☀️ 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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General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and President To Lam and delegates attend the International Space Summit in Paris, France, on September 10 (Photo: VNA)

Top Vietnamese leader proposes space network for development and resilience at International Space Summit

In his speech, General Secretary and President Lam highly valued French President Emmanuel Macron’s initiative to organise the International Space Summit, which provides an opportunity for countries to exchange views and help shape a new vision in which the development of capabilities goes hand in hand with responsibility, and national interests are aligned with the common interests of the international community.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (left) and his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot on September 10 (Photo published by VNA)

Vietnam, France seek to deepen comprehensive strategic partnership

Vietnam attaches importance to its relations with France, one of its leading partners in Europe and on the international stage, and wishes to continue close coordination with France to deepen the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in a substantive and effective manner.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga, spouse of President of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man (right) and Gantsetseg Tsendsuren, spouse of Chairman of the State Great Hural (Parliament) of Mongolia Sandag Byambatsogt (left) at the official welcome ceremony on September 10 (Photo: VNA)

Spouses of Vietnamese, Mongolian top legislators hold meeting

Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga, spouse of President of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man, had a meeting with Gantsetseg Tsendsuren, spouse of Chairman of the State Great Hural (Parliament) of Mongolia Sandag Byambatsogt, in Ulaanbaatar on September 10.

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung has a working session with Mongolian First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Development Jadamba Enkhbayar in Ulaanbaatar on September 10 (Photo: VNA)

Deputy PM works with Mongolian counterpart

The two sides noted that Vietnam-Mongolia relations have seen substantial progress across a variety of fields, particularly since the two countries established a Comprehensive Partnership during General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam’s visit to Mongolia in September 2024.

SCAVI Hue, a wholly French-invested company owned by Financière B’Lao, specialises in manufacturing underwear, sportswear and protective clothing at Phong Dien Industrial Park in Hue. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, France seek new impetus for comprehensive strategic partnership

The official visit to France by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and President To Lam from September 9-12 demonstrates the close ties the two countries have built and maintained, according to Dr. Sophie Boisseau du Rocher, a member of the Asie21 research group and former researcher at the Centre for Asian Studies of the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI).

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam, his spouse, and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, lay a wreath at the Ho Chi Minh Monument in Montreau Park in Montreuil. (Photo published by VNA)

Top Vietnamese leader lays wreath at Ho Chi Minh Monument in France

In his speech, General Secretary and President Lam recalled the late leader’s years abroad seeking a path to national liberation and thanked the French people for their support during his years in France. He called Montreau Park a “red address” and sacred return site with deep historical meaning for Vietnamese visitors to France.

National Assembly (NA) President Tran Thanh Man (right) meets with Mongolian Prime Minister Nyam-Osor Uchral in Ulaanbaatar on September 10 (Photo: VNA)

NA President meets Mongolian Prime Minister

The Vietnamese National Assembly stands ready to remove institutional barriers and obstacles to facilitate Vietnam-Mongolia economic and trade cooperation, said National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man.

☕ Afternoon briefing on September 10

☕ Afternoon briefing on September 10

NA President Tran Thanh Man's activities during his official visit to Mongolia, Vietnam spending over 4 billion USD on meat and fishery imports in eight months, and the Government targeting 45-50 million international visitors by 2030 are among news highlights on September 10.

NA President Tran Thanh Man (L) and Chairwoman of the Mongolia–Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group J. Bayarmaa at their meeting in Ulaanbaatar on September 10 (Photo: VNA)

NA President meets Mongolia–Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group leader

Building on the past gains and common perceptions reached by leaders of both countries and their legislatures, NA President Tran Thanh Man proposed that the Mongolia–Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group remains a friendship bridge and drive substantive cooperation between the two parliaments.

Michel Criaud, a member of the French National Assembly’s Defence Committee. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, France strengthen cooperation based on dialogue, trust

The Vietnam-France relationship is rooted in history but, more importantly, has been strengthened through sincere dialogue, mutual respect and forward-looking cooperation. The two countries have built solid ties in areas including economy, higher education, culture and people-to-people exchanges.

President of the Vietnamese National Assembly Tran Thanh Man (L) and Chairman of the State Great Hural of Mongolia Sandag Byambatsogt at their talks in Ulaanbaatar on September 10, 2026 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Mongolia deepen parliamentary cooperation

The two leaders concurred in enhancing the role of the two legislatures in supporting efforts to promote substantive and effective connectivity between the two economies, commensurate with each country's potential.

President of the Vietnamese National Assembly Tran Thanh Man (L) and Chairman of the State Great Hural of Mongolia Sandag Byambatsogt at the MoU signing ceremony in Ulaanbaatar on September 10 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese, Mongolian legislatures sign MoU on cooperation

Under the MoU between the Vietnamese and Mongolian parliaments, the two sides agreed to foster legislative cooperation, contributing to effectively realising orientations and agreements reached by leaders and driving the Vietnam-Mongolia Comprehensive Partnership in a substantive and effective manner.

Antoine Pouillieute, who served as French Ambassador to Vietnam from 2001 to 2004 (Photo published by VNA)

Trust to take Vietnam-France relations further: Former ambassador

The Vietnam-France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership should continue to be nurtured on the foundations of mutual trust, respect for each country’s identity and a shared responsibility to promote dialogue between Southeast Asia and Europe. These foundations will enable bilateral ties to develop in a substantive, sustainable and forward-looking manner.