<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/3/6/488597_phap.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Hoài Trung and Secretary-General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie Louise Mushikiwabo. — VNA/VNS Photo An Đăng</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam always attaches importance to cooperation with the Francophone community, Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Hoài Trung told Secretary-General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) Louise Mushikiwabo during their talks in Hà Nội on Friday.At the meeting, Trung expressed his pleasure that cooperation between Việt Nam and the OIF continues to be strengthened and enhanced, while appreciating the role and contributions of the organisation.He stressed that as an active and responsible member of the Francophone community, Việt Nam will continue contributing to its common efforts to promote peace, stability, and sustainable development in member countries and globally.The minister and the secretary-general also discussed the priorities of the Francophone community in the coming period and measures to further promote Việt Nam-OIF cooperation.Trung proposed that the OIF strengthen the economic cooperation pillar, including support for expanding cooperation between Việt Nam and other OIF members in science and technology, digital transformation, culture, and education. Việt Nam is also ready to promote bilateral and trilateral cooperation with them.For her part, Mushikiwabo congratulated Việt Nam on its socio-economic development and international integration achievements, and spoke highly of Việt Nam’s role and positive contributions to activities within the Francophone community.The secretary-general affirmed that she will work with Việt Nam and other member states to strengthen collaboration and solidarity in order to promote peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperity.She also pledged to further enhance cooperation with Việt Nam, particularly in education and training, sustainable economic development, and economic and trade cooperation with African countries, while expressing hope that more Vietnamese officials will work at the OIF.Both sides agreed to strengthen coordination in preparing for the upcoming Francophonie Summit in Cambodia, viewing it as an important opportunity to further consolidate solidarity within the community, promote peace and sustainable development, and create new momentum for Francophone cooperation in the region.Mushikiwabo’s working visit to Việt Nam is part of her regional tour to prepare for the summit, which is scheduled to take place this November. — VNA/VNS

As an active and responsible member of the Francophone community, Việt Nam will continue contributing to its common efforts to promote peace, stability, and sustainable development in member countries and globally.

Việt Nam always treasures cooperation with Francophone community: FM

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/3/7/488437_5420275823360719_vna_potal_bau_cu_quoc_hoi_va_hdnd_lam_dong_xu_ly_2_truong_hop_thong_tin_sai_su_that_ve_bau_cu_tren_mang_xa_hoi_8624087.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>N.L. is questioned at the police station over posting false election-related information online.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>LÂM ĐỒNG – Two people have admitted to police they posted false content on social media related to the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 term.Through online monitoring, Lâm Đồng provincial police identified Facebook users N.Đ.T, 57, residing in Ward 3, Bảo Lộc City, and N.L, 42, living in Hòa Bắc Commune, as spreading untrue information about the elections.Investigators said N.Đ.T admitted to using his Facebook account “N.Đ.T” to join the group “Từ chối ***” and publish several false posts related to the election.N.L confessed to using the account “N.L” to post content insulting a candidate for the 16th National Assembly, and to frequently sharing misinformation about personnel work.After being summoned to the provincial police headquarters and informed of relevant legal provisions, both individuals acknowledged their violations. They attributed their actions to limited legal awareness, a failure to verify sources, and reliance on rumours and unverified online content, leading to impulsive behaviour on social media.Police are continuing to complete the case files to strictly handle the violations in line with the law. They are also identifying additional accounts inside and outside the province that have posted, commented on, or shared related content.Under Article 101 of Government Decree No. 15/2020/NĐ-CP dated February 3, 2020, administrators of social network pages, forums, or groups who neglect moderation and allow the posting of false information or content that harms the reputation of agencies, organisations, or the honor and dignity of individuals may face administrative fines of VNĐ10-20 million (more than US$380-$760). In serious cases, criminal prosecution may be pursued.Police urge citizens to exercise caution when accessing information on social media, refrain from sharing or commenting on unverified election-related content on platforms such as Facebook, Zalo, and TikTok, and seek official information from the provincial web portal and mainstream media outlets. — VNS

After being summoned to the provincial police headquarters and informed of relevant legal provisions, both individuals acknowledged their violations.

