This plenum will focus discussions on three major groups of issues - preparations for the 14th National Party Congress; the development of a political and legal foundation for continued reform in the coming years; and personnel work.
The 12th plenum of the 13th Party Central Committee opened in Hanoi on the morning of July 18 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The 12th plenum of the 13th Party Central Committee opened in Hanoi on the morning of July 18 under the chair of Party General Secretary To Lam.
Politburo member and State President Luong Cuong presided over the opening session.
This plenum will focus discussions on three major groups of issues - preparations for the 14th National Party Congress; the development of a political and legal foundation for continued reform in the coming years; and personnel work.
On preparations for the 14th National Party Congress, the document drafting sub-committee has seriously reviewed and selectively incorporated feedback from Party Central Committee members at the 11th plenum, as well as from Party members, the public, and from grassroots Party congresses recently held at commune and ward levels.
Regarding the political and legal framework for further national reform, the Party Central Committee has directed the National Assembly, the Government, the Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organisations to remove institutional bottlenecks and form a legal corridor for national development.
On Party building and personnel matters, the committee will consider adjustments to the planning of the 14th-tenure Party Central Committee, Politburo and Secretariat, while discussing orientations for personnel work for the upcoming term, and reviewing appointments under its authority.
In his opening speech, General Secretary Lam emphasised the urgent need to complete a heavy workload in a short time frame, calling on each Party Central Committee member to uphold a strong sense of responsibility, exercise intellect, and engage in democratic, candid, objective and constructive discussions. He stressed that national interests must take precedence, and that no individual bias, factional interest or avoidance of responsibility should compromise the quality of decisions made.
He underlined that every contribution at this plenum will not only shape the content of the 14th Congress’s documents but also play a crucial role in defining the Party’s strategic directions through 2030 and towards 2050.
Nominees for the National Assembly Party Committee members must demonstrate political mettle, intellect, moral integrity, prestige and proven competence to fulfill the mission entrusted by the Party, the NA, and the people
The event aimed to highlight key achievements over the past decade and offered a platform for exemplary individuals and collectives to share experiences, spread positive examples, and encourage officers, Party members, and soldiers to continue studying and following the late leader’s thought, morality, and lifestyle.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed the need for the Organisation Commission to promote its role as the strategic advisory body so as to build the Party clean, strong, and capable of leading the country in the new era.
Trade between Laos and Vietnam reached 2.25 billion USD in 2024, up 38.2% from the previous year. In particular, total trade turnover in the first five months of 2025 hit 1.6 billion USD, a year-on-year increase of 100.4%.
In his opening speech, the Party chief highlighted the significance of the event, saying that the convening of the conference nearly three months earlier than the schedule demonstrates the proactive, urgent, and highly responsible spirit of the entire Party in comprehensively and thoroughly preparing the contents to be presented at the 14th National Party Congress.
The National Committee for APEC 2027 is tasked with assisting the PM in considering, directing, and coordinating the performance of tasks related to the preparation for and organisation of APEC conferences and related activities in 2027.
In the first six months, Vietnamese ministries, sectors and localities signed more than 250 commitments and cooperation agreements during the diplomatic activities of high-ranking leaders, doubling the 2024 number.
Set against the backdrop of major political and economic developments in both nations, this visit is poised to open up new cooperation opportunities, said Vietnamese Ambassador Tran Quoc Khanh.
The two sides agreed on priority areas for future cooperation, including increased delegation exchanges, information sharing, and trade promotion, with a view to raising two-way trade above the current 50 million USD. They also discussed collaboration in the Halal industry.
PM Pham Minh Chinh's reception for Global Head of Equity and Multi Asset of FTSE Russell Gerald Toledano, the third meeting of the Vietnam – Azerbaijan Intergovernmental Committee on Economic – Trade and Scientific – Technical Cooperation, and the Foreign Ministry's regular press conference are among news highlights on July 17 evening.
FTSE Russell’s Global Head of Equity and Multi Asset Gerald Toledano praised Vietnam’s reform momentum, noting that its stock market, now the most liquid in ASEAN, has surpassed those of Thailand and Singapore.
The top legislator urged the SAV and SAO to advance their 2025-2028 medium-term cooperation plan and the 2021-2030 strategy, asking for more exchanges of delegations and expertise, particularly in digital transformation and staff training.
Cambodia always remembers and appreciates Vietnam’s support for Cambodia’s escape from the Pol Pot genocidal regime, said Secretary of State Ung Rachana of the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The 27th Party Congress of the VNA elected a 27-member Party Committee for the new term and a delegation of six official and two alternate delegates to attend the first congress of the Government's Party Organisation.
The Foreign Ministry spokeperson was responding to a reporter's question regarding July 12, 2025, which marked the 9th anniversary of the ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the East Sea arbitration case between the Philippines and China under Annex VII of UNCLOS.
The two sides agreed to enhance information sharing and policy consultation at all levels – from technical experts to government leaders – to promptly address issues arising during the course of cooperation, and to seek flexible solutions to balance and raise bilateral trade.
According to the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia, 140 Vietnamese citizens were temporarily detained by Cambodian authorities in Phnom Penh on July 14 due to suspected involvement in online scam activities.
Vietnam has invited the defence ministers of Russia, China, Laos, Cambodia, Cuba, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan to attend the celebration of the 80th National Day anniversary on September 2; and five countries – Russia, China, Laos, Cambodia, and Belarus – to send forces to participate in the parade at the National Day celebration.
The top legislator will attend the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Switzerland, engage in bilateral activities there, and pay official visits to Morocco and Senegal from July 22 to 30.
The Party Central Committee’s Politburo and Secretariat on July 17 considered and issued disciplinary measures against two incumbent and former officials for serious violations of the Party's regulations and the State's laws while performing their duties.
The two sides discussed ways to accelerate joint projects and agreements and expand the list of Vietnam’s exports to China. They also proposed boosting cooperation in vocational training, especially in high-tech industries and sustainable agriculture, to meet the development needs of both sides.
