☀️ Morning digest on May 25

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

☀️ Morning digest on May 25

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

​- Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and a Government delegation on May 23 offered incense and flowers in tribute to fallen soldiers at the Truong Son National Martyrs Cemetery, the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel special national relic site, and the Tam Co Cave relic site on Road 20 Quyet Thang during a working visit to the central province of Quang Tri.

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Prime Minister Le Minh Hung offers incense at the graves of heroic martyrs at the Truong Son National Martyrs Cemetery in Quang Tri province on May 23, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

The Prime Minister and the delegation observed a minute of silence in memory of heroic martyrs across the country, including those resting at the Truong Son National Martyrs Cemetery, who sacrificed their lives for national independence, freedom and the people’s happiness. Read full story

- The World Health Organisation (WHO) has assessed the risk of Ebola transmission as low globally, including in Vietnam, and acknowledged the proactive efforts of Vietnam’s Ministry of Health and the Government’s urgent direction in preparing the system and strengthening response capacity to the outbreak.

According to the Ministry of Health, the WHO Director-General declared a public health emergency of international concern on May 17 over the outbreak of a disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. Bundibugyo is a rare strain of the Ebola virus for which no licensed vaccine or treatment is currently available. Read full story

- Vietnam ranked among the top eight teams at the 26th Asian Physics Olympiad (APhO 2026), with all eight Vietnamese contestants winning medals, according to the Ministry of Education and Training on May 24.

APhO 2026 took place in Busan, the Republic of Korea (RoK), from May 17 to 25, drawing 209 contestants from 28 teams representing 27 countries and territories across the Asia-Pacific region. Read full story

- Vietnam this year participated for the first time as the guest of honour at the 21st St. Petersburg International Book Fair in Russia, held from May 21 to 24.

The event featured more than 260 exhibitions, 280 cultural and professional activities, and six exhibition pavilions. Vietnam was represented at the fair by the Vietnam Education Publishing House. Read full story

- The northern province of Ninh Binh on the evening of May 23 officially launched its signature tourism week under the theme of a journey through heritage across the ages, marking the start of a series of large-scale cultural and tourism activities.

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A performance staged at the opening ceremony of the Ninh Binh tourism week 2026 on May 23 evening (Photo: VNA)

The opening ceremony was attended by National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh. It featured nearly 200 artists and performers. Throughout the evening programme, audiences were taken on an immersive artistic journey celebrating the rich cultural heritage and historical legacy of Ninh Binh. Read full story

- The United World Wrestling (UWW)’s U17 & U23 Asian Championships 2026 officially opened in the central coastal city of Da Nang on the evening of May 23, drawing nearly 900 athletes from 25 countries and territories across Asia.

The tournament is jointly organised by the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Vietnam Wrestling Federation and relevant agencies. Read full story

- The Vesak Celebrations 2026 kicked off on May 23 with a wide range of activities in downtown Da Lat city, the central province of Lam Dong.

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Delegates perform rituals at the opening ceremony of the Vesak Celebrations 2026 in Da Lat on May 23 (Photo: VNA)

Addressing the ceremony, Most Venerable Thich Minh Nhat, head of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha chapter in Lam Dong province, stressed that through this year’s Vesak Celebrations, the organisers hope to help promote the image of Vietnamese Buddhism as always accompanying the nation, while upholding the spirit of social engagement and contributions to national development and people's well-being in the new era. Read full story

- Da Nang welcomed the first direct flight connecting Moscow and the central city on May 23, marking the restoration of a direct air link between the two destinations after several years and signalling stronger tourism connectivity with Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Belarus.

The flight, operated by Anex Tour Vietnam and Vietjet Air, carried 377 passengers. At Da Nang International Airport, visitors were greeted with flowers, gifts and traditional Vietnamese performances./. Read full story

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Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (centre) meets with Head of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov (right). (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese Prime Minister meets with Head of Republic of Tatarstan in Kazan

PM Hung emphasised that Vietnam always treasures ​​its traditional friendship and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Russia, and wants to maintain and strengthen cooperation in various fields for the common benefit of both nations, and for stability and development in the region and the world.