Lâm Đồng police investigate two Facebook users for election misinformation

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/3/5/488046_11.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>EARLY BALLOTS: Crew members of the Hải An 68 cast early ballots aboard the 'Trường Sa 04' on March 1. Under the law, early voting may be organised for voters working at sea, on islands or in other special circumstances. VNA/VNS Photo</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>Compiled by Lê Việt DũngOn Sunday, March 15, 2026, voters across Việt Nam will head to polling stations to elect deputies to the 16th National Assembly and members of local People’s Councils for the 2026–2031 term.For most citizens, election day is a single moment: a ballot cast, candidates selected. Yet the event is shaped by a detailed constitutional framework that defines representation, candidate selection and the distribution of seats nationwide.What offices are elected?At the national level, voters will elect deputies to the National Assembly, defined in law as the highest representative body of the people and the highest organ of state power.The National Assembly exercises constitutional and legislative authority, decides major national policies and conducts supreme oversight of state institutions.Each National Assembly term lasts five years. The upcoming legislature is expected to comprise 500 deputies elected from 182 electoral units nationwide. By law, at least two-fifths must serve on a full-time basis.The Standing Committee of the National Assembly determines seat allocation. Every province and centrally governed city is guaranteed at least three deputies who reside and work locally, with additional seats distributed according to population size and local characteristics, while ensuring the national total does not exceed 500.On the same day, voters will also elect representatives to People’s Councils at provincial and commune levels.These councils function as local state power bodies, deciding important matters within their jurisdictions and supervising implementation of law and policy. Their five-year terms align with those of the National Assembly.At each level, People’s Councils elect their executive bodies, known as People’s Committees.The size of local councils varies by population. Provincial councils in smaller provinces begin with 50 deputies, with additional seats added in proportion to population up to a statutory cap of 85.Hà Nội and HCM City each elect 125 municipal-level deputies.Commune-level councils follow similar population-based formulas, capped at 30 deputies.In the previous term, more than 266,000 People’s Council deputies were elected nationwide.Who can vote?The election law rests on four stated principles: universal, equal and direct suffrage conducted by secret ballot.All Vietnamese citizens aged 18 or older, except where voting rights are restricted by law, have the right to vote. Citizens aged 21 or older may stand as candidates.Voting takes place in person at designated polling stations, though mobile ballot boxes may be brought to voters who are ill, elderly or unable to travel, and to eligible voters in detention or compulsory education and rehabilitation facilities where no polling station is established.Vietnamese citizens living abroad retain the right to vote, but must be physically present in Việt Nam on election day to exercise that right, as the law does not provide for remote voting.The election must be held on a Sunday and publicly announced at least 115 days in advance. The state budget covers the costs of organising the vote.The law also sets representation targets in the candidate list: at least 18 per cent of official candidates must be from ethnic minority groups and at least 35 per cent must be women.These thresholds apply when the final list of candidates is confirmed.The 2026 candidate fieldFor the 2026–2031 term, 864 candidates are standing for 500 National Assembly seats.The candidate pool includes 472 men and 392 women. Nearly 190 candidates belong to ethnic minority communities and 65 are not members of the Communist Party of Việt Nam.Most candidates hold university or postgraduate qualifications. A majority are standing for the first time, while several hundred are seeking re-election.The largest share of candidates is in their 40s and 50s, reflecting a concentration in mid-career age groups.Candidates reach the ballot through nominations at the local or central level or through self-nomination. Most were nominated locally, with a smaller number put forward by central bodies and four self-nominated.From nomination to ballotThe path from nomination to official candidacy follows a structured consultation process defined in law.The Standing Committee of the National Assembly first determines the projected structure and composition of the upcoming legislature.The Việt Nam Motherland Front then convenes consultation conferences to agree on the number, structure and final list of candidates.For the 2026 cycle, the first central consultation conference was held in December 2025. A second conference in early February 2026 produced the preliminary candidate list and initiated voter feedback procedures at candidates’ places of residence.Only after these steps are completed is the official candidate list finalised.Organising the voteOversight of the election is coordinated through a layered structure.At the top is the National Election Council, established by resolution of the National Assembly. It organises the election of National Assembly deputies and directs and guides the election of People’s Councils nationwide.Election committees are formed at provincial and commune levels to manage the process locally. The Government is responsible for funding, communication and security.Before election day, local authorities compile and publicly post voter lists so residents can verify their information and request corrections within a legally specified time frame.Campaign activities are regulated by law and conducted within a defined period. Candidates may present action programmes and participate in voter meetings organised under the coordination of the Motherland Front.Election day and countingVoting is conducted by secret ballot. Polling stations operate throughout the day under the supervision of local election teams.After polling closes, votes are counted at the polling stations under supervision. Results are compiled and transmitted through the election committees to the National Election Council.A candidate is elected if they receive more than half of the valid votes cast in their constituency, subject to legal requirements.If more candidates surpass that threshold than there are seats, the highest vote-getters are elected. Where tied candidates exceed the remaining seats, the older candidates are elected.If fewer candidates meet the required threshold than there are seats to be filled, a supplementary election is conducted within seven days, limited to candidates from the original ballot who were not elected.Candidates must again secure more than half of the valid votes and obtain a higher total than their competitors. No second supplementary election is held if seats remain unfilled.The National Election Council releases the official election results. Successful candidates formally assume their mandates at the first sitting of the new National Assembly and People’s Councils, where the five-year terms begin.Participation and scaleIn the 2021 general election, more than 69.5 million voters were registered nationwide and 99.60 per cent cast ballots.That election produced 499 deputies in the 15th National Assembly, alongside 266,022 People’s Council deputies nationwide at provincial and district levels for the 2021–2026 term.The upcoming 2026 election is expected to involve nearly 73.5 million voters nationwide, casting ballots at 72,195 polling stations.Held once every five years, the general election is a constitutionally defined procedure. In scale, it is one of Việt Nam’s largest coordinated civic exercises, spanning hundreds of electoral units, thousands of polling stations and millions of voters on a single day.On March 15, the visible act will be simple: a ballot cast in private. Behind that moment lies a legal and administrative process months in the making. — VNS

