☀️ Morning digest on May 17

The following is a list of selected news summaries last night by Vietnam News Agency.
☀️ Morning digest on May 17 ảnh 1
Hanoi (VNA) - The following is a list of selectednews summaries last night by Vietnam News Agency.

- Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong hosted a reception for visitingGreek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou in Hanoi on May 16.

The Vietnamese Party leader congratulatedSakellaropoulou on becoming the first female president of Greece, and thankedthe Greek people for their valuable support for Vietnam’s struggle forindependence in the past as well as the current national construction,especially in COVID-19 prevention and control. Read full story

- President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Greek counterpartKaterina Sakellaropoulou shared delight at the growth of Vietnam-Greece tiesand agreed on measures to promote the relations during their talks in Hanoi onMay 16.

President Sakellaropoulou lauded the importantachievements that Vietnam has made during its struggle for independence andpresent process of socio-economic development. She affirmed that Greece highlyvalued the increasingly important role of Vietnam in the region and the world,and hoped to foster cooperation with Vietnam in all fields. Read full story
☀️ Morning digest on May 17 ảnh 2National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (L) and his Lao counterpart Saysomphone Phomvihane co-chair the event. (Photo: VNA)
- National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and his Laocounterpart Saysomphone Phomvihane co-chaired a conference to share experiencein designing mechanisms and policies supporting post-pandemic socio-economicrecovery and development in Vientiane on May 16.

The Lao NA leader said that the event is a goodchance for both sides to learn from each other to promote post-pandemicsocio-economic recovery and development. Read full story

- The Economic Times, an Indian English-language daily, hasposted a commentary on the Vietnamese Prime Minister’s working visit to the USand the UN, saying that the trip aims to reaffirm Vietnam’s role in stabilisingSoutheast Asia.

It wrote that PM Pham Minh Chinh has undertaken asuccessful and landmark visit to the US eyeing to push partnership, includingASEAN - US ties that will play a big role in peace and stability in SoutheastAsia. Read full story

- Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam on May 16 hosted areception for Deputy PM and President of the National Olympic Committee ofThailand Prawit Wongsuwon.

The Thai official is paying a visit to Vietnam andattending activities of the ongoing SEA Games 31. Read full story

- Two Vietnamese university professors were honoured with theKovalevskaya Award 2021 for their outstanding achievements in applied sciencesat a May 16 ceremony with Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan in attendance.

The awardees were Prof., Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Mai, Vice Rector of theUniversity of Science at the Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City(VNU-HCM); and Prof., Dr. and Meritorious Teacher Nguyen Minh Thuy, a seniorlecturer in food technology at the Faculty of Agriculture, the Can ThoUniversity. Read full story

- Ho Chi Minh City will spare no efforts to translate itscooperation plans with the state of Victoria in Australia, Chairman of themunicipal People’s Committee Phan Van Mai said on May 16.

He made the pledge while joining virtual talkswith Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews and the signing ceremony of anagreement on friendship and cooperation between the city and Victoria. Read full story

☀️ Morning digest on May 17 ảnh 3Thang Long Imperial Citadel (Photo: VNA)
- Travel companies in Hanoi have organised 28 tours for coaches,athletes and guests to the 31st Southeast Asian Games, according to themunicipal Department of Tourism.

The tours have been arranged to fit in with the guests’schedules, and focus on the cultural, historical and architectural values ofHanoi, along with scenic spots and ancient villages on the city’s outskirts. Read full story

- Vietnamese swimmers have baggedsix gold and seven silver medals so far, basically completing their medaltarget set for the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31).

At SEA Games 31, the Vietnamese swimming team set a target of wining of from 6to 8 gold medals./. Read full story
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Vietnamese Ambassador to Venezuela Vu Trung My speaks at the event (Photo: VNA)

President Ho Chi Minh’s enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Jesús Faria expressed deep admiration for President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam’s indomitable struggle for national independence. He described President Ho Chi Minh as an immortal symbol of 20th-century national liberation movements, whose legacy continues to inspire leftist parties, progressive movements, and peoples across Latin America, including Venezuela.

