The closing of the 13th Party Central Committee's 15th plenum on December 23 (Photo: VNA)

📝OP-ED: Party Congress personnel: No room for rumours!

As Vietnam stands on the threshold of a promising new development phase brimming with opportunities and high expectations, staying alert to fake news, rumours, and baseless accusations is not merely a voice of rationality but a civic duty towards the nation’s future.

The Vesak Day 2025 Celebration in Hue city (Photo: VNA)

📝OP-ED: “Freedom of Religion” not subject to politicisation

It is not difficult to recognise the report’s outdated tone, built on unsubstantiated arguments, entrenched prejudice, and imposed interpretations regarding the freedom of religion in Vietnam. This is also not the first time the organisation’s conclusions have exposed clear shortcomings in objectivity and methodology, raising questions about political motivations behind what is presented as a human rights assessment.

Vibrant atmosphere at St Joseph's Cathedral near Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi ahead of Chrismas (Photo: VNA)

📝OP-ED: Behind “religious freedom” rhetoric

In reality, behind claims made in the name of “human rights” lies a long-standing set of tactics aimed not at protecting freedom of belief or religion, but at undermining social stability, sowing divisions within the great national solidarity bloc, and smearingVietnam’s international image.

The Vietnam News Agency's specialised page dedicated to protecting the Party’s ideological foundation - “Happy Vietnam” - at https://happyvietnam.vnanet.vn/en (Photo: VNA)

📝OP-ED: Journalism - A "vanguard" in battle against corruption, negative phenomena

From the task of dissemination, detection, and supervision to the rebuttal of false allegations, the information work of the press in general, and the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) in particular, has been implemented in conjunction with its role as the official source of information for the Party and the State. This contributes to strengthening social trust and promoting the building of a clean and strong Party and political system.

Nguyen Khac Toan (from Khanh Hoa province), Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Hue city, is elected Chairman of the Hue People's Committee. (Photo: VNA)

📝OP-ED: Non-local leaders: For broader vision

Loving one’s homeland in the narrow sense - one’s village, district, or province - is a feeling to be cherished and respected; and loving the homeland in the broader sense - the Fatherland - is even more sacred.

A corner of Hanoi (Illustrative photo: VNA)

📝OP-ED: Non-local leadership – Both challenge and opportunity for reform

In Conclusion No. 201, issued on October 31, the Politburo and the Secretariat outlined requirements for the provincial and municipal Party congresses for the 2025–2030 term. They stated that by December 15, all positions of provincial People’s Committee chairpersons, heads of inspection commissions, and chief inspectors must be filled by officials who are not from the local area.

Poor households are given preferential loans for economic development. (Photo: VNA)

📝 OP-ED: Party’s political report: Economic growth in tandem with human development

The draft report sets economic targets for the 2026–2030 period, aiming for an average annual GDP growth rate of at least 10% and a per capita GDP of about 8,500 USD by 2030. In the social sphere, the draft aims to raise the HDI to 0.78, increase average life expectancy to around 75.5 years with at least 68 healthy years, and reduce the poverty rate under the multidimensional poverty standard for 2026–2030 by 1–1.5% annually.

Administrative request processing at a public service centre (Photo: VNA)

📝OP-ED: Streamlining apparatus: A new journey marked with progress

When the innovative mindset spreads from the central level to every commune and ward, when the administrations are truly "close to the people," public trust is strengthened, and the vision for a modern, transparent, and service-oriented administration is becoming a reality.

In the delivery room of the Kyeshero Hospital in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, a team of midwives assist a displaced woman who has just given birth. (Photo: UNFPA DRC/Jonas Yunus DRC)

📝OP-ED: On the frontlines of crisis: Why health workers need urgent protection and funding: UNFPA Regional Director

UNFPA is proud to stand with local health workers, volunteers and community responders. In 2024, it supported 46 emergencies in 16 countries in Asia and the Pacific, reaching millions of women and girls. UNFPA partners with national and women-led organisations to strengthen locally led, inclusive responses and shift the power to those who understand its realities best.

A bird view of Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: VNA)

📝OP-ED: National landscape reorganisation and power of solidarity: Party vision aligned with people's will

Initial success has been achieved as people now understand that the overhaul will save public expenditure, foster more balanced development, and enable the formation of new economic hubs. The ultimate goal is to develop digital government, smart smart cities, integrated economic zones, and flexible administrative models that offer faster, more transparent public services, saving time and costs for both citizens and businesses.

The Quang Trach-Pho Noi 500kV circuit-3 power transmission line, completed in September 2024, ensures a stable power supply for the northern region and contributes to its economic development. (Photo: VNA)

📝OP-ED: “Four pillars” create new era

This is the era of those who are willing to take bold actions, make decisions, and serve the nation. Vietnam does not choose the easy path but the right path. And it is this path, with the Party as the guide and the people as the creators, that will lead the country to its glorious destination: A strong, prosperous, and happy Vietnam, capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with world powers, as President Ho Chi Minh had always wished.