☀️ Morning digest on September 8

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

☀️ Morning digest on September 8

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

- Party General Secretary To Lam on September 6 presented the “Hero of the People’s Armed Forces” title to the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) for its outstanding achievements in training, combat readiness, army building, and national defence, contributing to the cause of building socialism and safeguarding the Fatherland.

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Party General Secretary To Lam presents the “Hero of the People’s Armed Forces” title to the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (Photo: VNA)

Attending a ceremony to celebrate the 80th traditional day of the VPA’s General Staff (September 7, 1945-2025), General Secretary Lam, who is also Secretary of the Central Military Commission, acknowledged that over the past 80 years, under the leadership of the Party and late President Ho Chi Minh, and directly and regularly under the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence, with the love, support, and assistance of Party committees, authorities, and people nationwide, the generations of leaders, commanders, officers, soldiers, and workers of the General Staff have fully demonstrated the courage, intellect, and military art of Vietnam, achieved numerous victories and outstanding accomplishments in the struggles for national liberation as well as in the nation building and safeguarding cause. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on September 7 attended a ceremony marking the 80th founding anniversary of the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) (September 7, 1945 – 2025), during which the Government leader conferred the Ho Chi Minh Order (third time) on the broadcaster.

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attaches the Ho Chi Minh Order on the VOV's traditional flag (Photo: VNA)

VOV President Do Tien Sy recalled that the broadcaster’s first transmission on September 7, 1945 relayed President Ho Chi Minh’s Declaration of Independence, marking its founding. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on September 7 held a working session with the Policy Advisory Council to discuss macroeconomic stability, stimulating consumer demand, and the operation of the two-tier local government system.

At the event, the PM briefed the council on the international situation, especially the developments in major economies and their impacts on Vietnam. He noted that, in order to achieve the country’s two centennial goals, Vietnam has implemented and will continue to implement numerous important programmes and strategies such as reorganising administrative units, operating a two-tier local government system, and enforcing key resolutions. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called for extra efforts to fully achieve the socio-economic development targets and goals set for this year, while presiding over the Government’s regular August meeting on September 6.

PM Chinh frankly pointed out existing problems, difficulties, and limitations such as: the significant pressure in macro-economic management, especially regarding interest rates, exchange rates, and inflation amidst external fluctuations; difficulties in production and business in certain sectors; traditional growth drivers not meeting expectations; volatile gold prices and the need for stricter management and control of the prices of certain commodities; and shortcomings in the implementation of the two-tier local administration model in some places and at certain times. Read full story

- On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s August Revolution and National Day (September 2), United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Atul Khare extended congratulations to the Vietnamese people and highlighted the country’s remarkable achievements over the past eight decades.

Speaking to a Vietnam News Agency correspondent in New York, Khare noted that Vietnam and the UN share similar historical missions. Eighty years ago, the UN was founded with the purpose of preventing a third world war and promoting peace, freedom, and a better life for all. That same spirit was also reflected in President Ho Chi Minh’s Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945, which proclaimed the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Read full story

- Vietnamese automaker VinFast on September 6 officially launched sales of its premium electric SUVs - the VF 6 and VF 7 - in India.

These are the company’s first products for the Indian market, underscoring its strong commitment to accompany the South Asian nation on its transition towards green and sustainable mobility, while positioning VinFast as a key player shaping the future of India’s EV industry. Read full story

- Nearly 14 million foreign tourists visited Vietnam in the first eight months of 2025, up by 21.7% year-on-year, according to the National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance.

In August alone, 1.68 million foreign travelers arrived in the country, an increase of 7.8% from July, boosted by an influx of arrivals amidst celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day (September 2). Read full story

- A mural celebrating the enduring friendship between Vietnam and Cuba was inaugurated at the Cuban Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City on September 6.

