☕ Afternoon briefing on February 23

The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.
☕ Afternoon briefing on February 23 ảnh 1
Hanoi (VNA) - The following is a briefreview of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.

- The sub-committee in charge of documents for the 14thNational Party Congress held its first meeting in Hanoi on February 23 underthe chair of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, who is head of thesub-committee.

The 14th National Party Congress is scheduled totake place in January 2026. To prepare for the congress, the 13th Party CentralCommittee has decided to establish five sub-committees in charge of differentworks. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has requested State-ownedenterprises (SOEs) to reform governance, improve production and businessefficiency, and strongly promote development investment.

In his directive signed on February 22, thegovernment leader attributed Vietnam’s significant achievements in 2023 partlyto important contributions by SOEs. Read full story

- Consolidating traditional growth engines while optimisingnew ones is among the key tasks set out by Minister of Foreign Affairs BuiThanh Son at a conference on the 2024 economic diplomacy in Hanoi on February22.

Others include promoting innovations in theresearch, consultancy and forecasting work, and raising the efficiency ofeconomic diplomacy as well as the coordinating role of the Steering Committeefor Economic Diplomacy, Son said while chairing the conference. Read full story

- Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative ofVietnam to the United Nations (UN), had a working session with President of theParliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (APF) Francis Drouin at the UNheadquarters on February 22.

Speaking highly of the cooperation between theVietnamese National Assembly and the APF over the past time, Giang expressedhis hope that both sides will enhance exchanges and multilateral collaborationin areas of mutual concerns. Read full story

- Rosy signs in exports-imports, rising shipping fees,and new regulations on seaport services charges are believed to steer Vietnam'sseaport and logistics sector through headwinds this year.

SSI Securities Corporation said improvements inimport and export demand, especially through inventory replenishment in the USand Europe, as well as the supply, expected to remain stable until 2025, willhelp seaport firms recover their yields. Read full story 

- The concept of a circular economy, which remains relativelynew in Vietnam, is rapidly gaining strength as a trend, and is also seen as akey measure for the country to innovate sustainable growth paradigms andachieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

Transitioning to a circular economy presents asignificant opportunity for sustainable development, aiming at not only meetingeconomic and social goals but also addressing climate change challenges. Read full story
☕ Afternoon briefing on February 23 ảnh 2My Khe was the only Vietnamese beach that made to the Tripadvisor’s list in 2023, ranking 8th. (Photo: Tripadvisor)
- An Bang beach in Hoi An ancient town, the central provinceof Quang Nam and My Khe beach in the central city of Da Nang ranked 5th and 6threspectively on the list of Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best Beachesin Asia as voted by readers of Tripadvisor, one of the world largest travelguidance platforms.

Tripadvisor described An Bang as a having-it-alldestination with powder-white sand, blue skies and stunning views. Read full story

- The Government’s policy of promoting cashless payment hastriggered the spread of online payments in Vietnam as well as the race of newtechnologies, contributing to boosting the digital economy.

A survey by SAPO – a multi-channel sales andmanagement platform – on 15,000 sellers nationwide in 2023 revealed that up to43.8% accepted payments via bank transfer, with 15.3% using VietQR codes. Read full story

- The Vietnamese Embassy in the UK is working closely withcompetent authorities in the UK to fact-check the case that seven allegedlyVietnamese migrants were detected at Newhaven port in Lewes district of EastSussex county.

Right after getting the information by severalnewspapers, including BBC News, Guardian, Daily Mail and Mirror, the embassycontacted the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Home Office,Metropolitan Police, and Mayor of Newhaven city, among others, asking them toprovide further information. Read full story

- The Vietnamese automobile market witnessed a significantsales decline in the first month of 2024, yet businesses and experts forecastthat the market may see a breakthrough in the second half of the year.

The Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers’ Association(VAMA) announced on January 22 that the total sales by its members reached19,243 units in the month, down 50% month-on-month. Read full story

- Mr World Vietnam 2024 has been launched for the first timein Vietnam, promising chances for talented and brave male pageant contestantsto shine and represent the country to step out into world contests.

