Politics

Vietnamese Ambassador Le Quang Long stressed that the 14th National Party Congress is an especially important political event, marking a pivotal milestone in Vietnam’s development in the new period.

Vietnam always values its relationship with the US and looks forward to continuing close cooperation with the US government to deepen bilateral relations based on mutual respect for each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political institutions, contributing positively to peace, stability, cooperation, and development regionally and globally.

The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.

All foreign activities conducted in Hoang Sa without Vietnam’s permission are completely illegal and invalid, said spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang.

Foreign affairs played an important role in maintaining a peaceful and stable international and regional environment; expanding friendships and partnerships without creating adversaries; deepening international integration to attract and effectively utilise external resources for development, including markets, investment, science and technology, and human resources training; and promoting the image of a confident, resilient Vietnam actively contributing to global affairs, Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung highlighted.

Vietnamese entrepreneurs and people in the US show keen interest and high expectations for the Congress’s strategic directions, especially regarding institutional reform, private economic development, high-quality investment attraction, and sustainable development.

Following similar regional consultations for Asia–Pacific countries in Hanoi in last October and African countries in Addis Ababa in last November, this was the third event hosted by Vietnam in preparation for the 2026 NPT Review Conference.

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

Speaking at the Government’s regular press conference on January 8, Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyen Duc Chi said that the solutions include further improving institutions and legal frameworks to remove bottlenecks and shift governance from control to facilitation; mobilising and efficiently allocating development resources, with public investment playing a leading role.

Trung conveyed warm congratulations from the CPV Central Committee, the Politburo and the Secretariat to the Lao Party, State and people on the successful organisation of the 12th National Congress of the LPRP, describing it as a milestone of special political significance for Laos’s revolutionary cause.

General Secretary Lam firmly believed that, under the leadership of the LPRP Central Committee and the important role played by comrade Thongloun, the Lao Party and people would successfully fulfil the goals set out by the 12th Party Congress, building a peaceful, independent, democratic, unified and prosperous Laos.

Cambodian scholars and analysts agreed that the 14th National Congress of the CPV will play an important role in defining Vietnam’s development path over the next five years and beyond, highlighting renewed thinking marked by innovation, groundbreaking approaches and creativity, alongside long-term strategic goals.

The Deputy Minister highly appreciated the efforts of Solbakken and the Norwegian Embassy in promoting the bilateral ties, and agreed that the two sides should further leverage each other’s strengths and needs to open up new cooperation opportunities, particularly in green transition, circular economy and climate change response.

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.

Hang noted that amid a complex international environment, sluggish global growth and unprecedented extreme natural disasters at home, Vietnam has emerged as a “bright spot” for macroeconomic stability and economic growth under the timely, resolute and close leadership of the Party and the Government.

Vietnam has maintained fine traditional relations with Venezuela and wants to continue promoting cooperation in line with the Comprehensive Partnership framework between the two countries.

The Government's conference reviewing its 2025 performance and set tasks for 2026, Vietnam – Japan trade exceeding 50 billion USD for the first time, and five cultural practices listed as national intangible cultural heritage are among news highlights on January 8.

The 14th National Party Congress is not only a Party event, but a convergence of social expectations, for sustainable development, a more resilient economy, and a confident, proactive Vietnam on the international stage, said scholar Nguyen Huu Dong, a United Nations election expert.

High economic growth must be anchored in macroeconomic stability and major economic balances, the PM said, adding that fast growth must be sustainable and tied to social progress and equity, environment protection and higher living standards.

Party General Secretary To Lam commended the Government, ministries, local authorities, the business community, and the people at home and abroad for their concerted efforts and achievements in 2025 and throughout the 2021–2025 period. At the same time, he stressed the need to frankly acknowledge persistent shortcomings and newly emerging challenges, many of which reflect deep-rooted structural bottlenecks in the development model and national governance system.