Ireland always attaches importance to developing relations with Vietnam, especially in the context that the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has come into effect, Minister of State at the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs Colm Brophy told Assistant to the Vietnamese Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet at a meeting on July 4 in Hanoi.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on July 4 chaired an online meeting with localities and a regular Cabinet meeting to review the socio-economic situation in the first half of this year and seek solutions to implement tasks for the rest of the year.

The Mekong-Lancang conference adopted a joint press release and four joint statements on strengthening agricultural cooperation, disaster prevention, customs and trade facilitation, and exchanges between MLC civilisations.

Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Phan Van Mai met a visiting delegation of the German city of Frankfurt led by Mayor Peter Feldmann on July 4.

The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency on July 4.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh have sent congratulations to US President Joe Biden on the 246th Independence Day of the country (July 4, 1776 - 2022).

Vietnam reaped significant socio-economic achievements in the first half of this year despite global uncertainties and domestic difficulties, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told an online conference between the Government and localities, and a regular Cabinet meeting on July 4.

The Pacific Partnership 2022 (PP22) concluded on July 3 on USNS Mercy, a hospital ship of the US Military Sealift Command anchored at Vung Ro Port in Dong Hoa town, the central province of Phu Yen.

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

Orders and medals from the State of Vietnam were bestowed upon some collectives and individuals of the Lao Women’s Union (LWU) at a ceremony held in the central city of Da Nang on July 2.

Leaders of the Party and State of Cuba have received a delegation of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) in Havana, describing the relations between Vietnamese and Cuban workers as a core factor of the special solidarity and friendship between the two countries.

The Central Emulation and Commendation Council held the third session in the 2021 - 2026 tenure under the chair of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi on July 3.

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vương Đình Huệ’s visits to Hungary and the UK from June 26-30 concluded successfully, greatly promoting the Việt Nam-Hungary comprehensive partnership and deepening the Việt Nam-UK strategic partnership, said Vũ Hải Hà, Chairman of the NA's Commission for External Relations.

Việt Nam resolutely opposes and demands Taiwan cancel live-fire drills in the waters around Ba Bình Island belonging to Việt Nam’s Trường Sa (Spratly) archipelago and not repeat similar violations in the future, Spokeswoman of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lê Thị Thu Hằng said on Saturday.

Vietnam resolutely opposes and demands Taiwan to cancel live-fire drills in the waters around Ba Binh island belonging to Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago and not to repeat similar violations in the future, Spokeswoman of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang said on July 2.

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue's visits to Hungary and the UK from June 26-30 concluded successfully, thus greatly promoting the Vietnam-Hungary comprehensive partnership and deepening the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership, said Vu Hai Ha, Chairman of the NA's Commission for External Relations.

A delegation of the Lao Women’s Union led by its President Inlavan Keobounphan had a working session with representatives from the Party Committee of central Da Nang city on July 1.

Vietnamese Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan on July 1 had a meeting with President of the Philippines Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr as part of her visit to the country to attend the latter's swearing-in ceremony.

Top leaders of Vietnam on July 1 sent messages of congratulations to Canadian leaders on the 155th Canada Day (National Day) (July 1).

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on July 1 visited the Military Command of Dak Lak, during which he asked military forces in the Central Highlands province to keep a close watch on the situation and maintain their combat readiness.