Politics

☕ Afternoon briefing on April 8

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on April 8

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

- Party General Secretary and State President To Lam chaired a ceremony at the Presidential Palace on April 8 to announce the Politburo's decisions on the organisation of the Government Party Committee and present appointment decisions for members of the Government for the 2026–2031 term.

The event was attended by Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, former Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, and Permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu, along with senior Party and State officials. Read full story

- Prime Minister Le Minh Hung will serve as Chairman of the Central Council for Emulation and Commendation.

The PM has signed Decision No. 638/QD-TTg dated April 8, 2026, on the consolidation of the council. Read full story

- The National Assembly on April 8 voted to approve the resolutions on the appointments of Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers, and other members of the Government for the 2026-2031 term, as part of its ongoing first session.

The Government for the 2026-2031 term now includes Politburo member, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and six Deputy Prime Ministers, namely Politburo member, Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc; Politburo member, Deputy Prime Minister Phan Van Giang; Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra; Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung; Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister Le Tien Chau; Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang. Read full story

- The upcoming official visits by Poliburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu to Laos and Cambodia are expected to reinforce political trust, deepen substantive cooperation, and elevate the comprehensive partnership among the three neighbouring countries, according to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency ahead of the visits, Cuong said the trip, scheduled for April 9–10, is made at the invitations of Vilay Lakhamphong, permanent member of the Secretariat of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee, and Samdech Say Chhum, Vice President of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and Chairman of the Standing Board of the CPP Central Committee. Read full story

- As global instability and rising travel costs reshape tourism trends, Vietnam is increasingly positioning itself as a safe, accessible and cost-competitive destination, drawing a growing influx of international visitors and strengthening its reputation as a resilient and trusted tourism hub.

Data from the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) show that Vietnam welcomed nearly 2.1 million foreign visitors in March 2026, raising total arrivals in the first quarter to 6.76 million, up 12.4% year-on-year. The figure represents a record high for the first quarter and marks the first time the country has received more than two million international visitors for three consecutive months. Read full story

- Party General Secretary To Lam, in his inaugural speech as President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at the 16th National Assembly (NA)’s first session in Hanoi on April 7, declared that his top priority in both the Party’s and the State’s highest positions is to drive rapid and sustainable national development and improve all aspects of people’s lives.

The foremost focus is to thoroughly follow the principle that “people are the root,” strongly upholding the people’s role as the central actors and ultimate beneficiaries of every development gain, he said. Read full story

- Vietnam has approved an action programme to implement the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Strategic Plan, aiming to deepen regional integration and enhance the country’s role within ASEAN.

Under Decision No. 608/QĐ-TTg, the Prime Minister endorsed the programme for the 2026–2030 period, with orientations extending to 2031–2035 and a longer-term vision to 2045. The initiative seeks to translate the strategic priorities of the AEC into concrete actions aligned with Vietnam’s development conditions. Read full story

- Vietnam’s decision to have Party General Secretary To Lam concurrently holds the position of State President is expected to speed up decision-making and strengthen the country’s diplomatic standing, enabling him to engage on an equal footing with other heads of state, according to Japanese media outlet Nikkei.

The Japanese newspaper on April 7 reported that Vietnam’s National Assembly had elected Party General Secretary To Lam as the country’s new State President with the absolute consensus from attending deputies. It noted that the consolidation of the roles of Party General Secretary and State President is likely to enhance Vietnam’s international profile in high-level diplomatic engagements./. Read full story

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Politburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu arrives in Vientiane on April 9 morning, beginning his official visit to Laos (Photo: VNA)

Senior Party official begins official visit to Laos

During his stay in Vientiane, Politburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu is scheduled to meet with senior Lao leaders on major orientations to further promote comprehensive cooperation, focusing on effectively implementing existing agreements and deepening the bilateral relations in a way that brings tangible benefits to people in both countries.

NA Vice Chairman Nguyen Khac Dinh speaks at the April 9 sitting during the 16th NA's first session (Photo: VNA)

Socio-economic performance high on agenda at 16th NA’s first session

The 16th National Assembly is scheduled to hear proposals and verification reports on the draft revised Law on Civil Status, the draft Laws on amendments and supplementations to the Law on Notarisation and the Law on Legal Aid; and the draft amended Law on Access to Information on April 9.