Standing Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Loc Ha (R) and EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier. (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City, EU boast ample room for sustainable development cooperation

Since the establishment of their diplomatic ties in 1990, Vietnam and the EU have deepened the bilateral ties into one of the bloc’s most dynamic and in-depth partnerships with an ASEAN member, Ha noted, adding that the relationship entered a new chapter in January when the President of European Council’s visit upgraded it to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang speaks at a discussion session on reforming multilateral systems and global governance, held on May 15, 2026, as part of the expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in India. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam ready to strengthen BRICS connection with Asia-Pacific

Hang called on countries to act responsibly in accordance with international law and the UN Charter; respect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of states; refrain from using or threatening to use force; and settle disputes peacefully through dialogue. She also underscored the importance of ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation through straits in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (centre), DPRK Vice Minister Pak of Foreign Affairs Sang Gil (left), and Vietnamese Ambassador to the DPRK Le Ba Vinh cut the ribbon to open the exhibition. (Photo: VNA)

Photo exhibition highlights Vietnam–DPRK relations

Visitors at the exhibition were moved by historical photographs dating back nearly 70 years, including images of the founding leader of the DPRK Kim Il Sung personally welcoming President Ho Chi Minh and a CPV delegation at Pyongyang’s Sunan International Airport during their visit to the DPRK from July 8–12, 1957. In return, the DPRK leader paid an official visit to Vietnam from November 27 to December 3, 1958.

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

Deputy PM calls for substantive assessment of two-tier local administration operations

Chairing a meeting on the development of a scheme to review the first-year operations of the political system’s organisational apparatus and the two-tier local administration model, Tra emphasised that the review must comprehensively and objectively evaluate the nationwide implementation of administrative unit restructuring and the operation of the new local administration model.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi (right) and First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of Russia Andrey Yatskin at their meeting in Moscow on May 14. (Photo: VNA)

Key directions for Vietnam–Russia cooperation in 2026

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi had a working session with a delegation from the Russian Federation Council led by First Deputy Chairman Andrey Yatskin, in Moscow on May 14, discussing the expansion of multifaceted cooperation in 2026.

Officials from Cao Bang province of Vietnam and Baise city in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China hold talks on May 15. (Photo: VNA)

Cao Bang, China’s Baise city eye to boost all-around cooperation

Cao Bang province of Vietnam and Baise city in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China are exploring a “red tourism” route linking Pac Bo and Meng Mo (China) to promote revolutionary tradition education and strengthen bilateral friendship. They are also stepping up cooperation in human resource development through training exchanges and efforts to improve workforce quality.

Atsaphangthong Siphandone (centre), Secretary of the Vientiane Party Committee and Chairman of the municipal People’s Council, speaks at the working session. (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City, Vientiane strengthen cooperation for 2026–2030

Under the MoU, the two sides will strengthen cooperation in politics – diplomacy, security – defence, legal and judicial affairs, economic affairs, education, culture and society, cooperation among mass organisations and socio-political organisations, and development support.

Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (left) meets with Jo Yong Won, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) and Chairman of the SPA of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, in Pyongyang on May 15. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam wishes to unceasingly develop ties with DPRK: Foreign Minister

Jo Yong Won, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) and Chairman of the SPA of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), expressed confidence that under the leadership of the CPV, headed by General Secretary and President Lam, Vietnam will successfully achieve the strategic goals set forth at the 14th National Party Congress.

New Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar (front) at the swearing-in ceremony of the new Government in Budapest on May 12, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Congratulations to newly-elected Hungarian leaders

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man on May 15 sent messages of congratulations to Magyar Péter and Forsthoffer Ágnes on their election as Prime Minister and Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary, respectively.

Ministers and deputy ministers from BRICS member and partner countries pose for a group photo while attending the Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in India on May 14. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang shared Vietnam’s approach to building an independent and self-reliant economy linked to deep international integration, while proposing several key areas for enhanced cooperation between BRICS and partner countries at the Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting that opened on May 14 in India.

Dr Anatoly Sokolov from the Oriental Research Institute under the Russian Academy of Sciences in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s correspondent in Russia. (Photo: VNA)

President Ho Chi Minh’s experience in Soviet Union crucial to Vietnam’s revolution: Russian scholar

The Russian scholar emphasised that Ho Chi Minh’s years in the Soviet Union provided him with essential experience in organising the masses and conducting political work for revolutionary purposes. This knowledge proved crucial when he later successfully led the August Revolution in 1945, establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam - the first people’s democratic state in Southeast Asia - without relying on external assistance. The victory became a powerful inspiration for national liberation movements across colonised countries worldwide, he added