☕ Afternoon briefing on May 22

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on May 22

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

– The 15th National Assembly (NA) on May 22 elected To Lam as the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

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Newly-elected State President To Lam takes oath of the office on May 22 (Photo: VNA)

After listening to a draft resolution on the election of To Lam, Politburo member, Minister of Public Security and deputy to the 15th NA as the State President for the 2021-2026 tenure, which was delivered by NA General Secretary and Chairman of the NA Office Bui Van Cuong, NA deputies voted to approve the resolution using the electronic voting system.Read full story

– Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed a decision on May 22, assigning Senior Lieutenant General Tran Quoc To, Deputy Minister of Public Security, to take the helm of the ministry.
According to the decision that takes effects the same day, Sen. Lt. Gen. To, who is also a member of the Party Central Committee and a deputy secretary of the Central Public Security Party Committee, will be in charge of the activities of the ministry until the competent authority appoints a new minister in accordance with the law.Read full story

– Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh extended congratulations to Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns and followers on Lord Buddha’s birthday (Vesak Day) while visiting Quan Su Pagoda, the headquarters of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), in Hanoi on May 22.

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at Quan Su Pagoda on May 22 (Photo: VNA)

Laying stress on the significance of the Vesak Day as well as Buddhism’s companionship with the nation for thousands of years, the Government leader highlighted that the religion has had positive impacts and significantly contributed to the struggles for national independence and reunification as well as construction and safeguarding.Read full story

– The Government on May 22 submitted to the 15th National Assembly (NA) a proposal on adjustments to the investment policy for the national target programme on boosting the socio-economic development of ethnic minority-inhabited and mountainous areas in the 2021-2030 period, aiming to facilitate the disbursement of capital for the programme.

Delivering the proposal, Minister-Chairman of the Government Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs Hau A Lenh noted that the disbursement of capital for the programme has yet to meet expectations.Read full story

– By 2023, Vietnam had fulfilled and exceeded 11 out of the 20 national targets set in the national strategy on gender equality until 2025, according to Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung.

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Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung addresses the National Assembly's 7th session (Photo: VNA)

Reporting the implementation progress of the gender equality targets in 2023 at the 15th National Assembly (NA)’s 7th session on May 22, Dung said that three out of the 20 targets were partly completed, and two others were close to the targets set for 2030.Read full story

– An event was held at Vu Quang National Park in the central province of Ha Tinh on May 22 to call for joint actions for wild animals, with the support of the US Agency for International Development through the Biodiversity Conservation Activity, a component of the Sustainable Forest Management and Biodiversity Conservation Project (VFBC).

This event is among activities in response to the International Day of Biological Diversity (May 22), aiming to raise public awareness, responsibility and action on biodiversity conservation.Read full story

- Ban Gioc Waterfall in Dam Thuy commune of Trung Khanh district in the northern mountainous province of Cao Bang has been named among the 21 most beautiful waterfalls in the world by US travel magazine Travel Leisure.

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Ban Gioc Waterfall among world's 21 most beautiful (Photo: VNA)

According to the magazine, the Ban Gioc Waterfall encompasses a series of cascades that straddle the border between Vietnam and China.Read full story/.

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National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man (left) hands over a letter from Party General Secretary and State President To Lam to Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican (Photo: VNA)

NA Chairman meets Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican

The Party and State of Vietnam consistently create favourable conditions for the Catholic community to practice their faith while contributing to the nation, following the orientation of “living the Gospel in the heart of the nation,” said National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man.

A roundtable in Moscow reviews key outcomes of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)

New cooperation directions drive Vietnam–Russia ties

As Russia pivots towards the Asia–Pacific and Vietnam deepens its global integration, Vietnam is increasingly viewed as a key bridge connecting Russia with Southeast Asia, a role expected to elevate the strategic value of bilateral ties and unlock new cooperation opportunities.

Permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu departs Techo Airport for home. (Photo: VNA)

Cambodia highlights significance of Party official’s visit

The official visit to Cambodia by Politburo member and Permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu has been described by Cambodian officials as carrying profound political and diplomatic significance, helping reinforce the traditional ties between the two Parties and countries.

