Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) 
A delegation of the Party Central Committee led by Politburo member and Standing Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Do Van Chien paid respects to General Dung and conveyed condolences to his family.
Party General Secretary To Lam said entering the period of renewal, and particularly in recent years, the general department has successfully fulfilled its role in providing strategic advice to the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence, including proposing and implementing solutions to streamline, merge and reorganise logistics and technical agencies and units in a coherent and unified manner from grassroots level to the entire armed forces. It has also effectively implemented a number of strategically significant projects and programmes aimed at strengthening overall capacity.
Addressing a national conference reviewing the National Steering Committee for International Integration's international integration work in 2025 and outlining tasks for 2026 on January 14, PM Chinh, who is also head of the committee, emphasised integration serves three key goals: enhancing Vietnam’s stature, capacity, position and credibility on the global stage; strengthening strategic proactiveness in international relations; and improving the material and spiritual well-being of the people.
Under the plan, training and capacity-building programmes will be rolled out to enhance the expertise of officials involved in implementing the Agreement, while information will be disseminated to enterprises, organisations and individuals.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that international integration is a major issue of strategic significance, not only in Vietnam’s foreign policy but also in the overall national development strategy.
Therefore, renewing thinking in lawmaking and institutional development, he stressed, is an objective and long-term strategic requirement. This means a decisive shift from the mindset of “making laws to manage” toward “legislation that creates development,” with the focus on establishing a transparent and stable legal framework that enables effective governance, encourages innovation, liberates productive forces, and mobilises all social resources.
“One of the most important developments has been the deepening of security, defence and maritime cooperation, which reflects our shared commitment to regional peace, stability and the rules-based international order,” the ambassador said.
A conference reviewing the implementation of the National Action Programme on UXO Remediation for 2010–2025, NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man's receptions for the ambassadors of Cambodia, the US, and the Philippine, and Permanent Deputy PM Nguyen Hoa Binh's meeting with Singaporean Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong are among news highlights January 13 evening.
The Communist Party of Vietnam must remain steadfast in its strategic objectives, while renewing thinking, enhancing forecasting and policy responsiveness, mobilising internal strengths, effectively combining national and global resources, and proactively pursuing deep and substantive international integration to seize opportunities, overcome challenges and achieve development goals in the period ahead.
The honour was presented by Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung, on behalf of State President Luong Cuong, at a ceremony in Hanoi. The Order is a prestigious award of the Vietnamese State bestowed upon foreign individuals and collectives for their significant contributions to fostering friendship, solidarity and cooperation between Vietnam and other countries.
The Deputy PM expressed his hope that Lee will continue to support efforts to further advance Vietnam–Singapore relations in a more practical and effective manner, as well as provide advice and share experience in developing financial centres and promoting connectivity between the two countries’ international financial centres.
The two sides discussed measures to strengthen economic and trade connectivity, with a shared goal of raising bilateral trade turnover to 20 billion USD in the near future.
National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man hosted separate receptions in Hanoi on January 13 for Cambodian Ambassador Chea Kimtha, US Ambassador Marc Knapper, and Philippine Ambassador Meynardo L.B. Montealegre, who came to bid farewell to the top legislator at the end of their tenures in Vietnam.
Stefano Bonilauri, Director of Anteo Edizioni Publishing House of Italy, noted that the 14th National Party Congress is being held at a time when Vietnam has recorded major achievements of historical significance, creating a strong platform for entering a new phase of national development.
The 14th National Congress is expected to chart a clear roadmap for Vietnam to achieve a modern industrial base and upper-middle-income status by 2030, and become a developed, high-income nation by 2045.
Following the 14th National Congress, the CPV will continue to prioritise preserving and developing this special relationship as a firm political foundation guiding bilateral ties, thereby fostering deeper, more substantive cooperation in areas of shared strengths and development needs.
Building on achievements from the 12th to the 13th congress, Vietnam has emerged as one of the region’s most dynamic growth economies, while maintaining political and social stability, deepening international integration and steadily enhancing national competitiveness, he noted.
The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.
Authorities should also strengthen communications, effectively address any issue arising, and ensure all conditions are in place for the successful organisation of the elections, said NA Vice Chairman Le Minh Hoan.
NA Vice Chairman Vu Hong Thanh urged Son La province to continue providing strong leadership and direction in organising election-related activities, strictly implementing all steps, procedures, and timelines before, during, and after the election day in accordance with the law.
