☕ Afternoon briefing on February 5

The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee convened its 42nd session in Hanoi on February 5 under the chair of NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man.

☕ Afternoon briefing on February 5

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

- The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee convened its 42nd session in Hanoi on February 5 under the chair of NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man.

The committee will debate several laws including the Law on Government Organisation (revised); a draft NA resolution on the organisational structure of the Government for the 15th NA tenure; another draft NA resolution on the number of Government members for the 15th tenure; the draft Law on Local Administration Organisation (revised); and the draft Law on Promulgation of Legal Documents (revised). Read full story

- Party General Secretary To Lam offered incense to commemorate the Hung Kings at Kinh Thien palace within the Hung Kings Temple special national historical relic site in the northern province of Phu Tho on February 5.

The leader and his entourage expressed deep respect and gratitude for the ancestors, embodying the Vietnamese tradition of “when drinking water, remember its source.” They prayed for favourable weather, peace, and happiness for the people and prosperity for the nation. Read full story

- State President Luong Cuong visited and worked with the Party Committee of Lang Son on February 5, during which he urged the northern border province to identify specific and feasible solutions to overcome bottlenecks and obstacles to development and mobilise maximum resources.

Emphasising that Lang Son has tremendous potential, particularly thanks to its very favourable location, directly adjacent to the massive market of China, the President said this presents a great opportunity to boost trade and investment, not only for the province but for the entire country. Additionally, the province boats great potential in tourism and agriculture, with many locally distinctive agricultural products. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called for comprehensive and effective implementation of all tasks and solutions to ensure fast socio-economic development while chairing the Government’s meeting in Hanoi on February 5.

According to a Government report, Vietnam’s economy continued to perform well in the first month of 2025, showing positive improvements compared to January 2024. Read full story

- Vietnamese Ambassador to Hungary Bui Le Thai had a meeting with Apostolic Nuncio to Hungary Michael W. Banach, who is also Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in the European country, on February 4 to discuss the relations between Vietnam and Hungary, as well as the Holy See.

Thai noted that Hungary holds a significant position and role in Central and Eastern Europe, and was the first country in the region that Vietnam upgraded to a comprehensive partnership in 2018. Read full story

- Vietnam’s tourism industry experienced a significant boost during the 2025 Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, with a sharp rise in both domestic and international visitors.

During the nine-day holiday, localities across the country welcomed nearly 12.5 million domestic travellers, a 19% increase from the same period in 2024. Several provinces and cities recorded tourism revenues exceeding 1 trillion VND. Read full story

- Young Vietnamese pianist Nguyen Duc Kien has claimed first prize at the 6th Fujairah International Piano Competition, a prestigious event held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Hosted by the Fujairah Fine Arts Academy, the competition is a renowned global stage for young pianists to showcase their talent and engage in cultural exchange. Read full story./.

VNA

See more

State President Luong Cuong (Photo: VNA)

State President urges Lang Son to address obstacles to development

Noting that Lang Son needs to focus on thoroughly and deeply assessing its situation, opportunities, and challenges to determine the direction for development, Cuong emphasised the importance of bringing into full play the province's strengths, such as its border economy, sustainable tourism, and smart agriculture linked to export processing industries.

After beating a drum to kick off the tree-planting festival, State President Luong Cuong joins delegates, representatives of political and social organisations, and local residents in planting trees at a hill in Chi Lang district’s Chien Thang commune. (Photo: VNA)

State President joins tree planting festival in Lang Son province

President Luong Cuong commended the local authorities, agencies, and organisations and localities nationwide in general for their achievements, as well as innovative, practical, and effective initiatives in implementing tree-planting movements and the 1-billion-tree growing project in recent years.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man addresses the NA Standing Committee's 42nd session. (Photo: VNA)

NA Standing Committee convenes 42nd session

The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee convened its 42nd session in Hanoi on February 5, focusing on reviewing and providing feedback on draft laws and resolutions set for immediate issuance to facilitate the restructuring and streamlining of the government apparatus.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh inspects the construction of Tan Van intersection of the Ho Chi Minh City's Ring Road 3 through Binh Duong province. (Photo: VNA)

PM orders focus on key tasks to ensure fulfillment of socio-economic development goals

The Government leader asked for urgent, serious, synchronous and effective implementation of projects, tasks, and solutions outlined in resolutions and conclusions of the Party Central Committee, the National Assembly, and the Government, especially a supplementary plan for socio-economic development in 2025, aiming for a growth rate of at least 8%.

PM Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the Government's regular meeting on February 5. (Photo: VNA)

PM Pham Minh Chinh chairs Government’s monthly meeting

Stressing that all ministries and localities must achieve a minimum growth rate of 8% to lay the groundwork for double-digit growth in the coming years, PM Pham Minh Chinh requested the Government members to propose measures to stabilise the macroeconomy, curb inflation, promote growth, revitalise both traditional and emerging growth drivers.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi (L) hosts head of the Republic of Kalmykia Batu Khasikov (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Kalmykia seek stronger cooperation

As this year’s annual World Buddhist Forum will be held in Kalmykia, and the Kalmyk leadership is eager to invite Vietnamese representatives, Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi emphasised that this will not only provide an excellent opportunity for exchange for Buddhists and scholars but also highlight shared cultural aspects such as traditional martial arts.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam holds phone talks with First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (CPC) Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel. (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Top leaders of Vietnam, Cuba hold phone talks

On behalf of the Party, State, people of Cuba and General Raul Castro Ruz, Diaz-Canel conveyed the best wishes to the Party, State and people of Vietnam on the occasion of the 95th founding anniversary of the CPV (February 3, 1930 - 2025) and the Lunar New Year of the Snake.

Party General Secretary To Lam speaks at the conference (Photo: VNA)

Party chief requires immediate resumption of work after long Tet holiday

Chairing a conference of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat to evaluate the implementation of its Directive on organising Tet 2025, Lam appreciated the efforts made by sectors, agencies, units, and localities in thoroughly and effectively carrying out the directive, emphasising that the success of the Tet activities is a favourable starting point for a year full of success.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man (R) and Minister of Public Security General Luong Tam Quang at a meeting on February 4 (Photo: VNA)

Top legislator meets with leaders from Ministry of Public Security

The top legislator hailed the police force’s contributions to the country's achievements in 2024, underscoring their fundamental role in maintaining political security and social order as well as working alongside the military to protect the nation in the new situation.