☕ Afternoon briefing on April 13

The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.

☕ Afternoon briefing on April 13

Hanoi (VNA) – The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.

- The Politburo and the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee convened a national conference in Hanoi on April 13 to study, disseminate and implement the resolution of the second session of the 14th Party Central Committee.

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The national conference held on April 13 to study, disseminate and implement the resolution of the second session of the 14th Party Central Committee. (Photo: VNA)

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam attended and delivered a keynote address. Read full story

- Party General Secretary and State President To Lam has requested continued refinement and greater effectiveness of the two-tier local administration model, stressing that building public trust and development momentum across society is key to turning the nation’s development aspirations into tangible strength for rapid and sustainable development in the years ahead.

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Party General Secretary and State President To Lam speaks at the national conference held on April 13 to disseminate and implement the Resolution of the 14th Party Central Committee’s second plenum. (Photo: VNA)

Addressing a national conference on April 13 to study, disseminate and implement the Resolution of the 14th Party Central Committee’s second plenum, the Party and State leader underscored the necessity for decisive, coordinated and effective actions to translate the Party’s resolutions into concrete results throughout the political system and society. Read full story

- Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico held talks in Hanoi on April 13, during which the former affirmed that Vietnam and Slovakia are traditional friends with a long-standing relationship spanning more than 76 years.

The Vietnamese leader underscored that Vietnam always remembers and appreciates the valuable support and assistance extended by the Slovak Government and people during its past struggle for national independence and reunification, as well as in the national renewal and socio-economic development at present. Read full story

- Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents between the two countries and chaired a joint press briefing to announce the outcomes of their earlier talks in Hanoi on April 13.

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Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (R, back row) and his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico witness the exchange of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence and the Slovak Ministry of Defence on cooperation in the defence industry. (Photo: VNA)

In the presence of the two PMs, ministries, agencies, and localities of both nations exchanged six cooperation documents. These included a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence and the Slovak Ministry of Defence on cooperation in the defence industry; an MoU between the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Slovak Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs; and another on cultural cooperation for the 2026–2030 period between Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Slovakia’s Ministry of Culture. Read full story

- The state visit to China by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and State President To Lam and his spouse from April 14 to 17 will create an important foundation for breakthroughs that will elevate bilateral relations to a new stage of development, with renewed momentum and expanded scope for cooperation, according to an official.

Talking to the press, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu said that the trip, made at the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping and his spouse, will mark the first state visit by To Lam in his capacity as the top leader of the Party and the State of Vietnam. It comes exactly one year after the Chinese leader’s state visit to Vietnam, on April 14–15, 2025, and represents the third trip between the two top leaders within less than two years. Read full story

- Vietnam’s participation in the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-152) once again highlights its active, proactive and responsible engagement in the IPU as well as across multilateral platforms.

At the invitation of IPU President Tulia Ackson and Secretary General Martin Chungong, Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man, accompanied by his spouse and a high-level delegation of Vietnam, will attend the IPU-152 in Istanbul, Turkey, and undertake bilateral activities there from April 15 to 17, 2026./. Read full story

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From left: Party General Secretary and State President To Lam (3rd) and visiting Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (2nd) enjoy the Vietnam–Slovakia friendship concert at the Ho Guom Opera in Hanoi on the evening of April 13. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese, Slovak leaders attend friendship concert in Hanoi

In the near future, further artistic exchanges between Vietnam and Slovakia are anticipated, with Slovak orchestras and ensembles expected to perform in Vietnam, while Vietnamese artists will have opportunities to showcase their talents in Slovakia, thereby deepening bilateral cultural cooperation and people-to-people ties.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam (R) and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Photo: VNA)

Top leader hosts Slovak Prime Minister

Slovakia always considers Vietnam the most important partner in Southeast Asia and one of its top three partners in Asia. The elevation of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership and the signing of multiple cooperation agreements between ministries, agencies and businesses would provide fresh momentum for collaboration.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam (R) and Viktor Zolotov, Director of the Federal National Guard Service of Russia in Hanoi on April 13. (Photo: VNA)

Top leader receives head of Russia’s Federal National Guard Service

Vietnam attaches great importance to its traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia, expressing satisfaction at the regular exchanges and contacts maintained between agencies of both countries at various levels, contributing to strengthened bilateral ties.

Head of the Party Central Committee’s Organisation Commission Nguyen Duy Ngoc presents the appointment decision to Sen. Lieut. Gen. Le Duc Thai (Photo: VNA)

Le Duc Thai named Secretary of Thanh Hoa provincial Party Committee

New Secretary of the Thanh Hoa provincial Party Committee Le Duc Thai pledged to lead by example, uphold unity and creativity, seize opportunities and overcome challenges to successfully achieve the goals set out in the resolution of the provincial Party Congress for the 2025–2030 term, contributing to the nationwide rollout of the 14th National Party Congress’s resolution.

At the phone talks between Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and LDP President and Prime Minister of Japan Takaichi Sanae (Photo: VNA)

Top leader holds phone talks with Japanese PM

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae spoke highly of Vietnam’s role and position in the regionc, calling it a key partner to advance Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision. Japan greatly values Vietnam’s policy of independence and self-reliance and supports its development goals in a new era.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam speaks at the conference (Photo; VNA)

Top leader chairs conference announcing personnel appointments

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam demanded the appointed officials' absolute loyalty to the Party’s goals and ideals, firm political mettle, and strict compliance with organisational discipline. He instructed them to lead by example, match words with action, and put the interests of the nation, Party and people above all else.

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Finance Tran Quoc Phuong (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam takes part in ASEAN Finance Ministers' meeting

Vietnam reaffirmed its development strategy for 2021–2025 and 2026, based on three pillars - institutional reform, infrastructure development, and human resources, with infrastructure as a top priority to drive new growth.

Wei Tao, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, talks to Vietnam News Agency correspondent. (Photo: VNA)

Guangxi eyes boundless cooperation with Vietnam

Vietnam has remained Guangxi’s largest trading partner for 27 consecutive years. In 2025, bilateral trade exceeded 300 billion CNY (43.4 billion USD) for the first time, ranking third among China’s provincial-level localities.

Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of its Commission for Internal Affairs Le Minh Tri speaks at the conference. (Photo: VNA)

Party steps up anti-corruption drive in new phase

Anti-corruption efforts have achieved significant and breakthrough results, contributing to the Party and political system building, political stability, socio-economic development and stronger public trust in the Party, the State and the regime.

Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam reinforces proactive, responsible role in Inter-Parliamentary Union

Through the IPU platform, Vietnam has advanced parliamentary diplomacy to protect national interests, deepen ties with other legislatures, and elevate its global profile while contributing initiatives in areas such as sustainable development, climate change, gender equality, child protection, and digital transformation.