AGP Executive Report

Trade and Diplomacy: Vietnam signed a free-trade agreement with EFTA’s four members—Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein—aiming to diversify markets and deepen global supply-chain links amid US tariff pressure. European Outreach: To Lam begins visits to Denmark, the EU and Belgium on October 19, seeking stronger political and economic cooperation; the trip follows Swiss President Guy Parmelin’s visit, which reaffirmed the two countries’ comprehensive partnership. National Assembly: The 16th National Assembly opened its second session, with President Tran Thanh Man urging better legislation and faster action to remove development bottlenecks. Prime Minister Le Minh Hung said 14 of 15 key 2026 targets are expected to be met or exceeded. Governance: To Lam called for stronger accountability and action when policies stall, including replacing underperforming officials rather than waiting for disciplinary violations.

Vietnam–Switzerland: To Lam hosted Swiss President Guy Parmelin in Hanoi as the countries marked 55 years of diplomatic ties. Their talks and a state banquet highlighted plans to deepen the Comprehensive Partnership established in 2025. National Assembly: The 16th legislature opened its second session with President Tran Thanh Man urging stronger lawmaking and institutional reform. Prime Minister Le Minh Hung said 14 of 15 key targets for 2026 are expected to be met or exceeded, with nine-month growth at 9.01%. Party Governance: At a nationwide conference on Party resolutions, To Lam called for better implementation, clearer accountability and action when officials underperform. European Visits: To Lam is due to visit Denmark, the EU and Belgium from October 19–24, aiming to strengthen political ties and expand cooperation in trade, technology and green growth.

Switzerland Visit: To Lam and Swiss President Guy Parmelin held talks in Hanoi on October 17, with ministries and agencies exchanging cooperation documents as the two countries mark 55 years of ties. National Assembly: Opening its second session, parliament’s president urged stronger institutional reform and high-quality laws to unlock resources and support sustainable growth. Economic Outlook: Prime Minister Le Minh Hung said 14 of 15 key 2026 targets are expected to be met or exceeded, with nine-month GDP growth at 9.01%. European Outreach: To Lam’s October 19–24 visits to Denmark, the EU and Belgium are set to focus on political trust, trade, investment, technology and green growth. Party Governance: At a nationwide conference, To Lam called for stronger accountability and action to address stalled work and underused resources. Energy Ties: Azerbaijan says it has supplied Vietnam with more than 1.1 million tonnes of crude oil since 2023, and the two sides discussed continuing supplies and expanding cooperation with PetroVietnam.

European Outreach: President and Communist Party General Secretary To Lam heads to Denmark, the EU and Belgium on October 19–24, seeking to turn upgraded ties into practical cooperation on trade, investment, technology, energy and security. Human Rights Watch urged Belgium’s prime minister to raise concerns over political prisoners and restrictions on free expression during the visit. Party Agenda: At a nationwide conference linked to more than 40,000 venues, To Lam called for stronger implementation of the Party plenum’s resolutions, accountability for stalled work and replacing underperforming officials without waiting for disciplinary violations. Local Leadership: Bui Thanh Nhan, a labor federation chief, was appointed head of Ho Chi Minh City’s Party propaganda department for a five-year term. Regional Ties: Vietnam and China’s legislatures are seeking closer cooperation to support trade, infrastructure links and people-to-people exchanges. In Hanoi, To Lam also reaffirmed that ties with Laos remain a top priority. Energy Links: Azerbaijan says it has supplied Vietnam with more than 1.1 million tonnes of crude oil since 2023, as officials discussed continued shipments and wider energy cooperation.

Party Governance: To Lam told a nationwide conference on the 14th Party Central Committee’s fourth-plenum resolutions that officials must turn sound policies into results, curb personal abuse of power and replace underperforming officials without waiting for disciplinary breaches. The conference linked more than 40,000 venues. Europe Ties: The Party chief and president heads to Denmark, the EU and Belgium on October 19–24, with leaders seeking to deepen political, trade, technology and green-growth cooperation. Regional Relations: To Lam reaffirmed Vietnam’s highest priority for ties with Laos during talks with a senior Lao Party official in Hanoi; Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia also agreed to expand defence cooperation, including joint patrols and disaster-response exercises. International Diplomacy: Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan urged CICA members to uphold international law and settle disputes peacefully at the summit in Azerbaijan. HCM City Personnel: Bui Thanh Nhan was appointed head of the municipal Party Committee’s Propaganda Department for a five-year term.

