Politics

☕ Afternoon briefing on November 30

The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.
☕ Afternoon briefing on November 30 ảnh 1

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

-PresidentNguyen Xuan Phuc on November 30 asked the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRC) todevise specific programmes and plans to pool support from ministries, agenciesand localities, and social resources for the poor as the Tet (Lunar New Year)is approaching.

Speaking at a working session with VRCrepresentatives, Phuc, who is also VRC Honorary President, said VRC membersshould be the pioneers in humanitarian activities.Read full story

-Urbanisationand city development are a chance for each country, region, and locality tomake breakthrough development in all fields, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhtold a national conference on November 30.

The hybrid event was held to disseminate andlaunch the implementation of the Government’s Resolution No 148/NQ-CP, issuedon November 11, to carry out the Politburo’s Resolution No 06-NQ/TW, datedJanuary 24, on the planning, construction, management, and sustainabledevelopment of Vietnamese cities by 2030, with a vision to 2045.Read full story

-The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs of Vietnam and the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare of Laos should work more closely together to build labour and social cooperation strategies to suit the current situation of each country as well as the region and the world, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam told Lao Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Baykham Khattiya. 

Hosting the Lao minister in Hanoi on November 30, Deputy PM Dam said that the two ministries should share experience and support each other in policy making and the management of labour and employment market, migrant workers, as well as other social security issues.Read full story

-Minister ofJustice Le Thanh Long is paying a working visit to Cuba starting November 28,with an aim to deepen bilateral cooperation in legal and judicial affairs.

During his stay, Long held talks with his Cubancounterpart Oscar Manuel Silvera Martínez, during which they expressed theirsatisfaction with cooperation results of the two agencies, and agreed onspecific joint activities, including the effective implementation of acollaboration programme for 2022-2023 signed during President Nguyen XuanPhuc’s official visit to Cuba in September 2021, and the application ofinformation technology in carry out cooperation activities.Read full story

-ExecutiveDirector of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Catherine Russell onNovember 29 said that UNICEF will stand side by side with Vietnam in supportingchildren, especially those living in ethnic-inhabited and remote areas, toensure no one is left behind.

She made the pledge during her working sessionwith Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to theUnited Nations (UN).Read full story

-VietnameseAmbassador to Thailand Phan Chi Thanh and Governor of Thailand’s Udon Thaniprovince Wanchai Kongkasem exchanged views on economic cooperation between thetwo countries, as well as the demand for collaboration between their localitiesin their recent working session.

Thanh visited Udon Thani, home to the biggestcommunity of Thai people of the Vietnamese origin, from November 26-29, aimingto seek measures to enhance partnerships between the two countries’ localitiesin investment, trade, economy, tourism and culture, and people-to-peopleexchange.Read full story

-The NationalAssembly (NA) hosted the 10th Asia-Pacific meeting of the ParliamentaryAssembly of the Francophonie (APF) in the central city of Da Nang on November28 and 29, discussing international cooperation in response to climate change,medical crisis, and for socio-economic development.

Participants mulled over responsible andsustainable international collaboration in climate change, which theyconsidered one of the biggest challenges facing humanity in the 21st century,especially in developing countries.Read full story

-The officialvisit to Australia by National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue has asignificant meaning to the relations of the two countries, according to Prof.Carl Thayer from the University of New South Wales (UNSW).

He noted that this is the first by a senior leaderof Vietnam to Australia after the two countries re-opened their doors after theCOVID-19 pandemic, and also the first by Hue as the top legislator of Vietnam.He will have a meeting with the new Speaker of the Australian House ofRepresentatives, he added.Read full story

-Ho Chi MinhCity is an attractive investment destination for Japanese businesses thanks toits both development potential and mechanism to accompany and supportinvestors, heard a seminar held by the Investment & TradePromotion Centre of HCM City (ITPC) and the Japanese BusinessAssociation of Ho Chi Minh City (JCCH) on November 30.

JapaneseConsul General in HCM City Watanabe Nobuhiro said Vietnam is a destination thatJapanese businesses are interested in thanks to its rapid development andefforts to diversify supply chain.Read full story

-Agro-forestry-fisheryexports stood at about 49.04 billion USD in the first 11 months of 2022, higherthan last year’s record of 48.6 billion USD, the Ministry of Agriculture andRural Development (MARD) said.

The 11-month export rose 11.8% year on year whileimports increased 6.9% to some 41.22 billion USD, resulting in a surplus of7.82 billion USD – up 47.8%.Read full story

-The art ofpottery making of Cham ethnic people was inscribed in the list of intangiblecultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding by UNESCO on November 29.

