☕ Afternoon briefing on October 17

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on October 17

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

- Party General Secretary and State President To Lam stressed the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) should serve as the nucleus in protecting the Party's ideological foundation, actively combating erroneous and hostile viewpoints, while addressing the 10th National Congress of the VFF in Hanoi on October 17.

The congress also saw the attendance of Politburo members: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, and Permanent member of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat Luong Cuong, among others. Read full story

- National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and a high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese legislature arrived in Vientiane on October 17 afternoon for an official visit to Laos and attendance at the 45th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-45) from October 17-19.

The trip is being made at the invitation of President of the Lao NA and Chair of AIPA-45 Saysomphone Phomvihane. Read full story

- National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s attendance at the 45th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-45) is expected to affirm the Vietnamese legislature’s role in and its practical contributions to AIPA.

It also aims to underscore the country’s role and position, as well as that of its legislative body, within regional and global parliamentary cooperation mechanisms. Read full story

- The 10th National Congress of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) opened in Hanoi on October 17, gathering representatives of people from all walks of life, demonstrating the typical image of the great national solidarity bloc.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam attended and delivered a speech at the congress, which also saw the attendance of Politburo members: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, and Permanent member of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat Luong Cuong, among others. Read full story

- Vietnamese Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung and Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell co-chaired the fourth Australia-Vietnam Economic Partnership Meeting in Adelaide city of Australia on October 17.

The meeting took place in the context that the two countries upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive strategic partnership during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to Australia in March. Read full story

- Minister Counsellor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen, Deputy Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to the UN, on October 16 recommended several issues that the organisation and its member states should prioritise and promote in the coming time, at a meeting hosted by the Economic and Financial Committee of the UN General Assembly (UNGA)’s 77th Session.

Addressing the debate on climate change, environment, and biodiversity, the diplomat stressed that with over 80% of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) behind schedule, countries must strive to fully implement commitments made at the SDG Summit 2023 and the Summit of the Future in 2024 to bring the implementation of the 2030 Agenda back on track. Read full story

- Vietnam has made significant achievements over the past nearly 40 years of Doi Moi (Reform), with hunger eradication and poverty reduction being a key and consistent policy of the Party and State.

As the first and only country in Asia to implement a comprehensive, inclusive, and sustainable multidimensional poverty reduction programme, Vietnam’s efforts have been internationally hailed as a “revolution” in poverty alleviation, driving changes across the country, even in its most remote rural regions. Read full story

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Vietnamese men's football is set to enter the top eight in Asia and qualify for World Cup. (Photo: VNA)

- Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long has signed a decision approving the sports development strategy until 2030 with a vision to 2050, with an aim to promote the sector in a sustainable and professional direction.

Objectives of the strategy include ensuring that all people can access and enjoy physical and sports services, improving the achievements of Vietnamese sports to advance to the level of countries with developed sports in Asia, and expanding the sports market to mobilise and effectively use resources in developing the career of physical education and sports. Read full story

- The Su That (Truth) National Political Publishing House has published the book “Escritos de una combatiente de la guerrilla urbana en Caracas” (Writings of an urban guerrilla fighter in Caracas) by Nancy Zambrano Rivas to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Nguyen Van Troi Campaign (October 9, 1964 - 2024), which marks a significant milestone in the history of relations between Vietnam and Venezuela.

The campaign was launched by Venezuela’s Armed Forces of National Liberation (FALN) Command 60 years ago, during which Venezuelan guerillas abducted US Lieutenant Colonel Michael Smolen in Caracas to swap for young Vietnamese patriot Nguyen Van Troi who had been sentenced to death by the US and the US-backed Saigon regime for his assassination attempt on US Secretary of Defence Robert McNamara./. Read full story

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Vietnamese Ambassador to the RoK Vu Ho speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)

President Ho Chi Minh honoured in RoK on 136th birth anniversary

With Vietnam–Korea ties expanding across multiple fields, he noted that honouring President Ho Chi Minh in the RoK carries significance beyond the overseas Vietnamese. It offers a chance to raise mutual understanding, empathy, and bonds between the Vietnamese and Korean people built on shared values of peace, cooperation, and development.

