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

- The north-central province of Nghe An should capture opportunities to establish itself as a leading model for modern development in central Vietnam during the new era, said Party General Secretary To Lam on May 15.

At a working session with the provincial Party Committee's Standing Board on the implementation of the resolutions of the 13th National Party Congress and the 19th provincial Party Congress as well as key tasks for 2025, he acknowledged Nghe An’s comprehensive achievements in recent years but underscored that the province still holds untapped potential. Read full story

- State President Luong Cuong on May 15 attended and delivered a keynote address at a ceremony honouring 500 individuals representing nearly 16 million members of teengagers' and children’s organisations across the country for their outstanding performance in the 2020-2025 period.

The Hanoi event marked the most significant occasion within the framework of the 10th “Uncle Ho Good Grandchildren” national congress. The commended individuals exemplified the spirit of the movement that encourages Vietnamese children to follow President Ho Chi Minh’s teachings. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a reception for Mariam J. Sherman, World Bank Country Director for Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos in Hanoi on May 15, during which he suggested the bank reform its lending procedures and conditions, provide policy advice, and support Vietnam in implementing strategic goals, particularly in infrastructure development with large-scale projects.

Chinh stated that the Vietnamese Government always regards the WB as an important, close, and trusted partner that has provided great support and made positive contributions to the country’s socio-economic development, helping the Southeast Asian nation achieve significant accomplishments in its “Doi moi” (renewal) process, international integration, and sustainable development. Read full story

- Vietnam continues maintaining its peacekeeping forces in the field and pledges its deeper participation in UN peacekeeping operations by considering the expansion of new types of units, such as mechanised infantry, military police, communications, and mission protection units, a Vietnamese officer has stated.

Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army Senior Lieutenant General Phung Si Tan made the statement while addressing the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial 2025 Berlin on May 13-14, which gathered over 100 delegations from UN member states and international organisations. Read full story

- A delegation from the Finance Ministry led by Deputy Director of the Department of Taxation Dang Ngoc Minh on May 13 afternoon had a working session with Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Tax Affairs at the US Department of the Treasury Rebecca Burch, discussing several issues including the 2015 Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement between the two countries.

The working session formed part of the Vietnamese delegation's working visit and their attendance at the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit that took place from May 11-14 in Maryland. Read full story

- Industry leaders gathered at a forum in Hanoi on May 14 to explore how Vietnam’s private sector could seize the opportunities from the 67-billion-USD North-South high-speed rail project while highlighting the need to set up a domestic industrial supply chain.

At the event, which was held by the Dan viet newspaper, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Construction's Railway Project Management Board Chu Van Tuan stated that together with finalising a feasibility study report, the Government is directing the completion of the policy frameworks to support domestic firms, creating favourable conditions for capable businesses to take part in the project. Read full story

- Ho Tram Project Company Limited, its partners, and investors held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new 35-ha subdivision of The Grand Ho Tram, a luxury resort complex project in Xuyen Moc district, the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau on May 15.

The nearly 1 billion USD subdivision includes a system of 5-star hotels, resort villas, entertainment facilities, a casino, and an international convention and exhibition centre, with more than 6,000 rooms, serving over18,000 guests at the same time. Read full story

- The central province of Nghe An, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS), the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and localities will hold the opening ceremony of the 2025 National Sen (Lotus) Village Festival on May 15 evening to celebrate the 135th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh (May 19, 1890 - 2025).

During the ceremony, the statue “Uncle Ho visits the hometown” – a gift from the MPS to the Party Organisation, government and people of Nghe An province – will be inaugurated. The 12.5m-high bronnze statue is placed at Sen village stadium in Kim Lien commune – the hometown of President Ho Chi Minh. During his two visits to his hometown in 1957 and 1961, Uncle Ho had intimate conversations with local people. Read full story

- A conference named “Vietnam – A Dynamic Market in Asia and A New Destination of Global Film Producers” was held in Paris on May 14, within the framework of the 78th Cannes Film Festival.

Speaking at the event, Nguyen Trung Khanh, Director of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, highlighted Vietnam's dual potential in the film industry, not only as a destination with unique and novel filming locations, but also as a vibrant and growing film market with many opportunities for co-production and co-distribution. Read full story./.