☀️ Morning digest on January 9

The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last night by the Vietnam News Agency.

☀️ Morning digest on January 9

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

- General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam on January 8 sent a letter of congratulations to comrade Thongloun Sisoulith on his re-election as General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee for the 12th term.

On behalf of the CPV Central Committee, General Secretary Lam extended the warmest congratulations to comrade Thongloun. The re-election reflects the Lao Party, State and people's recognition of comrade Thongloun’s significant contributions, intellect and dedication over recent years. The high level of trust placed in him by the entire Party and people demonstrates firm confidence in the sound leadership of the LPRP on the path of national construction and defence, he wrote. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked State-owned garment corporation May 10 to transform itself into an international fashion group, deeply integrated into global value chains and making effective contributions to the development of Vietnam’s fashion industry.

Addressing a ceremony in Hanoi on January 8 to celebrate the firm's 80th founding anniversary, PM Chinh outlined key tasks to May 10 to ensure it remains a flagbearer of the textile and garment industry in Vietnam’s new development era. Read full story

- The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) is making preparations to guarantee absolute security for the upcoming 14th National Party Congress and all related activities, while ensuring smooth organisation and minimising disruption to normal social activities and daily life, according to Major General Nguyen Quoc Toan, Chief of the MPS Office and its spokesperson.

Speaking at the Government's regular press conference on January 8, the officer stressed that the congress is a particularly significant political event of the Party, the State and the people. As such, ensuring absolute security and safety for the event has been identified as the top priority and a central task of the public security force in the early months of 2026, he stated. Read full story

- Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang on January 8 received Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam Hilde Solbakken to discuss orientations and measures to strengthen bilateral cooperation on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1971–2026).

At the meeting, Hang expressed her pleasure at meeting Solbakken again, affirming that Vietnam always attaches importance to developing the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Norway. Over more than five decades since the establishment of diplomatic ties on November 25, 1971, the bilateral relations have recorded significant progress across various fields, she said. Read full story

- The National Innovation Centre (NIC), in collaboration with France’s Dassault Systèmes Group, inaugurated a research and development (R&D) centre on January 8, in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung.

Congratulating Dassault Systèmes, the Deputy PM commended the effective coordination of the Ministry of Finance, along with the close support of the French Embassy and the Delegation of the European Union in Vietnam, in promoting cooperation between Vietnam and Europe in science and technology, innovation and digital transformation in recent years. Read full story

- Vietnam’s pepper exports maintained strong growth momentum in late 2025, lifting total export turnover in the year to a record 1.66 billion USD, the highest level ever recorded by the sector.

According to the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA), the country exported 22,473 tonnes of pepper of all kinds in December, earning 146.4 million USD. Read full story./.

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The appointment decision handover ceremony is held in Hanoi on March 12. (Photo: VNA)

PM appoints new leader for Vietnam’s top science academy

PM Pham Minh Chinh asked the VAST to continue to serve as the Party and State’s strategic advisory body on science – technology in key areas such as artificial intelligence, energy, marine economy, water security, and aerospace, alongside building a national sci-tech database.

Do Thanh Hai (right), Deputy Director-General of the East Sea Institute under the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, speaks at the dialogue. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, India promote maritime security cooperation through blue economy development

Through four rounds of bilateral “Track 1” Maritime Security Dialogue, the two sides have outlined priority areas of cooperation, including marine scientific research, blue economy development, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, naval and coast guard cooperation, maritime law enforcement, capacity building, and maritime connectivity.

Ha Thi Nga (right), Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, meets with V.G. Kalganov, Deputy Chairman of the External Relations Committee of Saint Petersburg, in Hanoi on March 12. (Photo: mattran.org.vn)

Vietnam, Saint Petersburg step up people-to-people exchanges

The VFF will continue strengthening bilateral ties and promoting cooperation activities, while seeking closer coordination and support from Saint Petersburg to expand people-to-people exchanges in the coming period, VFF Vice President and General Secretary Ha Thi Nga has said.

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man speaks at the meeting. (Photo: VNA)

Top legislator asked for thorough preparations for NA, People’s Council election

With only three days left before voters head to the polls on March 15, the top legislator described the election as a particularly important political event and a major national occasion that demonstrates the people’s right to exercise their democratic power by directly choosing qualified representatives to the NA and People’s Councils at all levels.

Ship 17 of Brigade 171 under Naval Region 2 of the Vietnam People’s Navy. (Photo: VNA)

Navy ship completes Milan 2026 multinational exercise in India

Over a journey covering more than 5,000 nautical miles, the ship’s officers and crew combined operational participation with extended sea training aimed at enhancing command coordination capabilities, combat readiness, mastery of weapons and technical equipment, and overall physical endurance.

An overview of the 10th session of the 15th National Assembly which opens on October 20, 2025. (Illustrative photo: VNA)

France-based expert suggests elevating parliamentary diplomacy to support national development

Inter-parliamentary cooperation should be closely aligned with the country’s development priorities, including institutional reform, trade and investment, digital transformation, green transition, energy security, high-quality human resources development and the implementation of international commitments, said Le Van Tranh, a Vietnamese doctoral researcher in law at Paris Panthéon-Assas University in France.

Residents visit polling stations in their wards to review the list of candidates for deputies to the 16th National Assembly and members of People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 term. (Photo: VNA)

📝OP-ED: Resolutely removing discordant voices ahead of national election day

When March 15 arrives, one will see elderly voters approaching a hundred years old making their way to the polls, young voters casting their ballots with enthusiasm, and multi-generational families going together to fulfil their civic duty. Together, these moments will create a vibrant atmosphere, resembling a national celebration.

Le Thuong, Chairwoman of the Vietnamese Association in the Kansai region, Japan. (Photo: VNA)

OV in Japan place high expectations on NA, People’s Council election

Le Thuong, Chairwoman of the Vietnamese Association in the Kansai region, said overseas Vietnamese are closely following the upcoming election, viewing it as an important opportunity to strengthen the effectiveness of governance and ensure that development policies meet the country’s evolving needs.