Politics

☀️ Morning digest January 18

The following is a list of selected news summaries last night by the Vietnam News Agency.
☀️ Morning digest January 18 ảnh 1

Hanoi (VNA) - The following is a list of selected news summaries last night by the Vietnam News Agency.

-The 13th Party Central Committee convened a meeting in Hanoion January 17 to consider and give opinions to the wish to cease holding hispositions, to stop working, and to retire by Nguyen Xuan Phuc, member of thePolitburo, member of the 13th Party Central Committee, President of Vietnam,and Chairman of the Council of National Defence and Security for the2021-2026 tenure. Read full text

-TheNational Assembly Standing Committee has decided to convene the thirdextraordinary meeting of the 15th-tenure legislature to consider personnelaffairs under its authority.

Themeeting is scheduled to take place on January 18 afternoon at the NA House inHanoi.Read full text

-PartyGeneral Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong applauded the progress in the Vietnam -Republic of Korea (RoK) relations while receiving Speaker of the RoK’s NationalAssembly (NA) Kim Jin-pyo in Hanoi on January 17.

Welcoming his guest’s official visit after the twocountries’ recent upgrade of their ties to a comprehensive strategicpartnership, the host leader said bilateral relations have been developing onthe basis of the long-standing links, many common interests, complementarystrengths, and achievements over the last 30 years since their diplomatic tieswere set up.Read full text

-NationalAssembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue on January 17 held talks with Speaker ofthe Republic of Korea (RoK)’s NA Kim Jin-pyo who is on an official visit toVietnam from January 12-18.

Welcoming the speaker to Vietnam on the first daysof 2023, Hue expressed his belief that this visit will contribute tostrengthening the relations of the two countries, including the two parliaments.

The two leaders agreed to continue consolidatingpolitical trust, especially in the context of complicated developments ininternational and regional situation. Read full text

-PrimeMinister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that Vietnam always views the RoK as animportant and long-term strategic partner during his meeting with Speaker ofthe Republic of Korea (RoK)’s National Assembly (NA) Kim Jin-pyo in Hanoi onJanuary 17.

Both host and guest noted with satisfaction thatthe two countries’ relations have been developing unceasingly in all aspectsover 30 years since bilateral diplomatic relations were set up.Read full text

-Chairmanof the Vietnamese National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue and Speaker of the NationalAssembly of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Kim Jin-pyo on January 17 cut theribbon to inaugurate the headquarters of the Vietnam-Korea Institute of Scienceand Technology (VKIST) at the Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park in Hanoi.

Speakingat the inauguration ceremony, Hue said that the VKIST project is the fruit ofthe two countries’ cooperation in science, technology, and innovation, which isconsidered an inevitable trend of the times. Read full text

-Vietnamhas increasingly become a burgeoning industrial hub, especially for tech andapparel, wrote an article published by India’s stattimes.com on January 14.

Thearticle said while parts of Asia are still recovering from the global pandemic,Vietnam’s economy has boomed, reaching an impressive 8.02% increase in GDP bythe last quarter of 2022 – that’s faster than other major regional economies inAsia. Its export revenue hit 372 billion USD, up 10% year-on-year.Read full text/.

VNA
Follow VietnamPlus

See more

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man (left) hands over a letter from Party General Secretary and State President To Lam to Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican (Photo: VNA)

NA Chairman meets Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican

The Party and State of Vietnam consistently create favourable conditions for the Catholic community to practice their faith while contributing to the nation, following the orientation of “living the Gospel in the heart of the nation,” said National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man.

A roundtable in Moscow reviews key outcomes of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)

New cooperation directions drive Vietnam–Russia ties

As Russia pivots towards the Asia–Pacific and Vietnam deepens its global integration, Vietnam is increasingly viewed as a key bridge connecting Russia with Southeast Asia, a role expected to elevate the strategic value of bilateral ties and unlock new cooperation opportunities.

Permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu departs Techo Airport for home. (Photo: VNA)

Cambodia highlights significance of Party official’s visit

The official visit to Cambodia by Politburo member and Permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu has been described by Cambodian officials as carrying profound political and diplomatic significance, helping reinforce the traditional ties between the two Parties and countries.

