Hanoi (VNA) - The Standing Board of the Central Steering Committee for Foreign Affairs and International Integration convened its first meeting in Hanoi on October 26 under the chair of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam.
In his opening address, General Secretary and President Lam, who is also head of the steering committee, said the meeting is a key mechanism to resolve difficulties and bottlenecks, and address complex, new and cross-sectoral issues, without taking over tasks that ministries, agencies and sectors are already handling effectively.
He said external affairs and global integration, a “key and regular” task set by the 14th National Party Congress, must involve the entire political system, national defence-security and development. Stability, internal strength and self-reliance must be reflected in every policy.
President of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man called for commitments and agreements to be clear, quantifiable, measurable and practically effective. Parliamentary diplomacy should pair cooperation with oversight of international agreements so high-level deals become concrete projects and results, he said.
Standing Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu said head-of-state diplomacy since the 14th National Party Congress has been ongoing with many innovations, serving national interests and raising Vietnam’s standing. With the world changing fast, he said diplomacy must be strategically proactive and boost strategic autonomy, with channels complementing each other and opening more development space. Results now need to be deepened into synergies and concrete benefits, and Vietnam should contribute more to global issues as a responsible member.
Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc praised the three inter-sectoral working groups on politics, national defence-security; economy and science-technology; and culture-society, education-training. He told ministries, agencies and localities to be more drastic in monitoring and pushing tasks, especially the agendas through end-2026 and for 2027.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung presented draft summary reports and said the steering committee's activities and external affairs across the political system have scored important results, especially in completing foundational documents for the steering committee.
In his conclusion, the top leader said external affairs and global integration have produced positive results with better-quality advice, coordination and execution, helping preserve a peaceful, stable environment, expand cooperation and create development resources.
He asked the three working groups to keep improving the quality and sustainability of results. He urged agencies to focus on year-end tasks, sharpen strategic forecasting, make external activities more effective, turn commitments into projects, products and real markets that benefit citizens, coordinate the performance of tasks uniformly and track results. Preparations for APEC 2027 must stay on schedule, he said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs - the steering committee’s standing agency - must work closely with other agencies to improve compilation, forecasting and information sharing, flag risks to national interests early and provide timely responses. It should select priorities and convert memoranda of understanding, agreements and joint statements into concrete projects and products for national development and people’s interests, as well as for global and regional peace, stability, cooperation and development, he added./.
VNA
See more
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wraps up official visit to Vietnam
In its foreign policy, Vietnam consistently propels relations with traditional friends, including Poland, a top priority partner in Central and Eastern Europe.
Vietnam treasures ties with Poland: Top leader
Vietnam is a leading partner of Poland in Southeast Asia and one of its most important partners in Asia, said Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
National Assembly President meets with Polish Prime Minister
Vietnam’s National Assembly supports stronger inter-parliamentary cooperation with Poland’s parliament, with the legislative bodies playing a role in establishing a favourable legal framework, overseeing the implementation of agreements and commitments, and advancing bilateral cooperation effectively, said NA President Tran Thanh Man.
Congratulations to Brazilian President on re-election
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam and Prime Minister Le Minh Hung on October 26 sent congratulatory messages to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on his re-election as President of Brazil for the 2027-2031 term.
Lawmakers call for clear licensing authority in national security works protection corridors
Deputies largely agreed with the draft law on protecting key works linked to national security, saying it addresses shortcomings in identifying works requiring protection, responds to rapid technological advances and clarifies the responsibilities of relevant forces in safeguarding national security infrastructure.
Vietnam extends congratulations to Austria on 71st National Day
Vietnam’s leaders on October 26 sent messages of congratulations to their Austrian counterparts on the occasion of the 71st anniversary of the country’s National Day.
Key CPV leader receives young officials of Cambodian People’s Party
Politburo member and Standing Member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu reaffirmed that the Party and State of Vietnam consistently attach importance to and prioritise the development of the good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability with Cambodia.
☕ Afternoon briefing on October 26
The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.
Vietnam, Poland issue joint statement on establishment of strategic partnership
Vietnam and Poland on October 26 issued a joint statement on the establishment of a strategic parntership.
Vietnamese, Polish PMs seek ways to boost all-round cooperation
On economic, trade and investment cooperation, the two leaders noted that bilateral trade reached nearly 4 billion USD in 2025, up 14.8% from 2024. While welcoming the growth, they said the figure remained modest and fell short of the two sides’ potential and expectations. They agreed to work together to raise bilateral trade to 6 billion USD by 2030.
Administrative streamlining in management of weapons, explosives must go with safety controls: top leader
The abolition of business licences for support tools must be linked to checks on the conditions that remain mandatory, Party General Secretary and President To Lam said, explaining that these are specialised goods with particular characteristics, and misuse or use by unauthorised persons could have extremely serious consequences.
Vietnam, Poland establish Strategic Partnership
Science, technology, innovation and digital transformation will become a new pillar of the Strategic Partnership, supported by stronger research, training and technology transfer links among universities, research institutes and businesses.
NA deputies propose adding enforcement measures to administrative penalties
The revised Law on Handling of Administrative Violations comprises six chapters and 128 articles. It proposes extending the statute of limitations for penalties to two or three years in certain sectors, raising maximum fines from 1 billion VND (over 38,000 USD) to 1.5 billion VND for individuals and from 2 billion VND to 3 billion VND for organisations, and specifying maximum fines for individual sectors.
PM Le Minh Hung hosts welcome ceremony for Polish counterpart
PM Donald Tusk’s official visit is an important event that offers favourable conditions for elevating bilateral ties to a new level after more than 75 years of diplomatic relations. It demonstrates the Polish Government’s high regard for Vietnam, one of Poland’s priority partners in the Indo-Pacific region and a leading partner in ASEAN.
Deputies to discuss draft Data Security Law on October 26
The bill aims to institutionalise the Party’s guidelines on safeguarding the Fatherland in cyberspace and developing the digital economy. It identifies data security as an urgent requirement that must be upheld throughout the national digital transformation process.
☀️ Morning digest on October 26
The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last weekend by the Vietnam News Agency.
Vietnam, EU and Belgium seek deeper, practical cooperation
The official visits by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam to the European Union (EU) and Belgium reaffirmed Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification in a new era – that of nation’s rise.
NA President sets ‘three no’s’ for APEC 2027 projects
National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man inspected key projects, including the expansion of Phu Quoc International Airport, provincial road DT.975, the first section of the urban railway, APEC Boulevard and the APEC Convention Centre.
Top leader’s visits elevate ties with Denmark, EU and Belgium: FM
The visits hold a great significance, reflecting Vietnam’s high regard for its European partners as well as their respect for Vietnam. They also help consolidate Vietnam’s foreign relations, expand its network of trusted partners, and strengthen the country’s ties with Europe at both bilateral and regional levels.
Vietnamese leaders extend congratulations to Kazakhstan on Republic Day
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam sent a congratulatory message to Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on October 25 on the occasion of Kazakhstan’s Republic Day.