Hanoi (VNA) – General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith on January 27 paid a visit to Nong Duc Manh, former General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
At the meeting, Manh said that the Lao leader’s state visit to Vietnam helps reaffirm the foreign policies of both countries, which places special importance on preserving and continuously strengthening their great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic cohesion.
He expressed his delight at witnessing the great and historically significant achievements that the Party, State, and people of Laos have attained after 40 years of renewal. He voiced his firm belief that under the leadership of the LPRP, headed by General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith, Laos will continue to develop stably and sustainably, with its people's improved living standards and an increasingly strengthened international position.
On this occasion, he respectfully extended his warm regards and best wishes for good health to former Party General Secretary and President of Laos, Choummaly Sayasone and former Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Vorachith.
For his part, Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith sincerely thanked the Party, State, and people of Vietnam for their wholehearted, sincere, selfless, and effective support and assistance to Laos during its past struggle for national independence as well as its current national construction and development.
He expressed his deep impression of Vietnam’s major and comprehensive achievements in recent years, affirming that these accomplishments are closely linked to the important contributions of previous generations of Vietnamese leaders, including former General Secretary Manh. The Lao leader stressed that this visit, with the participation of many senior leaders from Lao ministries and agencies, demonstrates the strong political determination of the Lao Party and State to work closely with Vietnam to implement high-level resolutions and agreements. He stressed their shared commitment to further nurturing the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic cohesion between Vietnam and Laos, making the relationship ever more solid, effective, and practical.
Both sides affirmed that the special Vietnam-Laos relationship, diligently nurtured by Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh and Lao Presidents Kaysone Phomvihane and Souphanouvong, is an invaluable common asset and a vital factor for the existence and development of both nations.
They agreed to continue preserving, protecting, and deepening the rare and special ties, to enhance strategic connectivity, to improve the effectiveness of substantive cooperation, and to place greater emphasis on educating the younger generations of both countries so that they may carry forward the special solidarity./.
See more
☕ Afternoon briefing on April 21
The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.
Top leader attends 120th birth anniversary of late Party General Secretary Ha Huy Tap
Late Party General Secrectary Ha Huy Tap’s revolutionary life stands as a noble symbol of a patriotic intellectual who early embraced the proletarian ideal and the path to national salvation charted by leader Nguyen Ai Quoc (President Ho Chi Minh).
NA deputies propose higher base salary to boost public-sector motivation
A deputy of Vinh Long province stressed that adjusting the base salary is not merely a technical step but a decisive factor affecting income, motivation and the overall quality of the public workforce.
Top leader pays tribute to late Party General Secretary Ha Huy Tap in Ha Tinh province
Late Party General Secretary Ha Huy Tap's legacy continues to stand as a shining example of unwavering commitment, intellectual leadership, and selfless dedication to the cause of national liberation and the happiness and prosperity of the Vietnamese people.
Vietnam attends defence services, security exhibitions in Malaysia
This year’s exhibitions feature 15 thematic categories, highlighting modern military products such as aircraft, warships, armoured vehicles, man-portable low-range missile systems, anti-aircraft gun systems, laser weapons, as well as various types of ammunition, military uniforms, and logistics equipment serving defence purposes.
16th NA reviews amendments to four tax-related laws on April 21
Lawmakers are expected to discuss the supplementary assessment of the implementation of the 2025 socio-economic development plan and state budget, as well as performance in the early months of 2026. They will also review the five-year socio-economic development plan for 2026–2030, thrift practices and anti-wastefulness efforts in 2025, and progress in achieving national gender equality targets. The session is broadcast live on radio and television, enabling voters and the public to follow proceedings.
☀️ Morning digest on April 21
The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last weekend by the Vietnam News Agency.
General Secretary, State President praises ethnic minority lawmakers’ role in translating policies into practice
Party General Secretary and State President To Lam said that over 15 NA terms spanning more than 80 years, ethnic minority deputies have grown steadily in both capacity and contribution, participating more actively in legislative work, oversight and decisions on major national issues.
RoK President's visit to Vietnam to mark strategic leap in bilateral ties: diplomat
With the nature of a comprehensive strategic partnership, the state visit to Vietnam by President Lee Jae Myung is expected to herald a new phase of development with long-term strategic orientations for bilateral relations.
Dong Nai poised to become centrally-run city, creating new growth for Vietnam
If approved, Dong Nai will become Vietnam’s seventh centrally-run city, opening up a new development space for the Southeastern region and the country as a whole. The six existing centrally-run ciites are Hanoi, Hai Phong, Hue, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho.
☕ Afternoon briefing on April 20
The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.
Draft law proposes flexible tax thresholds, extended incentives for EVs
Presenting the Government’s proposal, Minister of Finance Ngo Van Tuan said the draft law proposes not to stipulate specific revenue thresholds for exemption from personal income tax or value-added tax for household and individual businesses in the law, instead assigning the Government to set these thresholds.
Lawmakers suggest groundbreaking mechanisms to revive Vietnamese culture
The draft resolution seeks to lure more investment into cultural industries, aiming for the sector to contribute 7% to GDP by 2030 and 9% by 2045. It also sets ambitious goals of ranking Vietnam among the top three countries in Southeast Asia and the global top 30 for national soft power.
China–Vietnam cooperation reaching new heights: Chinese expert
With continued high-level guidance, deeper strategic trust, expanded mutually beneficial cooperation and stronger public support, the building of the China–Vietnam community with a shared future is expected to make steady and substantive progress.
Draft resolution eyes 2% budget floor, tax breaks to supercharge cultural industry
Under the NA's draft Resolution on the Vietnamese cultural development, investment incentives feature a 5% value-added tax rate for film production, distribution and exhibition, as well as sports and performing arts activities.
Communist Party Switzerland voices confidence in Vietnam’s development model
Vietnam remains relatively little known among Swiss youth, but its socio-economic model could serve as an inspiring case, said General Secretary of the Communist Party of Switzerland. Massimiliano Ay.
Pathways to double-digit growth to be tabled at 16th NA’s first session
In the morning sitting on April 20, deputies are expected to hear proposals and verification reports on a range of draft resolutions. The documents cover breakthrough mechanisms and policies for the development of Vietnamese culture; the establishment of Dong Nai as a centrally run city; a pilot framework for public lawyer institution; and special mechanisms to address land law violations committed prior to the 2024 Land Law taking effect, alongside measures to resolve long-delayed and stalled projects.
☀️ Morning digest on April 20
The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last weekend by the Vietnam News Agency.
Top leader’s state visit to China opens new momentum for scientific, environmental cooperation
With the foundation of traditional friendship and clear orientations for cooperation in key areas such as science and technology, environment, and human resource training, Vietnam and China are fully capable of elevating their cooperation to a higher level, making practical contributions to sustainable development in each country and the region.
Vietnam a proactive, responsible partner in promoting parliamentary cooperation
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s working trip to Italy and Türkiye achieved important and comprehensive results at both bilateral and multilateral levels. It not only highlighted a proactive and responsible Vietnamese National Assembly with active and practical contributions to the IPU, but also created new momentum to deepen relations with key partners, including in Europe and the Middle East.