☕ Afternoon briefing on December 27

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on December 27

- The Politburo has announced the establishment of the Central Steering Committee for the Development of Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation, aiming to achieve a digital economy contributing at least 30% of GDP by 2030 and 50% of GDP by 2045.

This initiative seeks to position Vietnam as a regional hub for digital technology industries and rank among the top 30 nations globally in innovation and digital transformation by 2045. Read full story

- The Vietnamese Embassy in Bangladesh, in its role as the rotating chair of the ASEAN Dhaka Committee (ADC), hosted the committee’s 62nd meeting in Dhaka on December 26.

The meeting saw the participation of ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions from the ADC member countries, including Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Read full story

- Vibrant economic diplomatic activities in 2024 have contributed to creating a firm foundation for Vietnam and Singapore to upgrade their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership level, according to Cao Xuan Thang, Trade Counsellor and head of the Vietnam Trade Office in Singapore.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency, Thang highlighted that the embassy has held diverse activities in 2024, ranging from regularly updating Vietnamese businesses on policies and mechanisms of Singapore, arranging visits to Vietnam for Singaporean partners, to organising promotion conferences and showcasing Vietnam's products at events and trade fairs in Singapore. Read full story

- The export of agro-forestry-aquatic products has created a breakthrough this year, generating 62.5 billion USD, up 18.7% year on year, with a record trade surplus of 17.9 billion USD, marking a remarkable 46.8% growth rate compared to the previous year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

Key agricultural products raked in 32.8 billion USD (up 22.4%), while livestock products earned 533.6 million (up 6.5%); forestry products, 17.28 billion USD (up 19.4%) and aquatic products 10.07 billion USD (up 12.2%). Read full story

- Vietnamese goods, especially farm produce, are expanding their presence in retail chains and supermarkets across Malaysia, including well-known ones, reflecting growing consumer preference for Vietnamese products, according to Trade Counsellor of Vietnam in Malaysia Le Phu Cuong.

This also demonstrates that Vietnamese goods have successfully carved a niche in the Malaysian market, which boasts a rich diversity of culture, religions, and cuisine, he told the Vietnam News Agency. Read full story

- Vietnam’s real estate market has been showing signs of recovery despite current challenges faced by the sector this year, according to the Vietnam Real Estate Association (VNREA).

The association said that many real estate developers continue to face difficulties in meeting their profit targets this year, with data showing a significant drop of 20% in revenue and 43% in profit, primarily due to a sharp decline in sales compared to 2023. Lingering issues from a bad year have haunted businesses, leaving up to 60% of them struggling to achieve their financial goals this year. Read full story

- Only 70 tickets were allowed to be sold to Vietnamese supporters for the first match between the Vietnam and Singapore national football teams at the 6,000-seat Jalan Besar Stadium, but all 70 supporters saw Vietnam take the advantage in the ASEAN Cup semis with a 2-0 win.

A rowdy crowd full of Lions supporters, a style of artificial turf that had formerly created problems for Vietnam in their draw with the Philippines, and referee decisions that did not go their way were challenges that the Golden Star Warriors faced in their first semi-final match on December 26 night./. Read full story

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General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam (R) and President of Panama José Raúl Mulino pose for a photo. (Photo: VNA)

Panamanian President wraps up official visit to Vietnam

The two sides expressed their delight at the positive developments in bilateral relations in recent years, noting that there remains significant room for greater cooperation and complementarity, particularly in trade, investment and economic ties. They also held extensive discussions on strategic directions to further deepen and strengthen bilateral relations in a more substantive and practical manner.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation leaves Hanoi on October 8 for official visits to Laos and Cambodia. (Photo: VNA)

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung departs for official visits to Laos, Cambodia

This is PM Hung’s first official trip to Laos and Cambodia, reaffirming the high importance and priority that the Party, State and Government of Vietnam attach to relations with the two neighbouring countries. It also helps further deepen the “great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion” between Vietnam and Laos and the “good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability” between Vietnam and Cambodia.

The North-South Expressway (Eastern section) project in Dak Lak province has been completed (Photo: VNA)

Deputy PM orders removal of bottlenecks in key projects

Key projects in the industry and trade and construction sectors play a particularly important role in driving growth, boosting production, strengthening infrastructure capacity, ensuring energy security, enhancing the competitiveness of the economy and creating new momentum for development in the coming period.

