Politics Over 71 per cent of voters nationwide cast ballots by noon: ministry By 12:00, voting had already been completed with 100 per cent turnout insome areas, including Bach Long Vi special zone in Hai Phong city. 03/15/2026 14:00 | Vietnam Law High voter turnout reported nationwide by 9am: NEC official 03/15/2026 13:40 | Vietnam Law President Luong Cuong casts ballot in Hanoi’s Hoan Kien ward 03/15/2026 09:00 | Vietnam Law President Luong Cuong casts ballot in Hanoi’s Hoan Kien ward 03/15/2026 09:00 | Vietnam Law 1 Vietnam Law | 12/17/2025 12:20 PM mandates readiness for project groundbreaking and inauguration ceremonies VTV is responsible for working with the Voice of Vietnam and the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) in developing a detailed script for the ground-breaking, inauguration ceremonies for projects celebrating the 14th National Party Congress. 2 Vietnam news | 12/17/2025 10:10 PM mandates readiness for project groundbreaking and inauguration ceremonies The ground-breaking and inauguration ceremonies for projects are scheduled to take place on the morning of Friday, marking the 79th anniversary of National Resistance Day (December 19, 1946–2025). 3 Vietnam news | 12/17/2025 09:18 Experts warn of rising crime risks in closed social media groups Recent investigations have highlighted how people with no prior relationship can meet in private social-media groups and move rapidly from online interaction to violent actions. 4 Vietnam news | 12/17/2025 08:35 Local leaders must be held accountable for IUU fishing violations: PM PM Phạm Minh Chính called for continued review and improvement of the legal framework to ensure strong, deterrent sanctions capable of decisively ending IUU violations. 5 Vietnam Law | 12/17/2025 07:10 Vietnam’s rapid, sustainable development goal is well-grounded, feasible: PM Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has stressed that Vietnam has clearly identified the dual green transition and digital transformation as an objective necessity, a strategic choice and a top priority. It serves as both foundation and key driving force for rapid and sustainable development. 6 Vietnam news | 12/16/2025 22:57 Top legislator calls for strict discipline to further enhance quality of NA operations On this occasion, NA Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn presented certificates of merit of the NA Standing Committee to six collectives with outstanding performance in serving the 10th session of the 15th legislature. 7 Vietnam news | 12/16/2025 22:54 JICA praised for contributions to Việt Nam’s development over past 30 years Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyễn Minh Vũ called on the two sides to continue close coordination to advance cooperation projects in line with agreements reached by high-ranking leaders, ensuring timely ground-breaking and implementation as committed. 8 Vietnam news | 12/16/2025 22:46 Deputy PM Trần Hồng Hà meets EU diplomats in Việt Nam The ambassadors and chargés d’affaires congratulated Việt Nam on its impressive development achievements, noting that the country has maintained high economic growth despite difficulties caused by natural disasters, while its tourism recorded a milestone with 20 million international visitors. 9 Vietnam news | 12/16/2025 22:11 Central Steering Committee 35 reviews performance in 2025, outlines key tasks for 2026 As the core force in ideological protection, the Central Steering Committee 35 and its branches at all levels were urged to continue renewing their working methods, improving the quality of forecasting, and enhancing the effectiveness of prevention, detection and response to toxic and hostile information. 10 Vietnam news | 12/16/2025 21:29 PM urges Tochigi prefecture to promote substantive cooperation with Vietnamese localities According to Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, exchanges at the local level, people-to-people contacts and cultural exchanges have become increasingly dynamic and close. 11 Vietnam news | 12/16/2025 21:19 Female military personnel commended for vital contributions to national defence Party General Secretary Tô Lâm expressed his satisfaction with the strong, comprehensive, and effective development of women’s work and movements in the military during the 2021–2025 period, noting the courage, perseverance, and dedication shown by servicewomen across all fields of work and daily life. 12 Vietnam news | 12/16/2025 21:19 Former deputy ministers given warnings over violations of Party regulations, State laws Based on the nature, extent, consequences, and causes of the violations, and in accordance with Party regulations, the Inspection Commission decided to impose warnings on two former officials. 13 Vietnam Law | 12/16/2025 16:14 PM urges thorough preparations for nationwide project ground-breaking, inauguration ceremonies The ground-breaking and inauguration ceremonies for projects celebrating the 14th National Party Congress are scheduled to take place on the morning of December 19, marking the 79th anniversary of National Resistance Day (December 19, 1946-2025), in a hybrid format across 79 venues. 14 Vietnam news | 12/16/2025 15:54 PM told ministries to carefully prepare for major ceremony of 234 projects, worth over $129b Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính said that the ceremony, covering 234 projects, worth VNĐ3.4 quadrillion ($129.1 billion), is a highly significant event to mark the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress and the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Việt Nam. 15 Vietnam news | 12/16/2025 15:45 PM suggests acceleration of Laos–Việt Nam University establishment The two sides should strengthen the teaching and learning of Vietnamese and Lao in both countries, including introducing Vietnamese as an optional foreign language in Lao schools, while continuing academic exchanges and programmes on tradition education to nurture the special bilateral relationship 16 Vietnam news | 12/16/2025 15:41 Cook Islands attaches importance to ties with Việt Nam Cook Islands are committed to nurturing and deepening bilateral cooperation in areas of shared interest, contributing to peace, stability and sustainable, prosperous development. 17 Vietnam news | 12/16/2025 15:39 Việt Nam marks 30 years in ASEAN with seminar on regional role, future vision From initial integration, the country has emerged as an active, proactive and responsible member, driving shared progress within the bloc. Việt Nam's growing influence stems from substantive contributions across sectors, bolstered by domestic political-economic stability and rising global stature. 18 Vietnam news | 12/16/2025 15:29 Former food safety authority leaders accused of receiving $1.98 million in bribes Former food safety officials face prosecution over an alleged bribery scheme exploiting regulatory loopholes in health supplement approvals, investigators say. 19 Vietnam news | 12/16/2025 11:52 Government sets out coordinated plan for 2026 elections Priority will be given to the quality and qualifications of candidates rather than quotas. 20 Vietnam news | 12/16/2025 10:15 Image of President Hồ Chí Minh appears on ballots at Uruguay Communist Party congress President Hồ Chí Minh and Việt Nam have always served as revolutionary role models for Uruguayan communists, representing heroism, dignity, steadfast revolutionary spirit and, above all, the value of solidarity. 42 43 44 45 46