☕ Afternoon briefing on January 24

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on January 24

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

- The 13th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) wrapped up its two-day meeting in Hanoi on January 24.

In his closing remarks, Party General Secretary To Lam said that the Party Central Committee (PCC) reached high consensus on the summary report of Resolution 18-NQ/TW and the plan to streamline the organisational structure of the political system. The Politburo determined that streamlining the organisational structure of the political system to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and practical impacts is a revolution. Read full story

- Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son has written an article titled Vietnam’s Foreign Affairs in 2024: Active and Proactive Contributions to Propelling the Country into a New Era, highlighting the significant and historic achievements in foreign affairs since the beginning of the 13th term of the Party.

Son noted that in 2024, the world continued its profound transformation, with many new and complex developments impacting all aspects of social life, while Vietnam entered the final phase towards successfully implementing the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress. In this context, foreign affairs have been carried out in a concerted and effective manner, with numerous dynamic activities that have yielded positive results. Read full story

- A delegation of the Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba led by Ambassador Le Quang Long visited the Nguyen Van Troi primary school in Cerro district, Havana, on January 23.

The visit was part of activities in 2025 to mark the 65th founding anniversary of the Vietnam – Cuba diplomatic relations (December 2, 1960–2025). Read full story

- A seminar to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Vietnam – Russia diplomatic ties (January 30, 1950 – 2025) was hosted by the authorities of Saint Petersburg - the second-largest city of Russia, on January 22.

The online and in-person event connected representatives of Vietnamese localities twinned with Saint Petersburg, the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association, and other organisations. Read full story

- The Vietnamese Party cell in Ekaterinburg city, Russia, is experiencing significant growth in student membership, with 80% of members being students from three central Russian oblasts.

Vietnamese Consul General and Secretary of the Party cell of the Consulate General in the city Nguyen Mai Huong said in 2024, the cell officially recognised one new full member and admitted six candidates to the Party. Many probationary members are also expected to become full members soon. Read full story

- Vietnam’s trade with the Philippines has reached an impressive milestone, with turnover exceeding 8.6 billion USD in 2024, up 11% year-on-year, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Agency of Foreign Trade.

Of note, Vietnam shipped 6.19 billion USD worth of products to the archipelago nation for the first time, up 20.2% from 2023, while recording a 6.7% drop in imports to 2.47 billion USD. As a result, it enjoyed a trade surplus of 3.72 billion USD as compared to the set target of 3.5 billion USD. Read full story

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The Vietnamese section of the Monsoon – Thanh My 500kV transmission line project (Photo: VNA)

- The Monsoon – Thanh My 500kV transmission line project's section in the Vietnamese territory was successfully energised on January 23 evening, according to the Vietnam Electricity (EVN)’s Power Project Management Board 2 (EVNPMB2).

Launched on September 30, 2023, the project is designed to import electricity from Laos’ Monsoon wind power plant to Vietnam, adding 600 MW to the national power grid during the 2024–2025 period. Read full story

- A photo exhibition highlighting glorious milestones of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) kicked off in Ho Chi Minh City on January 24 as part of activities to mark the 95th founding anniversary of the Party (February 3, 1930–2025).

The exhibition is taking place through February 9 at different locations, including Lam Son Park, Pasteur - Ly Tu Trong streets, and Dong Khoi street. Read full story./.

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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (L) and Lao PM Sonexay Siphandone. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese Deputy PM meets with Lao, UAE leaders in Dubai

Meeting with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son provided an overview of Vietnam's socio-economic achievements and drastic measures the country has taken to realise the Resolution on continued reform and re-organisation of the political system for streamlined, effective and efficient operations.

The National Assembly House in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

NA’s 9th extraordinary session to open on February 12

During the 8-day session, legislators will review and pass the drafts of the revised law on amendments and supplements to the Law on organisation of the NA, the revised Law on organisation of the Government, and the revised Law on promulgation of legal documents.

Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien speaks at the forum (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam attends 14th Japan-ASEAN Defence Vice-Ministerial Forum

Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien stressed that the world is undergoing era-defining transformations. Against this backdrop, the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+) has proven effective in managing regional security, fostering dialogue, and enhancing cooperation to address emerging challenges, helping to maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific.

Australian official lauds thriving partnership with Vietnam

Australian official lauds thriving partnership with Vietnam

Australian Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Julian Hill suggested the two countries work closely on people-to-people exchange and promote tourism activities, noting with satisfaction the rapid increase in the number of Australian visitors to Vietnam and welcoming more Vietnamese tourists to the Australian shores.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son holds a telephone talks with Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono on February 10. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Indonesia seek deeper collaboration

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono affirmed that Indonesia highly values its strategic partnership with Vietnam and proposed that both sides continue to enhance substantial cooperation across all fields, including joint activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations (December 30, 1955 –2025).

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, head of Vietnam's permanent mission to the United Nations (UN), delivers a speech at the meeting. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam begins term as UN Women Executive Board member

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, head of Vietnam's permanent mission to the United Nations (UN), on February 10 attended the annual session of the UN Women Executive Board as a newly elected member for the 2025-2027 term.

Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien (R), Politburo member, member of the Standing Board of the Central Military Commission, and Deputy Minister of National Defence of Vietnam, and Kano Koji, Japan’s Vice Minister of Defence, at the 11th Vietnam-Japan defence policy dialogue in Fukuoka on February 10 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Japan hold 11th defence policy dialogue

Vietnam is willing to cooperate with countries and international organisations for peace and development in the region and the world, said Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defence.