☀️ Morning digest on June 20

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

☀️ Morning digest on June 20

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

- Party General Secretary To Lam, Secretary of the Central Military Commission, on June 19 chaired its 14th conference in the 2020-2025 tenure, which aimed to review its military and defence tasks in the first half of 2025, and roll out orientations for these missions and Party‑building tasks in the People’s Army for the second half of the year.

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Party General Secretary To Lam, Secretary of the Central Military Commission, speaks at the commission's 14th conference on June 19. (Photo: VNA)

In his remarks, the Party chief hailed the Central Military Commission’s Standing Board for directing and carefully preparing the contents submitted to the Commission. Read full story

- The Government remains attentive, supportive, and committed to creating an optimal environment for press agencies and journalists, in line with the Party’s guidelines, the State's policies and laws, and the Government’s authority, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has said.

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PM Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the meeting (Photo: VNA)

Chairing a meeting between the Government’s standing members, and current and former leaders of major press agencies in Hanoi on June 19, just days before the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day (June 21), PM Chinh lauded the press’s historic role in the nation’s fight for independence and its ongoing process of national development, affirming that the Government always highly appreciates the close partnership and steadfast support of press agencies and journalists nationwide. Read full story

- National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man has urged accelerating public investment disbursement, simplifying administrative procedures to boost production and trade, and stepping up the decentralisation and delegation of authority for better efficiency.

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NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man speaks at the session. (Photo: VNA)

Speaking at the closing of a Q&A session on financial issues in Hanoi on June 19 as part of the 15th NA’s ongoing 9th session, Chairman Man praised the pointed and concise questions raised. Read full story

- The Vietnamese Government always facilitates Vietnamese localities’ efforts to further strengthen their friendship and cooperation with China’s Yunnan province, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha told Governor of Yunnan province Wang Yubo.

At his recent meeting in Yunnan with Wang, as part of his working trip to attend the opening of the 9th China - South Asia Expo and the 29th Kunming Import and Export Fair, Ha reiterated Vietnam’s consistent policy of valuing and giving top priority to fostering the friendly neighborliness and comprehensive cooperation with China. Read full story

- At the third round of negotiations on a bilateral reciprocal trade agreement between Vietnam and the US, held in Washington D.C. from June 9 – 12, the Vietnamese delegation made substantial progress and narrowed differences across all areas under discussion, Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said at the ministry’s regular press briefing on June 19.

Responding to a reporter's question about the third round of talks, Hang stated that during the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement. Read full story

- Vietnam, as a partner country, is ready to join BRICS members and the international community to contribute to the realisation of sustainable development goals, and addressing common global challenges, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Phu Hang told the ministry’s regular press briefing on June 19.

The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said. Read full story

- Vietnam consistently supports the two-state solution, including the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders, in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations (UN) resolutions, said Minister Counselor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen.

Nguyen, who is also Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, made the statement at the Emergency Special Session (ESS) of the UN General Assembly, which was held in New York on June 13 and 18 to discuss the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Read full story

- Ten Vietnamese universities have been listed in the QS World University Rankings 2026 (QS WUR 2026), released on June 19 by UK-based education organisation Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).

Duy Tan University leads among Vietnamese institutions at 482nd, followed by Ton Duc Thang University (684th), Vietnam National University - Hanoi (761–770), and Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City (801–850). Other entrants include Van Lang University (1001–1200); Can Tho University, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, and Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City (all 1201–1400); and Hue University and University of Da Nang (both 1401+)./. Read full story

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Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and State President To Lam during a farewell meeting on June 10 ahead of the Timorese leader’s departure for home. (Photo: VNA)

Timor-Leste PM wraps up Vietnam visit

Vietnam and Timor-Leste possess substantial potential and complementary strengths to broaden cooperation for the benefit of their people and to contribute to a stable, resilient and sustainable region.

Politburo member and Permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee's Secretariat Tran Cam Tu speaks at the conference (Photo: VNA)

Senior Party official commends Central Military Commission’s reform, innovation efforts

Military units at all levels have carried out organisational reforms in a coordinated manner, particularly in enhancing the capacity of military command units at the commune, ward and special administrative zone levels. Difficulties arising during the implementation of the two-tier local administration model were promptly addressed, helping ensure the fulfilment of defence and military tasks.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Tien Chau holds a meeting with Speaker of Japan's House of Representatives Mori Eisuke on June 10, 2026. (Photo published by VNA)

Vietnam regards Japan as one of its most important partners: Deputy PM

Japan remains Vietnam's largest provider of official development assistance (ODA) and its top partner in labour cooperation, while ranking third in investment and fourth in trade and tourism. Cooperation between localities and people-to-people exchanges has also continued to flourish, Deputy Prime Minister Le Tien Chau noted.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang receives ASEAN Secretary-General. (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)

Vietnam calls for accelarated implementation of ASEAN Vision 2045

ASEAN must continuously enhance its adaptability, resilience and strategic autonomy as it faces mounting challenges. In the immediate term, it should realise commitments under the Declaration on Responding to the Middle East crisis adopted at the 48th ASEAN Summit in May 2026.

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Doan Anh (R) receives Suos Yara, Chairman of the Commission on Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Information of the Cambodian National Assembly in Hanoi on June 10. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Cambodia seek deeper parliamentary cooperation

Welcoming the Cambodian delegation, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Doan Anh said its participation in the ASEAN Future Forum 2026 has contributed to the event’s success and reflected the friendship, solidarity and political trust shared by the two Parties, States and peoples of Vietnam and Cambodia.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam meets with outstanding village heads and elders, artisans and community leaders from across the country to listen to their opinions and aspirations on Apirl 18, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

📝OP-ED: Strength of policies shaped by listening to public voices

Recent developments have demonstrated that policies shaped through listening to public opinion have become a powerful source of social consensus and public trust, enabling the Party, the State and the people to work together toward more ambitious goals and a longer-term vision for national development.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and 100 individuals featured in Vietnam Television (VTV)'s “Viec tu te” (Good Deeds) programme at the meeting in Hanoi on June 10 (Photo: VNA)

Every act of kindness embodies patriotic emulation: Top leader

A good deed today is itself a vivid expression of patriotic emulation, the leader said, noting that patriotism is demonstrated not only during historic moments but also through responsible actions, humane gestures and contributions to society.

The third session of the NA Standing Committee on June 10 (Photo: VNA)

NA Standing Committee convenes third session

The NA Standing Committee will review and adopt one ordinance and one resolution to further fine-tune the legal framework governing the People's Courts under the newly restructured organisational system.

Professor Carl Thayer of the Australian Defence Force Academy at the University of New South Wales in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency. (Photo: VNA)

ASEAN Future Forum: Vietnam at forefront of advancing ASEAN-centred regional architecture

Thayer observed that Vietnam is increasingly emerging as a regional hub not only for manufacturing but also for diplomacy, supported by an expanding network of international partnerships. In his view, AFF 2026 represents an open and forward-looking agenda in which Vietnam acts as a trailblazer, proposing and advancing new ideas for regional cooperation.