Politics

The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee is scheduled to convene its second meeting on May 11 morning, with preparations for the second session of the 16th NA among items on the agenda.

After nearly one year of implementing the two-tier local government model in conjunction with the development of digital government, Ho Chi Minh City has recorded many positive changes in the reception and settlement of administrative procedures, with the rate of online applications reaching 76% and satisfaction levels among citizens and businesses increasing significantly.

The most significant outcome of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and State President To Lam’s state visit to India from May 5-7 was that it ushered India-Viet Nam relations into a new phase of development, moving from a foundation of traditional friendship to a multidimensional, substantive and future-oriented strategic partnership framework, according to former Indian Deputy National Security Adviser S.D. Pradhan.

Nguyen Thanh Nghi, Politburo member, Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and Chairman of its Commission for Policies and Strategies, held meetings in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on May 8 with leaders of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP - People's Liberation Front), the Communist Party of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka-Viet Nam Solidarity Association.

Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Numan Kurtulmuş affirmed that Türkiye considers Viet Nam an important partner in Southeast Asia, emphasising that similarities in historical depth, cultural identity, foreign policy orientations and family values provide a strong foundation for elevating bilateral ties to a new level.

EU Ambassador to Viet Nam Julien Guerrier reaffirmed the bloc's commitment to accompanying Viet Nam in achieving its goals of becoming a developed economy by 2045 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, while ensuring energy security amid global uncertainties.

The Australian Government has appointed Peggy O’Neal, RMIT University Chancellor, as Australia’s Business Champion to Viet Nam, reaffirming its commitment to promoting trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung described the visits as particularly important and historic, taking place at a meaningful moment as Viet Nam and India mark the 10th anniversary of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and just one month after the top leader of Viet Nam assumed his new position. For Sri Lanka, this was the highest-level visit by a Vietnamese leader since the two countries established diplomatic relations.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Laos on May 8 organised a digital exhibition commemorating the 136th birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh (May 19, 1890 - 2026); and a conference to inform the public about the results of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and the results of the 16th National Assembly elections.

An article titled “The Dien Bien Phu Victory remains a source of pride for the Vietnamese people” was published in the May 7 edition of Pasaxon newspaper, the voice of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, on the occasion of the 72nd anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954–May 7, 2026).

The State visit to Sri Lanka by Party General Secretary and President To Lam and the high-level Vietnamese delegation is an important political milestone, opening a new phase of development for bilateral relations with enhanced political trust, and cooperation on a broader, deeper, more effective, and more substantive scale and level.

Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang said that the Vietnamese delegation made important contributions to the summit’s success, reflecting the foreign policy orientation set out by the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, which continues to place ASEAN at the centre of Viet Nam’s regional engagement, as well as its commitment to proactive, positive and responsible contributions to ASEAN Community-building process.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung’s trip not only contributed to the overall success of the ASEAN Summit, but also left many outstanding marks of Vietnam as an active, proactive and responsible member of ASEAN.

Deputy PM Pham Thi Thanh Tra said the complexity of the work meant relevant agencies need to change their mindset and adopt new methods to achieve better results.

Viet Nam and Sri Lanka agreed to elevate political trust and comprehensively develop the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation as well as expand high-level and all-level exchanges and contacts, regularly implement bilateral cooperation mechanisms across various fields.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam praised the community’s efforts in preserving Vietnamese culture, language and traditions and called on them to uphold the national identity while integrating well into the host society and complying with local laws.

The visit by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and State President To Lam reaffirmed the longstanding friendship and mutual trust between Viet Nam and Sri Lanka that has spanned over 55 years, underpinned by mutual respect, shared values and a common commitment to peace, stability and development.

The two leaders agreed that their countries will work together to turn the good intentions and aspirations for bilateral relations into tangible outcomes so that in the future, they could look back with pride on the achievements born from today’s determination.

The trip was considered a success both multilaterally and bilaterally, leaving a positive impression of Viet Nam’s proactive, active and responsible spirit, as well as its substantive and effective contributions to ASEAN’s common work and efforts to promote ties with member states.

Viet Nam always gives the highest priority to the Viet Nam–Laos relationship and will continue joining Laos in nurturing and deepening bilateral cooperation in a sustainable and practical manner for the benefit of the two countries' people, said Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.