State President Luong Cuong on January 3 sent a message of condolences to Swiss President Guy Parmelin following a serious fire in the canton of Valais on the night of December 31 that caused significant loss of life.
Hanoi (VNA) – State President Luong Cuong on January 3 sent a message of condolences to Swiss President Guy Parmelin following a serious fire in the canton of Valais on the night of December 31 that caused significant loss of life.
On the same day, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung also cabled his condolences to Swiss Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis./.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Switzerland has placed its citizen protection hotline on emergency standby and announced a contact number, +41 78 704 7887, to receive information and provide assistance to relatives and members of the Vietnamese community affected by the incident.
Both Senegal and Morocco view their relations with Vietnam as a model in South – South and Asia – Africa cooperation, and voiced hope to expand all-round ties with Vietnam in the future. Meanwhile, Switzerland voiced its support for resuming negotiations on an FTA between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
With diverse and substantive activities, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s trips to Senegal, Morocco, and Switzerland wrapped up with tangible outcomes, helping promote cooperation across multiple areas, including parliamentary ties with partners in the three nations.
Vietnamese citizens currently in Venezuela should leave dangerous areas, closely monitor developments, and strictly comply with local authorities’ regulations on travel as well as advisories issued by the ministry, including those by the Consular Department and the embassy in Venezuela.
Vietnam remains a reliable partner and a stable rice supplier for the Philippines, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
In total, 564 projects were implemented across 34 provinces and centrally governed cities, with total investment exceeding 5.14 quadrillion VND (195.44 billion USD) in celebration of major national events.
Dr Nguyen Thai Chinh, a specialist in earth science and satellite geodesy and a member of the Vietnam–Germany Innovation Network (VGI), said that the expansion of consultation channels, including participation in conferences, online submissions via government portals, feedback through overseas Vietnamese associations and via diplomatic missions, reflects a spirit of openness, willingness to listen and democracy in the Party and State’s policy-making process.
Phan Kien Cuong, an economic arbitrator in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Vienna, and Deputy Director of the Vietnam Centre for Economic and Trade Development Consulting (VICENDETI), said that notably, dialogues have expanded beyond external affairs and community-related issues to encompass strategic and foundational areas such as national development orientation, Party building, institutional reform, science and technology, education and culture.
Vietnam’s continued socio-economic stability and positive development outcomes demonstrate the effective governance capacity and strong adaptability of its political system, according to Marcelo Rodriguez, head of the Commission for Foreign Affairs of the Communist Party of Argentina Central Committee.
2025 was an incredibly significant year for Vietnam-US relations, marked by a series of major anniversaries and substantive advances across multiple areas of cooperation, US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper said in a recent interview with the Vietnam News Agency.
During the 2023–2025 term, the participation of Vietnam’s Permanent Mission in Geneva at the UN Human Rights Council was guided by a consistent approach: constructive engagement, coherence, and keeping the council focused on practical solutions that improve people’s lives.
Amid a volatile world with crises, disruptions to global economic links, and increasingly fierce strategic competition among powerful countries, the CPV’s coming congress is an important milestone where Vietnam will shape its development orientation, enhance the will, and select the path of action for the new period, said Ambassador Jorge Luis Mayo Fernandez.
Vietnam's external affairs produced important and substantive results across bilateral and multilateral aspects and in various areas in 2025, said Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung.
The Vietnamese FM stated that Vietnam stands ready to enhance coordination with Saudi Arabia at regional and international forums, particularly within frameworks such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Reaffirming agriculture’s role as a pillar of the economy, the PM stressed that farmers are the central actors, agriculture as the driving force, and rural areas as the foundation of development.
The Presidential Office held a press conference on December 31 to announce the State President’s order promulgating 14 laws and one ordinance adopted by the 15th-tenure National Assembly and its Standing Committee.
Also on this occasion, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh cabled a congratulatory message to Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, while National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man extended congratulations to Esteban Lazo Hernández, President of the National Assembly of People’s Power of Cuba.
Receiving Saudi Arabian Ambassador Mohammed Ismaeil A. Dahlwy, the President affirmed that Saudi Arabia is an important partner of Vietnam in the Middle East. He noted that the two countries share many similarities in development goals as well as values of peace, cooperation and development.
The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.
The officers, carefully vetted and fully meeting the UN’s stringent standards, are ready to replace personnel currently serving with the MINUSCA mission, and to take up new posts at the UN Liaison Office for Peace and Security in Brussels, Belgium.
The State leader highly valued the dedication and efforts of the leadership, staff, and employees of the Presidential Office for effectively advising and supporting State leaders in completing a heavy workload in December and throughout the term.
Combating corruption, wastefulness and negative practices is a crucial task, essential for preserving the Party’s credibility, upholding the rule of law, and, most importantly, maintaining the trust of the people, Party chief said.
A series of major laws passed in 2025 will take effect on January 1, 2026, spanning employment, education, data protection, taxation, state budget, digital technology, energy, and transport.
