Politics

☀️ Morning digest on June 17

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

☀️ Morning digest on June 17

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

- Politburo member, Secretary of the National Assembly (NA) Party Committee and NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man chaired a meeting of the NA Party Committee and the NA Standing Committee to address key personnel issues on June 16.

Discussions centred on appointments to the NA Ethnic Council and the NA Committee on Deputy Affairs, as well as personnel proposals to be submitted for consideration at the 15th NA’s ongoing ninth session. Participants also looked into the proposed number of members for the current NA Standing Committee. Read full story

- The National Assembly (NA) held group discussions on the afternoon of June 16 to scrutinise the draft revised Railway Law, part of its ongoing 9th session.

Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh stated that while the 2017 Railway Law has yielded positive results, it has also revealed a number of institutional and regulatory bottlenecks that have hindered the efficiency and effectiveness of railway infrastructure development. As Vietnam prepares to implement major rail projects in the coming period, a series of specific mechanisms and policies will be necessary. Read full story

- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son hosted a reception in Hanoi on June 16 for newly-appointed Australian Ambassador Gillian Bird, expressing his belief that her tenure would further advance the Vietnam – Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Son described Australia as one of Vietnam’s most trusted and important partners in the region, with high level of political trust and shared strategic vision on key issues. He welcomed the strong, substantive growth of bilateral relations, particularly as Vietnam pursues its four strategic breakthroughs under recently-adopted reform resolutions, which include administrative streamlining, technological innovation, digital transformation, and private sector development. Read full story

- The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) held a gathering on June 16 to mark the 127th anniversary of the Independence Day of the Philippines (June 12) and a decade of the Vietnam–Philippines Strategic Partnership.

In her speech, Assoc. Prof. Phan Thi Hong Xuan, Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City’s Vietnam–Southeast Asia Friendship Association described the event as a reflection of the enduring solidarity between the two nations and a shared commitment to a future of deeper, long-term cooperation within the ASEAN community. Read full story

- Investment inflows into export processing and industrial zones (IZs) in Ho Chi Minh City have surpassed 2.86 billion USD during the 2020–2025 period, equivalent to 114.59% of the initial 2.5 billion USD target, according to the HCM City Export Processing and Industrial Zones Authority (HEPZA).

Of the total, foreign investment has exceeded 935.3 million USD, including 75 newly licensed projects with over 334.3 million USD in capital. Domestic investment reached over 45.43 trillion VND (roughly 1.9 billion USD), including 202 new projects worth 37.89 trillion VND. Read full story

- The Mekong Deleta province of Kien Giang has announced a list of 40 projects calling for investment in 2025, with a total estimated capital of over 226.7 trillion VND (8.7 billion USD), aiming to accelerate local socio-economic development.

The projects span infrastructure, marine farming, industry, and tourism. Notably, the province is inviting investment in 12 major projects tied to the 2027 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in the island city of Phu Quoc, including a project to expand Phu Quoc International Airport and another to build the APEC conference centre. Read full story./.

VNA
#morning digest
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

See more

Delegates at the meeting (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, US enhance cooperation in education - training

Affirming that Vietnam regards the US as one of its top strategic partners, Vice President of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Thanh said Vietnam wishes to further advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the US in a substantive and in-depth manner on the basis of respect for each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political systems.

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.