Hanoi (VNA) – International media have reported the passing of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on recent days and also reviewed milestones of his career.
In a programme broadcast live on July 19 of Channel One, politician and former member of the State Duma of Russia Vyacheslav Nikonov expressed deep condolences to the Party, State, and people of Vietnam.
He described the Party chief as a big friend of Russia, stressing that Trong was truly a great friend of Russia who had substantial influence on the successful development of bilateral relations.
The Komsomol Truth newspaper said under General Secretary Trong’s leadership, Vietnam obtained the biggest achievements in economic, political, and social affairs and maintained stable gross domestic product (GDP) growth.
Sharing the view, the media in Japan said Vietnam’s most outstanding achievement during Trong’s leadership was high economic growth, the increased stature in the international arena, and the comprehensive, multidirectional, and balanced foreign policy in a polarised world.
The NHK television station along with Nikkei Asia and Yomiuri newspapers perceived that the Party leader carried out comprehensive diplomacy to consolidate and maintained Vietnam’s good relations with the US, China, Japan, Russia, and other countries while promoting multidirectional diplomacy even when the international community is increasingly polarised.
The Asahi newspaper noted that under Trong’s leadership, Vietnam positioned its ties with Vietnam as comprehensive strategic partnership. Trade and the sending of technical interns have been intensified. He visited Japan and met then Prime Minister Abe Shinzo in 2015.
Nikkei Asia, Yomiuri, and Asahi added that the Party leader launched a thorough crackdown on corruption which is a historic move in the fast-growing economy and gains public support, thereby strengthening the Party’s centrality.
Nikkei Asia reported that Geneal Secretary Trong was known more widely through his academic statements, including the one that socialism unceasingly improves the quality of people’s material and spiritual lives as he said in a 2022 speech. This newspaper also named some of its famous books.
In terms of economy, it said, Vietnam secured fast growth under his leadership thanks to its participation in free trade agreements and other measures. Vietnam has attracted foreign manufacturers by taking such measures as joining in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Global enterprises, from tech giant Apple of the US to Chinese electric vehicle producer BYD, Japanese apparel retailer Uniqlo, and others are expanding their supply chains in Vietnam, a market emerging as a centre of garment and tech devices.
In the US, many large newspapers have run articles about his leadership career over the last 13 years.
The Washington Post wrote that Trong led Vietnam to a period of stronger economic opening, and his anti-corruption drive attempted to burnish public trust in the Party and its stewardship of Vietnam’s economy, one of the most dynamic in the region, with sectors that include a growing start-up culture.
He was seen as an artful practitioner of Vietnam’s “bamboo diplomacy” as the country navigates ties with its most important economic partners, China and the US, while also building bonds with nations such as India and Russia, according to the newspaper.
The New York Times said the Party chief was viewed as a frugal leader. He oversaw one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies and raised Vietnam’s prestige on the international stage./.
See more
Fire causes extensive damage at Indonesia's major wholesale market
A major fire that broke out on the morning of December 15 devastated Kramat Jati, Jakarta's largest wholesale food market, destroying at least 350 kiosks.
Philippines steps up crackdown on illegal online gambling
Criminal networks are believed to be using routes from Palawan to Sabah, then through Malaysia, with final destinations in Myawaddy (Myanmar) or Phnom Penh (Cambodia).
Survey shows Thai public still undecided on prime ministerial candidates
The proportion of respondents who said they could not identify a suitable political party also rose to 32.36%, surpassing all parties for the first time.
Malaysia accelerates clean energy transition
Delivering a speech at the Clean Energy Transition Asia (CETA) Summit 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Fadillah, who is also the energy transition and water transformation minister, said that the Southeast Asian region now drives more than half of the global energy demand.
Indonesian localities extend state of emergency amid natural disasters
As disaster-related losses continue to rise, authorities in the affected provinces have decided to extend the state of emergency to ensure resources and legal mechanisms for response efforts. West Sumatra extended it to December 22, North Sumatra to December 24, and Aceh to December 25.
Malaysia eyes AI-driven energy future
Malaysia’s direction is to focus on building a modern grid, a digital economy powered by trustworthy AI, and climate finance systems that deliver real-world decarbonisation.
ASEAN meeting on situation in Cambodia, Thailand postponed
The Special AMM on the situation in Cambodia and Thailand will be chaired by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan in Malaysia’s capacity as the current ASEAN Chair.
Air travel between Cambodia, Thailand remains operational
In a statement released on his Facebook post, Hun Sen explained that his earlier message, advising the Royal Government to consider suspending cross-border travel, referred specifically to land routes, as tensions are escalating along the entire land border, with some spillover into maritime areas.
Myanmar reaffirms determination to combat telecom scams, online gambling
A series of special operations have been launched, and over 70,000 foreign nationals involved in these crimes were repatriated to 54 countries over more than two years.
Thailand, Myanmar boost anti-drug cooperation
Myanmar authorities have handed over three drug-related fugitives wanted by Thailand and one Thai national who was residing illegally in Myanmar to Thai authorities, according to the Myanmar Police Force.
Thailand removes over 59,000 scam-linked accounts
More than 59,000 scam-linked accounts were taken down after the Anti-Online Scam Centre joined Meta and five international partners in a coordinated crackdown on cross-border fraud.
ASEAN calls for full implementation of Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar
ASEAN reiterated its call for the full implementation of an expanded and extended ceasefire throughout Myanmar, as reaffirmed by the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on an Extended and Expanded Ceasefire in Myanmar issued on May 26 this year.
Indonesia: Over 200 people remain missing after floods, landslides
The floods and landslides that struck three provinces on Indonesia's Sumatra Island have caused damage to about 1,200 public facilities, as well as 219 health facilities, 581 educational establishments, 434 places for worship, 290 office buildings and 145 bridges.
Malaysia plans to convene ASEAN meeting over Cambodia-Thailand tensions
Malaysia remains ready to support efforts to de-escalate the situation, protect civilians, and help restore regional stability, in line with ASEAN's spirit of good neighbourliness.
Indonesia’s customs warns of emerging smuggling “hotspot”
To prevent similar smuggling activities, Indonesia’s Directorate General of Customs and Excise is conducting strict surveillance along the coast. The areas under surveillance include Belawan, Tanjung Balai Asahan, Dumai, Jambi, and the Riau Islands.
Timor Leste PM: Admission into ASEAN – a dream comes true
Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão emphasised that becoming a member of ASEAN is “a dream comes true" for the people of Timor Leste, affirming that joining ASEAN marked a significant turning point, helping Timor Leste move towards the future and integrate into the broader regional community.
Foreign arrivals to Thailand down nearly 10% year-on-year
For 2026, Thailand expects 34.9 million foreign visitors, a 4% increase, earning 1.63 trillion THB in revenue, up 8% year-on-year. Total tourism revenue, including domestic travel, is forecast at 2.79 trillion THB (88 billion USD).
Laos marks 105th birth anniversary of President Kaysone Phomvihane
The Party, State, Government, National Assembly and people of Laos gathered in a rally in Vientiane on December 12 to mark the 105th birth anniversary of President Kaysone Phomvihane (December 13).
Thai PM dissolves parliament
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on December 12 signed a decree dissolving the House of Representatives, paving the way for a new general election.
Malaysia takes drastic measures to prevent illegal dumping
As of October, a total of 3,634 illegal dumping sites in Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perlis, Kedah, and areas under Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya had been shut down - the highest number recorded since the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672) took effect.