☀️ Morning digest on June 15

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

☀️ Morning digest on June 15

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

- Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man co-chaired a meeting with leaders of press agencies in Hanoi on June 14, ahead of the 101st anniversary of the Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day (June 21).

Chairman Man credited a high sense of responsibility from the NA, Government and relevant agencies for the legislature’s recent high-volume lawmaking. Across the 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th regular sessions, the 15th NA’s extraordinary sessions, and the 16th NA’s first session, lawmakers adopted 127 laws and 36 legal resolutions. Read full story

- Prime Minister Le Minh Hung’s upcoming trip to Russia to attend the ASEAN - Russia Commemorative Summit is expected to inject fresh momentum into Vietnam - Russia relations and further advance the comprehensive strategic partnership, Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi has said.

In an interview with Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Moscow ahead of the Prime Minister’s June 16 – 18 trip to Kazan, Ambassador Khoi said it takes place at a particularly important juncture for both ASEAN - Russia relations and Vietnam - Russia ties. Read full story

- Prime Minister Le Minh Hung chaired a working session with the Standing Board of the Dong Nai Party Committee on June 13, commending the southern city’s efforts and important achievements, particularly during its first year operating under the new urban government model, which have contributed positively to the country’s overall development.

The PM said the positive results achieved by Dong Nai in its first year as a centrally governed city stemmed from a crucial factor, a shift in mindset, thinking and methods of implementation, reflecting the leadership’s determination to innovate, pursue development and embrace a spirit of initiative and responsibility. Read full story

- Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, Chairman of the Central Council for Emulation and Commendation, launched a nationwide emulation movement aimed at achieving sustainable double-digit economic growth during the 2026–2030 period in Ho Chi Minh City on June 13.

The launch ceremony was attended by Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc; Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, who is also First Vice Chairwoman of the Council; Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang; and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Tran Luu Quang, along with ministers, central agency leaders, members of the Council and key officials from the city’s departments and sectors. Read full story

- The Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations recently hosted an international seminar on tearing down the barriers that keep women from equal and inclusive involvement in international law.

The event was under the auspices of the permanent missions of Belgium, Colombia, Canada, Portugal, Mexico and Spain, together with the Working Group on Gender Parity for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the American Branch of the International Law Association (ABILA). Read full story

- The cultural values of Quoc Tu Giam – Vietnam’s first national university – will be showcased at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris and at the University of Montpellier from June 17 to 22.

The programme is part of a series of events marking the 950th anniversary of Quoc Tu Giam (1076–2026) and 50 years of cooperation between Vietnam and UNESCO, organised by the Centre for Cultural and Scientific Activities of Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam. Read full story

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A performance by artists from the Hue Royal Traditional Arts Theatre at the opening ceremony of the Hue International Music Week 2026 on June 13. (Photo: VNA)

- The Hue International Music Week 2026 opened on June 13 evening, bringing together leading artists and arts troupes from Vietnam and abroad for six consecutive nights of performances.

Vice Chairman of the Hue municipal People’s Committee Tran Huu Thuy Giang said the programme features 15 performances that blend traditional and contemporary artistic expressions. Audiences will enjoy a diverse musical palette ranging from V-pop, K-pop, J-pop and alternative pop to flamenco and other emerging international performance trends. Read full story

- The Federal Council of Switzerland on June 12 released the Southeast Asia Strategy 2023–2026, which considers Vietnam a “priority partner country” in the region.

The Federal Council said cooperation between Switzerland and the Southeast Asian country is to be placed on a new footing./. Read full story

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Nearly 1,000 students and lecturers from universities and colleges across Can Tho city attend the event at Can Tho University on July 15, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Philippines strengthen people-to-people friendship

Shirley Nuevo, Acting Consul General of the Philippines in Ho Chi Minh City, said the past 50 years have demonstrated how the two countries and their peoples have grown together as friends, trusted partners and close neighbours within the ASEAN family.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung addresses the working session with the Standing Board of the Tuyen Quang Party Committee in Vi Xuyen commune on July 15, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

