☀️ Morning digest on March 3

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

☀️ Morning digest on March 3

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

- General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam has written an article, in which he emphasised the importance of lifelong learning. The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) respectfully introduces a translation of the article. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his hope for further collaboration between China’s Tsinghua University and Vietnamese educational and research institutions while hosting a reception in Hanoi on March 2 for Prof. Dr. Qiu Yong, Secretary of the Tsinghua University’s Party Committee and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The focus should be placed on increasing scholarships for Vietnamese lecturers, students, scientists and experts to pursue studies at the Tsinghua University, PM Chinh told Qiu, who is also an alternate member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a dialogue with European enterprises in Hanoi on March 2 to boost cooperation and investment, aiming to achieve a growth rate of at least 8% this year, paving the way for double-digit growth in the years ahead.

The event also the attendance of Deputy PMs Ho Duc Phoc and Nguyen Chi Dung, Head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam Ambassador Julien Guerrier, representatives from embassies of EU nations, 15 leading Vietnamese groups and corporations and 16 top European firms. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has been bestowed the title of "Honorary Professor" by China’s Tsinghua University, in recognition of significant contributions made by the Vietnamese Party, Government, and the PM himself to Vietnam's remarkable economic development and the strengthening of Vietnam-China cooperation in recent years.

At a ceremony co-organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Training, the Vietnam National University – Hanoi and the Tsinghua University in Hanoi on February 3, PM Chinh said the conferral of this prestigious title is not only the honour from the Tsinghua University but also a testament to the respect of the Chinese Party, State and Government for the contributions of the Vietnamese Party and State in their steadfast pursuit of the Doi moi (Renewal) policy and the path of socialist construction, based on Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh's Thought, and the nation’s 4,000-year cultural legacy – adapted creatively to the country’s specific conditions and the global context. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called on Japanese enterprises to continue placing their trust in and deepening their engagement with Vietnam, and to consider Vietnam a strategic base for expanding their investment, production, and business activities.

The PM made the call while chairing a dialogue with Japanese businesses in Hanoi on March 1 to promote cooperation and investment in Vietnam for sustainable and rapid development of both sides. Read full story

- Nikkei Asia has highlighted the vibrant charm of Hanoi in an article titled "Footloose in Hanoi: Celebrate city's charm, street food and relics from past" by Zinara Rathnayake, published on March 1.

The article vividly captures Hanoi’s allure, from its bustling Old Quarter and renowned street food to its unique coffee culture, rich history, and dynamic youth. Read full story

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People harvest seafood on Bach Long Vi island. (Photo: Qdnd.vn)

- Vietnam’s first national marine reserve - Bach Long Vi Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Hai Phong city - has played a vital role in preserving marine biodiversity and promoting sustainable fisheries since its establishment.

Conservation efforts over the past decade have helped the marine ecosystem recover, with local residents actively participating in protecting the environment. Bach Long Vi’s water area, one of the Gulf of Tonkin’s largest fishing grounds, spans 1,500 square nautical miles. Estimates suggest the area holds an estimated fish stock of 78,000 tonnes. However, overfishing and destructive practices once damaged the ecosystem, prompting the government to establish the MPA on December 31, 2013. Read full story

- Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung reaffirmed that Vietnam-US relations stand as a testament to reconciliation, cooperation, and shared progress during a dialogue at American University on February 26, marking 30 years of normalised relations between the two nations.

Reflecting on the bilateral journey, Ambassador Dung said Vietnam-US ties are built on core values of humanity and reconciliation, demonstrated through joint efforts to address war legacies. These include unexploded ordnance clearance, dioxin remediation, support for persons with disabilities, and the search for missing military personnel. He underscored the two countries’ determination to move beyond the past to establish a substantive and effective partnership./. Read full story

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At the NA Standing Committee's session on August 4. (Photo: VNA)

National Assembly Standing Committee to look into 25 draft laws, resolutions

The committee will take up 25 draft laws and resolutions, including the revised Penal Code, the revised Law on Organisation of Criminal Investigation Agencies, and the review of the draft law amending Article 6 and Appendix IV on conditional business sectors and lines under the Law on Investment, among others.

ASEAN ambassadors in Beijing and the Secretary-General of the ASEAN-China Centre pose for a group photo. (Photo:VNA)

Vietnam underscores ASEAN unity, centrality

Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Thanh Binh highlighted ASEAN’s ability to listen to one another, respect diversity, manage differences and build consensus as among the key lessons underpinning the bloc’s strength and enabling it to move forward together.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam (L) and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (Photo: VNA)

Top Vietnamese leader’s New Zealand visit draws media attention

Reports, articles and assessments published on August 12-13 highlighted that Vietnam-New Zealand relations are shifting strongly from high-level political commitments to concrete cooperation programmes, with a focus on trade, investment, education, agriculture, science and technology, defence and security, and climate change response.

☕ Afternoon briefing on August 13

☕ Afternoon briefing on August 13

Activities during Party General Secretary and President To Lam's state visit to New Zealand, a ceremony marking the 100th birth anniversary of Cuban leader Fidel Castro in Quang Tri, and a series of expos opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre are among news highlights on August 13.

Party General Secretary and President To Lam leaves Auckland on August 13 evening (local time), concluding a state visit to New Zealand. (Photo: VNA)

Party General Secretary, President To Lam concludes state visit to New Zealand

At the meetings during the visit, the two sides agreed to further strengthen political trust and advance bilateral relations comprehensively by stepping up high-level and all-level exchanges through Party, State, parliamentary and people-to-people channels, thereby making more effective use of existing policy dialogue mechanisms.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President of Vietnam To Lam (R) meets with Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives Gerry Brownlee in Auckland on August 13 (Photo: VNA)

Top Vietnamese leader meets with New Zealand House Speaker

Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives Gerry Brownlee welcomed the state visit by the Vietnamese leader and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, stressing that it will further deepen the Vietnam–New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership across various fields, ushering bilateral ties into a new, more profound, substantive and effective phase.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon witness the exchange of cooperation agreements between the two countries on August 13, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam - New Zealand joint statement

Vietnam and New Zealand have issued a joint statement on the occasion of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam’s state visit to New Zealand from August 12-13.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam (left) and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at their talks in Auckland on August 13 (Photo: VNA)

Top Vietnamese leader holds talks with New Zealand Prime Minister

Welcoming General Secretary and President Lam and the Vietnamese delegation, New Zealand PM Luxon said the visit marked an important milestone in strengthening bilateral ties after more than half a century. He affirmed Vietnam is an important partner of New Zealand and expressed his impression at the Southeast Asian country’s remarkable achievements, including its strong economic growth.

☀️ Morning digest on August 13

☀️ Morning digest on August 13

Party General Secretary and President To Lam's meeting with Vietnamese Embassy staff and representatives of the Vietnamese community in New Zealand, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung's receptions for the Singaporean and Israeli ambassadors, and the 8th Vietnam–Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting are among news highlights on August 12 evening.