☕ Afternoon briefing on December 15

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on December 15

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

- Party General Secretary To Lam, accompanied by the delegation of NA deputies of Hanoi, met with voters from 11 wards in the capital city on December 15, during which he called for a renewed development mindset, and urged officials to think boldly, take action, and assume responsibility for the public interest.

The Party chief emphasised that the capital should focus on improving special mechanisms and policies, creating breakthroughs in transport and urban infrastructure, fostering innovation and digital transformation, developing high-quality human resources, and building a civilised, green, clean, and safe living environment. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 15 called on the People’s Public Security Force to further assert its role as a firm pillar of support for the people, while playing a core role in safeguarding national security, social order and safety in the new development phase.

Addressing the 81st national public security conference, the PM commended the force for its significant contributions to the country’s overall achievements in 2025, a pivotal year marking the completion of key targets set by the 13th National Party Congress and the 2021–2025 socio-economic development plan. Read full story

- Preparations for the upcoming general election are being carried out with a strong sense of urgency and responsibility, closely following statutory procedures, affirmed Politburo member and National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man, who also serves as Chairman of the National Election Council (NEC).

Addressing the NEC's fourth meeting on December 15, Chairman Man noted that, unlike previous elections, the forthcoming poll is taking place amid the continued restructuring and consolidation of the political system and local administration apparatus. Several models of urban and local administration are being renewed and refined, placing high requirements on the quality of election preparations to ensure strict compliance with procedures and regulations, especially in personnel work conducted under the authority of competent bodies. He stressed that relevant agencies are currently proceeding in the right direction in accordance with the Party Central Committee’s guidance. Read full story

- Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung has signed a decision approving a national strategy on developing the intellectual workforce during the period of accelerated industrialisation and modernisation to 2030, with a vision towards 2045.

The strategy aims to build a high-quality Vietnamese intellectual workforce with a rational structure, identified as a core driving force for the rapid development of modern productive forces, as well as a leading force in digital transformation, innovation and international integration. The workforce plays a pivotal role in helping Vietnam achieve the goal of becoming a developing country with a modern industry and upper-middle income by 2030, and a developed, high-income nation by 2045, while contributing to the settlement of regional and global challenges. Read full story

- An Airbus A320 aircraft bearing registration ER-0005 touched down at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on December 13 after completing its first commercial flight, joining Bamboo Airways’ fleet just in time for the year-end holiday rush.

The timely addition boosts capacity for the carrier and advances its fleet rebuilding effort since returning to management under FLC Group. Read full story

- Vietnamese karate concluded the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand in an emphatic fashion, officially becoming the first martial art of Vietnam’s sports to top the medal table at three consecutive SEA Games – a landmark achievement given the intense regional competition in combat sports.

The six gold medals secured at SEA Games 33 not only ensured Vietnam retained top spot in karate, but also completed an unprecedented hat-trick following its successes at SEA Games 31 and 32. Read full story

- The Vietnamese men’s futsal team has climbed six places to enter the world’s Top 20 for the first time, ranking 20th in the latest FIFA futsal rankings, according to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF).

The rise follows a flawless run by head coach Diego Giustozzi’s side at the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers in September. It marks the highest position ever achieved by the team since FIFA officially introduced the futsal world rankings. Read full story./.

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National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man chairs the fourth meeting of the National Election Council on December 15, 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Election preparations on track ahead of upcoming polls: NA Chairman

Highlighting key positive aspects of the preparation process so far, the top legislator pointed to the strong, coordinated engagement of agencies from the central to local levels, swift yet methodical progress, particularly in finalising documents, developing organisational plans and drafting resolutions on electoral units.

Frigate 015 – Tran Hung Dao and the delegation of the Vietnam People’s Navy (VPN) on December 14 leave Jinhae Naval Base. (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Frigate 015 – Tran Hung Dao concludes visit to RoK

During the visit, officers and sailors of the two navies toured Frigate 015 and the RoK Navy’s Munmu the Great destroyer, shared experience in training and long-duration deployments at sea, and took part in sports exchanges. The VPN delegation also hosted a banquet aboard Frigate 015 for senior officers and sailors of the host navy.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visits the operational system of the Nhon Trach 3 and 4 power plants (Photo: VNA)

Nhon Trach 3 and 4 thermal power plants reflect Vietnam’s determination, expertise: PM

The Nhon Trach 3 and 4 power thermal plants, invested by Petrovietnam Power Corporation, have a total investment of around 1.4 billion USD. With a combined capacity of 1,624 MW, the plants are expected to supply over 9 billion kWh annually once fully operational, adding substantial baseload power to the system, particularly in the southern region.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung receives Non-Resident Ambassador of Nepal to Vietnam Dhan Bahadur Oli in Hanoi on December 13, 2025. Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Vietnam, Nepal seek to promote deeper, substantive cooperation

Nepalese leaders attach great importance to relations with Vietnam and wish to learn from its experience and development models in socio-economic development and international integration, said Non-Resident Ambassador of Nepal to Vietnam Dhan Bahadur Oli.

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese, Lao foreign ministers hold online talks

The two ministers agreed to maintain close coordination in the time ahead and to expand cooperation under the new framework and orientation, underscoring the significance of the two countries’ “great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, strategic cohesion”.

State President Luong Cuong (fourth from left, first row) and newly-appointed foreign ambassadors in Hanoi on December 12, 2025. (Photo: VNA)

State President receives newly-appointed foreign ambassadors

Receiving Egyptian Ambassador Hany Mostafa Mohamed Mostafa Hassan, President Cuong affirmed that Vietnam highly evaluates Egypt’s role, position, and contributions to regional peace and stability. He also congratulated the African country on its achievements in implementing the 2030 Vision.