ministries, agencies, local authorities, and relevant institutions discussed progress made in enforcing court judgments and recovering assets, while identifying challenges and bottlenecks in the enforcement process and in handling recovered assets to settle outstanding debts. Read full story
- The first extraordinary session of the 16th National Assembly (NA) is tentatively scheduled to take place from August 3 to 24, during which lawmakers are expected to consider 27 agenda items, including the adoption of 20 laws and resolutions, NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man has said at the fourth session of the NA Standing Committee in Hanoi on July 8, which reviewed preparations for the extraordinary session.
Stressing the need to ensure the quality of draft laws and resolutions, he urged the Government and drafting agencies to ensure thorough preparation of all submissions, while calling on the NA's Council for Ethnic Affairs and committees to clearly state their views without hesitation, and ensure high-quality verification to contribute to the success of the extraordinary session. Read full story
- The Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) supports stronger cooperation between Vietnamese and Russian localities as part of efforts to deepen the two countries' Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, NA Vice Chairman Nguyen Doan Anh told Deputy Chairman of the Committee for External Relations of Saint Petersburg Kalganov Vyacheslav Gennadievich at a meeting in Hanoi on July 8.
Anh welcomed the positive progress in Vietnam–Russia relations in recent years, noting that regular high-level exchanges have helped deepen bilateral cooperation across areas. Read full story
- Vietnam places great importance on strengthening and deepening its relations with France, its first comprehensive strategic partner in the EU, Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung said.
At a meeting with Martin Briens, Secretary-General of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, in Hanoi on July 8, Trung highlighted the positive developments in bilateral ties since the two countries elevated their relationship. He noted that Vietnam–France cooperation has generated tangible benefits for both peoples while contributing to peace, stability, dialogue, and cooperation in the world. Read full story
- The Enjoy Danang Festival 2026 will take place from July 22-26 at Bien Dong (East Sea) Park, tourist beaches and various attractions across the central city of Da Nang, according to the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The annual summer festival will feature a wide range of cultural, sporting, entertainment, culinary and beach activities, helping promote Da Nang as a leading destination for festivals, events and seaside tourism. Read full story
- The 13th Southeast Asian Karate Championships 2026 opened in the northern province of Ninh Binh on July 8, bringing together nearly 700 officials, coaches, referees and athletes from all 11 Southeast Asian countries.
The tournament is jointly organised by the provincial Department of Culture and Sports, the Southeast Asian Karate Federation (SEAKF) and the Sports Authority of Vietnam (SAV). Read full story./.
☀️ Morning digest on July 8
The first exchange programme between young officers of the Vietnam Coast Guard and the Philippine Coast Guard, Hanoi welcoming the 5 millionth international visitor in 2026, and nearly 400 km of new expressways put into operation in the first half of 2026 are among news highlights on July 7 evening.
