☕ Afternoon briefing on March 25

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on March 25

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

- Party General Secretary To Lam has highlighted the extreme importance of preparing and enhancing the quality of documents for the 14th National Party Congress, including personnel plans, which are crucial in the current context of the nation.

Addressing the 4th meeting of the 14th National Party Congress’ sub-committee for personnel affairs in Hanoi on March 25, the Party chief, who is also head of the sub-committee, described the upcoming congress as a special milestone in the nation’s development path, which opens up a new era for the country, the era of the nation’s rise to strong development and prosperity. Read full story

- Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's official visit to Vietnam from March 25-26 is expected to further enhance the newly upgraded comprehensive strategic partnership (CSP) between the two nations, Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam told the press ahead of the trip.

According to the diplomat, this will be PM Wong’s first official visit to Vietnam since taking office, following Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam’s visit to Singapore less than two weeks ago. While the Party chief was in the island state, the two countries elevated their relations to a CSP, the first between Singapore and an ASEAN country. Read full story

- Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh on March 24 met with representatives of the European Central Bank (ECB) to discuss plans for the establishment of financial centres in Vietnam, as part of his working visit to Germany – the final stop in his European tour.

At the meeting, the Deputy PM commended the ECB’s role in controlling inflation, maintaining economic stability, and promoting sustainable growth. He stressed that Vietnam views the institution as a model to learn from in its efforts to refine the financial market, enhance monetary oversight, and improve macroeconomic management. Read full story

- Granma, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of Cuba, has launched a special sub-web featuring rare images and archival materials celebrating the special solidarity between Vietnam and Cuba, which mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year (December 2, 1960 – 2025).

Released in the same year that Granma celebrates the 60th anniversary since its first issue (October 4, 1965), the sub-web is more than just an archive, it is a visual chronicle of a historic brotherhood. Among its highlights are iconic moments such as Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro’s famous declaration: “For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to shed its blood,” President Ho Chi Minh’s warm reception of the first Cuban delegation on its official visit to Vietnam, and the sugar-laden ships from Cuba arriving at Hai Phong port. Read full story

- Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's upcoming state visit to Vietnam is set to boost bilateral ties, with a strong focus on advancing cooperation in pivotal sectors such as renewable energy, manufacturing, high-tech agriculture, biofuels, education, and climate change response.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Brazil Bui Van Nghi highlighted in a recent interview with Vietnam News Agency (VNA) that this visit, scheduled from March 27-29, follows the elevation of Vietnam-Brazil relations to a strategic partnership during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's participation in the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro in November 2024. Read full story

- The National Assembly Standing Committee convened the 7th meeting of full-time deputies in Hanoi on March 25, focusing its discussions on key legislative proposals to be presented at the upcoming 15th NA’s 9th session.

In his opening speech, NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man called for opinions on eight draft laws that underwent initial review at the 8th session, the Law on amendments and supplements to several articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality, and the draft Law on Personal Data Protection. Read full story

- Vietnam’s construction sector is pushing to deliver more mega, world-class projects, boosting its global reputation and ushering the nation into a new era - the era of the nation's rise.

Nguyen Thanh Nghi, then Minister of Construction, said over the past four decades, more than 120 large-scale projects of national significance have been completed. Many of them feature innovative structural designs, new construction techniques, and cutting-edge technologies, some introduced in Vietnam for the first time or holding regional importance. Read full story

- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dang Bang at the University of Cambridge's Judge Business School has pointed out Vietnam’s key advantages in realising the Politburo’s Resolution 57, which targets breakthroughs in sci-tech, innovation, and national digital transformation.

Talking with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s resident reporter in London, Bang highlighted Vietnam’s advantages such as a young and tech-savvy population, steady economic growth, deep integration into global supply chains across multiple industries, and modern infrastructure like large airports and seaports. Read full story

- The High-level People’s Court in Hanoi on March 25 opened an appellate hearing for the case of stock market manipulation and fraudulent appropriation of property involving FLC Group Joint Stock Company (FLC Group).

Before the hearing, former FLC Group Chairman Trinh Van Quyet had submitted a request for either a trial in absentia or a postponement, citing serious health issues that made him unable to attend the trial. Hospital 19-8 also confirmed Quyet's deteriorating condition, according to the chief judge. Read full story

- The High-level People's Court in Ho Chi Minh City on March 25 commenced the appeal trial for the second phase of the high-profile case involving Van Thinh Phat Group and Saigon Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SCB).

