☕ Afternoon briefing on December 15

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 16 sent a congratulatory message to Andrej Babis on his election as the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic.

Contributing feedback to the 14th Congress’s documents is the most practical way for every citizen to join Party efforts to shape a prosperous future for Vietnam. Each comment represents a crystallisation of brainpower, dedication, and civic responsibility, helping to formulate policies aligned with the people’s aspirations and the country’s development needs.

The plan also aims to ensure that the elections are conducted in a democratic, equal and law-abiding manner, while being safe and cost-effective, truly becoming a nationwide civic event, thus contributing to strengthening and enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the state apparatus and building a socialist rule-of-law state of Vietnam of the people, by the people and for the people.

Among the ballots used at the congress were three featuring posters of President Ho Chi Minh and one bearing an image depicting the Vietnamese people engaged in production during the period of resistance against foreign aggression. The latter also carried the inscriptions “80th Anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day” and “33rd National Congress of the PCU".

The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last weekend by the Vietnam News Agency.

PM Pham Minh Chinh described the National Boundary Commission as an “unsung soldier” on the diplomatic, legal and practical frontlines, playing a critical role in safeguarding national sovereignty while strengthening friendly relations with neighbouring countries.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 15 sent a message of sympathy to his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese over a shooting that occurred on December 14 at Bondi beach in Sydney, New South Wales, resulting in multiple civilian casualties.

Responding to Hung Yen voters’ recommendations, Party General Secretary To Lam affirmed the consistent principle of placing people at the centre, safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests, and ensuring that all policies and decisions serve the people.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung and his Philippine counterpart Maria Theresa Lazaro agreed to continue promoting efforts to elevate bilateral ties to a new height, including stepping up high-level and all-level delegation exchanges across Party, State, National Assembly and people-to-people channels.

The NA Standing Committee adopted a resolution on the first adjustment to the structure, composition, and number of candidates nominated for the 16th NA, and approved a plan to supervise and inspect the election.

Highlighting key positive aspects of the preparation process so far, the top legislator pointed to the strong, coordinated engagement of agencies from the central to local levels, swift yet methodical progress, particularly in finalising documents, developing organisational plans and drafting resolutions on electoral units.

PM Chinh praised the People’s Public Security Force for demonstrating its “three pioneering roles” and “three exemplary qualities” in implementing the Party’s guidelines, and the State's policies and laws.

He outlined key tasks ahead, including maintaining political stability, ensuring rapid and sustainable development, and further improving people’s living standards, while mobilising the strength of the entire political system and the public to achieve these goals.

Bosnia and Herzegovina attaches importance to and wishes to further promote the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam.

Economic and trade ties, in particular, are showing encouraging momentum. In recent years, two-way trade has maintained an upward trend, reaching an estimated 250–300 million USD annually.

During the visit, officers and sailors of the two navies toured Frigate 015 and the RoK Navy’s Munmu the Great destroyer, shared experience in training and long-duration deployments at sea, and took part in sports exchanges. The VPN delegation also hosted a banquet aboard Frigate 015 for senior officers and sailors of the host navy.

In the coming time, at least 95% of administrative procedures are to be processed in digital environments, while 100% of official documents and periodic reports must be exchanged online.

Vietnam stands ready to coordinate with ASEAN countries, including Thailand, to actively contribute to joint efforts to maintain long-term peace and stability in the region, said Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung.

AUMX-2 serves as an important forum for regional navies to share knowledge and enhance cooperative capabilities, reaffirming their shared commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

The Nhon Trach 3 and 4 power thermal plants, invested by Petrovietnam Power Corporation, have a total investment of around 1.4 billion USD. With a combined capacity of 1,624 MW, the plants are expected to supply over 9 billion kWh annually once fully operational, adding substantial baseload power to the system, particularly in the southern region.