Politics

☕ Afternoon briefing on May 20

Party General Secretary To Lam's reception for Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre Lazare Eloundou Assomo, the Government's issuance of an action plan to implement the Politburo’s Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW on developing the private sector, and the second round of negotiations on a reciprocal trade agreement between Vietnam and the US are among news highlights on May 20.

☕ Afternoon briefing on May 20

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

– Vietnam is always an active, trusted partner, and supporter of UNESCO, making substantive contributions as a member of key executive agencies, including the World Heritage Centre, said Party General Secretary To Lam.

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Party General Secretary To Lam (R) receives Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, on May 20. (Photo: VNA)

He made the remark at a reception for Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of the World Heritage Centre under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in Hanoi on May 20. Read full story

– Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked ministers, heads of ministerial-level agences and leaders of localities to ensure that public investment capital is fully disbursed as planned, calling for a comprehensive database to track progress and enhance accountability.

Chairing a national teleconference on May 20, PM Chinh asked the Government Office to draft a directive for his issuance, aimed at guiding the acceleration of disbursement. The directive must detail clear assignments of personnel, tasks, timelines, outcomes, responsibilities and authority. Read full story

– National Assembly (NA) deputies on May 20 debated a draft resolution on piloting a number of special mechanisms and policies aimed at boosting the development of social housing.

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A building for low-income earners in Ho Chi Minh City's District 4. (Photo: VNA)

Delivering the resolution proposal, Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh highlighted the necessity of the resolution, which is expected to accelerate the progress and shorten investment and construction time for social housing projects by providing a sufficient, comprehensive, and consistent legal framework to remove obstacles to social housing construction and development. Read full story

– The UNESCO World Heritage Centre will continue to stand alongside Vietnam in safeguarding and promoting its world heritage, Director Lazare Eloundou Assomo affirmed during a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on May 19.

Assomo reiterated UNESCO’s ongoing commitment to providing technical advice and support for the management, conservation, and enhancement of the eight recognised world heritage sites in Vietnam. Read full story

– The Government has issued Resolution No. 138/NQ-CP issuing its action plan to implement the Politburo’s Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW, dated May 4, 2025, that aims at fostering the development of the private economic sector.

Under this plan, ministries, sectors, localities, and business associations are tasked with devising and implementing widespread and regular public communication campaigns to disseminate the key content of Resolution 68. Implementation plans of each ministry, sector, and locality must include quantifiable targets and clear allocation of responsibility to ensure equitable and fair treatment of the private sector and develop open, friendly, incorruptible, and development-enabling relations between administrations and enterprises. Read full story

– The second round of negotiations on a reciprocal trade agreement between Vietnam and the US is being held in Washington, D.C. from May 19 to 22, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).

The Vietnamese delegation is led by MoIT Minister Nguyen Hong Dien, who is also head of the Government negotiation team, and includes members of the team and representatives from various ministries and the State Bank of Vietnam. Read full story

– Facing rising global trade barriers and market fluctuations, Vietnam’s fishery industry is intensifying efforts to diversify its export markets and products to sustain growth and reduce risks.

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Workers at GODACO factory in My Tho Industrial Park process tra fish for export. (Photo: VNA)

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), aquatic product exports reached 3.3 billion USD in the first four months of 2025, a 21% increase compared to the same period last year. Shrimp led the growth with a 30% surge, followed by tra fish (pangasius), which rose by 9%. Read full story

– The People’s Committee of the northern mountainous province of Cao Bang held a teleconference with the People’s Government of China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on May 19 to discuss ways to strengthen collaboration in various fields.

Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of the Cao Bang provincial People's Committee Trinh Truong Huy suggested the two sides continue paying attention to enhancing trust, and stepping up regular contacts and meetings between their leaders, as well as cultural, social and people-to-people exchange activities. Read full story./.

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