Hanoi (VNA) - President To Lam hosted a reception in Hanoi on May 30 for Ambassadors and Chargé d'Affaires of ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste, who came to extend their congratulations on his election as the Vietnamese State leader.
On behalf of the guests, Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Khamphao Ernthavanh extended congratulations and warm regards from leaders of Laos and other ASEAN countries to President Lam.
She hailed Vietnam’s crucial role in strengthening ASEAN's unity and central role, as well as shaping the ASEAN Community Vision beyond 2025 during its nearly 30 years of ASEAN membership.
The diplomat believed that under the sound leadership of the President, the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Southeast Asian countries will grow stronger and deeper, significantly contributing to regional peace, security and stability.
President Lam, for his part, affirmed ASEAN’s special position in Vietnam’s foreign policy. He expressed belief that on the back of six-decade collaboration, ASEAN countries will continue to uphold the spirit of sharing and understanding, harmonising the interests of their own and the region as a whole, and working together to address outstanding challenges at present.
Expressing delight at the positive development of ties between Vietnam and Southeast Asian nations within both bilateral and multilateral frameworks, he noted that Vietnam has successfully built strategic partnerships and comprehensive partnerships with all ASEAN members and affirmed desire to see Timor-Leste soon become a full member of the ASEAN family.
According to him, Vietnam and Southeast Asian countries have been closely working together in economy-trade-investment, national defence-security, education-training and people-to-people exchange, while expanding into new fields in the Industry 4.0 era such as innovation, digital transformation, digital connectivity, green economy and clean energy.
He wished that the diplomats would serve as an important bridge to boost friendly cooperation between Vietnam and Southeast Asian nations, join hands to build a united and strong ASEAN Community for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and beyond./.

See more

NA Standing Committee reviews investment plan for Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway
The Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway project is projected to require around 2,632 hectares of land and will be funded through public investment, with a total estimated cost of 203.23 trillion VND (approximately 8.37 billion USD).

NA Standing Committee supports Government's proposal to raise 2025 growth target to 8%
An 8% or higher growth rate is necessary to ensure fast yet sustainable growth, along with efforts to maintain macroeconomic stability, control inflation, and balance key economic factors.

PM asks for prompt efforts to streamline inspection sector
Between 2021 and 2024, inspectors uncovered economic violations totaling 573 trillion VND (22.56 billion USD) and involving 1,890 hectares of land.

☕ Afternoon briefing on February 10
The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.

Top legislator calls for strong Party building, reform in National Assembly
NA Chairman Man, who is also a Politburo member and Secretary of the NA Party Committee, said that the committee, with nearly 3,000 members, must maintain strict organisational principles and build a clean and strong Party organisation that promotes solidarity, democracy, responsibility, unity, and creativity.

Party chief urges Missile Brigade 490 to strengthen combat readiness
Amid complicated and uncertain developments in the world and Vietnam's increasing position, strength and prestige in the international arena, Party General Secretary To Lam requested the unit not to “rest on laurels”, or let down their guard, even for a moment.

Vietnam-China relations at their best in history: scholar
The friendship between Vietnam and China, cultivated by generations of leaders and widely supported by both countries' people, must be passed down and adapted to modern times to further strengthen bilateral ties.

State leader works with Presidential Office on judicial affairs
On the amnesty policy, State President Luong Cuong reaffirmed that granting clemency on the occasion of major national holidays in 2025 reflects the Party and State’s humanitarian approach, encouraging rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-offenders into society.

☀️ Morning digest on February 10
The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last weekend by the Vietnam News Agency.

PM works with Da Nang's leaders to remove difficulties for projects
Secretary of the Da Nang Party Committee Nguyen Van Quang reported that since the end of 2024, Da Nang has determined that it will strive for growth of over 10% and budget revenue increase of over 15% in 2025.

Singaporean leaders appreciate Vietnamese community’s contributions
Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Deputy PM Heng Swee Keat consider the Vietnamese community as an important bridge linking the two countries.

PM urges greater efforts in eradicating substandard housing in Quang Ngai
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged Quang Ngai province to continue engaging the entire political system in the housing programme, towards assisting 4,500 disadvantaged families.

Sri Lanka seeks Vietnamese investment in transport infrastructure
The meeting highlighted Sri Lanka's keen interest in attracting Vietnamese investment, particularly in transport infrastructure development.

Vietnam hopes to enhance comprehensive partnership with UAE: Deputy PM
Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son proposed the UAE consider establishing a transit and storage centre for crude oil and petrochemical products in Vietnam, and support the Southeast Asian nation in green transition and renewable energy initiatives.

Quang Nam requested to achieve growth target of at least 10% in 2025
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on February 8 required the central province of Quang Nam to strive to achieve a growth target of at least 10% in 2025.

Vietnam strongly committed to combating cybercrime: ambassador
Vietnam will host the signing ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime in 2025.

Prime Minister pays tribute to martyrs, Heroic Mothers in Quang Nam
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh offered incense and flowers at the Quang Nam provincial Martyrs' Cemetery and the Heroic Vietnamese Mother Monument in Tam Ky city on February 8, as part of his working visit to the central province.

PM requires Quang Nam businesses to contribute more to nation’s growth
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on February 8 requested enterprises in the central province of Quang Nam to make efforts to help the whole country achieve an 8% GDP growth rate in 2025.

Gathering held in Brazil to celebrate new year, CPV’s 95th anniversary
The Vietnamese Embassy in Brazil on February 6 held a gathering to celebrate the Year of the Snake 2025 and the 95th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV)

Congratulations delivered on anniversaries of ties between Vietnam and Togo, Bulgaria
Vietnamese leaders on February 8 sent congratulatory messages to their Togolese counterparts on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations (February 8, 1975 - 2025).