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

- National Assembly (NA) deputies continued their ninth session on May 17 with group discussions on some bills, including the draft Law on supplementation and amendments to some articles of the Law on Vietnamese Nationality, the draft revised Law on the State Budget.

The agenda also comprised a series of laws covering public procurement, public-private partnerships, customs, import-export taxes, investment, public investment, and the management and use of public assets. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called for drastic actions from all ministries, sectors and localities to swiftly translate No. 68-NQ/TW on developing the private economic sector into reality.

Addressing a national online conference to disseminate and implement the Politburo's Resolutions No. 66-NQ/TW and No. 68-NQ/TW on May 18, PM Chinh stressed that private sector development has consistently been a major policy direction throughout nearly 40 years of reform. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on May 17 directed the building of decrees on comprehensive decentralisation and delegation of authority to local administrations in all areas, ensuring the implementation of the principle “localities decide, localities implement, localities take responsibility.”

Chairing a meeting between standing Cabinet members and ministries, sectors, and agencies regarding decentralisation, delegation of authority, and delineation of powers associated with the implementation of the two-level local administration model, PM Chinh, who is head of the Government Steering Committee for reviewing the implementation of the Party Central Committee’s Resolution No. 18-NQ/TW, requested members of the Government and the steering committee to strictly implement the directives of the Politburo on decentralisation and delegation of authority to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the political system, meeting the requirements for national development in the new era. Read full story

- Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, who is head of the government negotiation delegation, held a ministerial-level negotiation session with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, in Jeju, the Republic of Korea on May 16, immediately after the conclusion of the 31st APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting (MRT 31).

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, this was the first in-person negotiation at the ministerial level between the two countries following the online meeting on April 12, to implement the negotiation of the Vietnam-US Reciprocal Trade Agreement as directed by the high-ranking leaders of both countries. Read full story

- Ho Chi Minh City is proud to be a pioneer in promoting friendship and cooperative relations with European Union (EU) countries, Vice Chairman of the city People's Committee Vo Van Hoan said at the celebration of Europe Day 2025 and the 35th anniversary of the establishment of EU-Vietnam diplomatic relations.

Speaking at the event held by the EU Delegation to Vietnam on May 16, Hoan said that the Vietnam - EU friendship and cooperation have seen rapid developments in all areas, from politics, economy, trade, investment, development cooperation, education - training, and science - technology. In particular, the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement after five years of implementation has opened up many new opportunities, making Vietnam the EU's leading trade partner in ASEAN. Read full story

- A new book about President Ho Chi Minh has been launched at the Presidential Palace’s relic site dedicated to the late leader in Hanoi.

Compiled and published by the Ho Chi Minh Presidential Relic Site in coordination with the Vietnam News Agency Publishing House, the book is part of activities marking the 135th birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh (May 19, 1890 – 2025), the 50th anniversary of national reunification (1975–2025), and the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution (1945–2025). Read full story./.