Standing Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics Le Hai Binh presents a gift to Bodo Ramelow, Vice President of the German Bundestag. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Germany deepen educational cooperation

German businesses operating in Vietnam have consistently expressed their satisfaction with the country's dynamic and stable economy, as well as their confidence in its long-term growth prospects, said Vice President of the German Bundestag Bodo Ramelow.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and State President To Lam (right) receives Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Khamphan Phommathat. (Photo: VNA)

Top leader calls for stronger Vietnam–Laos judicial cooperation

The top leader stressed that ministries, sectors and localities of the two countries, including the two justice ministries, had made important contributions to the bilateral ties. Vietnam consistently regards strengthening relations with Laos as a strategic priority and stays ready to share development experience with its neighbouring nation.

Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and head of the committee's Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation Trinh Van Quyet holds a meeting with Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Jim Nickel on June 16, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Canada seek deeper cooperation in media, education and innovation

Vietnam is taking a range of coordinated measures to unlock new drivers of development as it works towards achieving its two centenary goals. Along this journey, the country places great importance on cooperation with Canada, particularly in science and technology, innovation, and the training of all-level officials.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung is welcomed at Gabdulla Tukay Kazan International Airport in Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia on June 16 afternoon (local time). Photo: VNA

Prime Minister arrives in Kazan to attend ASEAN–Russia Commemorative Summit

As an important bridge between Russia and ASEAN, Vietnam has consistently been among the most active supporters for expanding Russia’s cooperation with ASEAN. The country has proposed numerous initiatives and recommendations to strengthen ASEAN–Russia relations and has supported Russia’s more active participation in ASEAN-led mechanisms.

Vietnamese Minister of Justice Hoang Thanh Tung (R) and Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Khamphan Phommathat meet in Hanoi on June 16. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese, Lao justice ministers vow deeper collaboration during talks

Vietnamese Minister of Justice Hoang Thanh Tung urged deeper exchanges of experience in legal development, enforcement, judicial reform, personnel training, and digital transformation, as well as coordinated steps to fast-track the approval and launch of the Vietnamese Government’s technical assistance project to strengthen the capacity of Lao judicial officials.

An overview of the 36th meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Photo: VNA))

Vietnam presides over opening session of 36th meeting of States Parties to UNCLOS

Against the backdrop of mounting challenges facing the oceans, including climate change, marine pollution, biodiversity loss, maritime security concerns, and the impacts of emerging technologies, Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu called for stronger international cooperation and greater resource mobilisation to protect the oceans and ensure a peaceful, secure, and sustainable marine environment.

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

Conference mulls over legislative roadmap for 16th NA’s term

In his keynote speech, NA Vice Chairman Nguyen Khac Dinh presented the conclusion as a strategic vision for legal reform in the new development period. It spells out concrete goals, nine major orientations, six bundles of tasks and solutions, and assigns specific duties to the relevant bodies.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung departs Hanoi on June 16, 2026 to attend the ASEAN–Russia Commemorative Summit and conduct bilateral activities in Kazan, Russia from June 16 to 18. (Photo: VNA)

PM departs for ASEAN – Russia Commemorative Summit

PM Hung’s participation in this summit once again reflects Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, resilience, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, as well as the diversification and multilateralisation of external relations in line with the spirit of the 14th National Party Congress.

Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang and the Vietnamese delegation are briefed by a French partner on a combat helicopter model at Eurosatory 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam promotes defence cooperation at Eurosatory 2026

During the event, the Vietnamese delegation met with major French defence firms, including Airbus and UNAC, to discuss technology transfer, human resource training, technical support and defence industry development. Vietnam also invited international partners to participate in the Vietnam International Defence Expo 2026, scheduled to be held in Hanoi this December.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam receives Danish Ambassador to Vietnam Nicolai Prytz in Hanoi on June 15, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Top Vietnamese leader receives outgoing Danish Ambassador

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam emphasised that the friendship nurtured over decades, coupled with shared development visions, particularly in the green economy, maritime economy and circular economy, as well as growing connections in culture, sports, tourism and people-to-people links, will continue to serve as a solid foundation for deeper and more productive relations between Vietnam and Denmark.