☕ Afternoon briefing on October 31

President Luong Cuong's participation in the first plenary session of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, Vietnam's participation in the 19th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting, and torrential rains and floods wreaking havoc across central Vietnam are among news highlights on October 31.

☕ Afternoon briefing on October 31

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

– State President Luong Cuong emphasised the significance of strengthening connectivity and fortifying the resilience of APEC economies, particularly developing economies, against external shocks and negative effects of technology, as he addressed the first plenary session of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, the Republic of Korea, on October 31.

The Vietnamese joined leaders and heads of delegations from other member economies, along with special guests - the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) - at the session, discussing measures to advance trade and investment amidst global volatility and foster the public – private partnership to unlock the private economic sector’ potential for inclusive and sustainable growth. Read full story

– The 19th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM-19), themed “ASEAN Unity for Security and Prosperity”, opened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on October 31 under the chair of Malaysian Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

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Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang at the 19th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM-19). (Photo: VNA)

A high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, led by Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang, is attending ADMM-19, the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+), and relevant events from October 30 to November 2. Read full story

– The 15th National Assembly on October 31 morning listened to proposals and verification reports on a slate of draft laws aimed at strengthening national security, cybersecurity and digital transformation.

The bills include the Law on amendments and supplements to several articles of the Law on Defence Industry, Security, and Industrial Mobilisation; the Cybersecurity Law; the Law on Protection of State Secrets (revised); the Law on amendments and supplements to several articles of 10 laws related to national security and order; the Law on amendments and supplements to several articles of the Law on International Treaties; the Law on Digital Transformation; the Law on High Technologies (amended) and the Law on amendments and supplements to several articles of the Law on Technology Transfer. Read full story

– Secretary General of the National Liberation Front (FLN) of Algeria Abdelkrim Benmbarek on October 30 emphasised the great prospects for enhancing relations between Algeria and Vietnam, and between the FLN and the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), while expressing his hope that the two Parties will soon sign a cooperation programme which has been drafted and revised.

The Secretary General made the statement while hosting a delegation from the Communist Review, a magazine of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, led by its Deputy Editor-in-Chief Nguyen Ngoc Ha. Read full story

– The UK will help Vietnam train teachers, develop policies to establish English as a second language at schools by 2035 and integrate international education programmes into the Southeast Asian country’s education system.

The agreement was reached at a meeting between Vietnamese Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son and Minister of State (Minister for Skills) in the UK Department for Education Jacqui Smith, held as part of the official visit to the European country by Party General Secretary To Lam and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation. Read full story

– The Vietnamese Government has shown unwavering determination in promoting equal rights between women and men through the improvement of its legal system, according a report launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the UN Women in Hanoi on October 31.

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The launch of the National Report on 30 Years of Implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in Vietnam on October 31 (Photo: VNA)

The National Report on 30 Years of Implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in Vietnam reveals that the widespread implementation of the Beijing framework, adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995, has been a crucial factor in creating positive improvements in gender equality, contributing to the nation's development journey. Read full story

– Torrential rains and floods have wreaked havoc across central Vietnam, submerging and damaging around 4,871 hectares of rice and crops, according to the Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) and the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s correspondents in affected localities.

Lam Dong province suffered the heaviest losses with 3,877 hectares of crops damaged. Across the central region, 790 hectares of fruit trees were affected, while more than 17,700 livestock and poultry were reported dead or washed away. Read full story

– The Vietnam International Electronics and Smart Appliances Expo (IEAE) is taking place at the Hanoi International Exhibition Centre (ICE), serving not only as a showcase for advanced products, technologies and solutions, but also as a platform for investment connection, production cooperation and global value chain development between Vietnamese and international enterprises.

Spanning 6,000 sq.m, the three-day event until November 1 features more than 260 exhibitors with 350 booths, showcasing a wide range of products from consumer electronics and home appliances to electronic components and accessories. Read full story./.