PM urges Tuyen Quang to accelerate measures to achieve double-digit growth

The PM chaired a working session on July 15 with the Standing Board of the Tuyen Quang Party Committee on socio-economic development, the double-digit growth target, public investment disbursement, the operation of the two-tier local government model, implementation of Politburo Resolution No. 57, and measures to address local challenges.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang (right), who is also head of the ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) delegation of Vietnam, and EU Ambassador to ASEAN Sujiro Seam at their meeting in Hanoi (Photo published by VNA)

Vietnam pledges continued contributions to ASEAN-EU ties: Deputy FM

Deputy FM Dang Hoang Giang, who is also head of the ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) delegation of Vietnam, spoke highly of the positive progress in the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership, noting that the EU has become one of ASEAN's most reliable partners and has provided substantial support for the ASEAN Community-building process.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (R) receives Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Tshering Sherpa in Hanoi on July 15. (Photo: VNA)

Foreign Minister receives Indian Ambassador

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung said Vietnamese authorities are expediting investigations into the cause of the recent speedboat accident and will strictly address any violations while strengthening safety regulations to prevent similar incidents.

Nguyen Van Tho (R), Permanent Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council and Chairman of the municipal Vietnam–US Friendship Association, presents flowers to Melissa A. Brown, US Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, at the get-together marking the 250th anniversary of the US’s Independence Day in the city on July 15, 2026. (Photo: Xuan Khu/VNA)

People-to-people friendship forms key foundation of Vietnam–US ties: diplomat

Vietnam and the US have established a comprehensive strategic partnership based on mutual respect for each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political systems. By putting the past behind, looking towards the future, building on common interests, and managing differences properly, they have advanced relations for the benefit of both peoples.

Politburo member and Permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu lays flowers at the graves of the 10 female youth volunteer martyrs at the national special historical relic site of Dong Loc T-junction. (Photo: VNA)

Senior Party official offers incense at Kim Lien, Dong Loc memorial sites

At the Kim Lien site, Tu and accompanying delegates offered flowers and incense in memory of President Ho Chi Minh, the beloved leader of the Vietnamese nation, a national liberation hero and a great man of culture who devoted his life to the revolutionary cause of the Party, the nation and the people, as well as to peace and social progress worldwide.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung speaks at the working session with the Standing Board of the Lang Son provincial Party Committee. (Photo: VNA)

PM urges Lang Son to turn border advantages into new growth drivers

The Government leader instructed Lang Son province to vigorously implement its growth plan for the second half of 2026, with the goal of achieving annual GRDP growth of at least 10%. He called for clear accountability across agencies, regular updates to monthly and quarterly growth scenarios, close monitoring of key growth drivers, and periodic reporting to ensure timely policy responses.

The flight carrying the mortal remains of Indian victims departs Ho Chi Minh City on July 13. (Photo published by VNA)

Indian Embassy thanks Vietnam for support after Phu Quoc boat tragedy

The embassy said on its official X account that the flight carrying the victims' mortal remains departed Ho Chi Minh City on July 13 and arrived in Mumbai later the same day. Authorities in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu coordinated the transportation of the remains to their final destinations.

Vice President of the Da Nang Union of Friendship Organisations Nguyen Ngoc Binh speaks at the ceremony marking the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Chile (1971–2026) in Da Nang on the evening of July 14, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Da Nang marks 55 years of Vietnam–Chile diplomatic relations

The two countries established diplomatic relations on March 25, 1971, with Chile becoming the first South American nation to establish official ties with Vietnam. Over the past 55 years, bilateral friendship and cooperation have continued to deepen across a wide range of fields, providing a solid foundation for stronger political, economic, trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam (L) meets with Secretary of the Vientiane provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People's Council Phouthanouphet Xaysombath on July 14. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Laos seek deeper cooperation between localities

Tam reaffirmed that the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos would continue acting as a bridge to promote cooperation between Vientiane province and Vietnamese localities and businesses, helping improve the effectiveness of joint projects in the coming years.