Politics

☕ 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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