Weekly Highlights: 13th Party Central Committee’s 15th plenum held in Hanoi

Two years after the Prime Minister approved Decision 150 on the Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy for the 2021–2030 period, in 2023, Vietnam issued a National Action Plan to transform food systems in a transparent, responsible and sustainable manner through 2030. This marked a breakthrough step, demonstrating Vietnam’s responsibility to the international community following the United Nations Food Systems Summit in 2021.

A nationwide ceremony marking the simultaneous inauguration or ground-breaking of large-scale, strategically significant projects will take place at 79 locations across the country on December 19, coinciding with the 79th anniversary of the National Resistance Day (December 19, 1946 - 2025) and in celebration of the upcoming 14th National Party Congress.

The Dong Ho folk painting craft has been added to UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

On November 25, 2025, the Government issued Resolution 380 with a series of urgent measures to overcome disaster consequences and revive production. The Resolution reflects the Government’s strong commitment to “leave no one behind,” through a large-scale package of financial assistance, social security support and infrastructure restoration.

Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam and Laos’ top leader Thongloun Sisoulith co-chaired a high-level meeting between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party in Vientiane on December 2. This cooperation mechanism holds special significance in enhancing friendship, solidarity and partnership between Vietnam and Laos, ensuring practical benefits for both peoples and contributing to peace, security and prosperity in the region and the world.

The Autumn Economic Forum 2025 took place in Ho Chi Minh City on November 24 to 30, under the theme “Green Transition in the Digital Era.” Addressing the event, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said Vietnam stands ready to work closely with all international partners on the basis of “harmonised interests and shared risks.”

In December 2015, the ritual and game of tug-of-war, practiced in Vietnam, Cambodia, the Republic of Korea, and the Philippines, was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Over a decade later, this tradition continues to thrive, being passed down and revitalised in modern life. In this podcast, we delve into Vietnam’s unique tug-of-war game, a cultural heritage celebrated both nationally and internationally.

Vietnam has marked a major diplomatic milestone with Kuwait and Algeria, upgrading relations with both nations during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visits, signalling its broader push to deepen political trust and expand cooperation across the Middle East and Africa.

King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein paid a two-day official visit to Vietnam on November 12-13 at the invitation of State President Luong Cuong.

In today’s podcast, we will listen to international perspectives on the peacekeeping efforts of Vietnam’s “Blue Beret” soldiers, as well as firsthand accounts from the soldiers themselves during the course of this noble mission.

A US delegation led by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth paid an official visit to Vietnam from November 2–3. General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defence of Vietnam, hosted a welcome ceremony for Hegseth and the two sides held talks on Nov. 2. Cooperation in war consequence remediation remained a highlight in bilateral defence ties.

Over the past week, central Vietnam has been battered by record-breaking rainfall. Exceptionally heavy rains, particularly in Thua Thien Hue and Da Nang, have caused widespread flooding and extensive destruction.

The Signing Ceremony and High-Level Conference of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (Hanoi Convention), has successfully concluded with 72 signatories from various regions of the world. International delegates shared with the Vietnam News Agency their impression at the event’s successful organisation and commended Vietnam’s efforts in fostering global cooperation against cybercrime.

The upcoming United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, to be opened for signature in Hanoi on October 25-26, is expected to serve as a powerful instrument in this silent war. In today’s episode, we’ll explore the significance of this Convention, and experts’ insights on Vietnam’s role as host of this global event.

Party General Secretary To Lam, his spouse, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation paid an official visit to Finland from October 20 to 22 at the invitation of Finnish President Alexander Stubb. Immediately afterwards, the Party leader and his entourage continued on a three-day official visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of President Rumen Radev.

The Vietnam Pavilion has won the silver award in the Exhibition Design category at Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai in Japan, marking the first time the country has received this honour, according to the Department of International Cooperation under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

From July 1, 2025, the two-tier local government model (comprising provincial and commune levels) officially came into operation. Thousands of commune-level administrative units nationwide have been reorganised to ensure a streamlined apparatus closer to and more responsive to the people. After three months of operation, personnel work – the key factor determining the efficiency of the apparatus – has seen marked changes alongside emerging challenges.

Party General Secretary To Lam is on a state visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) where he also attends a ceremony celebrating the 80th founding anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea. The visit from October 9 -11 is made at the invitation of Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the DPRK.

The PM laid stress on the need for immediate assistance for people to rebuild and repair homes, schools, and hospitals, provide temporary shelters for displaced families, and deliver aid to households who lost relatives, homes, or property.

Vietnam is nurturing the aspiration to become a new destination on the global financial map, aiming to establish a hub that attracts capital, technology, talent, and high-quality financial services. In today’s podcast, we will take a closer look at the country’s journey toward realising this goal.