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

- President To Lam’s upcoming state visit to Laos, his first trip abroad after taking office in June, shows the Vietnamese Party and State's consistent policy on attaching great importance and giving the highest priority to reinforcing the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Laos, said Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung.

Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)’s resident correspondents in Vientiane ahead of the visit, spanning from July 11-12, the diplomat noted that the visit is to take place at a time when the two Parties and two countries are implementing their resolutions and socio-economic development plans, and the Vietnam-Laos relationship is growing strongly with the effective realisation of agreements, joint statements and cooperation deals. Read full story

– Many important results have been recorded in ethnic minority affairs, especially the implementation of related programmes and policies, so far this year, helping with socio-economic development and defence - security safeguarding in ethnic minority and mountainous areas.

This was announced at a national conference held by the Government’s Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs in Hanoi on July 8 to review the performance in the first half of 2024 and launch tasks for the remaining months. Read full story

– Vietnam’s economy will expand by 6.55-6.95% this year, according to a July 9 report by the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) on behalf of the German Government, at a workshop on Vietnam’s economy in the first half and prospects for the whole year.

In the first scenario, the GDP growth is forecast at 6.55%, and exports to increase by 9.54% compared to 2023. The average consumer price index (CPI) for the year is projected to rise by 4.31% year-on-year, and the trade balance to maintain a surplus of 5.7 billion USD. Read full story

- The public security force uncovered more than 3,000 corruption, economic and smuggling cases, with more than 4,900 individuals involved, in the first half of this year, heard a press conference held by the Ministry of Public Security in Hanoi on July 8.

The numbers of cases and defendants rose by 21.63% and 47.12%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. Read full story

– The role of supreme audit institutions (SAI) in fighting corruption and promoting transparency and good governance was highlighted at a workshop held by the State Audit of Vietnam (SAV) in Hanoi on July 9.

The event formed part of the activities marking the 30th anniversary of the SAV, and offered a platform for SAIs and international organisations to seek solutions to challenges in the fight against corruption and money laundering. Read full story

– For the first time in the history, the Vietnamese women’s national volleyball team has been qualified for the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s U21 World Championship after securing 5th place at the 2024 Asian Women’s 20 Volleyball Championship by defeating Chinese Taipei on July 8 in China.

Vietnam played one of their near-flawless performances to capture an exceptional straight-set 25-17, 25-19 and 25-15. Read full story

- The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT)'s information centre officially launched a promotional video for railway tourism on July 9 in conjunction with the 64th founding anniversary of the sector in Vietnam (1960-2024).

As part of the centre’s "Vietnam: Travel to Love!" media campaign, the 3-minute-and-30-second clip showcases stunning and breathtaking scenes from a trans-Vietnam journey along the North-South railway, which connects major cities and renowned tourist destinations across the country./.Read full story