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Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (right) and Politburo member and Standing Member of the Secretariat of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee Vilay Lakhamphong at their meeting on October 14 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam gives top priority to relations with Laos: PM

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung reaffirmed Vietnam's strong support for Laos' renewal, nation-building and development, expressing its desire to work with Laos to translate high-level agreements into concrete actions, strengthen economic ties and infrastructure connectivity, and promote practical cooperation projects that benefit the people of both countries.

Party General Secretary and President To Lam (R) welcomes General Tea Seiha, member of the Standing Committee of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, in Hanoi on October 14. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese Party, State facilitate more substantive defence ties with Cambodia: Top leader

Top leader To Lam called on the Vietnamese and Cambodian defence ministries to enhance information sharing and support each other in maintaining political stability and national security. He also urged more effective coordination in border management and protection, facilitation of border demarcation and marker planting and the legal formalisation of achievements already made.

Party General Secretary and President To Lam (R) receives General Khamlieng Outhakaisone, Politburo member, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Laos, in Hanoi on October 14. (Photo: VNA)

Top leader hosts Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister

Highlighting defence and security cooperation as a key pillar of bilateral ties, General Secretary and President To Lam called for stronger strategic political trust, effective exchanges and defence dialogues at all levels, substantive implementation of existing cooperation mechanisms, and closer coordination between agencies, units, military regions, services and armed forces of the two countries.

An overview of the meeting between Can Tho leaders and a delegation of Lao People’s Revolutionary Party officials. (Photo: VNA)

Can Tho, Lao localities step up cooperation in high-quality human resources development

With major educational and research institutions, Can Tho stands ready to share experience with Lao agencies and localities in political system building, personnel training and applying scientific knowledge to socio-economic development. It also looks forward to learning from Laos’s valuable experience in national governance and development.

An overview of the annual meeting of the defence ministers of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia in Hanoi on October 14. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia strengthen defence cooperation

Vietnam gives top priority to strengthening its close and trusted relations with Laos and Cambodia, expressing deep appreciation for their valuable support during the country’s past struggle for national liberation and reunification, as well as its current nation-building and safeguarding efforts, said General Phan Van Giang, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Vietnam.

NA President Tran Thanh Man arrives at Zaoyuan revolutionary site, China’s Shaanxi province, on October 14, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

NA President tours revolutionary sites in China’s Shaanxi

NA President Man and his delegation travelled to Yan’an by high-speed train. The city is regarded as the cradle of China’s revolution and a symbol of resilience, solidarity and self-reliance. It also bears the imprint of Nguyen Ai Quoc, or President Ho Chi Minh, whose revolutionary activities during his time in China contributed to the Chinese revolution and the international communist movement.

Deputy Minister of Public Security Senior Lieutenant General Le Quoc Hung (right) and Czech Deputy Justice Minister Adam Šimice (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Czech Republic enhance law enforcement cooperation

To deepen cooperation, Deputy Minister of Public Security Senior Lieutenant General Le Quoc Hung proposed regular exchanges of delegations and experience in combating organised and transnational crime, drug-related offences, money laundering, high-tech crime and environmental crime.

Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili receives Vietnamese Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese Vice President meets with Georgian leaders

Kavelashvili said Xuan's visit is expected to consolidate political trust, deepen mutual understanding and propel ties across all levels and sectors. He welcomed the strides in the bilateral relationship, particularly continued meetings and conservations between leaders and consultation mechanisms between agencies of the two countries.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (right) and Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence General Khamlieng Outhakaisone at their meeting on October 13 (Photo: VNA)

Defence, security cooperation is an important pillar of Vietnam–Laos ties: PM

Expressing his pleasure at the positive development of the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos, the PM highlighted defence and security cooperation as an important pillar of the bilateral ties. He praised the two defence ministries and armies for implementing high-level agreements, strengthening mutual trust and helping maintain a peaceful and stable environment conducive to socio-economic development.