Politics

☀️ Morning digest on March 17

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

☀️ Morning digest on March 17

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 Vietnam (CPV) To Lam received in Hanoi on March 16 China's Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Minister of National Defence Dong Jun, and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong, who are in Vietnam for the first ministerial-level strategic dialogue on foreign affairs, national defence and public security, known as the “3+3" dialogue.

General Secretary Lam conveyed his regards and best wishes to Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chinese President, and thanked the CPC Central Committee and Xi for their strong support for the 14th National Congress of the CPV. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on March 16 chaired a meeting of permanent Government members to discuss key measures aimed at removing bottlenecks, unlocking resources and promoting new growth drivers for rapid and sustainable development.

Participants reviewed the progress in addressing delayed and inefficient projects and enterprises in the industry and trade sector under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in preparation for reporting to competent authorities. They also discussed the development of a proposal to evaluate policies for promoting socio-economic development in major economic zones, along with several other important issues. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Angolan President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco discussed measures for enhancing the two countries' relations, including energy cooperation, and international issues of common concern during their phone talks on March 16.

During the talks, PM Chinh said he is pleased to speak with the Angolan leader following their meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in South Africa last November. He conveyed greetings and an invitation from Party General Secretary To Lam and other Vietnamese leaders, inviting President Lourenco and other high-ranking leaders of Angola to visit Vietnam in the near future. Read full story

- Vietnam always attaches great importance to strengthening its traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China, a consistent priority in its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, self-strengthening, and multilateralisation and diversification of external relations, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has said.

The PM made the remarks while receiving Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Minister of National Defence Dong Jun, and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong on March 16, on the occasion of the first ministerial-level 3+3 strategic dialogue on foreign affairs, national defence and public security between the two countries. Read full story

- National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man has requested placing institutional reform at the centre of national development, stressing that refinement of institutions and laws is a strategic breakthrough for the country’s advancement.

Chairing the fourth meeting of the NA Party Committee for the 2025–2030 term in Hanoi on March 16, Chairman 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. Read full story

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The atmosphere during voting for deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils for the 2026–2031 term at Polling Station No. 20, Brigade 957, Naval Region 4, in Khanh Hoa. (Photo: VNA)


- The official results of the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly (NA) and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 tenure are expected to be released on March 22, according to Tran Thanh Man, Chairman of the NA and President of the Vietnam National Election Council.

Local authorities are currently compiling and verifying election data before submitting their reports to the council, which will meet on that date to review the figures and announce the official election results, he said. Read full story

- Preliminary figures show that 99.69% of eligible voters nationwide took part in the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly (NA) and all-level People’s Councils for the 2026–2031 term, with no constituencies required to hold a re-vote, said Tran Thanh Man, Chairman of the NA and Chairman of the National Election Council (NEC).

Speaking at the fourth conference of the NA Party Committee for the 2025–2030 term on March 16, Chairman Man said local authorities are now compiling and verifying election data before submitting their reports to the NEC. The council is scheduled to meet on March 22 to review the data and announce the official election results. Read full story

- The completion of leadership restructuring following the 14th National Party Congress and the election of the 16th National Assembly marks the start of a new policy cycle in Vietnam. Analysts say political stability and clearer reform orientations are laying the foundation for the country’s next growth phase while reinforcing investor confidence amid global uncertainty.

On March 15, nearly 79 million voters cast their ballots to elect deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 term, completing the consolidation of the leadership apparatus shortly after the 14th National Party Congress./. Read full story

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Le Hoai Nam, head of the liaison board of the Vietnamese community in South Africa (Photo: VNA)

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.

The atmosphere during voting for deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils for the 2026–2031 term at Polling Station No. 20, Brigade 957, Naval Region 4, in Khanh Hoa. (Photo: VNA)

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.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (centre) and the Vietnamese and Chinese ministers of foreign affairs, national defence and public security at the meeting in Hanoi on March 16. (Photo: VNA)

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.

Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man speaks at the fourth meeting of the NA Party Committee for the 2025–2030 term in Hanoi on March 16. (Photo: VNA)

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.

Doan Thi Thuan, a 101-year-old voter, casts her ballot at Polling Station No. 8 in Ba Dinh ward, Hanoi, on March 15. (Photo: VNA)

General election marks renewal in building modern Vietnamese state

The decision to hold the election two months earlier than usual represents not merely a technical adjustment but a historic and well-considered step, reflecting long-term vision in building, consolidating and operating the state apparatus, said Tran Thang, an aeronautical engineer and commentator in the US.

Voters in Nam Sao 2 village, Pa Tan commune of Lai Chau cast their ballots on March 15 (Photo: VNA)

Mexican lawmaker confident in Vietnamese legislature’s enhanced role

Ana Karina Rojo Pimentel, a congresswoman from the Labour Party (PT) of Mexico and Chairwoman of the Mexican Chamber of Deputies’ Welfare Committee, said the new representatives will help further strengthen the legislature’s role in policymaking and national development orientation.

Vietnamese and Chinese ministers pose for a photo at the first ministerial-level Strategic Dialogue among their foreign affairs, defence and public security ministries. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, China hold first ministerial-level 3+3 strategic dialogue

The 3+3 Strategic Dialogue mechanism is important for implementing high-level common perceptions and promoting the role of key agencies in advancing Vietnam–China relations as well as sectoral cooperation in various fields, thereby enhancing political trust and contributing to peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

Vice President of the Vietnam – Malaysia Business Association Nguyen Thi Thanh Van. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese business leader in Malaysia hopes for streamlined, effective governance

Voters and the business community demand above all a unified, forward-looking legal framework, which resolves near-term frictions while anchoring sustained progress. NA and People's Council deputies must sustain their role as an effective bridge between constituents and authorities, converting grassroots input into meaningful policies.

People read information about candidates at polling station No. 6 in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

Early election seen as strategic step to implement Party's goals: expert

Dr. Nguyen Quoc Hung, Vice President of the Union of Vietnamese Organisations in Russia, underscored the significance of advancing the election schedule by two months to promptly consolidate personnel work following the CPV’s 14th National Congress, describing the move as a timely and strategic decision that helps translate the congress’s objectives into action without delay.

Defence Minister General Phan Van Giang welcomes Chinese Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Dong Jun during his visit to Commando Brigade 113. (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Chinese defence minister visits Commando Brigade 113

According to the ministry, the visit took place as Dong led a high-level Chinese defence delegation to attend the first meeting of the Vietnam–China strategic dialogue at the foreign, defence and public security minister level, as well as the 17th session of the Vietnam–China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation.

Vietnamese voters cast their ballots (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam’s election contributes to strengthening development orientation: Argentinean journalist

Vietnam has been widely recognised by the international community for its stable socio-political environment, an increasingly complete legal framework and expanding opportunities for private sector development. Combined with an extensive network of trade relations with major economies, these factors help position Vietnam as a reliable partner in international cooperation and support its long-term strategy for sustainable socio-economic growth.