The introduction of special mechanisms for technology transfer in key railway projects, the opening of the Vietnam International Gifts and Housewares Expo 2025, and VinSpeed's deal on high-speed rail development with Siemens Mobility GmbH are among news highlights on December 18.
Venezuelan Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Tatiana Pugh affirmed that over more than three decades, the bilateral solidarity, friendship, and cooperation have grown deeper despite complex and unpredictable global and regional developments, serving as a reliable mainstay for the interests of the two peoples and for peace, stability, cooperation, and development in their respective regions and worldwide.
The PM's urgent dispatch detailing key tasks to drive economic growth, Vietnam's endorsement of the joint statement to strengthen the global partnership against online scams, and the conclusion of a four-year partnership to strengthen child justice in Vietnam are among news highlights on December 17 evening.
More than 10 months after the competition’s launch, the organising board received 3,508 entries from 125 media outlets nationwide. After initial screening, 659 works proceeded to preliminary judging, from which a preliminary jury selected 91 entries for the final round. The final jury ultimately selected 64 works for awards.
To fully realise the 2025 socio-economic development plan, while creating momentum for 2026, PM Pham Minh Chinh urged ministers, heads of ministry-level agencies, and chairpersons of People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities to strictly follow resolutions of the Party, the National Assembly and the Government, along with the Prime Minister’s directives.
Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, Vietjet Chairwoman, has been featured on Tatler’s Most Influential 2025 list, joining a distinguished group of leaders recognised for shaping public discourse, driving meaningful change, and creating lasting impact across Asia.
With a total investment exceeding 67 billion USD, the North-South high-speed railway is not only an unprecedented infrastructure project in Vietnam, but also a test of the private sector’s capacity to engage in large-scale public works.
Vietnam International Gifts and Housewares Expo 2025 (IGHE 2025) features a comprehensive range of household goods, gifts and decorative products, positioning itself as a must-see destination for buyers from Vietnam and overseas.
A meeting between the Dien Bien Party Committee’s Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation and the propaganda information and training commissions of the Party committees of the Lao provinces of Phongsaly, Oudomxay and Luang Prabang was held in Vietnam's northwestern mountainous province on December 17.
The event reviewed five decades of friendship and cooperation, while discussing orientations and solutions to further advance bilateral ties in the coming period.
State President Luong Cuong on December 17 sent a message of congratulations to King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on the 118th National Day of Bhutan (December 17).
Lao Cai must continue to prioritise the building of a truly clean and strong Party and political system, advance the implementation of socio-economic development tasks, and ensure the mobilisation of all available resources to meet growth targets, the Secretariat’s permanent member emphasised.
The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.
Improving institutions and laws is crucial for creating a favuorable legal framework to drive national development in line with the objectives set out in the documents for the 14th National Party Congress, said Party leader To Lam.
It is necessary to build a modern, elite, and highly capable People’s Army, improve overall combat strength, maintain combat readiness, and adapt training to new operational conditions, President Cuong said, noting that the military must safeguard air, sea, border, domestic, and cyber spaces, and modernise weapons and equipment to meet the requirements of a modern defence force.
VTV is responsible for working with the Voice of Vietnam and the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) in developing a detailed script for the ground-breaking, inauguration ceremonies for projects celebrating the 14th National Party Congress to be sent to the Ministry of Construction, relevant ministries, localities, and corporations for coordination and implementation across all sites.
The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last night by the Vietnam News Agency.
Given the strong partnership built over the past 35 years, the EU hopes to soon elevate relations with Vietnam to a comprehensive strategic partnership, said Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam Rafael de Bustamante Tello.
During their tenure as members of the MoLISA Party Civil Affairs Committee and deputy ministers of the MoLISA, the two former officials violated Party regulations and State laws in the performance of their assigned duties, and in the prevention and control of corruption, wastefulness, and misconduct.
Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong has sent a message of congratulations to José Antonio Kast on his election as President of Chile.
The task of protecting the Party’s ideological foundation and refuting hostile viewpoints has become more demanding, requiring stronger determination, higher efficiency and more innovative approaches, Tu said.
The Party leader affirmed that from past struggles to the present day, generations of Vietnamese women have demonstrated resilience, loyalty, and readiness to sacrifice for the Fatherland.
PM Chinh thanked Japan for its consistent support for Vietnam, especially during difficult periods such as the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that Japan remains Vietnam’s leading partner in official development assistance (ODA) and labour cooperation, third-largest foreign investor, and fourth-largest partner in trade and tourism.
Vu also expressed his hope that JICA will continue to urge the Japanese Government to consider providing Vietnam with next-generation ODA loans to support the country’s key, large-scale projects.
Chairman Man clearly outlined key tasks for the time ahead and requested the prompt finalisation and promulgation of newly adopted laws and resolutions, proactive reviews to ensure consistency with new guidelines, and thorough preparations for the upcoming elections of deputies to the 16th NA and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 tenure.
Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung highly valued the close and trustworthy cooperation between the Lao ministry and the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training in recent years.
The top leader called for a thorough review and improvement of policies to ensure a modern, transparent and coherent framework that meets new requirements.
Trung suggested that Tochigi continue to effectively implement signed agreements and further strengthen cooperation in areas that can create new development momentum for Vietnam, such as science and technology, digital transformation, innovation, and the training of high-quality human resources.
