Politics

☕ Afternoon briefing on December 26

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on December 26

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

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 26 met with and commended Vietnamese students who won prizes at international competitions in 2025, urging them to continue striving to become responsible citizens dedicated to serving the Fatherland and the people.

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (central) and students who win prizes at international competitions in 2025. (Photo: VNA)

According to the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET), over the past decade, Vietnamese student teams competing in international academic contests have won a total of 434 prizes, including 132 gold, 169 silver and 133 bronze medals, along with certificates of merit. Many students achieved consecutive gold medals over two years, while some secured gold medals when they were 10th graders. Read full story

- Vietnam’s domestic tourism market is recording encouraging signs ahead of the 2026 New Year holiday, following the announcement that the public break will last four consecutive days from January 1 to 4.

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Central Post Office - a landmark site in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA)

In Ho Chi Minh City, travel agencies report a bustling tour market as year-end demand remains strong, particularly for domestic travel, which continues to appeal to both local residents and overseas Vietnamese. Read full story

- The 2025 Vietnam – Cambodia – Laos Youth Festival opened in the central province of Quang Ngai on December 26, bringing together 90 youth delegates from the three countries to strengthen solidarity, traditional friendship and cooperation among younger generations.

Held from December 25 to 28 under the theme “Solidarity – Friendship – Development”, the festival includes a seminar on “A green journey for sustainable development”, field trips highlighting local culture, history and socio-economic potential, along with cultural, artistic and sports exchanges. Read full story

- Despite mounting global uncertainties and increasingly severe climate impacts, Vietnam’s agriculture and environment sector maintained stable growth in 2025, reinforcing its role as a key pillar of the economy while advancing green transformation and strengthening resilience to natural disasters, said Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang.

Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency about the sector’s performance in 2025, Thang said that the year 2025 was a challenging year marked by geopolitical tensions, rising trade barriers and extreme, abnormal weather patterns. Yet the agriculture and environment sector maintained its stabilising role, contributing to socio-economic stability and safeguarding the livelihoods of millions of people. Read full story

- The fifth Laos–Thailand Friendship Bridge spanning the Mekong River was inaugurated on December 26, marking an important step in strengthening transport connectivity and promoting trade within the Mekong sub-region, particularly among Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith and his spouse, and Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Queen, and as well as senior leaders of Laos and Thailand, among others. Read full story

- The Hanoi Shopping Festival 2025 opened on December 25 evening at the Culture, Information and Sports Centre on Cao Lo Street, Dong Anh commune.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade Nguyen The Hiep said the festival is expected to stimulate the circulation of goods, enhance the competitiveness of businesses and honour the value of Vietnamese products. It also contributes to the effective implementation of the campaign “Vietnamese people prioritise Vietnamese goods.” Read full story

- Hanoi’s tourism sector recorded a strong recovery in 2025 as it has welcomed more than 33.7 million visitors, up 20.87% compared to the previous year, according to the municipal Department of Tourism.

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Foreign tourists visit Hanoi's Old Quarter. (Photo: vietnamnet.vn)

Of the total, international tourist arrivals reached over 7.82 million, a year-on-year increase of 22.76%, while domestic visitors numbered more than 25.88 million, up 20.32%. Read full story

- Under Resolution No. 262/2025/QH15 approving the investment policy for the National Target Programme on health care, population and development for the 2026–2035 period, the National Assembly (NA) has decided to allocate a total of 88.63 trillion VND (3.37 billion USD) for implementation in the 2026–2030 period.

Of the total, central budget funding amounts to 68 trillion VND, including 39.2 trillion VND in public investment capital and 28.8 trillion VND in recurrent expenditure. Local budgets will contribute 20.041 trillion VND, comprising 8.49 trillion VND in public investment capital and 11.54 trillion VND in recurrent spending. Other sources are estimated at 594 billion VND./. Read full story

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