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Delegates pose for a photo in front of a mural promoting Vietnam–Cuba friendship. (Photo: VNA)

The project was jointly organised by the Cuban Consulate General, the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations, and the Ho Chi Minh City University of Fine Arts to mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1960–2025), the 80th anniversary of Vietnam' August Revolution, and National Day. Read full story

- Vietnam's foreign direct investment (FDI) disbursement reached 15.4 billion USD in the January-August period, up 8.8% from the same period last year, according to the National Statistics Office (NSO).

This marks the highest level for the eight-month period in five years./. Read full story

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh addresses the third National Forum on Digital Economy and Digital Society in Hanoi on December 20. (Photo: VNA)

Digital economy as driver, digital society as foundation of growth: PM

The forum, themed “Developing an inclusive and comprehensive digital economy and digital society to achieve double-digit GDP growth in the 2026–2030 period,” brought together leaders of ministries and localities, technology enterprises, research institutions, experts and representatives of international organisations in Vietnam.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang (R) and Benoit Guidée, Director of the Asia–Oceania Department at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs meet in Hanooi on December 19. (Photo: VNA)

Deputy FM meets French official

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang stressed that Vietnam attaches great importance to its relationship with France, the first European Union country with which Vietnam has established a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, noting that the two sides enjoy a solid foundation and significant potential for further cooperation.

Politburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu speaks at the event in Hanoi on December 19 (Photo: VNA)

Senior Party official reviews preparations for 14th National Party Congress

Politburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu expressed his belief that relevant agencies will continue to make efforts to basically complete organisation- and service-related preparations by December 31, ensuring readiness for the final rehearsals ahead of the opening of the 14th National Party Congress.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh addressing the conference of the the Ministry of Industry and Trade on December 19 (Photo: VNA)

PM urges industry, trade sector to pioneer in six key areas

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that to make a substantive contribution to national development, the industry and trade sector must also achieve double-digit growth, generate new jobs, strengthen traditional growth drivers such as export and consumption, and accelerate emerging engines of growth, including the green, digital, circular, knowledge-based and sharing economies.

State President Luong Cuong (middle) presents congratulatory flowers to the two promoted officers (Photo: VNA)

Two military officers promoted to rank of Senior Lieutenant General

Lieutenant General Do Xuan Tung, Vice Director of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA), and Lieutenant General Do Van Banh, Political Commissar of the National Defence Academy were promoted to the rank of Senior Lieutenant General at a ceremony in Hanoi on December 19.

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone (R) hosts a reception for Prosecutor General of the Supreme People’s Procuracy of Vietnam Nguyen Huy Tien. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam–Laos step up cooperation in procuracy sector

They highly valued the effective and substantive cooperation results achieved by the Supreme People’s Procuracies of Vietnam and Laos in recent years, and called on both sides to continue enhancing coordination, stepping up exchanges of delegations at all levels, sharing professional and technical experience, and maintaining and expanding training and capacity-building programmes for officials.

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man and other leaders, former leaders at the 4th Dien Hong Awards honouring journalistic works on the NA and People’s Councils in Hanoi on December 18, 2025. (Photo: daibieunhandan.vn)

NA Chairman urges journalists to reflect legislature's strategic vision

The NA leader expressed his confidence that in 2026, journalists will continue to uphold their responsibility, report objectively and from multiple perspectives, accompany the NA in conveying its activities promptly and comprehensively, and identify shortcomings in law-making and legal enforcement to help people-elected agencies operate more effectively and efficiently.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane in Hanoi on December 18, 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Prime Minister calls for stronger Vietnam–Laos economic connectivity

Receiving Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane in Hanoi on December 18, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed that the two sides further strengthen economic connectivity, coordinate closely and share development experience for the tangible benefit of the two peoples.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man (R) and Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane in Hanoi on December 18 (Photo: VNA)

Top legislator receives Lao foreign minister in Hanoi

The top legislator requested that the two sides continue to work closely together to effectively implement the Vietnam-Laos Joint Statement, the intergovernmental cooperation agreement, and bilateral cooperation programmes, thereby contributing to preserving and developing the bilateral special traditional friendship.