National Assembly Vice President Nguyen Hong Dien addresses the high-level General Debate of the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-153) in Arusha, Tanzania, on October 7 (Photo: VNA)

NA Vice President proposes priorities for inter-parliamentary cooperation

Vietnam is determined to undertake strong institutional reforms to create a development-enabling environment, with science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, green transition and the circular economy serving as key drivers. The Vietnamese NA is also stepping up lawmaking, supreme oversight and making decisions on major national issues.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (Photo: VNA)

PM Le Minh Hung’s Laos visit to help deepen bilateral relations

The two countries established diplomatic relations on September 5, 1962. On July 18, 1977, they signed the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, providing an important political and legal foundation for strengthening bilateral ties and supporting each country’s cause of national construction and defence.

The cover of the book “The Aspiration for a Strong and Prosperous Viet Nam in the New Era,” in Mexico on October 8, 2026. (Photo: VNA Publishing House)

VNA cooperates with Mexican Labour Party to publish book on top leader's articles and addresses

The bilingual English-Spanish publication comprises 46 selected articles and speeches drawn from the political commentaries and addresses by General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) and President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam To Lam since August 2024, reflecting the mindset, vision and strategic decisions of the CPV to steer the country firmly into the new era.

Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, speaks at the general debate of the UN General Assembly’s Second Committee (Economic and Financial Committee) in New York. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam calls for stronger int'l cooperation to drive sustainable development

Vietnam calls for stronger global partnerships tailored to the needs and conditions of countries at different levels of development, including fair access to new and emerging technologies. Such cooperation will help developing countries acquire knowledge, skills and technologies needed for innovation and competitiveness.

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (R) meets with his Panamanian counterpart Javier Eduardo Martínez-Acha Vásquez in Hanoi on October 7. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese, Panamanian foreign ministers discuss bilateral cooperation

The two sides encouraged businesses from both countries to expand investment and business links, making use of Panama’s strengths as a maritime transit hub and a regional centre for aviation, logistics and finance, as well as Vietnam’s strengths in manufacturing, export, economy and digital services.

On the sidelines of the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines, on the afternoon of May 8, 2026, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung met with the then-Prime Minister of Laos, Sonexay Siphandone. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam-Laos ties move from ‘special solidarity’ to ‘strategic cohesion’

As Vietnam and Laos enter a new development period, their relationship has been elevated to a new level under the framework of “great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion.” The addition of “strategic cohesion” reflects not only the long-standing foundation of bilateral ties but also a shared vision, closely linked interests and a common path for the two nations to advance together over the long term.

Party General Secretary and President To Lam (second from right) and President of Panama José Raúl Mulino Quintero (second from left) witness the exchange of cooperation documents between the two countries. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Panama issue Joint Statement

Vietnam's Party General Secretary and President To Lam and Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino Quintero agreed to intensify high-level dialogue to provide orientations for the development of Vietnam-Panama relations through bilateral visits and meetings between high-ranking leaders of the two States, Governments, and National Assemblies, as well as ministries and sectors of the two countries.

National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man meets with President of Panama José Raúl Mulino Quintero in Hanoi on October 7, 2026. Photo: VNA

Vietnam sees Panama as key partner in Latin America: Top legislator

Strengthening ties between the two legislatures is an important pillar of Vietnam-Panama relations, helping consolidate political trust, promote and oversee the implementation of high-level agreements, and support the bilateral agenda, said NA President Tran Thanh Man.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (R) meets with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino in Hanoi on October 7. (Photo: VNA)

Panama regards Vietnam as leading important partner in Southeast Asia: Panamanian President

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung called on the two sides to promote exchanges of delegations at all levels, including State and parliamentary diplomacy and people-to-people exchanges; strengthen the presence and activities of diplomatic and consular missions; utilise existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Joint Committee on Economic, Trade and Investment Cooperation; facilitate market access for each side’s key products; and enhance transport, logistics and supply-chain connectivity.

☕ Afternoon briefing on October 7

☕ Afternoon briefing on October 7

Vietnam advancing parliamentary diplomacy at IPU-153, the APEC 2027 National Committee’s 27 members unveiled, and Vietnam's national brand value jumping 45% to over 462 billion USD are among news highlights on October 7.

Vietnamese PM’s upcoming Cambodia visit to tighten bond: Minister

Vietnamese PM’s upcoming Cambodia visit to tighten bond: Minister

Dr. So Naro, Minister Delegate Attached to the Cambodian PM in charge of ASEAN Affairs mentioned that the trip aims to implement strategic guidance agreed in February by Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen and General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and President To Lam. The two nations are gearing up to celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2027, with their prime ministers set to exchange views on global and regional matters of mutual interest and concern.