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

- State President Luong Cuong visited the Mekong Delta province of An Giang on January 16 ahead of the Lunar New Year (Tet) Festival, during which he reminded local authorities to continue to take practical actions to care for people during the country's biggest traditional festival.

Visiting residents of My Hoa Hung commune of Long Xuyen city, the State leader said that the festival is a chance for local authorities to show their sentiments and responsibilities to residents across the province. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed six major groups of measures to elevate relations between Vietnam and Poland during the talks with his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk in Warsaw on January 16.

First, the Vietnamese PM underlined the need to strengthen political trust as a foundation for upgrading the bilateral ties to a Strategic partnership. This includes increasing exchanges at all levels, especially the high level via Party, State, Government, Parliament, and people-to-people channels. Read full story

- By working together on new challenges and business opportunities, the prospects for cooperation between China and Vietnam will be even broader, and there will certainly be more space for development, said Executive President of the China - ASEAN Business Council (CABC) Xu Ningning.

Talking to Vietnam News Agency correspondents in China on the occasion of the 75th founding anniversary of the Vietnam - China diplomatic relations (January 18, 1950 - 2025), Xu highlighted the long-lasting friendship between the two nations, affirming that this is reflected in not only mutual political support, but also deep exchanges and cooperation in economy, culture, and education, becoming a key driver for the unceasing development of the bilateral ties. Read full story

- Remittances to Ho Chi Minh City in 2024 reached over 9.5 billion USD, up 0.9% year-on-year, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV)'s Branch in the city announced on January 16.

Statistics showed that remittances from Asia and America accounted for the highest proportion, with 82.2%. Read full story

- Three Chinese sailors were rescued after their cargo vessel ran aground near Ha Mai island, Ngoc Vung commune, Van Don district, the northern province of Quang Ninh, the local border guard station said on January 16.

After finding a stranded cargo ship on a rocky beach southeast of Ha Mai island on January 11, the border guards launched a rescue mission, reaching the distressed vessel the following day. Read full story

- Over 25,000 Vietnamese residents in seven coastal localities are now safeguarded by storm-and flood-resistant homes thanks to a project on improving resilience of vulnerable coastal communities to climate change in Vietnam.

The project, which runs from 2017 to 2024, also restored 4,028 ha of mangrove forests and installed early warning systems in 24 high-risk communes. Read full story

- The Japanese Government-funded equipment for dioxin and environmental analysis was handed over to the Chemical Corps on January 16, aiming to assist Vietnam in settling consequences of toxic chemicals left from wartime.

At the event in Ho Chi Minh City, Miho Hanai, Director of Japan’s Crow company, and Major General Ha Van Cu, Commander of the Chemical Corps and Director General of the National Action Centre for Toxic Chemicals and Environmental Treatment (NACCET), signed the handover record. Read full story

- Emergency evacuations are underway on Indonesia’s Halmahera Island, North Maluku province, after increased activity at Mount Ibu triggered a massive eruption, displacing thousands.

On January 15, Mount Ibu erupted, spewing ash columns up to 4 km high. Indonesia’s Geological Agency raised the alert to its highest level, prompting local authorities to call for the evacuation of approximately 3,000 residents living near the volcano./. Read full story