Hanoi (VNA) - The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.

- National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man chaired a working session in Hanoi on August 7 with the NA Economic Committee, Finance-Budget Committee, and Committee for Science, Technology and Environment on their performance since the beginning of the 15th tenure and discuss major tasks for the rest of the tenure.

The NA Chairman hailed the three committees’ efforts in completing a large workload from the beginning of the tenure, particularly the building and revision of a number of important law and resolutions with significant impacts on socio-economic life in the country. Read full story

- The robust Vietnam-US relationship stems from the legitimate aspirations of their peoples and the realisation of visions, goals, and efforts of their leaders, both historical and contemporary, affirmed Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of its Commission for Information and Education Nguyen Trong Nghia and US Ambassador Marc Knapper at their meeting in Hanoi on August 7 morning.

Nghia asked his guest to convey gratitude to US President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, and officials of the US embassy and Consulate General for their deep condolences following the recent passing of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. This gesture not only provided significant encouragement but also exemplified the increasingly positive development of the countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership. Read full story

- The Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations (VDPO) under the Ministry of National Defence on August 7 opened a pre-deployment training course and a field exercise for Engineering Unit Rotation 3 and Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 6, set to engage in UN peacekeeping operations this year.

Taking place from August 1 to September 14, the course and exercise provide 198 members of the engineering unit and 70 others of the field hospital with necessary knowledge and skills to carry out their tasks at the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) and the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), including UN peacekeeping operations and Vietnam’s contributions, the basic principles, the legal foundation, peacebuilding activities, and those to protect human rights and civilians. Read full story

- Minister of Finance Ho Duc Phoc has led a delegation of the ministry and Vietnamese enterprises on a two-day working trip to Singapore starting August 5, aiming to step up bilateral cooperation in potential fields.

At a meeting with the delegation on August 5, Singaporean Second Minister for Finance Chee Hong Tat suggested a series of areas where bilateral cooperation can be promoted toward the upgrade of the countries’ relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership. The list includes energy, services, and financial services. He also highlighted the potential for Vietnam and Singapore to share experiences, best practices, and business investment opportunities. Read full story

- Trade turnover between Vietnam and the Philippines may reach from 8.1-8.3 billion USD this year, up from 3.9-6.4% year-on-year, according to the Vietnam Trade Office in the Philippines.

The turnover hit 4.21 billion USD in the first half of this year, of which 2.93 billion USD came from Vietnam’s exports, up 17.6% against that in the same period last year. Read full story

- The island of Phu Quoc, dubbed the Pearl Island, off the coast of the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang received more than 636,000 tourists in July, showing a recovery, the provincial Tourism Department announced on August 6.

During the reviewed period, international arrivals numbered about 63,116, up 24% year on year. Read full story./.