Opening the session, NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man highlighted the significance of the recently concluded first sitting, which lasted 12 working days and accomplished a substantial volume of important tasks.

More than 1,300 delegates are attending the 11th National Congress of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) for the 2026–2031 tenure, including 1,138 official delegates.

Hue is now poised to become a centre for culture, tourism and specialised health care in Southeast Asia. On that journey, the continued engagement of international experts remains a valuable resource, helping the city not only preserve its past but also shape its future.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung described the visits as particularly important and historic, taking place at a meaningful moment as Vietnam and India mark the 10th anniversary of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and just one month after the top leader of Vietnam assumed his new position.

Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang said that the Vietnamese delegation made important contributions to the summit’s success, reflecting the foreign policy orientation set out by the 14^th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Fifty-one years after the liberation of the South and national reunification (April 30, 1975–2026), Vietnam has made significant socio-economic progress, with GDP exceeding USD 514 billion in 2025, ranking among the world’s 32 largest economies and fourth in ASEAN.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam left Cebu, the Philippines, on the evening of May 8, concluding their trip to attend the 48^th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.

Vietnam and Sri Lanka have issued a Joint Statement on the elevation of the relations to a Comprehensive Partnership during General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam's state visit to Sri Lanka on May 7-8.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung emphasised the need to concentrate resources on ensuring essential security needs, including the ratification and effective implementation of the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement, and the substantive implementation of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation 2026-30, the ASEAN Power Grid, and the ASEAN Gas Pipeline network.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed his pleasure at welcoming the top Vietnamese leader and his entourage, describing their trip as a reflection of Vietnam’s regard for Sri Lanka as a traditional partner in South Asia.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation arrived in Colombo on the evening of May 7 (local time), beginning a two-day state visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man underscored the importance of broad consultations with citizens, businesses, affected groups and law enforcement officials to identify legal obstacles and ensure the review delivers “accurate, targeted and substantive” outcomes.

During meetings with ASEAN leaders, Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern. They agreed to strengthen cooperation and coordination within the bloc and the United Nations, while promoting ASEAN centrality in addressing regional and global issues.

Ahead of World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day on May 8 and the 80th anniversary of the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRCS), Humanitarian Month 2026 has been launched under the theme “80 years – A journey of compassion for the community”.

Once issued, the circular is expected to provide a key legal basis for promoting responsible technology adoption, advancing digital transformation and AI in higher education, while strengthening quality assurance, data protection and academic integrity in the digital era.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation departed Hanoi for Cebu, the Philippines on May 7 morning to attend the 48th ASEAN Summit from May 7-8 at the invitation of Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr, Chair of ASEAN 2026.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam met with Indian President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi on May 6 afternoon (local time) as part of his state visit to India.

The Vietnam Fisheries Society (Vinafis) has formally lodged a protest with the Government Office, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over China’s unilateral fishing ban in the East Sea in 2026.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam highlighted that rapid breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, big data, biotechnology, quantum technology and clean energy are fundamentally transforming production methods, growth models and the global economic structure.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the press in New Delhi on the afternoon of May 6.