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

- A memorial service was held for Tran Duc Luong, former Politburo member and former State President, in the national mourning etiquette at the National Funeral Hall, No. 5 Tran Thanh Tong street in Hanoi, on May 25 morning.

At the same time, the service also took place at the Reunification Hall in Ho Chi Minh City and Hall T50 of the Military Command of central Quang Ngai province, the hometown of the deceased. Read full story

- State President Luong Cuong on May 25 hosted a reception for Men Sam An, Vice President of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP), who led a high-level Cambodian delegation to pay tribute to and attend the memorial service for former State President Tran Duc Luong.

The host extended heartfelt thanks to King Norodom Sihamoni, President of the CPP and President of the Senate Hun Sen, and other senior Cambodian leaders for their condolences and for sending a delegation to pay respects to the former Vietnamese leader. He said that this gesture reflects Cambodia's sincere affection for and close-knit bond with Vietnam and the deceased personally. Read full story

- Reviewing the outcomes of the second round of negotiations on a bilateral agreement on reciprocal trade, held in Washington D.C. from May 19 - 22, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh praised the efforts of relevant ministries, sectors, agencies, and localities in preparing for and conducting the talks.

He emphasised the principle of “harmonising benefits, sharing risks” and ensuring Vietnam's core interests in the continued trade talks with the US while presiding over a meeting of permanent Government members in Hanoi on May 24. Read full story

- The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has been directed to intensify oversight of the gold market, aiming to narrow the gap between domestic and global gold prices to a slim 1-2% margin, as part of a broader effort to stabilise the economy, tame inflation, and spur growth.

Chairing a working session in Hanoi on May 24 between permanent Government members and representatives of ministries, agencies, associations and businesses, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called for a crackdown on shadowy practices like market manipulation, gold smuggling, and other illicit activities. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended and delivered a keynote address at the ASEAN Leadership and Partnership Forum (ALPF) held in Kuala Lumpur on May 25, where he was honoured with the Distinguished ASEAN Leader Award for 2025 by the KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific.

In his remarks, the Vietnamese PM underscored the need for stronger solidarity among nations and businesses, as well as the importance of multilateralism as a foundation for jointly addressing global and national challenges, contributing to advancing social progress and equality, and equitable development among nations, with the spirit of leaving no one behind. Read full story

- Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son led a Vietnamese delegation to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the meeting of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Commission, the 29th ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting, and the 36th ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on May 25.

He spoke highly of Malaysia’s role as ASEAN Chair in guiding the regional cooperation process at a pivotal moment for the bloc, noting that the context today, marked by more complex difficulties and challenges than before, requires ASEAN and its member states to stand closely together and give the highest priority to the Community-building process. Read full story

- National Assembly Vice Chairman Le Minh Hoan delivered a keynote speech at the 11th Nevsky International Ecological Congress (NIEC) held in Saint Petersburg, Russia, from May 21-23, conveying Vietnam’s messages, policies, and commitment to global environment initiatives.

He put forward three key proposals to address climate change, resource depletion, and ecological instability: an inter-parliamentary cooperation initiative for global ecological action; enhanced collaboration in research, scientific and technological application, and digital transformation in biodiversity conservation; and promotion of green finance mechanisms, technical support, and greater engagement from the private sector in environmental protection and ecological transition initiatives. Read full story

- Ho Chi Minh City has confirmed its first cases of a new COVID-19 variant, known as NB.1.8.1, which has also been identified in 22 other countries around the globe.

Scientists have discovered that NB.1.8.1, a sub-lineage of XDV.1, is present in 83% of recent gene sequencing samples taken from COVID-19 patients in the city. It appears to have emerged through genetic recombination with other variants. Read full story./.