Hanoi (VNA) – The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.
- Party General Secretary To Lam has emphasised that Nghia Tru commune in the northern province of Hung Yen must assert its role in a new development space that encompasses larger population, broader natural areas, and a diversified economy.

Attending the first congress of the communal Party orgnisation on July 13-14, the Party leader urged the locality to turn itself as a model for urban development integrated with ecological agriculture, new rural services, and the preservation of traditional values. Due attention should be given to multi-axis economic development, capitalising on its advantages as a suburban area to pursue rapid, sustainable, and targeted economic growth. Read full story
- Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Thi Thanh held a series of bilateral meetings with leaders of the French Parliament and various mechanisms of the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie (APF) as part of her trip to France to attend the 50th APF General Assembly (APF-50) from July 12–13.
At her meetings with President of the French National Assembly Yaël Braun-Pivet and President of the French Senate Gérard Larcher, Thanh highly appreciated the role of the French Parliament in the APF and congratulated France on successfully hosting APF-50. She emphasised the sound bilateral relations between Vietnam and France, noting that in 2024, France became the first country in the European Union to establish a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam. Read full story
- The Vietnam People’s Navy and the Philippine Navy successfully held their eighth friendship exchange on Song Tu Dong island on July 12.
The Vietnamese delegation was led by Colonel Nguyen Vinh Nam, Deputy Commander of Naval Region 4, and the Philippine side by Colonel Joel C. Bonavente, Deputy Commander of the Phillipine Western Naval Command. Read full story
- Four decades after the first joint recovery mission, the US and Vietnam continue to race against time in their joint search for those missing from the war, a humanitarian mission that officials say has become a foundation of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“We’re talking about former enemies that came together in a spirit of reconciliation,” Director of the US Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) Kelly McKeague told Viet Nam News. Read full story
- The World Heritage Committee of UNESCO on July 13 approved the expansion of the world natural heritage site of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park in Vietnam’s Quang Tri province to include Hin Nam No National Park in Laos' Khammouane province.
The decision was made during the 47th session of the committee held in Paris, France. Following the adjustment, the world natural heritage site is officially named “Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Park”. Read full story
- Vietnam has emerged as a top choice for Australian tourists seeking “meaningful cultural adventures,” according to an article published recently by Sky News Australia, which highlights the Southeast Asian country’s high-quality travel experiences at a fraction of the cost compared to other popular destinations.
The article describes Vietnam as a vibrant, atmospheric, and culturally rich nation. Citing the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), it notes that the number of Australians visiting Vietnam in the first quarter of 2025 surged by 54% compared to the same period in 2019, outpacing all other international destinations./. Read full story