☕ Afternoon briefing on March 23

The second meeting of the 14th Party Central Committee, PM Pham Minh Chinh's activities during his offiicial visit to Russia, and Vietnam climbing five places to the 103rd in the latest FIFA rankings are among news highlights on March 23.

☕ Afternoon briefing on March 23

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

– The second meeting of the 14th Party Central Committee officially opened in Hanoi on March 23 under the chair of Party General Secretary To Lam.

During the meeting, the 14th Party Central Committee is set to review, discuss and decide on a range of particularly important issues forming a foundation for effectively implementing the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress, directly related to the quality of the Party’s leadership and combat strength, the operational effectiveness of the entire political system, and rapid and sustainable development of the country in the 2026–2031 period and beyond. Read full story

– Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his entourage laid flowers in tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at the late leader's monument in Moscow on March 23 morning as part of their ongoing official visit to Russia.

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh lays flowers in tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at the late leader's monument in Moscow on March 23 morning. (Photo: VNA)

The PM and delegation observed a solemn moment of remembrance for President Ho Chi Minh – a great leader, national hero and great man of culture, who laid the foundation for the friendship between Vietnam and the former Soviet Union, now the Russian Federation. Read full story

– Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a meeting with the staff of the Vietnamese Embassy and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Russia in Moscow on late March 22 (local time), part of his official visit to Russia.

The PM affirmed no matter the circumstances, the unwavering loyalty between Russian and Vietnamese people remains unchanged, and that it must continue to be preserved, nurtured, and promoted. Read full story

– Vietnamese Ambassador to France Trinh Duc Hai paid a working visit to the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur region’s city of Marseille and department of Bouches-du-Rhone from March 19 to 22, aiming to enhance links across the key pillars of government, economy, parliament, media and community, and to translate high-level commitments into concrete projects.

During meetings with local authorities, including Prefect of Bouches-du-Rhone Jacques Witkowski, representatives of the departmental council and the leader of Marseille’s arrondissements, Hai stressed the need to turn the Vietnam – France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into practical cooperation programmes aligned with each side’s development priorities. Read full story

– Authorities are urgently rolling out measures to stabilise the market as surging input costs place unprecedented pressure on the retail market, with suppliers pushing for price hikes and supermarket systems striving to keep prices in check.

At a recent meeting held by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), big retailers warned that price pressures are intensifying. A representative of a retail chain with thousands of outlets nationwide said that 70–80% of suppliers have proposed price increases, the highest level seen in recent years. Read full story

– Vietnam’s national football team have climbed five places to the 103rd in the latest FIFA rankings, moving closer to a return to the world’s top 100.

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On October 9, 2025, Vietnam defeated Nepal 3-1 in their first-leg match of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualification at Binh Duong Stadium. (Photo: VNA)

According to the Vietnam Football Federation, the improvement comes after points were restored following developments in Group F of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualification. Read full story

– The Russian Culture Days in Vietnam 2026, taking place in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from March 23 to 27, are expected to further strengthen cultural exchanges and deepen the traditional friendship between the two nations.

The event is jointly organised by the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Russian Ministry of Culture, and the Russian Embassy in Vietnam. Read full story./.

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At the opening of the 14th Party Central Committee’s second plenum (Photo: VNA)

Press release for 14th Party Central Committee’s second plenum

The committee worked in groups to review the management model of national media and press agencies, the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology in the new situation. Participants also examined working regulations of the 14th-term Party Central Committee, its Politburo and Secretariat, and the working agenda of the Party Central Committee for this term.

At the signing ceremony between the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and the National Council of the Solidarity Front for the Development of Cambodia Motherland (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Cambodia strengthen front cooperation

Vietnam and Cambodia agreed to encourage greater cooperation between local Front organisations, particularly in border provinces, to build a border of peace, stability, cooperation and mutual development.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visits and works with leaders of Novatek Group. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam seeks stronger LNG cooperation with Russia during PM’s visit

Novatek has successfully implemented large-scale LNG projects and developed proprietary liquefied natural gas technologies. The group is currently showing strong interest in Vietnam’s LNG sector, including potential participation in the Ca Na project in Khanh Hoa province alongside partners such as Zarubezhneft and exploring opportunities in Vietnam’s rapidly growing gas market.

Vietnamese and Lao artists present performances honouring the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. (Photo: VNA)

Congratulatory messages sent to newly-elected Lao leaders

In their messages, the Vietnamese leaders affirmed that the elections reflected the trust and high regard of the Lao National Assembly and the Lao people for the leaders’ capacity, reputation, and contributions to the revolutionary cause and the socio-economic development of Laos.

Participants in the opening of the Laos Executive Leadership Programme 2026 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam launches Laos Executive Leadership Programme

The LELP 2026 is designed as a high-level policy dialogue that aims to support Lao leaders in translating strategic objectives into practical policy options and actionable programmes, drawing on both domestic realities and regional development experiences, particularly those of Vietnam.

Vietnamese Ambassador to France Trinh Duc Hai (L) and Prefect of Bouches-du-Rhone Jacques Witkowski at their meeting (Photo: VOV)

Vietnam strengthens local cooperation with France

During meetings with local authorities, Ambassador Trinh Duc Hai stressed the need to turn the Vietnam – France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into practical cooperation programmes aligned with each side’s development priorities.

The second meeting of the 14th Party Central Committee opens in Hanoi on March 23. (Photo: VNA)

Second meeting of 14th Party Central Committee opens in Hanoi

The meeting is also scheduled to consider personnel affairs for State agencies for the 2026–2031 term and provide opinions on the five-year socio-economic development plan, national financial plan and medium-term public investment plan for 2026–2031, along with other key national issues.

PM Pham Minh Chinh (centre) presents gifts to the Vietnamese community in Russia at the meeting in Moscow on late March 22 (local time). (Photo: VNA)

PM hails contributions by OVs in Russia to homeland

The Government leader described the special bond between the peoples of Vietnam and the former Soviet Union, as well as the Russian Federation today, as a shining symbol of solidarity and special international friendship.

Vietnamese Consul General in Sydney Nguyen Thanh Tung (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam – Australia ties increasingly substantive: Consul General

Australian travellers increasingly value Vietnam for its safety, welcoming hospitality, cultural richness, diverse cuisine, and affordability. Traditional favourites, such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, and Phu Quoc, are complemented by rising interest in emerging spots.

Party General Secretary To Lam presents the Ho Chi Minh Order to the Engineering Corps (Photo: VNA)

Party chief presents Ho Chi Minh Order to Engineering Corps

Amid a fast-changing and increasingly complex global landscape, Party leader To Lam urged Engineering Corps to uphold absolute loyalty, strict discipline, and high combat readiness; firmly uphold political mettle, sharpen strategic awareness, and guard against complacency or being caught off-guard in any scenario.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Russian counterpart Mikhail Vladimirovich Mishustin sign a Joint Communiqué on the outcomes of the official visit to Vietnam by the Russian Prime Minister (Hanoi, January 14, 2025). Photo: VNA

PM’s visit to deepen Vietnam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's March 22-25 visit to Russia aims to further strengthen Vietnam-Russia relations, especially in politics, and expand cooperation in key areas such as economy, trade, investment, energy, and oil and gas, he said. It is expected to outline major directions for future cooperation: enhancing political trust; maintaining the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in security, defence, and foreign affairs; and boosting economic and trade collaboration to make it more effective and substantive.