Politics

☕ Afternoon briefing on December 21

The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.
☕ Afternoon briefing on December 21 ảnh 1
Hanoi (VNA) - Thefollowing is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam NewsAgency.

- In the past nearly 70 years of history, the Indonesia-Vietnam bilateralrelations have developed steadily, deeply, and cohesively in various fieldswith the foundation laid by its leaders, Indonesian veteran journalist MohammahAnthoni wrote in an article on Antara news agency on December 21. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 21 asked ministries, agencies,localities and businesses to take into consideration the diversity of theproducts, markets and supply chains while seeking ways to boost the tourismsector.

Presiding over a hybrid conference in Hanoi that is looking into how to attractmore international tourists to Vietnam, the leader stressed the significance ofthe communications work, innovation, digital transformation and greentransition in tourism development. Read full story

- A Party delegation led by Nguyen Dinh Trung, member of the Party CentralCommittee and Secretary of the Party Committee of Dak Lak province, attendedthe 55th National Conference of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) ofSouth Africa from December 15-21. Read full story

- The US Mission to Vietnam, through the US Agency for InternationalDevelopment (USAID), on December 20 announced a new contract worthapproximately 29 million USD to clean up dioxin contamination at Bien Hoa airbase in the southern province of Dong Nai. Read full story

- On behalf of the leaders of the Party, State, and Vietnam Fatherland Front(VFF) Central Committee, Politburo member and Permanent Deputy Prime MinisterPham Binh Minh visited the Archbishop’s Palace of Ho Chi Minh City Archdioceseand the General Confederation of the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (South) onDecember 21, on the occasion of Christmas 2022 and New Year 2023. Read full story

- About 18.8 million disadvantaged people have received support from theVietnam Red Cross Society (VRC) in 2022 with a total funding of 4.7 trillionVND (over 198 million USD), heard a conference in Hanoi on December 21. Read full story

- The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) should continue to take measures againstdollarisation and goldenisation in the domestic economy as the markets remainpotential risks for the rising speculation and hoarding of the assets, expertssaid.

In recent years, dollarisation and goldenisation have been strictly controlledin the country, which has helped to stabilise the Vietnamese dong andfight inflation. Read full story

- Apple plans to move some MacBook production to Vietnam for the first timenext year as the US tech group continues diversifying its production base,Nikkei Asia has reported. Read full story

- A test run was conducted on an elevated section of Ho Chi Minh City's MetroLine No.1 on December 21, according to the city's Management Authority forUrban Railways (MAUR).

The pilot run was carried out on a section stretching nearly 9km, starting fromSuoi Tien Coach Station, passing by Vietnam National University - Ho Chi MinhCity, Hi-tech Zone Station, Thu Duc Station, and arriving at Binh Thai Station. Read full story

- Nine authors of four breakthrough science and technology achievementsgenerating “Reviving and Reshaping” to humanity were among those awarded the2022 VinFuture Prize at a ceremony in Hanoi on December 20.

Five scientists won the VinFuture Grand Prize, worth 3 million USD, namely SirTimothy John Berners-Lee (the UK), Dr Vinton Gray Cerf (the US), Dr EmmanuelDesurvire (France), Dr Robert Elliot Kahn (the US), and Prof. Sir David NeilPayne (the UK), who made breakthrough inventions in global internet connectiontechnology, which have comprehensively changed means of communications andworking and laid a stepping stone for modern socio-economic development. Read full story

- The first batch of VF 8 electric vehicles manufactured by VinFast, the firstVietnamese electric vehicle (EV) producer, arrived in the US on December 20 asthe vessel Silver Queen docked at the Port of Benicia in California.

The company has also received all the necessary certifications to sell the carsin the US, and will begin delivering these vehicles to customers by the end ofthis month. Read full story./.
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General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President of Vietnam To Lam (R) receives Athsaphangthong Siphandone, member of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Vientiane Party Committee and Chairman of the municipal People’s Council, in Hanoi on May 12, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

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Prime Minister Le Minh Hung receives Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam He Wei in Hanoi on May 12. Photo: VNA

Prime Minister receives Chinese Ambassador

The Party and State of Vietnam always value the assistance China has provided to Vietnam during its past struggle for national independence as well as in national development today. Vietnam consistently regards the development of relations with China as a steadfast policy, an objective requirement, a strategic choice, and a top priority in its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification.

Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Tran Duc Thang and Secretary of the Vientiane Party Committee Atsaphangthong Siphandone witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the Women’s Unions of Hanoi and Vientiane for 2026–2030, as well as a memorandum on enhanced cooperation between the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of Hanoi and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Youth Union of Vientiane for the same period. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi, Vientiane promote comprehensive cooperation in new phase

The capitals of Vietnam and Laos signed memoranda of understanding on joint work in the fields of public communication and mass mobilisation, women and youth affairs, foreign relations, industry and trade, education and health care. These are expected to provide an important basis for implementing their cooperation priorities for 2026–2030.

An overview of the seminar held in Hanoi on May 12 (Photo: VNA)

Two-tier local administration improves public service delivery: Seminar

The two-tier local government model has operated relatively stable despite heavy workloads and high reform demands. Many localities have quickly adapted, while people have shown support for streamlined administration and expectations for a more modern, efficient and accountable public sector.

At the VFF's 11th National Congress for the 2026-2031 tenure. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam Fatherland Front must better harness strength of great national unity: Top leader

In the new era, great national unity is not only a spiritual tradition, but also a national development capacity and a source of strength to unlock resources and creativity, create social consensus, and safeguard the country early and from afar. Unity now means respecting legitimate differences, harmonising interests, taking national interests as common ground, and rallying all patriotic Vietnamese around the aspiration to build a peaceful, independent, democratic, strong, prosperous, civilised, and happy Vietnam, the top leader said.

At the opening of the VFF's 11th National Congress. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam Fatherland Front convenes 11th National Congress for 2026-2031 term

With the spirit of “Unity – Democracy – Innovation – Creativity – Development”, the Presidium called on delegates to uphold their sense of responsibility, solidarity, and wisdom, and contribute substantive and quality opinions on documents so that the congress would become a major milestone in the process of renewing and improving the VFF’s effectiveness in the new revolutionary period.

A flower-laying ceremony is held at the plaque in commemoration of President Ho Chi Minh on May 9 in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro city. (Photo: VNA)

Ceremony in Brazil honours President Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam–Brazil friendship

Addressing a ceremony dedicated to the Vietnamese leader in Rio de Janeiro city on the occasion of the 136th anniversary of his birth (May 19, 1890–2026) and the 37th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Brazil (May 8, 1989–2026), Vietnamese Ambassador to Brazil Bui Van Nghi highlighted that Ho Chi Minh’s forward-thinking vision laid the foundation for friendship and cooperation between the peoples of Vietnam and Brazil more than a century ago.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam holds phone talks with President of Switzerland Guy Parmelin on May 11. (Photo: VNA)

Top Vietnamese leader affirms high regard for ties with Switzerland during phone talks

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam held phone talks with President of Switzerland Guy Parmelin, during which the Vietnamese leader voiced his hope that both sides would continue joint work to effectively realise and further deepen the bilateral Comprehensive Partnership established in January 2025.

The delegation checks a venue for activities of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week 2027. (Photo: VNA)

Security preparations reviewed for APEC 2027 in Phu Quoc

The team examined the APEC 2027 Convention Centre, where main conference activities are scheduled; Sun Serenia Hospital, designated to provide healthcare and emergency medical services for delegates; provincial road DT.975, which connects Phu Quoc International Airport to the convention centre; and the area surrounding Phu Quoc International Airport.