Emphasising the traditional friendship and the consistent policy of the Vietnamese Party, State, and Government in prioritising friendly relations and cooperation with China, the PM expressed his hope that the two countries will continue to strengthen solidarity, consolidate trust, promote comprehensive cooperation, and support each other's development.
Economic, trade and education cooperation have emerged as key pillars. Ireland is among Vietnam’s leading partners in the European market, with bilateral trade reaching nearly 4.1 billion USD in 2025, up 14% from 2024. Both countries aim to raise this figure to 5 billion USD in 2026, and make the most of the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to expand access to each other’s markets, particularly for agricultural and aquatic products.
In his remarks, Chairman Man said during the session, the legislature will review and decide on the organisation of high-level personnel for the State apparatus and consider and pass eight draft laws and one legally binding resolution.
The top legislator noted that the first session of the 16th NA will open on April 6, during which lawmakers are expected to contribute ideas to the amended Law on Belief and Religion. The amendments aim to further facilitate lawful religious activities while promoting cultural values and mobilising religious resources for sustainable national development.
The session is scheduled to last about 11 working days and will be held in two phases, from April 6 to 12 and from April 20 to 23, with April 24 and 25 reserved if needed.
Under the agreement, Kijsetthi Mobility will serve as the authorised distributor of Kim Long Motor bus products in Thailand, establishing a nationwide sales and after-sales service network. The product portfolio includes both internal combustion engine and fully electric buses, catering to diverse transport needs and the growing demand for green mobility solutions.
The forum served as an important platform to enhance connectivity and promote investment, trade and tourism ties along the EWEC, while supporting businesses in market exploration, product promotion and export expansion to Laos and Northeast Thailand.
Accordingly, between January and March, rice output reached 3.64 million tonnes; livestock production attained 2.28 million tonnes of meat, up 4.9%; fisheries output reached 2.7 million tonnes, up 3.3%; and forestry production totalled 12 million cubic metres of timber, an increase of over 3%. The sector’s export turnover reached 16.69 billion USD, up 5.9%, with a trade surplus of 4.78 billion USD, up 12%.
Looking back at the 2021-2025 term, the entire Party, people, and army have demonstrated unwavering resilience, overcoming "storms," seizing every opportunity, and striving tirelessly to achieve very important results in the cause of national construction and defence.
The PM pushed for stronger collaboration through accelerating negotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Gulf Cooperation Council, enhanced business connectivity between the two countries, as well as tighter coordination on energy security to tackle current challenges and ensure stable production and daily life.
The PM asked each ministry, sector, and locality to identify breakthrough impetuses, devise concrete measures, and assign clear responsibilities in order to achieve double-digit expansion.
Emphasising that the double-digit growth target remains unchanged, the PM called on participants to work out measures for renewing traditional growth drivers, promoting new ones, properly governing monetary and fiscal policies, stepping up public investment, and diversifying markets, products, and export supply chains.
Looking ahead, the PM underscored the need to uphold a proactive, dynamic and innovative approach in adapting to changing circumstances by enhancing forecasting capacity to avoid being caught off guard, maintaining sound relations with partners worldwide, and adjusting policies in line with evolving conditions.
Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung stressed the need for both sides to enhance the effectiveness of cooperation, promote bilateral trade in a more balanced and sustainable manner, and facilitate market access for each other’s goods.
Party General Secretary To Lam described the decorations as prestigious honours, recognising the recipients’ dedication, wisdom, mettle, sense of responsibility and long-standing service to the revolution.
One of the key issues for discussion at the session will be measures to successfully realise the goal of becoming a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle income by 2030, and ranking among the world’s top 30 economies by GDP size.
An official of the NA Committee for Deputy Affairs underscored the importance of the NA’s election and approval of State leadership positions at the first session, saying that this step will consolidate the senior leadership apparatus, while ensuring stability, continuity, and smooth operations of the political system right after the election.
The 16th National Assembly (NA) will consider key personnel matters at its first session, including the election of the NA Chairperson, State President, and Prime Minister.
The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.
Looking ahead, the two sides agreed to enhance practical and effective cooperation, focusing on delegation exchanges, maintaining consultation and dialogue mechanisms, especially the Defence Policy Dialogue, and promoting existing cooperation models such as exchanges among young officers, military women, twinning programmes between military units and local communities, and annual conferences between military regions, and border guard forces of the two countries.
Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu said relations between the two Parties, States and peoples have continued to grow in a substantive and effective manner, stressing the success of the recent State visit to Cambodia by Party General Secretary To Lam and a high-level delegation of Vietnam.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung conveyed his warmest greetings to Lao Ambassador Sisavath Inphachanh in the country on the occasion of Laos’ traditional New Year Bunpimay.
The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last night by the Vietnam News Agency.
Le Minh Hung, member of the Politburo, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, and Chairman of the Party Central Committee's Organisation Commission, handed over the decision to Phong at a ceremony in Hanoi on April 2.
Belarus was encouraged to send experts to Vietnam to provide training and practical guidance in the areas of its strength.
The first session of the 16th NA holds particular significance as it will decide on State organisational structures, high-level personnel matters and five-year plans, while also undertaking legislative work. All draft laws and resolutions will be adopted under the one-session procedure despite the limited time.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Public Security and other relevant agencies, has been closely monitoring developments, conducting regular assessments and forecasts, and advising on response measures to avoid being caught off guard and to respond promptly to emerging situations.
Vietnam hopes the two sides will soon reach common ground to move towards improving and normalising relations for the benefit of their peoples, and for peace, cooperation, stability, and development in the region and the world.