Ambassador and Head of the Vietnamese Mission to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Mai Phan Dung meets with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on April 10, 2026. Photo: VNA

Vietnam strongly supports multilateral trading system

Vietnam has always been an active and responsible WTO member, fully participating in activities, discussion sessions, and side events, while regularly making statements and contributing to major negotiation dossiers, said Ambassador and Head of the Vietnamese Mission to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Mai Phan Dung.

The welcoming ceremony is held for National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his spouse at Ciampino Airport in Rome, Italy. Photo: VNA

NA Chairman begins official visit to Italy

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man's official visit to Italy is to promote ties between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the Italian Parliament, and further deepen bilateral relations in a substantive and effective manner.

Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung.

Senior Party official’s official visits to Laos, Cambodia successful: FM

The Party, State, and people of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia will continue the exchange of visits and delegations at all levels, especially at the high-level and via Party and State channels, to enhance understanding, strengthen trust, improve cooperation effectiveness, and jointly address emerging issues.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his spouse depart Hanoi to attend the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-152) in Istanbul, Türkiye. Photo: VNA

NA Chairman leaves Hanoi for 152nd IPU Assembly in Türkiye, official visit to Italy

Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man, his spouse, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation departed from Hanoi on early April 11 morning to attend the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-152) in Istanbul and conduct a number of bilateral activities in Türkiye, and pay an official visit to Italy from April 11-17.

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man (second from right) hands over decisions of the Standing Board of the NA Party Committee to the three Secretaries of Party Committees of the three NA bodies. (Photo: VNA)

National Assembly Chairman hands over decisions on personnel affairs

Politburo member, Secretary of the National Assembly (NA) Party Committee and NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the importance of strengthening the contingent of officials and Party members with firm political mettle, strong moral integrity and professional competence; promoting innovation in working methods; and advancing digital transformation and the application of artificial intelligence to enhance transparency, efficiency and effectiveness.

Officers of Army Corps 34 take care of the recovered remains of 12 fallen soldiers from Doch1 village in Ia Ly commune of the central province of Gia Lai. (Photo: VNA)

Army Corps 34 recovers remains of 12 fallen soldiers in Gia Lai province

According to historical records, the area once served as an operational base for units of Regiments 609, 66, 24 and 320, as well as staff and logistics agencies of the Central Highlands front (B3) during the 1966–1969 period. Between 2020 and 2025, the corps had already recovered remains from 46 martyrs in the Chu Pa mountain area.

From left: Politburo member and Permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu (4th), Vice President of the Cambodian People’s Party Samdech Men Sam An (5th) and other official at the meeting with Cambodian alumni in Phnom Penh on April 10, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam’s senior Party official meets with Cambodian alumni in Phnom Penh

Tu expressed his appreciation for the practical and effective contributions made by generations of Cambodian students who studied in Vietnam. Serving in various roles across the Party, State, ministries, localities and businesses, these alumni have effectively applied their knowledge and experience to contribute to Cambodia’s development, while also playing an important role in promoting mutual understanding, trust and cooperation between the two countries.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam (C) presents the Politburo’s decision on the appointment of the NA Party Committee, its Standing Board, Secretary and Deputy Secretaries of the NA Party Committee for the 2025–2030 term to NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man (third from right) and Vice Chairpersons. (Photo: VNA)

Top leader hands over Politburo decision on NA Party Committee for 2025–2030 term

In his remarks, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam stressed that the consolidation of the NA Party Committee’s personnel is of significant importance, aiming to strengthen the Party’s direct and comprehensive leadership over the legislature and ensure the effective performance of its three core functions: legislation, supreme supervsion, and decision-making on major national issues.

Phonesy Bounmixay (right), Lao Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, performs the traditional baci string-tying ceremony to offer New Year blessings to a member of the Ho Chi Minh City delegation on April 10, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City leader extends traditional New Year greetings to Laos

The Ho Chi Minh City Party organisation, administration, and people consistently attach high priority to relations with Lao localities, while promoting cooperation with Lao ministries, sectors and agencies in such areas as human resource development, trade, technology, tourism and youth exchanges.