Vietnam-India comprehensive strategic partnership. (Source: VNA)
The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee continued its fifth session on August 17, scrutinising three draft laws concerning administrative procedures, telecommunications, radio frequencies and architecture.
The Academy of Security Engineering and Technology should become a strategic pillar of the public security sector and the country in training high-quality human resources, leading security technologies, and developing technological products serving national security, said top leader To Lam.
NA Vice President Nguyen Hong Dien called for the completion of the legal framework for carbon capture and storage (CCS) and offshore energy facilities linked to oil and gas activities, including regulations governing independent CCS and offshore energy projects.
The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.
Speaking at the session, NA President Tran Thanh Man noted that the draft Law on Urban Development was initially designed for Ho Chi Minh City before its scope was expanded to other cities and additional provisions were incorporated. Given the tight timeframe and substantial workload, the NA will make its utmost effort to consider and adopt the contents as scheduled.
Building on this foundation, the city has strengthened ties with Indian localities. In May, Ho Chi Minh City and Mumbai signed a memorandum of understanding on friendship and cooperation, opening up greater opportunities for collaboration in finance, technology, logistics, urban development, innovation, culture, cinema, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
In the coming 2026-2027 dry season, the two sides will maintain the search and repatriation mission until no further information on the burial sites of Vietnamese martyrs remains available.
General Secretary and President Lam stressed that the programme is being held in the first year of implementing the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress, which set out the goals and tasks for the entire tenure. The Party Central Committee has adopted measures to remove bottlenecks and unlock resources. The decisive task now is to ensure effective implementation by turning policies into feasible programmes, coordinated action and concrete results, thereby translating the Party's will into national development and a better life for the people.
The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last weekend by the Vietnam News Agency.
A Vietnam-Indonesia friendship cultural exchange programme was held in Ho Chi Minh City to celebrate the 81st Independence Day of Indonesia (August 17, 1945-2026), highlighting the close friendship between the people of the southern metropolis and Indonesia.
A delegation from the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/dioxin's chapter in Ho Chi Minh City (VAVA HCMC) visited the US directly inform American friends about the long-term consequences of AO/dioxin in Vietnam and seek the support of progressive groups, veterans, legal experts and youth organisations in efforts to care for the victims.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam on August 15 sent a congratulatory message to President of the Congolese Party of Labour and President Denis Sassou Nguesso on the occasion of the 66th National Day of the Republic of Congo (August 15, 1960–2026).
The two sides recalled the solidarity and wholehearted support extended by the PCdoB and the Brazilian people to Vietnam during its struggle for national independence and reunification, as well as its subsequent process of national construction and development.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam and Prime Minister Le Minh Hung on August 15 sent messages of condolences to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto following a powerful earthquake in Indonesia that caused heavy casualties and affected thousands of families.
Representatives of ASEAN member states highlighted the historic significance of ASEAN Day in reaffirming the bloc's foundational values and promoting solidarity, dialogue, cooperation and consensus in support of regional peace, stability and prosperity.
The Deputy PM also urged the province to closely monitor its growth scenario on a weekly and quarterly basis and turn potential into tangible strength to achieve double-digit growth in 2026.
The two sides said the elevation of Vietnam-New Zealand ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has created an important political foundation for deepening cooperation between their research and academic institutions.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam on August 15 sent a letter of congratulations to President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Lee Jae Myung on the occasion of the RoK’s 81st National Day (August 15, 1945–2026).
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam on August 15 sent a congratulatory message to Indian President Droupadi Murmu on the occasion of India’s 80th Independence Day.
After 16 years and eight editions, the conference has become an important forum for courts to share experience, strengthen mutual trust and understanding, and contribute to the friendship and cooperation among Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