The case is being reviewed on appeal following requests from Truong My Lan and 27 other defendants. Lan has appealed the entire verdict, challenging her convictions for "fraudulent appropriation of assets" (embezzling nearly 30.87 trillion VND – 1.2 billion USD – from 35,824 secondary investors), "money laundering" (involving 445.75 trillion VND), and "illegal cross-border money transfers" (4.5 billion USD). Other defendants are seeking reduced sentences, suspended sentences, or reconsideration of certain charges./. Read full story

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PM Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the banquet (Photo: VNA)

PM, spouse host banquet for diplomatic corps in Hanoi

On behalf of Party General Secretary To Lam and other Party and State leaders, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh conveyed sincere gratitude to ambassadors, heads of international organisations, foreign governments, and peoples who have stood with Vietnam through challenges and triumphs throughout its process of national construction and defence.

Party General Secretary To Lam visits Bau Rong historical and cultural relic site (Photo: VNA)

Party General Secretary offers incense in Tay Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City

Party General Secretary To Lam and his entourage laid wreaths and offered incense at Tra Vo Martyrs’ Cemetery in the southern province of Tay Ninh on February 9, honouring heroic martyrs who laid down their lives for national independence and freedom, ahead of the coming Lunar New Year (Tet).

Officers of Peacekeeping Police Unit No. 1 demonstrate combat skills and tactical techniques, including responses to potential real-world operational scenarios. (Photo: VNA)

UN officially upgrades Vietnam’s peacekeeping police unit to Level 3

Achieving PCRS Level 3 reflects Vietnam’s strong commitment and high credibility as a troop- and police-contributing country to UN peacekeeping. It is regarded as an important stepping stone toward actual deployment, while affirming the professionalism, discipline and international integration capacity of the People’s Public Security Force.

National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh (R) and Ambassador of the Republic of Korea (RoK) to Vietnam Choi Young Sam in Hanoi on February 9. (Photo: daibieunhandan.vn)

NA Vice Chairwoman receives RoK Ambassador

Vietnam and the RoK will continue to maintain high-level meetings, exchanges and interactions among parliamentary committees, legislators, young and female parliamentarians, to make bilateral relations more practical and close-knit.

An overview of Party General Secretary To Lam's meeting with former members of the Party Central Committee from southern provinces and cities in Ho Chi Minh City on February 9. (Photo: VNA)

Party chief meets with Party Central Committee's former members in southern localities

After listening to the ideas, General Secretary Lam expressed his appreciation for the heartfelt, responsible opinions, describing them as valuable experience, encouragement, and a reflection of deep trust and commitment to the Party, the nation, and the people. He affirmed that these inputs would be seriously studied and incorporated into the leadership and implementation of the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress.

Party General Secretary To Lam visits veteran researcher Nguyen Dinh Tu (in red) on February 9. (Photo: VNA)

Party leader pays pre-Tet visit to researcher Nguyen Dinh Tu

General Secretary To Lam warmly inquired about the health and living conditions of researcher Tu and his family, expressing deep appreciation for the scholar’s valuable contributions to research, documentation and the education of younger generations, which have enriched the spiritual and cultural life of the community.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam (CPV) To Lam (left), President of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) Hun Sen (right), and General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Thongloun Sisoulith at the high-level meeting in Phnom Penh (Photo: VNA)

Political consensus underpins Cambodia–Vietnam–Laos long-term cooperation: expert

Commenting on the visit by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam, Chheang said the visit underscored the importance Vietnam attaches to relations with Cambodia. As neighbouring countries, Vietnam has consistently prioritised ties with Cambodia and Laos, which share historic bonds and a tradition of solidarity and good neighbourliness.

Ambassador Trinh Duc Hai (third from right) and other delegates attending the 14th National Party Congress (Photo: VNA)

Strategic decisions open new era of nation’s rise: Ambassador

Recalling Party General Secretary To Lam’s assessment at the international press conference on January 23, Ambassador Trinh Duc Hai affirmed that the 14th National Party Congress was a “milestone” in the 96-year history of the Communist Party of Vietnam, embodying a high spirit of solidarity and consensus and reflecting the will, resolve, development aspirations, and cultural depth of the Party and the people in the new development era.

☀️ Morning digest on February 9

☀️ Morning digest on February 9

A national conference disseminating and implementing the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress, the Xuan Que Huong (Homeland Spring) 2026 programme for overseas Vietnamese, and a record number of international arrivals in January are among news highlights last weekend.

State President Luong Cuong delivers New Year greetings to overseas Vietnamese. (Photo: VNA)

OVs urged to help realise vision of peaceful, prosperous Vietnam

On behalf of the State and people nationwide, State President Luong Cuong expressed appreciation for the overseas Vietnamese’s affection and responsibility toward the country, affirming that the “Vietnamese aspiration” is the nation’s spiritual driving force.