Nearly 73.5 million voters are expected to cast ballots across Việt Nam on March 15, 2026, in elections for the National Assembly and local People’s Councils.

Việt Nam’s 2026 general election: How the system works

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/2/27/487122_5414585826654731_image.png" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>President of the Republic of Burundi Évariste Ndayishimiye. — VNA/VNS Photo</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HÀ NỘI — President Lương Cường on February 27 sent a congratulatory message to President of Burundi Évariste Ndayishimiye on his election as Chairperson of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union for 2026.The same day, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Hoài Trung extended congratulations to Edouard Bizimana, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Development Cooperation of Burundi, on his assumption of the Chairmanship of the Executive Council of the African Union for 2026. — VNS

President Lương Cường on February 27 sent a congratulatory message to President of Burundi Évariste Ndayishimiye on his election as Chairperson of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union for 2026.

Congratulatory messages extended to African Union's new leaders

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<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/2/28/487080_5414383584378142_ttgpl.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính presides over&nbsp;the February thematic session on law-making with Government members in Hà Nội on Friday. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HÀ NỘI — Continuous administrative review must be carried out to reduce compliance costs and inconvenience for citizens and businesses, said Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính as he chaired the Government’s February thematic session on law-making on Friday.&nbsp;Discussions at the meeting centred on the draft amendments to the Capital Law; the Law on Civil Status; the Law on Overseas Representative Missions of the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam; the Law on Belief and Religion; as well as the draft National Assembly (NA)’s resolution on coordination mechanisms and special policies to improve the effectiveness of preventing and resolving international investment disputes.Regarding the draft revised Capital Law, PM Chính and officials stressed specific, breakthrough and stable mechanisms with a long-term vision, appropriate to the position, role and distinctive nature of the capital city, within the overall context of national development and global trends.On the draft NA resolution, Government members proposed a number of preferential mechanisms for persons and agencies in charge, as well as measures to strengthen inter-agency coordination on this issue.For the draft revised Law on Civil Status, the Government focused on amending and supplementing provisions to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of State management, while promoting decentralisation and the delegation of authority in this area, in line with the two-tier local government model.&nbsp;Regarding the draft amendment to the Law on Belief and Religion, officials discussed specific provisions on the right to belief and religion, ensuring full institutionalisation of the Party’s guidelines and policies and promoting the great national unity bloc.To improve the performance of Việt Nam’s overseas representative missions, Government members proposed that the amended Law on Overseas Representative Missions clearly define organisational structure, functions, tasks, powers, as well as incentive and talent attraction policies.PM Chính asked ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies and Government-affiliated bodies to lead and directly engage in institutional development within their respective sectors and across the broader Government framework.In the law-making process, he stressed the need to fully translate the Party’s guidelines and policies into laws, to innovate, to roll out sweeping decentralisation and delegation of authority in tandem with appropriate resource allocation, to strengthen enforcement capacity, and to design effective inspection, supervision and power-control tools.Laws should stipulate only fundamental and principled issues, with detailed regulations delegated to drafting agencies for inclusion in guiding decrees. Policy articulation, he stressed, must ensure clarity, accessibility, ease of enforcement, and effective oversight.Drafting agencies were assigned to incorporate feedback from Government members, while also consulting experts, scientists, legal practitioners, affected stakeholders, and international best practices adapted to Việt Nam’s context, to finalise draft documents for submission to competent authorities.Close coordination among ministries, central agencies and NA bodies is essential to