Politics

☕ Afternoon briefing on May 21

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on May 21

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

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has urged Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina), a major Chinese contractor, to boost cooperation with Vietnamese partners in clean energy and strategic infrastructure development, especially standard-gauge railways and urban rail systems.

During a reception in Hanoi on May 21 for President of PowerChina Asia Pacific Zhou Jiayi, PM Chinh specifically proposed cooperation on the Hai Phong – Hanoi – Lao Cai railway line, which would connect with China’s Kunming and Chongqing, creating a key transport corridor to European markets. Read full story

- Israel wishes to welcome more skilled workers from Vietnam and will create favourable conditions to make that happen, said visiting Israeli Minister of Labour Rabbi Yoav Ben Tzur during his meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi on May 21.

PM Chinh stated that Vietnam values its friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Israel, a key partner in the Middle East. He proposed that both sides continue to promote mutual visits at all levels. Read full story

- Lawmakers on May 21 passed a resolution to shorten the term of the 15th National Assembly and the People’s Councils at all levels for the 2021-2026 tenure, with all 449 attending deputies voted in favour, or 93.93% of the total.

The resolution also sets March 15, 2026 as the date for the next election, which will select deputies to the 16th legislature and the People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 tenure. Read full story

- The 15th National Assembly (NA) on May 21 is set to vote on a resolution designating the nationwide election date for the 16th NA and the People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 term, as part of its ongoing ninth sitting.

According to the official agenda, the morning session will begin with presentations of proposals and verification reports on the draft law amending and supplementing several provisions of the law on the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the trade union law, the youth law, and the law on grassroots democracy implementation. Read full story

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President Ho Chi Minh visits the Viet Bac Boarding School for Ethnic Minority Children in Thai Nguyen (March 13, 1960). (Photo: VNA)


- As Vietnam marks the 135th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh’s birth (May 19, 1890–2025), the nation reflects on his enduring legacy while confidently advancing into a new era of development and global integration.

President Ho Chi Minh once dreamed of a prosperous, resilient Vietnam standing shoulder to shoulder with the world’s powers. Today, that vision is closer to reality. Five decades after national reunification, Vietnam is pursuing its goal of becoming an upper-income developed nation by 2045 – the centenary of its founding. Read full story

- Vietnam supports ASEAN's stance in developing comprehensive, flexible, and practical strategic approach to strengthen intra-bloc economic autonomy while enhancing economic connectivity with key partner nations to effectively address current global challenges, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hoang Long has said.

He made the statement while attending the virtual special consultation meetings between ASEAN Economic Ministers and their counterparts from China, Australia-New Zealand, and Japan on May 20. Read full story

- During a working visit to the US, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien held meetings with executives from several major US corporations, including Excelerate Energy, Lockheed Martin, SpaceX, and Google, in Washington D.C. on May 20.

In talks with the Excelerate Energy representative, Minister Dien affirmed Vietnam’s strong support for the company’s involvement in developing liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure and markets. Vietnam plans to construct 14 gas-fired power plants in the coming years to ensure national energy security. LNG supply is therefore a top priority, with the Government having recently lowered import tariffs from 5% to 2% to encourage investment. Read full story

- The Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang has proposed 21 large-scale infrastructure projects worth over 137.13 trillion VND (5.28 billion USD) in Phu Quoc city that will host Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Week in 2027.

APEC 2027 is seen as an historic opportunity for Phu Quoc to leap forward, catalysing the province’s economic growth and elevating Vietnam’s profile internationally. To that end, Kien Giang is prioritising investment in a sweeping portfolio of projects, divided into two major groups: critical infrastructure directly serving the event, and longer-term strategic developments that also align with the island’s sustainable growth goals./. Read full story

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☕ Afternoon briefing on May 20

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