Ambassador and Head of the Vietnamese Mission to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Mai Phan Dung meets with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on April 10, 2026. Photo: VNA

Vietnam strongly supports multilateral trading system

Vietnam has always been an active and responsible WTO member, fully participating in activities, discussion sessions, and side events, while regularly making statements and contributing to major negotiation dossiers, said Ambassador and Head of the Vietnamese Mission to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Mai Phan Dung.

The welcoming ceremony is held for National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his spouse at Ciampino Airport in Rome, Italy. Photo: VNA

NA Chairman begins official visit to Italy

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man's official visit to Italy is to promote ties between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the Italian Parliament, and further deepen bilateral relations in a substantive and effective manner.

Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung.

Senior Party official’s official visits to Laos, Cambodia successful: FM

The Party, State, and people of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia will continue the exchange of visits and delegations at all levels, especially at the high-level and via Party and State channels, to enhance understanding, strengthen trust, improve cooperation effectiveness, and jointly address emerging issues.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his spouse depart Hanoi to attend the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-152) in Istanbul, Türkiye. Photo: VNA

NA Chairman leaves Hanoi for 152nd IPU Assembly in Türkiye, official visit to Italy

Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man, his spouse, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation departed from Hanoi on early April 11 morning to attend the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-152) in Istanbul and conduct a number of bilateral activities in Türkiye, and pay an official visit to Italy from April 11-17.

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man (second from right) hands over decisions of the Standing Board of the NA Party Committee to the three Secretaries of Party Committees of the three NA bodies. (Photo: VNA)

National Assembly Chairman hands over decisions on personnel affairs

Politburo member, Secretary of the National Assembly (NA) Party Committee and NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the importance of strengthening the contingent of officials and Party members with firm political mettle, strong moral integrity and professional competence; promoting innovation in working methods; and advancing digital transformation and the application of artificial intelligence to enhance transparency, efficiency and effectiveness.

Officers of Army Corps 34 take care of the recovered remains of 12 fallen soldiers from Doch1 village in Ia Ly commune of the central province of Gia Lai. (Photo: VNA)

Army Corps 34 recovers remains of 12 fallen soldiers in Gia Lai province

According to historical records, the area once served as an operational base for units of Regiments 609, 66, 24 and 320, as well as staff and logistics agencies of the Central Highlands front (B3) during the 1966–1969 period. Between 2020 and 2025, the corps had already recovered remains from 46 martyrs in the Chu Pa mountain area.

From left: Politburo member and Permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu (4th), Vice President of the Cambodian People’s Party Samdech Men Sam An (5th) and other official at the meeting with Cambodian alumni in Phnom Penh on April 10, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam’s senior Party official meets with Cambodian alumni in Phnom Penh

Tu expressed his appreciation for the practical and effective contributions made by generations of Cambodian students who studied in Vietnam. Serving in various roles across the Party, State, ministries, localities and businesses, these alumni have effectively applied their knowledge and experience to contribute to Cambodia’s development, while also playing an important role in promoting mutual understanding, trust and cooperation between the two countries.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam (C) presents the Politburo’s decision on the appointment of the NA Party Committee, its Standing Board, Secretary and Deputy Secretaries of the NA Party Committee for the 2025–2030 term to NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man (third from right) and Vice Chairpersons. (Photo: VNA)

Top leader hands over Politburo decision on NA Party Committee for 2025–2030 term

In his remarks, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam stressed that the consolidation of the NA Party Committee’s personnel is of significant importance, aiming to strengthen the Party’s direct and comprehensive leadership over the legislature and ensure the effective performance of its three core functions: legislation, supreme supervsion, and decision-making on major national issues.

Phonesy Bounmixay (right), Lao Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, performs the traditional baci string-tying ceremony to offer New Year blessings to a member of the Ho Chi Minh City delegation on April 10, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City leader extends traditional New Year greetings to Laos

The Ho Chi Minh City Party organisation, administration, and people consistently attach high priority to relations with Lao localities, while promoting cooperation with Lao ministries, sectors and agencies in such areas as human resource development, trade, technology, tourism and youth exchanges.