forge consensus during verification, explanation, feedback integration, and revision of drafts in line with opinions from the NA Standing Committee and deputies.Ministries and agencies must swiftly issue decrees and circulars to guide enforcement once laws take effect.At the 16th NA’s first session, the Government plans to submit 34 documents for approval, including 15 draft laws and resolutions, many of which are complex with wide-ranging socio-economic implications.The PM therefore called on ministries and agencies, particularly ministers and heads of ministerial-level agencies, to pool maximum resources and personally direct the completion of draft laws and resolutions already reviewed by the Government to ensure quality and timely submission for NA consideration.Completed documents and reports should be promptly forwarded to NA bodies for appraisal and to the NA Standing Committee for input.Relevant agencies must report immediately to the Government and PM on any examination and revision of draft laws, or issues beyond their authority.For the draft laws and resolution discussed, the PM assigned the ministries of justice, foreign affairs, and ethnic and religious affairs to fully absorb opinions from Government members and the session, and urgently finalise the drafts to ensure both progress and quality. — VNA/VNS

In the law-making process, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính stressed the need to fully translate the Party’s guidelines and policies into laws, to innovate, to roll out sweeping decentralisation and delegation of authority in tandem with appropriate resource allocation.

PM orders further red tape cuts to ease compliance cost burden

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/2/27/487018_115.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Ambassador Đỗ Hùng Việt, head of Việt Nam’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations. — VNA/VNS Photo</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>NEW YORK — The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) continues to reinforce ASEAN’s central role in a rapidly evolving regional landscape, serving as a cornerstone for trust-building and cooperation among member states while helping shape a wider Asia–Pacific security architecture, Ambassador Đỗ Hùng Việt has said.Addressing a symposium in New York on Wednesday (local time) on the treaty’s role as a regional arrangement under Chapter 8 of the UN Charter on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the TAC signing, the head of Việt Nam’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations (UN) highlighted TAC’s contribution to deepening ASEAN’s engagement with dialogue partners through ASEAN-led platforms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum and the East Asia Summit.He noted that the treaty’s principles and mechanisms have become firmly embedded in Southeast Asia’s political fabric, shaping norms of conduct, nurturing a culture of restraint, and promoting dialogue and consultation. These foundations, he said, have created favourable conditions for managing disputes, preventing risks and avoiding miscalculations, thereby strengthening trust and fostering amicable ties across the region.On the interplay between regional and global security structures, Ambassador Việt underscored that mechanisms such as TAC are well-positioned to undertake preventive diplomacy thanks to their geographic proximity, contextual understanding and established communication channels. Early engagement at the regional level, he observed, can help defuse tensions before they escalate to the UN Security Council or other multilateral forums. In this regard, he described the treaty as a model of effective cooperation and a clear example of the mutually reinforcing relationship between the United Nations and regional frameworks under Chapter 8 of the Charter.Participants at the event reviewed the treaty’s evolution and expanding membership, noting how it has translated the UN Charter’s core principles into the Southeast Asian context. These include respect for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity; non-interference in internal affairs; the non-use or threat of force; and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Over the past five decades, TAC has played a pivotal role in sustaining peace, stability and cooperation in Southeast Asia.ASEAN member states reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the treaty’s values and principles, stepping up dialogue, cooperation and confidence-building efforts in support of peace, stability and sustainable development in the region and beyond. The symposium once again highlighted ASEAN’s leadership in advancing TAC and regional initiatives, as well as broad support among UN member states for the treaty’s role in promoting international peace and security and strengthening trust in multilateralism anchored in international law. — VNA/VNS

