☀️ Morning digest on November 19

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

☀️ Morning digest on November 19

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

- Party General Secretary To Lam welcomed Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Robert Kaliňák’s visit to Vietnam during a reception in Hanoi on November 18, saying that it coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties and contributes to deepening bilateral traditional friendship.

General Secretary Lam reaffirmed that Slovakia has always been a loyal and close friend of Vietnam, expressing thanks to the Slovak Government and people for their continuous support for and solidarity with the Vietnamese people over the past 75 years. Read full story

- Party General Secretary To Lam received Vincent Clerc, Chief Executive Officer of Denmark’s A.P. Moller – Maersk on November 18 in Hanoi.

During the reception, General Secretary Lam expressed his delight at the positive development of the Vietnam–Denmark Comprehensive Partnership and the Green Strategic Partnership between the two countries, which have served as key drivers for promoting bilateral relations across all fields in line with the trend of green and sustainable development. Read full story

- Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivered a policy speech at the Kuwait Diplomatic Institute on November 18 as part of his official visit to Kuwait, stressing that Vietnam–Kuwait relations are entering a period of dynamic transformation and hold the potential to become a model partnership between Southeast Asia and the Gulf, as well as a solid friendship bridge connecting Asia and the Middle East.

The PM expressed sincere gratitude to the Emir, Crown Prince, Government and people of Kuwait for the warm and thoughtful welcome extended to the Vietnamese delegation. He noted his visit is the first by a high-ranking Vietnamese leader in 16 years and takes place as the two countries prepare to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2026. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on November 18 held working sessions with officials and business leaders of Kuwait to promote the materialisation of the countries’ strategic partnership across various fields.

During his meeting with Sheikh Saoud Salem Abdulaziz Al-Sabah, Managing Director of the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), PM Chinh, who is on an official visit to the country, said that his agreement with Kuwaiti leaders to upgrade Vietnam-Kuwait relations to a Strategic Partnership during the trip provides favourable conditions for advancing cooperation in all areas, especially economy. Read full story

- Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh hosted a reception in Hanoi on November 18 for Dr. Marcin Czepelak, Secretary-General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), seeking its technical and personnel support for the country’s International Arbitration Centre (IAC) slated to become operational as early as this month.

Binh highlighted the PCA’s record caseload of nearly 500 disputes in 2023-2024, the highest in its 125-year history, as evidence of its growing role and reputation in delivering justice worldwide. Read full story

- Nguyen Thi Binh, former member of the Party Central Committee, former Vice State President of Vietnam, and Honorary President of the Vietnam Peace and Development Council (VPDC), has been conferred with Romesh Chandra Peace Award by the World Peace Council (WPC) and the All India Peace and Solidarity Organisations (AIPSO) for her outstanding contributions to peace and international solidarity.

The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and AIPSO jointly hosted a ceremony to honour Binh on November 18. Read full story./.

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Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (R) and Swedish State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Dag Hartelius in Hanoi on May 19, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam sees Sweden one of leading European partners in innovation, green development

Discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern, both sides affirmed their support for multilateralism and free trade, as well as the peaceful settlement of disputes and conflicts in line with international law and the UN Charter. They also stressed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Minister of Public Security General Luong Tam Quang (R) and US Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam wants to boost stronger economic, trade ties with US: Minister

Quang said the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security and relevant agencies are willing to work closely with the US side to address existing challenges, advance substantive and mutually beneficial cooperation, and ensure balanced interests for businesses and citizens of both countries.

Vietnamese Consul General in Hong Kong and Macau Le Duc Hanh and representatives of Vietnamese agencies in Hong Kong offer flowers in tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at the Tai Kwun heritage site. (Photo: VNA)

Historic relic sites in Hong Kong inspire national pride among overseas Vietnamese

In addition to Tai Kwun, Hong Kong is home to several other historic landmarks linked to President Ho Chi Minh’s revolutionary activities in the early 20th century, including Sung Wong Toi Park, where a stone from Sung Wong Toi Hill marks the site where he convened the conference leading to the establishment of the CPV. House No. 186 Tam Kung also served as one of his secret residences before his arrest.

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung and Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman hold talks in Hanoi on May 19, 2026. (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Vietnam always treasures bilateral relations with Croatia: FM

Welcoming the first-ever visit to Vietnam by a Croatian foreign minister since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1994, Trung described the trip as a strong signal of Croatia’s commitment to expanding multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam. He affirmed that Vietnam always treasures relations with traditional friends, with Croatia regarded as one of its priority partners in the Balkan region.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang (R) receives Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman. (Photo: VGP)

Vietnam, Croatia seek to enhance defence cooperation

Affirming that Vietnam always values its traditional friendship with countries in the Balkan region, with Croatia regarded as one of its priority partners, Giang spoke highly of bilateral collaboration achievements in politics-diplomacy, economy, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man (R) presents the first-class Labour Order to NA Vice Chairman Nguyen Doan Anh on May 19. (Photo: VNA)

NA Vice Chairman Nguyen Doan Anh awarded first-class Labour Order

On behalf of Party and State leaders, NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man presented the noble reward to Anh, describing him as a well-trained official who has matured through practical experience and held many important leadership positions within the Party, State, military and local administrations.

Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang (right) and Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman at their meeting in Hanoi on May 19 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Croatia seek stronger law enforcement cooperation

In recent years, the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security (MoPS) and Croatian partners have carried out various practical cooperation activities, including the signing of a cooperation agreement on fire prevention, firefighting, search and rescue as well as coordination in verifying criminal information at the request of the Croatian INTERPOL Office.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang and Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh review the guard of honour of the Vietnam People's Army at the welcome ceremony for the latter in Hanoi on May 19, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Indian Defence Minister pays official visit to Vietnam

Following the ceremony, the two sides held talks during which the Vietnamese minister emphasised the significance of the visit as the two countries celebrate the 10th anniversary of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and recently upgraded ties to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership under the spirit of “Shared Vision, Strategic Convergence and Substantive Cooperation,” during the state visit to India by Party General Secretary and State President To Lam from May 5-8.

Vietnamese Ambassador to New Zealand Phan Minh Giang congratulates NZMAM 2026 on its great success. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam supports first Model ASEAN Meeting in New Zealand

As the coordinator for ASEAN-New Zealand relations for the 2024-2027 period, Vietnam remains committed to closely coordinating with New Zealand and ASEAN member states to further deepen the newly established Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, bringing more practical benefits to people and contributing more effectively to peace, stability, prosperity and sustainable development for both sides and the wider region.

The meeting between Vietnamese Ambassador to Bulgaria Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet and leader of the Alcomet factory. (Photo courtesy of the Vietnamese Embassy in Bulgaria)

Vietnam, Bulgaria expand cooperation between key localities

Ambassador Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet noted that the Vietnam – Bulgaria Strategic Partnership has opened up fresh opportunities for cooperation in logistics, maritime transport, port operations, information technology, education and coastal tourism.