☀️ Morning digest on March 19

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

☀️ Morning digest on March 19

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

- Party General Secretary To Lam on March 18 praised the US business community, particularly the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC), for its practical contributions to Vietnam-US cooperation in trade and investment.

During a reception in Hanoi for a USABC delegation led by its President and CEO Ted Osius, former US Ambassador to Vietnam, Lam welcomed their working trip, noting that it coincides with the 30th anniversary of Vietnam-US diplomatic ties and the second year of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a teleconference on March 18, connecting permanent Government members with ministries, agencies and localities to address bottlenecks stalling the Chau Doc - Can Tho - Soc Trang expressway project in the Mekong Delta.

Spanning 188.2km, the four-lane expressway is set to cut through Can Tho city and the provinces of An Giang, Hau Giang, and Soc Trang. With an estimated cost of 44.69 trillion VND (over 1.7 billion USD), the project is divided into four sub-projects, each managed by the local People’s Committees. Construction began in June 2023 and aims for basic completion in 2026 and full operation in 2027. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged increased US investments in Vietnam during a reception in Hanoi on March 18 for Charles James Boyd Bowman, General Director of the Trump Organisation’s Vietnam project.

The 1.5 billion USD project in the northern province of Hung Yen aims to deliver a hi-end urban, eco-tourism, sport, and premium golf complex, meeting the Trump Organisation’s top standards. The proposed investor is a joint venture between Hung Yen Investment and Development Group JSC and IDG Capital, representing the Trump Organisation. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh pushed for balanced, harmonious and sustainable economic and trade ties with the US during a working session in Hanoi on March 18 with a delegation from the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) and nearly 60 major US corporations.

PM Chinh welcomed their working trip, which coincides with the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the second year of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Read full story

- Fu Ziying, Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) of China, affirmed Vietnam’s priority status in China’s neighborhood diplomacy at a meeting on March 18 with newly-appointed Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Thanh Binh.

Praising Vietnam’s recent socio-economic achievements and expressing confidence in its ongoing progress, he said his committee stands ready to collaborate with the Vietnamese Embassy in China and relevant Vietnamese agencies to deepen legislative ties, delivering tangible benefits to both nations’ citizens. Read full story

- California state of the US has always considered Vietnam a top partner and places high priority on promoting its relationship with the country, said State Treasurer Fiona Ma.

Receiving Vietnamese National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh on March 17 as part of the latter's US trip to attend the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, Ma praised Vietnam's dynamism, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit that she felt when leading a trade delegation to the nation in November 2024. Looking forward, she proposed deepening collaboration in priority areas such as sci-tech, education-training, and tourism. Read full story

- The 8th annual Nordic seminar convened in Hanoi on March 18, bringing together Vietnamese and Nordic experts to share experiences in advancing leadership in public administration, effective governance, innovation, and digital transformation.

The event was co-hosted by the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and the embassies of Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Norway. Read full story

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A freight train connecting Vietnam with China (Photo: VNA)

- Leveraging its strategic position along the Kunming – Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong – Quang Ninh economic corridor, the northern province of Lao Cai is rolling out key initiatives to strengthen its logistics and e-commerce sectors, aiming to facilitate cross-border trade with China’s Yunnan province and drive border trade growth between Vietnam and China.

According to Hoang Quoc Khanh, Permanent Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, nearly 700 Vietnamese enterprises are engaged in regular import-export activities through the Lao Cai – Hekou international border gate. However, logistics infrastructure remains a challenge, leading to high transportation costs along the economic corridor./. Read full story

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National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man (R) and President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand Sophon Zaram in Hanoi during the latter's official visit to Vietnam from August 5-7, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Thailand's parliamentary leader concludes official visit to Vietnam

Thailand attaches great importance to its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam, and the two countries share a solid foundation of friendship, many common strategic interests and significant potential for cooperation, said President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand Sophon Zaram.

Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung speaks at the 33rd Diplomatic Conference's closing session in Hanoi on August 7, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

33rd Diplomatic Conference wraps up in Hanoi

Foreign relations are no longer viewed simply as relations with the outside world but as an integral component of national comprehensive strength and a responsibility shared by the entire Party, people, armed forces and political system.

Lawmakers in a group discussion (Photo: VNA)

Lawmakers seek legal reforms to promote telecom infrastructure data sharing

A deputy of Ha Tinh province said there is currently no clear legal basis for sharing technical infrastructure data. While the issue may be less apparent under normal circumstances, it could hamper local coordination and response during storms, floods and other disasters when detailed infrastructure data is not readily available.