☀️ Morning digest on April 9

☀️ Morning digest on April 9

The ratification of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, Vietnam welcoming the ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran, and the Vietnam – Russia Economic Forum 2026 are among news highlights on April 8 evening.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam takes the oath of office (Photo: VNA)

Expert pins high hope on consolidation of key leadership positions

The Swiss-Viet Economic Forum (SVEF) believes that with its new leadership team, Vietnam will advance international cooperation frameworks, including strategic partnerships with partners such as Switzerland, thereby facilitating the more effective flow of capital, knowledge and technology.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam (centre) presents appointment decisions for members of the Government for the 2026–2031 term and former Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (fifth, right) offers flowers in congratulations (Photo: VNA)

Congratulations flow in for newly elected Vietnamese leaders

Leaders of countries and political parties of Cuba, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), the US, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Palestine and Nicaragua have sent messages and letters of congratulations to Vietnam’s newly elected key leaders, following the elections by the country’s National Assembly.

Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam welcomes US-Iran ceasefire agreement: Spokesperson

Vietnam calls on all parties to continue exercising restraint, act responsibly, avoid complicating the situation, respect the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of all countries, ensure the safety of civilians and civil infrastructure, and maintain freedom and security of maritime navigation in the region.

The Hanoi delegation of NA deputies at the group discussions (Photo: VNA)

Legislators discuss draft revised Capital Law

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, a deputy of the Hanoi delegation, emphasised that the revision of the Capital Law is not merely about improving a specific piece of legislation, but represented a substantive opportunity and a strategic step to establish a new development model for the capital, which holds a very special position.

Bounleua Phandanouvong, Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and head of the LPRP Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations (Photo: VNA)

Lao Party, State attach great importance to visit by CPV Secretariat permanent member: Lao official

According to the Lao official, Tran Cam Tu's decision to choose Laos as the first destination following the National Congresses of the LPRP and CPV, parliamentary sessions and the formation of new governments in both countries reflects the high level of political trust, the great friendship, special solidarity and mutual respect between the two nations. It also demonstrates the priority both sides consistently accord to the Laos–Vietnam special relationship.

NA Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh chairs the plenary sitting (Photo: VNA)

NA continues third working day of first session

The legislature convened a plenary sitting chaired by NA Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh, during which deputies listened to proposals and verification reports on several draft laws and resolutions.

An overview of the fifth meeting of the Party Central Committee’s Inspection Commission (Photo: VNA)

Party inspection commission convenes fifth meeting

The Party Central Committee’s Inspection Commission looked into reports proposing disciplinary action against Party organisations and members found to have committed violations at some local Party organisations and units, including the Airports Corporation of Vietnam and the Party organisation of Ninh Binh province.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam (Photo: VNA)

Top leader signs decision ratifying Hanoi Convention

Vietnam’s swift completion of the ratification procedures, becoming the first country in Southeast Asia and the second globally to join the Hanoi Convention, demonstrates the country’s strong and consistent commitment to upholding international law, the United Nations Charter and multilateralism.

Tran Duc Thang, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee for the 2025–2030 term, speaks at the ceremony (Photo: VNA)

Tran Duc Thang appointed as Secretary of Hanoi Party Committee

Tran Duc Thang, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee for the 2025–2030 term, pledged to uphold unity within the municipal Party Committee, promote innovation and dynamism, and accelerate economic growth while ensuring sustainability and balanced development across economic, cultural, social and environmental pillars.

Party General Secretary and President To Lam presents Politburo decisions and congratulates Nguyen Duy Ngoc and Nguyen Hai Ninh on their new appointments. Photo: VNA

Heads of Party Central Committee’s Organisation Commission, Office named

Nguyen Duy Ngoc, Politburo member, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, was appointed as the Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Organisation Commission, while Nguyen Hai Ninh, member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee and Minister of Justice for the 2021-2026 term, was appointed as the new Chief of the Party Central Committee’s Office.