Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese President Luong Cuong has sent a congratulatory message to his Irish counterpart Catherine Connolly on the occasion of Ireland's National Day – Saint Patrick's Day, which falls on March 17.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh offered congratulations to Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin. Meanwhile, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man did the same to the leaders of Seanad Éireann (upper house) and Dáil Éireann (lower house) of the Irish parliament, Mark Daly and Verona Murphy.
The same day, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung sent a congratulatory message to Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Helen McEntee./.
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Vietnam, Switzerland push to advance Vietnam – EFTA FTA talks
Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung on March 17 received Helene Budliger Artieda, Director of Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, who was on a working visit to Vietnam from March 15 to 17.
Final checks completed for 10th Vietnam – China border defence friendship exchange
The exchange is a key defence diplomacy event, helping to reinforce solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and China while enhancing cooperation between the two militaries, border guard forces and local authorities along the shared frontier.
☕ Afternoon briefing on March 17
The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.
Vietnamese, Chinese ministers co-chair ninth conference on crime prevention
Over the past two years, the Vietnamese and China public securities ministries have sustained regular high-level exchanges and effectively followed cooperation mechanisms between professional units and police forces in border and twinning localities. Annual department-level meetings and dialogues continued among criminal police, anti-drug units, and immigration management forces.
PM urges Qatar to step up energy cooperation with Vietnam
Vietnam stands ready to work with Qatar and contribute to broader efforts to promote peace and stability, stressing the principles of solidarity to build strength, cooperation to mobilise resources and dialogue to foster trust.
Conference reviews organisation of 14th National Party Congress
Based on organisational practice, the review report and participants’ assessments, it could be affirmed that the 14th National Party Congress had been highly successful in the three key areas of documents, personnel and organisational work.
Vietnam, China hold 17th meeting of steering committee for bilateral cooperation
Both sides agreed to enhance political trust, increase high-level exchanges and those at all levels, bring into full play the general coordinating role of the Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation, and improve the effectiveness of substantive cooperation across sectors.
Central Theory Council for 2026–2031 term holds first meeting
Political theory research in the new era must be grounded in clear political orientation while closely linked to practical realities and concrete actions. Social sciences and theoretical studies can no longer remain detached and wait for retrospective evaluations as in the past, but must accompany technological development in real time.
PM pushes forward energy cooperation with UAE after high-level talks
Vietnam–UAE relations have continued to grow, with the UAE now Vietnam’s largest trading partner in the Middle East and a potential investor. For Vietnam, the UAE is not only an important economic partner but also a sincere and reliable friend sharing common values of peace, cooperation, and prosperity.
Party chief pushes Military Technical Academy toward global-standard research excellence
The Military Technical Academy aims to rank among the top science and technology universities in Vietnam by 2030, with several fields reaching regional and international standards, and to enter the world’s top 700 universities. By 2045, it targets a place in the global top 500.
Prime Minister calls on Japan to support Vietnam’s energy security
The PM proposed that the ambassador raise voice to help facilitate Vietnam’s access, through appropriate forms, to part of the 80 million barrels of oil that Japan is considering releasing from its reserves to mitigate the impact of Middle East tensions on fuel prices.
☀️ Morning digest on March 17
The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last night by the Vietnam News Agency.
Japanese expert stresses parliamentary ties in Vietnam – Japan relations
Parliamentary cooperation constitutes a meaningful component of the broader bilateral relationship between the two countries, according to Professor Toshiro Nishizawa of the University of Tokyo.
Vietnamese community in South Africa confident in 16th NA’s leadership
Regarding the fact that this year’s election of deputies to the NA and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 tenure is held two months earlier than usual, a representative of the Vietnamese community in South Africa said that as Vietnam enters a new stage of development with many major goals, organising the election earlier is a proactive and strategic move.
Vietnamese PM holds phone talks with Angolan President
Based on the two countries' traditional friendship, fraternal solidarity, equal partnership and mutual trust, PM Pham Minh Chinh suggested Angola provide additional crude oil and gas supplies for Vietnam.
Final results of 16th NA election expected on March 22
Local authorities are currently compiling and verifying election data before submitting their reports to the council, which will meet on on March 22 to review the figures and announce the official election results, Tran Thanh Man, Chairman of the NA and President of the Vietnam National Election Council, said.
Vietnam places top priority on ties with China: PM
PM Pham Minh Chinh asked the foreign affairs, defence and public security ministries of both countries to play a more proactive role in unceasingly strengthening political trust and mutual understanding between the two Parties, countries and peoples, and in making full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the 3+3 strategic dialogue.
Party chief hosts Chinese ministers of foreign affairs, national defence, public security
Party General Secretary To Lam welcomed the Chinese ministers’ joint visit and the inaugural “3+3” dialogue mechanism, stressing its importance in strengthening political trust, enhancing strategic cohesion, and promoting the stable development of Vietnam–China relations.
Institutional, legal reform key strategic breakthrough for development: NA Chairman
Chairing the fourth meeting of the NA Party Committee for the 2025–2030 term in Hanoi on March 16, NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man, who is also Secretary of the NA Party Committee, said the legislature must play a pivotal role in building and perfecting development institutions as Vietnam enters a new stage of strong, comprehensive and sustainable development.
Voter turnout nears 100% as authorities begin reviewing election results
The National Election Council is scheduled to meet on March 22 to review the data and announce the official election results.