☕ Afternoon briefing on October 8

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on October 8

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

- The 13th meeting of the 13th Party Central Committee concluded in Hanoi on October 8 morning after completing its entire agenda.

In his closing speech, Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the meeting was a success, marked by thorough preparations, candid and scientific discussions, and a high level of consensus on many strategic decisions. These included “backbone” issues linked to the success of the upcoming 14th National Party Congress, the country’s rapid and sustainable development goals, and the improvement of people’s living standards. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on October 8 visited the northern province of Thai Nguyen to inspect flood-hit areas, encourage local residents, and direct efforts to overcome the consequences of severe flooding triggered by typhoon Matmo.

Heavy rains from the circulation of typhoon Matmo between October 6 and 7 caused record flooding in Thai Nguyen, with rainfall reaching 250–400mm, and in some places exceeding 500mm. At 5:00 on October 8, the Cau River’s water level at Gia Bay station rose to 29.9m, 2.9m above warning level 3 and surpassing the historic 2024 flood peak by 1.09m. Read full story

- The circulation of Typhoon Matmo have unleashed catastrophic flooding and landslides across northern Vietnam, claiming three lives, leaving four missing, and submerging nearly 10,000 hectares of paddies and crops.

As of October 7 evening, more than 4,800 houses were inundated and suffered damage, while major transport networks were badly affected. Local authorities are racing against time to settle the typhoon aftermath and ensure safety for residents in high-risk areas. Read full story

- As torrential rains and severe flooding isolated multiple communes across the northern province of Lang Son, the Ministry of National Defence ordered the Air Defense and Air Force Service (ADAFS) to launch emergency relief flights to the affected areas on October 8 morning.

The Mi-171 helicopter coded Sar-03 and Mi-17 coded 7844 under Regiment 916 of the ADAFS’s Division 371 departed Gia Lam Airport, carrying four tonnes of relief supplies, including water, instant noodle, field rations, and milk to Van Nham and Yen Binh communes. Read full story

- Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN and designated President of the 11th Review Conference (RevCon11) of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), chaired the first informal meeting with member states of the treaty in New York on October 7 to discuss preliminary priorities, orientations, and consultation processes ahead of the conference in April 2026.

The meeting was attended by representatives of NPT member states, regional groups, and relevant international organisations. Many delegates praised Vietnam’s appointment as President of RevCon11 amid a complex international security environment, expressing confidence in its ability to promote dialogue, coordinate negotiations, and foster consensus. Read full story

- Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Cao Huy led a Vietnamese delegation to the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) High-Level Forum, which opened in Selangor, Malaysia, on October 7 with a focus on an inclusive and sustainable regional community.

Initiated by the Malaysian Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture in its role as ASCC Chair, the forum brought together officials to advance shared goals amid rapid technological shifts. Read full story

- FTSE Russell has officially announced that Vietnam will be reclassified from frontier to secondary emerging market status, marking a major milestone for the country’s capital market after more than a decade of reforms.

The announcement was made early on October 8 (Hanoi time), following the close of US markets on October 7, as part of the index provider’s September 2025 Country Classification Review. Read full story./.

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A view of the 15th National Assembly's ongoing 10th session. (Photo: VNA)

15th NA’s 10th session discusses enhanced power delegation for Hanoi

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☀️ Morning digest on December 8

☀️ Morning digest on December 8

The Government meeting that reviewed the socio-economic situation in November and the first 11 months of 2025, a trade surplus of 20.53 billion USD recorded in the first 11 months, and Da Nang named Vietnam’s Smart City of 2025 are among news highlights on December 6 and 7.

Delegates at the ministerial-level bilateral conference between the Ministries of Public Security of Vietnam and Laos on December 6, 2025 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese, Lao police forces foster security cooperation

The two ministries reviewed the crime situation, social order and safety issues, and drug-related cases concerning both countries; evaluated the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding signed on August 9, 2021, and other bilateral agreements, treaties, and cooperation plans; and discussed coordination in combating human trafficking, social-order crimes and drug offences along the Vietnam–Laos border.

PM Pham Minh Chinh chairs the Government’s regular meeting on December 6. (Photo: VNA)

Government convenes meeting to review 11-month situation

Despite numerous difficulties, thanks to efforts by the entire political system and all people under the leadership of the Party, headed by General Secretary To Lam, the socio-economic situation remains positive with better results recorded in most fields month over month and over the same period last year.

Deputy Le Thu Ha from Lao Cai province speaks at the 10th session of the National Assembly in Hanoi on December 5, 2025. Photo: VNA

Legislature scrutinises specialised court model at int’l financial centre

Establishing a specialised court at the International Financial Center is necessary to institutionalise the Party’s policies and conclusions of the competent authorities. The court aims to provide a fast and effective mechanism for resolving disputes arising from business and investment activities at the centre.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the meeting of the Government Party Committee’s Standing Board and permanent Cabinet members on December 5 (Photo: VNA)

PM pushes comprehensive financing for Mekong Delta climate response

Land subsidence, landslides, flooding, drought, and saltwater intrusion have directly affected the livelihoods and daily lives of people in the Mekong Delta that accounts for 12.8% of the country’s area and nearly 18% of its population, and contributes 95% of the nation’s rice exports, 60% of its aquatic exports, and 65% of its fruit exports.

The National Assembly votes to pass the revised Law on Judicial Expertise. (Photo: VNA)

National Assembly passes several draft laws on December 5

The National Assembly (NA) on December 5 afternoon voted to pass the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Judicial Records, the revised Law on Civil Judgment Enforcement, and the amended Law on Judicial Expertise.

☕ Afternoon briefing on December 5

☕ Afternoon briefing on December 5

The NA's discussion on the plan to merge three national target programmes into one, the Vietnam Economic and Financial Forum, and Hanoi named a member of UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities are among news highlights on December 5.

Chairman of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee's Commission for Information, Education, and Mass Mobilisation Trinh Van Quyet (right) meets with Standing Vice President of the Lao Front for National Construction Central Committee Inlavan Keobounphanh in Hanoi on December 5. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Laos deepen cooperation in front work, mass mobilisation, religious affairs

The same day, the CPV Central Committee's Commission for Information, Education, and Mass Mobilisation held a working session with the Lao delegation, during which, the two sides exchanged experience in the front work, mass mobilisation, ethnic and religious affairs, reviewed recent cooperation and outlined priorities for the time ahead.

Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang speaks at the session. (Photo: VNA)

Lawmakers demand flexible rules as Vietnam merges anti-poverty schemes

Addressing lawmakers’ concerns over merging the three programmes into a single framework, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang said the move demonstrates the Government’s resolve to meet the Party and State’s goals of improving living standards for all people, especially those in ethnic minority and mountainous areas.

☀️ Morning digest on December 5

☀️ Morning digest on December 5

A conference of the Central Public Security Party Committee, the first Foreign and Defence Vice-Ministerial Consultation between Vietnam and Japan, and the opening of the Vietnam Expo HCMC 2025 are among news highlights on December 4 evening.