Consuls general of ASEAN countries in Ho Chi Minh City show calligraphy works presented to them at the gathering on August 7. (Photo: VNA)

Get-together celebrates 59th founding anniversary of ASEAN

​Despite differences in history, culture, languages, religions, levels of development, and social conditions, ASEAN member states have chosen to respect one another, build consensus, and pursue shared regional interests. It’s the unity in diversity that has shaped ASEAN’s identity, strength, resilience, and central role in the regional architecture.

Vina Nadjibulla, former Vice President for Research and Strategy at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (Photo; VNA)

33rd Diplomatic Conference: Vietnam's foreign policy wins praise from Canadian expert

Vina Nadjibulla, former Vice President for Research and Strategy at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, credited pragmatic diplomacy with allowing Vietnam to build relationships with a range of partners without becoming overly dependent on any single country. That approach, she noted, has become more relevant as major-power rivalry heats up, the global economy fragments, and pressure mounts on countries to pick sides.

Minister of Agriculture and Environment Trinh Viet Hung speaks at the session (Photo: VNA)

Legislators review bills to streamline administrative procedures in agriculture, environment

Presenting the draft law on amending and supplementing several articles of 10 laws concerning administrative procedures and business conditions in the agriculture and environment sector, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Trinh Viet Hung said it is designed to institutionalise the Party's policy of reducing and simplifying administrative procedures and business conditions, while promoting decentralisation, innovation, and more effective state governance.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee (right) hosts a reception for Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn in Hanoi during her state visit to Vietnam in September last year (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Australia to further strenthern cooperation

The messages posted on Australian Government media platforms highlighted Australia and Vietnam as close regional partners with a long-standing friendship. This will be General Secretary and President Lam’s first visit to Australia since being appointed as President in April and it is also the first in-person meeting between the two leaders.

Lawmakers discuss bills in groups (Photo: VNA)

Lawmakers mull over various bills in group debates

The legislative package includes a draft Law on Urban Development, a bill amending and supplementing several articles of 10 laws that govern administrative procedures and business conditions in agriculture and environment, and the draft Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Radio Frequencies, the Law on Telecommunications, the Law on E-Transactions, and the Law on Technology Transfer.

A flag-raising ceremony is held to mark the 58th founding anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on August 8, 2025 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam remains active contributor to ASEAN Community Vision 2045

Vietnam's 31-year journey with ASEAN stands as compelling testimony to its strong commitment to regional integration, as well as its pioneering spirit, sense of responsibility, and proactive contributions to building a united and resilient ASEAN Community.

Bui Quang Hung, Deputy Director General of the Trade Promotion Agency, addresses the seminar. (Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Industry and Trade)

Vietnam, Netherlands seek deeper manufacturing cooperation

Manufacturing remains one of Vietnam's core industries, making a major contribution to economic growth, exports and foreign direct investment. The country has become an important production base for multinational corporations in electronics, precision engineering, electrical equipment and high-tech industries.

Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith (right) receives General Nguyen Trong Nghia, Chairman of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army on August 6 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Laos strengthen political, defence ties

The Lao leaders expressed satisfaction with the steady development of bilateral ties, noting that political relations have become increasingly close, deep and trustworthy, serving as the guiding force for overall cooperation.

Collins Chong Yew Keat, a foreign affairs, security and strategy analyst at the University of Malaya (Photo: VNA)

Malaysia-Vietnam defence ties set for more practical cooperation: expert

According to the expert, another key outcome was the reaffirmation of the 2023 defence cooperation MoU and the Action Programme for implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as the principal roadmap for future collaboration. The framework builds on existing cooperation in delegation exchanges, consultation mechanisms, military education, defence industry, and coordination within ASEAN and other multilateral forums.

Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung speaks at the networking session with business community on August 6. (Photo: VNA)

Diplomacy to accompany businesses in expanding Vietnam's development space

Opening the event, Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung said Vietnam is entering a new era of development in which foreign affairs and international integration is a crucial and regular task, contributing to maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, mobilising external resources and enhancing the country's international standing.

A view of a National Assembly meeting (Photo: VNA)

NA reviews special mechanisms to keep APEC 2027 projects on schedule

The draft laws include the Law on Urban Development; the Law on amending and supplementing several articles of 10 laws concerning administrative procedures and business conditions in the agriculture and environment sectors; and the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Radio Frequencies, the Law on Telecommunications, the Law on E-Transactions, and the Law on Technology Transfer.