☕ Afternoon briefing on June 20
The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.
The health ministry is finalising amendments to the draft Civil Codelaw, which is likely to acknowledge transgender people and their rightsfor the first time in Vietnam.
Nguyen Huy Quang,head of the ministry's legal department, said although Vietnam hasbanned transgender surgery and has not recognised transgender people,several of them went abroad for surgery.
Quang saidthe ministry is still collecting opinions on the alternative of notrecognising transsexual people as is done at present, or recognisingtransgender people and their surgery under the supervision of authorisedagencies.
"Personally, I prefer to address the fact and solve it," he said. "This is the right to live with their true gender."
Quang said currently, Vietnam does not allow transgender activities.However, up to 1,000 people have gone abroad for transgender surgeries.This caused huge expenditure for the transgender people and posedpotential risks, as most got the surgery done at unlicensed healthclinics. Worse, they became ‘invisible' after returning to Vietnam asthey are not recognised legally. The photos on their legal papers suchas identity cards and passports did not match their new appearance,causing them a lot of problems, he said.
Statisticsfrom the Institute of Environmental Health Studies show about half amillion people have unclear gender in Vietnam. These people feel theyare of the opposite sex.
Twenty countries legallyrecognise transgender activities. In Asia alone, five countries — India,Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Thailand — allow transgender surgery.-VNA
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ꦆ State President commends outstanding journalists on eve of revolutionary press centennial
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
♔ Top legislator calls for better lecturer quality in key scientific fields
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
🍷 NA to make sure every promise leads to results: Top legislator
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
ꩲ Vietnam, US hold virtual ministerial talks on reciprocal trade
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
🌼 Vietnam attends St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in Russia
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
♛ Vietnam to hold first-ever sea parade to mark National Day
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
🔯 Vietnam, Cambodia strengthen cooperation in drug-related crime combat
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
🗹 Vietnamese in Israel urged to register for evacuation plans
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
☀️ Morning digest on June 20
The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last night by the Vietnam News Agency.
𝓀 Cuban journalist commends President Ho Chi Minh’s vision on Vietnam’s revolutionary press
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
🔯 Deputy PM pushes for stronger ties with China’s Yunnan province
Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha set a goal of increasing Vietnam-Yunnan trade to 5 billion USD, with a priority to balanced and sustainable growth.
🌱 Hanoi ceremony marks 50th anniversary of Vietnam-New Zealand diplomatic ties
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
𝄹 Party chief stresses public security force's role in new revolutionary phase
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
⛎ Minister fields questions on university funding, tech-savvy workforce training
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
ꦑ Lao officials hail Vietnam’s revolutionary press as bridge for bilateral friendship
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
ꩲ Vietnam ready to work with BRICS countries, int’l community to address global challenges
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.
﷽ Vietnam – US reciprocal trade agreement negotiations make significant progress
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.
🤪 NA Chairman pushes for faster public investment, economic reforms
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
🗹 Plans prepared for safe evacuation of Vietnamese citizens in Israel, Iran
The ministry has instructed Vietnamese representative agencies in Israel, Iran, as well as those in neighbouring countries, to closely monitor the situation and request local authorities to ensure absolute safety for Vietnamese citizens living, studying, and working in high-risk areas.
