☀️ 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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Prime Minister Le Minh Hung chairs a working session with the Standing Board of the Dong Nai Party Committee on June 13, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

PM urges Dong Nai to step up role as a key driver of national growth

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.

Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu receives Representative Director and Executive Vice President of Idemitsu Kosan Atsuhiko Hirano in Hanoi on June 12, 2026. (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Deputy FM urges Idemitsu Kosan to expand green energy investment in Vietnam

Receiving IKC Representative Director and Executive Vice President of Idemitsu Kosan Atsuhiko Hirano in Hanoi on June 12, Deputy FM Vu commended the company’s efforts in promoting investment and cooperation in Vietnam over the years, especially its role as a shareholder in the Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical (NSRP) project.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung chairs a working session with the Standing Board of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee on June 13, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City must maximise role as economic powerhouse: PM

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung called for a comprehensive review of Ho Chi Minh City’s 2026 economic growth scenarios, with a focus on identifying untapped potential across sectors and deploying effective measures to maximise growth in the remaining quarters of the year, particularly in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, logistics, finance and banking, and other high-value-added industries.

The national flags of Vietnam and the Philippines. Photo: VNA

Vietnam congratulates Philippines on Independence Day

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and State President To Lam and Prime Minister Le Minh Hung on June 12 sent congratulatory messages to Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr on the occasion of the 128th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the Republic of the Philippines (June 12, 1898 – 2026).

Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh. (Photo: VNA)

AFF 2026 marks Vietnam’s transition from participant to regional agenda-setter

With sharp strategic mindset and a proven capacity for practical action at both bilateral and multilateral levels, Vietnam has demonstrated its role as a builder and agenda-setter, contributing to a robust platform for dialogue and cooperation in pursuit of a resilient, peaceful, and truly people-centred ASEAN Community by 2045

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam addresses the national conference disseminating and implementing Politburo Resolution No. 06-NQ/TW (Photo: VNA)

📝OP-ED: When foreign affairs pioneer in shaping nation's future

Resolution No. 06-NQ/TW represents both a continuation and a development of the Party’s comprehensive foreign policy and President Ho Chi Minh’s thought. If international integration helped create a favourable environment for development, diplomacy today is tasked with protecting and expanding that space.

An overview of the 4th session of the 17th Hanoi People’s Council for the 2026–2031 term. (Photo: VNA)

Capital Law 2026 paves way for Hanoi’s new development model

One of the key breakthroughs of the new resolutions is the shift from a traditional management-oriented approach to a development-enabling model. The proposed policies are designed not only to address current issues but also to establish the foundation for a more modern, proactive and flexible system of urban governance.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Tran Quoc Khanh (seventh from left) poses for a group photo with the leaders and staff of the University of Skikda. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Algeria strengthen agricultural trade connectivity

Vietnam’s main exports to Algeria include coffee, cashew nuts, pepper, textiles and garments, steel and selected industrial products, while the North African country sells animal feed, chemicals, dates and other agricultural products to Vietnam.

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang speaks at the forum. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Switzerland eye stronger economic connectivity

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang expressed Vietnam’s desire to see Swiss enterprises expand their long-term presence and investment in the country, particularly in high technology, innovation, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and digital transformation. She also emphasised cooperation in talent development, high-end tourism and international financial centre development.

Chairman of the People’s Committee of Hue city Nguyen Khac Toan (right) presents a souvenir to Karl Wilfing, President of the State Parliament of Lower Austria. (Photo: People’s Committee of Hue city)

Hue city moves to deepen multifaceted cooperation with Austrian partners

Toan proposed Lower Austria consider establishing an official cooperation mechanism with Hue to facilitate investment collaboration in tourism, education and training, healthcare, information technology, green and smart urban development, heritage conservation, hi-tech agriculture and sustainable development.