Hanoi (VNA) – The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last night by the Vietnam News Agency.

- Party General Secretary To Lam, Secretary of the Central Military Commission, on June 19 chaired its 14th conference in the 2020-2025 tenure, which aimed to review its military and defence tasks in the first half of 2025, and roll out orientations for these missions and Party‑building tasks in the People’s Army for the second half of the year.

In his remarks, the Party chief hailed the Central Military Commission’s Standing Board for directing and carefully preparing the contents submitted to the Commission. Read full story

- The Government remains attentive, supportive, and committed to creating an optimal environment for press agencies and journalists, in line with the Party’s guidelines, the State's policies and laws, and the Government’s authority, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has said.

Chairing a meeting between the Government’s standing members, and current and former leaders of major press agencies in Hanoi on June 19, just days before the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day (June 21), PM Chinh lauded the press’s historic role in the nation’s fight for independence and its ongoing process of national development, affirming that the Government always highly appreciates the close partnership and steadfast support of press agencies and journalists nationwide. Read full story

- National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man has urged accelerating public investment disbursement, simplifying administrative procedures to boost production and trade, and stepping up the decentralisation and delegation of authority for better efficiency.

Speaking at the closing of a Q&A session on financial issues in Hanoi on June 19 as part of the 15th NA’s ongoing 9th session, Chairman Man praised the pointed and concise questions raised. Read full story

- The Vietnamese Government always facilitates Vietnamese localities’ efforts to further strengthen their friendship and cooperation with China’s Yunnan province, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha told Governor of Yunnan province Wang Yubo.

At his recent meeting in Yunnan with Wang, as part of his working trip to attend the opening of the 9th China - South Asia Expo and the 29th Kunming Import and Export Fair, Ha reiterated Vietnam’s consistent policy of valuing and giving top priority to fostering the friendly neighborliness and comprehensive cooperation with China. Read full story

- At the third round of negotiations on a bilateral reciprocal trade agreement between Vietnam and the US, held in Washington D.C. from June 9 – 12, the Vietnamese delegation made substantial progress and narrowed differences across all areas under discussion, Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said at the ministry’s regular press briefing on June 19.

Responding to a reporter's question about the third round of talks, Hang stated that during the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement. Read full story

- Vietnam, as a partner country, is ready to join BRICS members and the international community to contribute to the realisation of sustainable development goals, and addressing common global challenges, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Phu Hang told the ministry’s regular press briefing on June 19.

The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said. Read full story

- Vietnam consistently supports the two-state solution, including the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders, in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations (UN) resolutions, said Minister Counselor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen.

Nguyen, who is also Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, made the statement at the Emergency Special Session (ESS) of the UN General Assembly, which was held in New York on June 13 and 18 to discuss the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Read full story

- Ten Vietnamese universities have been listed in the QS World University Rankings 2026 (QS WUR 2026), released on June 19 by UK-based education organisation Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).

Duy Tan University leads among Vietnamese institutions at 482nd, followed by Ton Duc Thang University (684th), Vietnam National University - Hanoi (761–770), and Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City (801–850). Other entrants include Van Lang University (1001–1200); Can Tho University, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, and Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City (all 1201–1400); and Hue University and University of Da Nang (both 1401+)./. Read full story