The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia continues to underpin regional stability and reinforce ASEAN’s central role in the Asia–Pacific security architecture, Việt Nam’s UN ambassador said at a symposium in New York.

TAC bolsters ASEAN centrality in evolving regional order: Ambassador

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/1/30/482054_5390253199340192_le1.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Hoài Trung with other ASEAN diplomats ahead of ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat (AMM Retreat) in Cebu, the Philippines, on January 29. — VNA/VNS Photo</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam's engagement at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat on January 28–29 in Cebu, the Philippines, underscored its strategic commitment to ASEAN and its determination to translate foreign policy orientations into concrete action, contributing to peace, stability, and sustainable development in Southeast Asia, according to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Đặng Hoàng Giang.The Vietnamese delegation to the retreat was led by <a href="https://vietnamnews.vn/politics-laws/1764849/viet-nam-attends-asean-foreign-ministers-retreat-in-philippines.html">Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Hoài Trung.</a>Việt Nam's participation left three clear imprints, marking a qualitative shift from “deep integration” to “full integration,” with a more proactive, constructive, and responsible role in addressing regional and global issues.First, it reaffirmed Việt Nam's strategic commitment. Minister Trung underscored the country’s consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation, and diversification, while reaffirming ASEAN as Vietnam’s top strategic priority and common home. The positive response from other member states reflected broad recognition of Việt Nam's growing role and credibility.Second, the country demonstrated a strong action-oriented mindset. Actively contributing to the shaping of priorities for 2026 and beyond, the minister emphasised the need for ASEAN to stay ahead of change, strengthen unity and centrality, and maintain its role as a regional anchor of peace and stability. He also called for deeper intra-bloc connectivity in infrastructure, energy, knowledge, and innovation to enhance resilience and competitiveness.Third, Việt Nam highlighted its sense of responsibility for common affairs, with Minister Trung proposing the review of ASEAN’s confidence-building and conflict-management mechanisms, including the establishment of consultations among ASEAN legal advisers, to strengthen the bloc’s institutional and legal foundations. Maintaining a balanced and constructive approach, Việt Nam helped preserve ASEAN consensus and, as coordinator for ASEAN–UK and ASEAN–New Zealand relations, promoted practical cooperation aligned with ASEAN’s development priorities.Assessing the outcomes of the retreat, Giang said the meeting went beyond the routine start of a new cooperation year, helping to shape ASEAN’s collective response to profound global and regional changes. With higher expectations placed on ASEAN’s role, responsibility, and contribution, the retreat conveyed a clear action-oriented message: ASEAN remains committed to unity, coordination, and proactive engagement, rather than being drawn into intensifying global competition.Under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together,” the Philippine Chairmanship highlighted ASEAN’s determination that it will not stand on the sidelines or be swept into competition, but will reinforce unity, coordination, and collective action for regional stability and development. In that spirit, the retreat achieved several important outcomes of strategic significance, Giang stated.First, ASEAN agreed to renew its approach to cooperation by prioritising effectiveness and substance, narrowing the gap between decisions and implementation. This approach was reflected in three strategic priorities proposed by the Chair, focusing on peace as the foundation, prosperity as the driving force, and people as the centre of development.Second, the meeting emphasised the need to accelerate the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and its strategic plans. Member states acknowledged past limitations in execution and agreed to improve accountability, coordination, and implementation capacity. Particular priority will be given to emerging growth drivers such as the digital economy, artificial intelligence, and the semiconductor industry, which are expected to enhance regional connectivity and deliver tangible benefits to businesses and citizens.Third, it reaffirmed ASEAN’s unity, resilience, and strategic autonomy amid increasing geopolitical fragmentation, conflicts, and unilateral pressures challenging multilateralism and international law. — VNA/VNS

Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Hoài&nbsp;Trung emphasised the need for ASEAN to stay ahead of change, strengthen unity and centrality, and maintain its role as a regional anchor of peace and stability

Engagement at ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat reaffirms Việt Nam's strategic commitment to ASEAN: diplomat

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/1/23/480514_lam.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Party General Secretary Tô Lâm. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HÀ NỘI — High-ranking leaders of Laos, China, and Cambodia sent their messages and letters of congratulations to General Secretary Tô Lâm on his re-election as the Communist Party of Việt Nam chief by the 14th Party Central Committee on Friday afternoon.In his congratulatory letter, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith emphasised that the re-election for another term reflected the high level of trust and appreciation placed in General Secretary Lâm by the Party, the State and the people of Việt Nam, in recognition of his significant intellectual contributions, dedication, and extensive leadership experience over the past period.The Lao leader congratulated Việt Nam on the successful organisation of the 14th National Party Congress, describing it as a major political event that charts the country’s development orientations in a new era, particularly its strategic thinking, vision, and long-term development direction through to the end of the 21st century.He expressed his firm belief that under the wise and capable leadership of the CPV, headed by General Secretary Lâm, the entire Party and people of Việt Nam will successfully fulfill the goals set by the 14th Congress, thus building a peaceful, independent, democratic, prosperous, civilised, and happy Việt Nam which steadily advances towards socialism.The Lao leader also reaffirmed his country’s commitment to working closely with the Party General Secretary and the new leadership to continue preserving, safeguarding, and strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic cohesion between Laos and Việt Nam, ensuring that this relationship will continue to flourish and endure.On this important occasion, he wished Party General Secretary Lâm good health, happiness, and success in his position, while expressing hope to meet him soon in Việt Nam to further discuss measures to deepen the strategic cohesion between the two countries as they move together into a new era of development.Extending his congratulations to Party General Secretary Lâm and the leadership of the new tenure, Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping recalled in his message that since the 13th National Congress, the CPV had remained steadfast in pursuing a socialist modernisation path suited to Việt Nam’s national conditions, strengthened the Party’s comprehensive leadership, and united and led the Vietnamese people to achieve major accomplishments in socialism building and renewal, resulting in the country’s increasing international role and standing.He emphasised that the successful organisation of the 14th National Party Congress has opened a new era of development for the Vietnamese nation and will serve to encourage and advance the global socialist movement. He expressed confidence that under the leadership of the new Party Central Committee, with General Secretary Tô Lâm at its core, the Communist Party of Việt Nam will continue to unite and lead the Vietnamese people in striving for greater achievements, successfully fulfilling the tasks and goals set by the 14th National Party Congress.The top Chinese leader stressed that he attaches great importance to relations between the two Parties and the two countries, and stands ready to work with Party General Secretary Lâm to enhance strategic exchanges, promote the traditional friendship, persistently advance the socialist cause, and guide comprehensive strategic cooperation and the building of the China–Việt Nam community with a shared future towards even greater results, bringing more benefits to the two countries' people and contributing to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world.In his letter, Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni extended his sincere congratulations to General Secretary Tô Lâm on the occasion of his continuation in office as the Party chief at the 14th National Party Congress.He expressed firm confidence that under the wise leadership of the Party General Secretary, Việt Nam will attain major successes and strong development across all fields, while continuing to uphold its important role in the region and the world.The King also voiced his hope that the two countries’ relations will continue to develop for the sake of peace, stability, cooperation, and national development. He wished Party General Secretary Lâm good health, happiness, and success, and showed his hope that he will attain further new achievements in his noble mission of serving the country and the Vietnamese people.Meanwhile, President of the Cambodian People’s Party Hun Sen, in his letter, said he was delighted to learn that Comrade Tô Lâm continued to receive the trust of the Party and was reelected General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee at its 14th National Congress.The re-election reflects the strong confidence and trust placed in the General Secretary by the Vietnamese Party and people, he affirmed, praising the General Secretary’s sound leadership and strategic guidance, which have contributed to national development, ensuring lasting peace, stability, and prosperity for the Vietnamese people, and elevated the country’s role and standing at both regional and international levels.Expressing his firm belief, Hun Sen said that under Party General Secretary Lâm’s principled, forward-looking and future-oriented leadership, the Communist Party of Việt Nam will continue to enjoy broad support from the Vietnamese people and achieve even greater successes in implementing the orientations and decisions adopted by the 14th National Congress. With joint efforts, he expressed confidence that the good-neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability between the two Parties and the two countries will continue to deepen. — VNA/VNS

