☀️ Morning digest on June 23

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

☀️ Morning digest on June 23

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

- Party General Secretary To Lam has called on the Vietnamese revolutionary press to continue its vigorous growth, reaffirming its pioneering role on the ideological and cultural front in service of the national development cause.

Addressing a ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day in Hanoi on June 21, the Party chief lauded the press for fulfilling its noble mission of fostering public trust, building social consensus, and fueling national aspiration for a strong, prosperous, and happy Vietnam in the new era. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered that the national target programmes on new-style rural area development and sustainable poverty alleviation must result in substantive outcomes that enable people to benefit from.

Concluding a national online conference on June 22, the Government leader praised the remarkable achievements of the programmes over the recent past, stating the implementation of the two programmes and the two movements, “The whole nation joins hands to build new-style rural areas” and “For the poor – leaving no one behind”, have brought about positive changes to rural infrastructure, comprehensively improved the material and spiritual lives of farmers, and contributed to Vietnam's economic restructuring. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered that the restructuring of local governments must not hinder the implementation of the critical national programmes addressing substandard houses, transport infrastructure, and public investment disbursement.

Addressing at an online conference on June 22, the Government leader urged all levels of government to stay focused and not allow the organisation of two-tier local administration model to delay or disrupt other national priorities. Read full story

- Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu has highlighted the critical role of sustainable development in maintaining international peace and security, stressing that sustainable development is not only a goal but also a foundation for lasting peace.

Addressing a high-level open debate of the UN Security Council (UNSC) on “Poverty, Underdevelopment, and Conflict: Implications for the Maintenance of International Peace and Security” in New York on June 20, Vu stressed that challenges such as poverty, inequality, food insecurity, and loss of livelihoods are root causes of instability, and if left unaddressed, they can act as triggers that escalate tensions and fuel conflicts. Read full story

- The National Press Festival 2025 concluded on June 21 afternoon at the National Convention Centre in Hanoi, drawing representatives from various ministries and sectors, journalists, and press enthusiasts from both domestic and international communities.

Delivering the closing remarks, journalist Nguyen Duc Loi, Standing Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists’ Association and head of the organising committee, emphasised the three-day festival's resounding success, with nearly 130 booths from 80 central and local press agencies showcasing a panorama of the Vietnamese journalism's professional and modern development trajectory. Read full story

- The new Law on Teachers is a major step forward that will have a lasting impact on the care and education of children in Vietnam, said Silvia Danailov, UNICEF Representative in Vietnam.

This landmark legislation, adopted at the 15th National Assembly’s 9th session and set to take effect on January 1, 2026, also marks a transformative milestone in elevating the status of teachers nationwide, Danailov told the Vietnam News Agency. Read full story

- Vietnam’s North-South railway, known as the Reunification Express, has been named among the world's 24 most incredible train journeys to book in 2025, according to Australian travel magazine Lonely Planet.

“This is one of Southeast Asia’s best-loved railways – and one of the most epic overnight train journeys in the world,” Lonely Planet wrote. Read full story./.

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At the reception (Photo: VNA)

NA Chairman backs stronger audit ties with Laos

The top legislator urged the SAV and SAO to advance their 2025-2028 medium-term cooperation plan and the 2021-2030 strategy, asking for more exchanges of delegations and expertise, particularly in digital transformation and staff training.

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang (Photo: VNA)

Maritime disputes must be resolved peacefully: Spokesperson

The Foreign Ministry spokeperson was responding to a reporter's question regarding July 12, 2025, which marked the 9th anniversary of the ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the East Sea arbitration case between the Philippines and China under Annex VII of UNCLOS.

Vietnam, Azerbaijan identify 17 potential cooperation areas (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Azerbaijan identify 17 potential cooperation areas

The two sides agreed to enhance information sharing and policy consultation at all levels – from technical experts to government leaders – to promptly address issues arising during the course of cooperation, and to seek flexible solutions to balance and raise bilateral trade.

Soldiers of Vietnam's Armour - Tank Arms in a rehearsal on July 17 in preparation for the National Day parade (Photo: VNA)

National Day celebration to honour assistance of international friends: Spokeswoman

Vietnam has invited the defence ministers of Russia, China, Laos, Cambodia, Cuba, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan to attend the celebration of the 80th National Day anniversary on September 2; and five countries – Russia, China, Laos, Cambodia, and Belarus – to send forces to participate in the parade at the National Day celebration.

Do Duc Duy, member of the Party Central Committee, member of the Government Party Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and Agriculture and Environment Minister, violated Party regulations and State laws in performing assigned duties during his tenure as Deputy Secretary of the Yen Bai provincial Party Committee, Secretary of the Party Civil Affairs Board, and Chairman of the People's Committee of Yen Bai province (Photo: VNA)

Politburo, Secretariat discipline Party members for wrongdoings

The Party Central Committee’s Politburo and Secretariat on July 17 considered and issued disciplinary measures against two incumbent and former officials for serious violations of the Party's regulations and the State's laws while performing their duties.

The talks between officials of Lang Son province and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on July 17 (Photo: VNA)

Lang Son, China’s Guangxi enhance cooperation in key sectors

The two sides discussed ways to accelerate joint projects and agreements and expand the list of Vietnam’s exports to China. They also proposed boosting cooperation in vocational training, especially in high-tech industries and sustainable agriculture, to meet the development needs of both sides.

Special task force personnel at the joint rehearsal on July 17 (Photo: VNA)

Military, police forces join first rehearsal for 80th National Day celebration

The rehearsal comprised two main segments featuring a formation of 18 standing blocks and 43 marching ones, including seven female military units covering military music, medical officers, Vietnamese peacekeepers, special forces, communications soldiers, ethnic militia, and southern guerrillas, alongside two female police units representing traffic police officers and special task force personnel.

ational Assembly (NA) Vice Chairman Vu Hong Thanh meets with Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, South Africa eye on stronger parliamentary cooperation

During the meetings, NA Vice Chairman Vu Hong Thanh congratulated South Africa on its significant achievements in national development, particularly in implementing the goals of the "National Development Plan 2030" to improve living standards and reduce poverty and inequality

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung at a meeting with Fung Wai Ka Thomas, Director of CCC Infrastructure, July 16, 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam welcomes investment in smart urban development

During a meeting with Fung Wai Ka Thomas, Director of CCC Infrastructure, and Lai Rong Huo, Chairman of Shenzhen Hero Group, Deputy PM Dung welcomed their interest and plans to invest in Vietnam, especially in the field of smart urban development.