President Ho Chi Minh works at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi. (File photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh Thought guides development path: Top leader

In an article written on the occasion of President Ho Chi Minh’s 136th birth anniversary (May 19, 1890 – 2026), the top Vietnamese leader affirmed that “Ho Chi Minh Thought serves as a guiding light along our development path.”

Vietnamese Ambassador to Venezuela Vu Trung My speaks at the event (Photo: VNA)

President Ho Chi Minh’s enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Jesús Faria expressed deep admiration for President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam’s indomitable struggle for national independence. He described President Ho Chi Minh as an immortal symbol of 20th-century national liberation movements, whose legacy continues to inspire leftist parties, progressive movements, and peoples across Latin America, including Venezuela.

Standing Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Loc Ha (R) and EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier. (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City, EU boast ample room for sustainable development cooperation

Since the establishment of their diplomatic ties in 1990, Vietnam and the EU have deepened the bilateral ties into one of the bloc’s most dynamic and in-depth partnerships with an ASEAN member, Ha noted, adding that the relationship entered a new chapter in January when the President of European Council’s visit upgraded it to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang speaks at a discussion session on reforming multilateral systems and global governance, held on May 15, 2026, as part of the expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in India. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam ready to strengthen BRICS connection with Asia-Pacific

Hang called on countries to act responsibly in accordance with international law and the UN Charter; respect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of states; refrain from using or threatening to use force; and settle disputes peacefully through dialogue. She also underscored the importance of ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation through straits in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (centre), DPRK Vice Minister Pak of Foreign Affairs Sang Gil (left), and Vietnamese Ambassador to the DPRK Le Ba Vinh cut the ribbon to open the exhibition. (Photo: VNA)

Photo exhibition highlights Vietnam–DPRK relations

Visitors at the exhibition were moved by historical photographs dating back nearly 70 years, including images of the founding leader of the DPRK Kim Il Sung personally welcoming President Ho Chi Minh and a CPV delegation at Pyongyang’s Sunan International Airport during their visit to the DPRK from July 8–12, 1957. In return, the DPRK leader paid an official visit to Vietnam from November 27 to December 3, 1958.

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

Deputy PM calls for substantive assessment of two-tier local administration operations

Chairing a meeting on the development of a scheme to review the first-year operations of the political system’s organisational apparatus and the two-tier local administration model, Tra emphasised that the review must comprehensively and objectively evaluate the nationwide implementation of administrative unit restructuring and the operation of the new local administration model.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi (right) and First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of Russia Andrey Yatskin at their meeting in Moscow on May 14. (Photo: VNA)

Key directions for Vietnam–Russia cooperation in 2026

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi had a working session with a delegation from the Russian Federation Council led by First Deputy Chairman Andrey Yatskin, in Moscow on May 14, discussing the expansion of multifaceted cooperation in 2026.

Officials from Cao Bang province of Vietnam and Baise city in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China hold talks on May 15. (Photo: VNA)

Cao Bang, China’s Baise city eye to boost all-around cooperation

Cao Bang province of Vietnam and Baise city in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China are exploring a “red tourism” route linking Pac Bo and Meng Mo (China) to promote revolutionary tradition education and strengthen bilateral friendship. They are also stepping up cooperation in human resource development through training exchanges and efforts to improve workforce quality.

Atsaphangthong Siphandone (centre), Secretary of the Vientiane Party Committee and Chairman of the municipal People’s Council, speaks at the working session. (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City, Vientiane strengthen cooperation for 2026–2030

Under the MoU, the two sides will strengthen cooperation in politics – diplomacy, security – defence, legal and judicial affairs, economic affairs, education, culture and society, cooperation among mass organisations and socio-political organisations, and development support.