The 14th National Party Congress is a major political event that charts the country’s development orientations in a new era.

Top leaders of Laos, China, Cambodia extend congratulations to Party General Secretary Tô Lâm on re-election

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2026/1/23/480507_hang.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Thị Thu Hằng and Christopher Cutajar, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Tourism of Malta. — VNA/VNS Photo Ngọc Anh</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HÀ NỘI — Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Thị Thu Hằng held talks in Hà Nội on Friday with Christopher Cutajar, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Tourism of Malta, who is on a visit to Việt Nam.In an open, candid, and friendly atmosphere, Hằng said she was pleased to meet Cutajar again at a special time as Việt Nam holds the 14th National Party Congress. She underlined the significance of the visit, saying it will help advance cooperation agreed at their meeting in Malta in September last year and open up new opportunities for collaboration between the two countries at both bilateral and multilateral levels.For his part, Cutajar extended congratulations on the 14th National Party Congress, and said he was impressed by Việt Nam’s long-term development vision and strategic goals towards 2030 and 2045. He noted growing interest in and desire for cooperation with Việt Nam in Malta, and reaffirmed Malta’s wish to further expand substantive cooperation in the coming period.The two sides agreed to step up exchanges and contacts at all levels, particularly at the high level and between the two foreign ministries, and to enhance the ministries’ role in promoting links and cooperation between ministries, sectors, and localities. Hằng took the occasion to convey an invitation from Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Hoài Trung to Maltese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg to visit Việt Nam.On economic, trade, and investment cooperation, the Vietnamese diplomat spoke highly of Malta’s role as a transshipment hub in the Mediterranean, and called on Malta to continue to leverage its position as an EU member to encourage the remaining countries in the bloc to soon ratify the EU–Việt Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and to support the European Commission’s early removal of the “yellow card” imposed on Việt Nam’s seafood exports.Cutajar affirmed Malta’s desire to boost trade, cooperation, and investment with Việt Nam in areas of strength such as maritime services, seafarer training, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, education, and tourism, and said Malta stands ready to coordinate business delegations to explore cooperation opportunities.The officials welcomed the establishment of a political consultation mechanism between the two foreign ministries, and agreed to promote cooperation in education and training, people-to-people exchanges, and tourism, as well as to strengthen their role in enhancing cooperation between Malta and Southeast Asia, and between Việt Nam, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the EU. They reiterated mutual support at international forums and organisations, and reaffirmed their commitment to the UN Charter and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).Regarding the East Sea issue, the two sides stressed their shared stance and the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the waters.&nbsp;During his visit, Cutajar also held a working session with the leadership of the Diplomatic Academy of Việt Nam, and met its students. — VNA/VNS

The two sides agreed to step up exchanges and contacts at all levels, particularly at the high level and between the two foreign ministries, and to enhance the ministries’ role in promoting links and cooperation.

Việt Nam, Malta step up cooperation across multiple fields

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