President Nguyen Xuan Phuc is scheduled to lead a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam on a State visit to Indonesia from December 21 to 23.

The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) Central Committee held a press meeting on December 16 to announce the outcomes of the union’s 12th National Congress that had wrapped up earlier the same day.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visits to Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Belgium, and attendance in the ASEAN - EU Commemorative Summit were highly successful, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son told the media.

Vietnam, on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), affirmed the bloc’s priority and commitment in promoting multilateralism at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)’s recent open debate on a new orientation for reformed multilateralism.

Bui Quang Huy was re-elected First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) at the closing session of the 12th National Congress of the HCYU on December 16.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 15 (local time) visited the Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre (IMEC), an international research and development organisation active in the fields of nanoelectronics and digital technologies.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with President of the Belgian Senate Stephanie D’Hose and Princess Astrid of Belgium on late December 15 as part of his official visit to the European country.

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

Expressing his pride and belief in the younger generation, General Secretary Trọng emphasised that the Party and the State always highly appreciated their role and position.

The statement was made during a press conference held in Hà Nội as she was asked for comments on the recently adopted political declaration between Việt Nam and G7 countries to establish a just energy transition partnership, also known as JETP, to the tune of US$15.5 billion to help the country move away from coal.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a meeting with President of the Workers’ Party of Belgium Raoul Hedebouw on December 15 as part of his official visit to the country.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President of the Chamber of Representatives of Belgium Eliane Tillieux have agreed to promote cooperation and facilitate all-level visits between the two legislatures and offer mutual support at regional and global inter-parliamentary forums.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has stated that the Vietnamese Government commits to creating a pro-business environment and fine-tuning legal regulations in support of enterprises.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended a conference of the Central Military Commission in Hanoi on December 15 to review the 10-year implementation of a Resolution on national protection strategy in the new situation which was adopted by the eighth plenum of the 11th Party Central Committee.

The US’s decision to put Vietnam in the special watch list on religious freedom is based on unobjective assessment and inaccurate information regarding the situation of freedom of religion and belief in Vietnam, Foreign Ministry deputy spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang said at the ministry’s regular press briefing on December 15.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received President of the Belgian-Vietnamese Alliance (BVA) Andries Gryffroy on December 15 as part of his official visit to Belgium.

Vietnam welcomes the European Union (EU)’s commitment to mobilize 10 billion EUR (10.6 billion USD) by 2027 for investment in infrastructure projects in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Foreign Ministry deputy spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang stated at the ministry’s regular press conference on December 15.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken note of problems and difficulties faced by foreigners when applying for visas to enter Vietnam, said deputy spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang during the ministry’s regular press conference in Hanoi on December 15.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and his Lao and Cambodian counterparts Phankham Viphavanh and Samdech Techo Hun Sen had a breakfast meeting in Belgium on December 14, the first of the trio after the COVID-19 pandemic was put under control.      

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