The recognition was made at the 17th session ofthe Inter-governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the IntangibleCultural Heritage in Rabat, Morocco, according to the Ministry of Culture,Sports and Tourism.Read full story/.

VNA
Follow VietnamPlus

See more

The 55th session of the National Assembly Standing Committee on March 2, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

📝OP-ED: Streamlining state apparatus: A foundation for rapid, sustainable development

The election is unfolding as Vietnam presses ahead with sweeping administrative reforms, including efforts to streamline the state apparatus and implement a two-tier local government model from the central level to grassroots authorities. Amendments to key laws are also aimed at strengthening decentralisation, improving the management of public assets and accelerating digital transformation, enabling citizens to access information more easily while fostering a leaner, more transparent governance system that better upholds people’s rights.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (L) at the working session with leaders of the Dien Bien provincial People’s Committee on March 8. (Photo: VNA)

PM asks Dien Bien province to make greater efforts for prosperity, people’s happiness

PM Chinh highlighted Dien Bien’s strategic location, sharing long borders with Laos and China, as well as its large natural area and rich cultural heritage of 19 ethnic groups, and strong growth potential for agriculture, industry, renewable energy, services and tourism, calling for greater efforts to create new momentum for sustainable development.

National Assembly Vice Chairman Tran Quang Phuong (right) inspects election preparations at Polling Station No. 1 in Kenh Dao hamlet, Dat Mui commune, Ca Mau province. (Photo: VNA)

NA Vice Chairman inspects election preparations in southernmost Ca Mau province

The delegation noted that local authorities had launched preparations early and in a well-organised manner, reflecting strong determination and a high sense of responsibility. Communication activities have been carried out in various forms to disseminate official information and create a positive atmosphere ahead of the election.

Mobile loudspeaker vehicles and banners used to promote the upcoming election in Vinh Vien commune, Can Tho city. (Photo: VNA)

Final-week tasks stressed ahead of NA, People’s Council election

Special attention must be given to groups such as workers in industrial parks, university students, the elderly, people with disabilities, ethnic minority communities and voters living in specific or remote areas, ensuring that all eligible citizens can fully exercise their voting rights.

Voters in Truong Sa special zone cast their ballots to elect deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 term. (Photo: VNA)

Truong Sa voters cast early ballots for NA, local council elections

Voters at 20 out of the 22 polling stations in Truong Sa (Spratly) special zone in the central province of Khanh Hoa cast their ballots on March 8 in early voting for deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 term, one week ahead of the nationwide election day on March 15.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the meeting with the Policy Advisory Council in Hanoi on March 7, 2026. Photo: VNA

PM requests flexible, prompt, effective response to all situations

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called for measures to ensure stable supplies of fuel, electricity and energy, while also viewing current challenges as an opportunity to accelerate the green energy transition and better harness the country’s potential and competitive advantages.

National Assembly Vice Chairman Tran Quang Phuong speaks at the March 7 inspection on An Giang's preparations for the election of deputies to the 16th legislature and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 tenure. (Photo: VNA)

NA Vice Chairman inspects election preparations in An Giang

National Assembly (NA) Vice Chairman Tran Quang Phuong on March 7 led a working delegation to meet with the Election Committee of An Giang to inspect and supervise preparations for the election of deputies to the 16th legislature and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 tenure.

Bru–Van Kieu ethnic minority villagers in Quang Tri province's remote commune of Truong Son are eagerly preparing for early voting. (Photo: VNA)

Bru–Van Kieu community in Quang Tri gear up for early voting

According to the provincial Election Committee, three polling stations in Truong Son commune – located in Hoi Ray, Nuoc Dang and Doc May villages – will organise voting on March 8, seven days before the nationwide election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 tenure, to make it easier for residents in remote areas where travel remains difficult to cast their ballots.

Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) and central mass organisations, and President of the VFF Central Committee Bui Thi Minh Hoai speaks at the event in Phu Tho province on March 6. (Photo: chinhphu.vn)

Front leader meets voters in Phu Tho

Voters in Phu Tho province's Hoa Binh and Luong Son expressed their hope that if elected, the candidates would continue to uphold their roles and responsibilities as people’s representatives, remain close to the grassroots level, and understand the legitimate aspirations of the people.

Party General Secretary To Lam speaks at the event in Hanoi on March 6. (Photo: VNA)

2026 inspection-supervision decision for NA Party Committee's Standing Board announced

The NA Party Committee is ready to cooperate closely, promptly provide relevant documents and materials, and work in accordance with the delegation’s requests. During the inspection and supervision process, its Standing Board hopes members of the inspection delegation will offer frank comments and clearly point out both its achievements and shortcomings.