Vietnamese men both at home and abroad, aged 18 to27 who are at least 1.75 metres tall, are encouraged to register for thecontest which is scheduled to take place in April, according to Sen VangCompany, the owner of the event./. Read full story
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President of the Lao NA Sonexay Siphandone (right) presents a souvenir to the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association (VLFA) at the meeting in Hanoi on November 2, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Top Lao legislator backs friendship activities ahead of 2027 milestones

Lao NA Sonexay Siphandone, who is on official Vietnam visit, urged the Vietnam-Laos and Laos-Vietnam friendship associations to keep coordinating closely and step up messaging on the two countries’ great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion, especially around the treaty’s 50th anniversary.

President of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man speaks at the eighth session of the NA Standing Committee on November 2, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Top legislator asks for harnessing people’s power to curb crime

The top legislator stressed that to curb drug-related offences and other crimes, it is vital to leverage the collective strength of the entire people, describing every citizen as a soldier, every family as a battleground, and every locality as a fortress.

At the meeting between Nguyen Thanh Nghi, member of the Political Bureau, Secretary of the CPV Central Committee, and head of the committee’s Commission for Policy and Strategy and Wang Huning, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, in Beijing on November 2. (Photo: VNA)

CPV delegation pays working visit to China

The two sides discussed measures to further enhance the effectiveness of cooperation, focusing on increasing delegation exchanges, strengthening training and capacity-building for officials, establishing regular research coordination channels, and organising thematic seminars and online discussions.

Vietnamese Minister of Public Security General Luong Tam Quang welcomes Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, India promote law enforcement cooperation

The Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security called on India’s National Security Council to continue urging Indian law enforcement agencies to negotiate and sign cooperation documents with the ministry, including a draft memorandum of understanding on cooperation in personnel training and capacity building and a draft agreement on cooperation in combating transnational crime between the Vietnamese ministry and the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs.

President of the Lao National Assembly Sonexay Siphandone and his spouse, Vandara Siphandone, arrive at Noi Bai International Airport on November 2, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Lao NA President begins official visit to Vietnam

In an interview on the visit and bilateral cooperation, Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam said that, from a strategic perspective, the visit is important in further translating the concept of “strategic cohesion” into concrete action and making it a guiding principle underpinning Vietnam-Laos relations.

Finance Minister Ngo Van Tuan addresses a discussion on the bill during the 16th National Assembly’s second session November 2 (Photo: VNA)

FDI attraction requires outcome-based support policies: minister

According to the minister, the draft law is being revised against the backdrop of projected total social investment demand for 2026-2030 being 2.21 times that of the 2021-2025 period. Disbursed foreign direct investment (FDI) alone needs to reach an average of 30-40 billion USD annually, six to seven times the level recorded in the previous period.

At the 7th session of the National Assembly Standing Committee. (Photo: VNA)

NA Standing Committee to review 35 draft laws, resolutions at 8th session

In addition, the Standing Committee is expected to consider and adopt five draft resolutions concerning the allocation of inspection-related recovered funds to strengthen inspection agencies; the functions and organisational structure of the National Assembly's Council of Ethnic Affairs and committees; salary and allowance scales for State officials and judicial personnel; policies and working conditions for People's Council deputies; and approval of the National Assembly's Digital Architecture Framework version 2.0.

National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man (R) and President of the Lao National Assembly Sonexay Siphandone in Hanoi on April 16, 2025 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese, Lao legislatures strengthen strategic ties

The official visit by Lao National Assembly President Sonexay Siphandone and his spouse will provide an opportunity for the two sides to discuss strategic measures to further deepen bilateral relations in the next phase. The visit will also reaffirm their determination to develop the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Vietnam and Laos in a more substantive and sustainable manner, for the benefit of the two countries' people.

US Coast Guard cutter USCGC Bertholf (WMSL-750) docks at Saigon Gateway Port in Ho Chi Minh City on November 1 (Photo: znews.vn)

US Coast Guard cutter visits Ho Chi Minh City

While in Ho Chi Minh City, the commanding officer and crew of USCGC Bertholf will pay courtesy calls on the city’s leaders and the Coast Guard Region 3 Command, take part in diplomatic engagement activities and professional exchanges on maritime operations, and participate in friendly sports competitions with officers and personnel of Coast Guard Region 3.