Politics

☕ Afternoon briefing on January 12

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on January 12


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

- The Ministry of Health on January 12 conducted a medical services drill at the National Convention Centre to ensure health and medical preparedness for the coming 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

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The medical services drill held at the National Convention Centre to ensure health and medical preparedness for the coming 14th National Party Congress (Photo: VNA)

The exercise, chaired by Professor Dr Tran Van Thuan, Deputy Minister of Health, President of the Vietnam National Medical Council, and head of the medical subcommittee serving the congress, brought together more than 40 leading experts in various fields. Read full story

- The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee convened its 53rd session in Hanoi on January 12.

In his opening remarks, NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man said this was the first session in 2026, taking place amid the upbeat atmosphere of the nation welcoming the New Year 2026 and Tet (Lunar New Year), and in the run-up to the 14th National Party Congress and the 96th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Read full story

- The average per capita income in 2025 was estimated at 5.9 million VND (about 225 USD) per person per month, up 9.3% compared to 2024, equivalent to an increase of around 500,000 VND per person per month, according to preliminary results from the Household Living Standards Survey 2025 conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO).

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Trinh Thi Nhu Hoa, a resident of Thuong Phuoc commune, Dong Thap province starts her business producing various types of dried freshwater fish (Photo: VNA)

This marks a continued upward trend in incomes, with the 2025 growth rate higher than that recorded in 2024 compared to 2023 (9.1%). Part of this increase was attributed to income related to public officials and employees retiring or resigning following the streamlining of the political system’s organisational apparatus. Read full story

- Vietnam has reaffirmed its growing credibility and leadership in United Nations peacekeeping training in the region with the launch of the United Nations Staff Officer Course 2026 (UNSOC 2026), supported by Canada.

The opening ceremony was held on January 12 at the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations under the Ministry of National Defence. The course runs from January 3 to 30 and is jointly delivered by Vietnamese instructors, with advisory support from Canadian trainers. Read full story

- As the global Halal tourism market continues to expand rapidly, Da Nang is well positioned to tap this high-potential segment by building a friendly, inclusive and internationally compliant destination for Muslim travellers.

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Da Nang welcomes the first group of foreign tourists to Hoi An in early 2026 (Photo: nhandan.vn)

Developing a Halal-friendly tourism ecosystem is not only expected to help the central coastal city diversify its visitor base and enhance competitiveness, but also reinforce its image as a safe, civilised destination that respects cultural diversity and promotes international integration. Read full story

- Phu Quy Island in Lam Dong province has been selected as one of the top 10 must-visit destinations in Southeast Asia for 2026 by Thai newspaper Khaosod, praised for its pristine nature and “cinematic beauty.”

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A corner of Phu Quy Island (Photo: vnexpress.net)

“Bangkok is back, Bali is bursting, and Vietnam is viral. As we enter 2026, the real question is: where can you go to actually hear yourself think?” the newspaper said. Read full story

- Ta Xua cloud haven in the northern province of Son La, with its largely untouched landscapes and minimal commercial development, is the only destination from Vietnam to be featured on the list of 26 must-visit global destinations for 2026 released by India’s NDTV (New Delhi Television).

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A view of Ta Xua cloud haven in Son La province (Photo: VNA)

NDTV describes Ta Xua as Vietnam’s “cloud-hunting paradise”, best known for the so-called “dinosaur spine” – a trekking route that has been widely shared among travel enthusiasts for years. The narrow ridge, stretching about 1.5-2 km along the mountain crest, is flanked by deep valleys on both sides, while above it, layers of billowing white clouds roll endlessly. Walking amid a sea of clouds, where the boundary between sky and earth seems to dissolve, offers a rare blend of exhilaration and tranquillity. Read full story

- More than 8 million students, teachers and parents nationwide have gained essential knowledge and skills on online safety through training programmes, extracurricular activities and innovative learning formats under the “Not Alone – Together for Online Safety” Campaign.

Implemented from October 6 to November 30, 2025, the campaign’s achievements were also reflected in its impressive outreach. On social media platforms, “Not Alone” generated more than 1.5 billion views and reached over 40 million people, with the participation of more than 1,000 key opinion leaders. Millions of creative contents using hashtags such as #khongmotminh and #NiemTinSo attracted strong community engagement./. Read full story

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