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

- General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and State President To Lam, his spouse, and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam arrived in Beijing on August 18 evening, continuing their state visit to China from August 18-20.

Departing from Guangzhou city, Guangdong province, the plane carrying the Vietnamese delegation landed at Beijing Capital International Airport at 6:40 pm. (local time). Read full story

- Party General Secretary and State President To Lam had a meeting with Secretary of the Party Committee of Guangdong province Huang Kunming and the provincial Party Committee’s Standing Committee in Guangzhou on August 18, the first day of his ongoing visit to China.

Lam congratulated the province on its development achievements, especially on economics, urban management, special economic models, and expressed his hope that Guangdong will continue reaping greater attainments. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak to maintain its momentum in pursuing rapid, sustainable, comprehensive and inclusive socio-economic development at a working session with the Standing Board of the provincial Party Committee on August 18.

PM Chinh highlighted four growth pillars for Dak Lak, including quality agricultural and forestry products for exports, large-scale agro-processing and renewable energy production; urban economy, digital and irrigation infrastructure; and logistics and tourism services based on digital platforms and socio-economy. Read full story

- A 500-day emulation campaign for completing 3,000km of expressways was launched at a ceremony held in the presence of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak on August 18.

The event, organised by the Central Emulation and Commendation Council, was connected via videoconference with 14 provinces and centrally-run cities with expressways under construction. Read full story

- The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) hosted a ceremony on August 18 to celebrate the 57th founding anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and 29 years since Vietnam joined the bloc.

In her speech, President of the Vietnam-ASEAN Friendship Association Asso. Prof. Dr Phan Thi Hong Xuan said the ASEAN’s 57th founding anniversary was an occasion to remember and honour the efforts of generations of leaders and citizens from member countries who have dedicated themselves to the region's development. The values and goals of ASEAN have been, and will continue to be, the guiding light to build a united, prosperous and peaceful ASEAN Community. Read full story

- Foreign direct investment (FDI) from China has continued to flow into Vietnam, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

In the first seven months of this year, among 91 countries and territories investing in Vietnam, China held the top position in the number of new investment projects, accounting for 29.7% of the total. Read full story

- The Vu Lan Festival was held at Phat Tich pagoda in Vientiane on the morning of August 18, with the attendance of representatives from the Vietnamese Embassy, associations of Vietnamese in Laos, and a large number of Vietnamese and Lao Buddhist monks, nuns, and followers.

The festival, which falls on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month, or August 18 this year, is a Buddhist tradition aimed at honouring and showing gratitude to parents who are alive and those who passed away. Read full story

- The four-day ITF - BT50 Fleur De Lys Cup 2024 kicked off in the south-central province of Binh Dinh on August 18, while the ITF - BT50 Vietravel Cup 2024 will be held in the same location from August 22-25.

It is the first time Vietnam has hosted the two international beach tennis tournaments, which offer total cash prizes of 4,000 USD each. Read full story

- The International Dance Festival 2024 opened in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue on August 17 evening, bringing together nearly 500 artists and performers from 17 troupes representing Laos, the Philippines, China, India, Indonesia, Cambodia, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

In his opening speech, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Ta Quang Dong said the festival is a significant cultural and art event held every three years to foster cooperation in the field of culture and arts between Vietnam and countries worldwide. Read full story./.