☀️ Morning digest on May 23

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

☀️ Morning digest on May 23

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

- The funeral of former Politburo member and former State President Tran Duc Luong will be held in the national mourning etiquette.

He will be laid in state at the National Funeral Hall, No. 5 Tran Thanh Tong street, Hanoi city. Read full story

- Party General Secretary To Lam had a working session with the Party Central Committee's Commission for Internal Affairs on May 22, during which he emphasised that the internal affairs must aim to maintain stability as a foundation for national development.

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Party General Secretary To Lam speaks at the meeting with Party Central Committee's Commission for Internal Affairs. (Photo: VNA)

The commission should closely coordinate with other Party commissions and agencies of internal affairs to effectively carry out the tasks of monitoring, analysing, researching, and forecasting the situation, and to provide strategic advice to the Party in line with its assigned functions and duties. It should also advise on policies to effectively address complicated issues and potential risks that could lead to instability, thereby ensuring a proactive stance in all circumstances, the top leader said. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on May 22 requested the establishment of an international financial centre in Vietnam with a transparent and open legal environment, modern and seamless infrastructure that meets development needs and aligns with global trends and Vietnam's specific conditions.

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chairs the meeting of the steering committee on building regional and international financial centres. (Photo: VNA)

Chairing a meeting of the steering committee on building regional and international financial centres on the development of the National Assembly’s draft Resolution on the establishment of the international financial centre in Vietnam, PM Chinh, who is head of the steering committee, highlighted the need for a highly qualified and professional workforce, and smart and modern governance. Read full story

- To achieve its ambitious goal of high-income status by 2045, Vietnam needs to deepen the sweeping institutional reforms that are underway and promote greener development, according to two new World Bank reports released on May 22.

The first report “Vietnam 2045 - Breaking Through: Institutions for a High-Income Future” argues that Vietnam needs to strengthen the legal and regulatory environment and streamline public investment to sustain the rapid growth required to meet its target. Read full story

- The upgrade of Vietnam–France relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in October 2024 has laid a pivotal foundation for advancing stronger, deeper, and more effective ties between the two nations, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang.

Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Vietnam, Ambassador Thang emphasised the historic significance of the upgrade, marking a major milestone in the over-50-year diplomatic relationship and 10 years since the two countries established a Strategic Partnership. Read full story

- Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called on all cabinet members to submit their resignations, paving the way for a "major government reset" aimed at better meeting public expectations following disappointing results in the recent midterm elections, the Presidential Office announced on May 22.

In a statement, President Marcos emphasised that the move was not about individuals, but about enhancing efficiency, coordination, and urgency in governance. He assured that public services will remain uninterrupted during the transition and underscored that stability and meritocracy will guide the formation of a new cabinet./. Read full story

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NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man speaks at the meeting (Photo: VNA)

NA Chairman chairs meeting on preparations for 16th NA’s first session

The 16th National Assembly’s first session will elect finalise key state leadership positions, including the State President, Prime Minister, NA Chairman, NA vice chairpersons, Deputy PMs, Cabinet members, members of the NA Standing Committee, head of the NA Council for Ethnic Affairs and heads of NA committees.

Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh (standing, left) and his Russian counterpart Mikhail Mishustin (standing, right) witness the signing of the agreement between the two governments on cooperation in building a nuclear power plant on the territory of Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)

PM’s Russia visit yields substantive outcomes: Deputy FM

During Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to Russia on March 22-25, Vietnam and Russia reached strong consensus on deepening political trust and mutual understanding, building on their long-standing traditional friendship.

Vietnamese mission staff and overseas Vietnamese in Australia visit Ship 016–Quang Trung (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese naval ship completes mission at Kakadu Exercise 2026

Ship 016–Quang Trung of Brigade 162 under Naval Region 4 departed Sydney Harbour on the morning of March 25 for home after successfully completing activities within the framework of the Exercise Kakadu Fleet Review 2026 marking the 125th anniversary of the Royal Australian Navy and the multilateral naval exercise Kakadu 2026.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has wrapped up the official visit to Russia from March 22 to 25. (Photo: VNA)

PM arrives in Hanoi, concluding official visit to Russia

With the outcomes achieved and strong implementation efforts by both sides, the Vietnam – Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is expected to grow further, contributing to socio-economic development in each country as well as to peace, friendship and cooperation in the region and the world.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (left) meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on March 25. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese Prime Minister meets Russian President in Moscow

President Putin said Vietnam remains a sincere friend and an important partner of Russia in the Asia-Pacific, stressing that Russia attaches importance to further deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (Source: MoFA)

Vietnamese, Philippine foreign ministers hold phone talks

They agreed to further elevate cooperation across all areas, including politics, diplomacy, defence, security, economy, and people-to-people exchanges, contributing to the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (July 12, 1976 – 2026).

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh (R) receives Chay Borin, Minister of Cult and Religion of Cambodia, in Hanoi on March 25 (Photo: VNA)

Deputy PM receives Cambodian Minister of Cult and Religion in Hanoi

Deputy PM Mai Van Chinh welcomed Cambodian Minister of Cult and Religion Chay Borin and his entourage on their working visit to Vietnam to implement the cooperation agreement between Vietnam’s Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs and Cambodia’s Ministry of Cult and Religion for the 2026–2030 period.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam (R) and Thongly Sisoulith, member of the Lao Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Youth Union at a photo exhibition held as part of the ceremony marking he 95th anniversary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union in Vientiane on March 25. (Photo: VNA)

95th anniversary of Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union marked in Laos

Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam described Vietnamese and Lao youth as the “architects” of the future of bilateral ties and called on young Vietnamese in Laos to strengthen their political awareness, pioneer digital transformation and entrepreneurship, and act as ambassadors of friendship between the two countries' people.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Minh Vu pays a New Year visit to the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Cambodia foster friendship, solidarity

At a meeting on March 25 at the headquarters of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces High Command, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Minh Vu conveyed his best New Year wishes to General Vong Pisen and all officers and soldiers of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) meets with Russian Railways CEO Oleg Belozyorov (Photo: VNA)

PM works with leading Russian infrastructure enterprises

At the meeting with AFK Sistema Chairman Vladimir Petrovich Evtushenkov and the group’s executives, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hailed the corporation’s proactive engagement with major Vietnamese enterprises to promote cooperation programmes in recent times.