Laos Ties: To Lam met visiting Lao Party official Vilay Lakhamfong in Hanoi on Oct. 15 to review bilateral agreements and strategic projects. European Outreach: To Lam is due to visit Denmark, the EU and Belgium on Oct. 19–24, with green development and investment among the priorities. China Relations: National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man concluded his China visit after talks with senior leaders; Vietnam’s foreign minister said both sides agreed to deepen strategic exchanges, parliamentary cooperation and collaboration in key areas. Regional Defence: Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia set 2027 priorities including joint border patrols, disaster-response exercises and young-officer exchanges. Detention Dispute: Rights groups say Australian activist Hiep Tran was detained after disappearing in Cambodia; Vietnamese authorities say he and a Norwegian activist were caught trying to enter Vietnam illegally and charged with terrorism-related offences, claims their supporters dispute.

China Ties: National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man returned from a five-day visit to China, where he met senior leaders and co-chaired a parliamentary cooperation meeting, reinforcing political and legislative ties. Regional Defence: To Lam pledged closer defence cooperation with Cambodia as Hanoi hosted Cambodian and Lao defence chiefs for trilateral meetings and a joint exercise. Australia Partnership: A conference in Sydney focused on turning Vietnam-Australia political ties into practical cooperation in trade, investment, digital transformation and preparations for Vietnam’s 2027 APEC hosting. Policy Direction: The Party’s fourth plenum discussed a talent strategy targeting more skilled public-sector recruitment, while leaders signalled stronger support for Party members’ legitimate business activity with safeguards against abuse of office. Strategic Resources: EU documents identify Vietnam as a potential source of critical minerals, with support for mining and processing proposed to reduce reliance on China. Upcoming Visit: To Lam is due in Denmark on October 19–21 for talks with the prime minister, meetings with business leaders and a visit to a quantum laboratory.

Regional Defence: To Lam told visiting Cambodian and Lao defence chiefs that Vietnam will deepen military cooperation with both neighbours; the visits coincide with a trilateral defence ministers’ meeting and joint exercise. Diplomacy: Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan met Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev in Baku, reaffirming the strategic partnership ahead of the CICA summit and discussing bilateral ties. European Ties: To Lam is due in Denmark on October 19–21 for talks with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and King Frederik X, alongside business and science events. Separately, EU documents identify Vietnam’s tungsten and rare-earth reserves as potential supplies to reduce reliance on China. Party Policy: The 14th Party Central Committee’s fourth plenum considered a talent strategy, including a goal of placing Vietnam among ASEAN’s top three in talent competitiveness by 2030 and expanding talent recruitment in the public sector. War Remains: Prime Minister Le Minh Hung attended the reburial of 731 soldiers in Ho Chi Minh City, part of a national campaign to find and identify those missing from past conflicts.

War Remembrance: Prime Minister Le Minh Hung attended the reburial in Ho Chi Minh City of 731 soldiers’ remains recovered from Le Thi Rieng Park, part of a national drive to identify those missing from past wars. Strategic Resources: The EU is looking to Vietnam’s reserves of tungsten and rare earths to diversify critical-mineral supplies away from China, with internal documents recommending support for Vietnamese mining and processing. Presidential Diplomacy: Tô Lâm is due to visit Denmark on October 19–21 for talks with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, meetings with business leaders and a visit to a quantum laboratory. Party Priorities: The 14th Party Central Committee’s fourth plenum discussed a talent strategy aiming to place Vietnam among ASEAN’s top three for global talent competitiveness by 2030, including changes to public-sector recruitment and incentives. Detentions: Human Rights Watch urged Vietnam to release three activists it says went missing in Cambodia, drop charges and allow Norwegian and Australian consular officials access to two detainees holding those countries’ citizenship. Regional Ties: Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan met Georgia’s president and parliament speaker in Tbilisi, with both sides calling for closer political and economic cooperation.

Diplomacy: Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan met Georgia’s president and parliamentary speaker in Tbilisi on October 13, seeking closer ties. She is due to attend the CICA summit in Azerbaijan from October 14–16, where Vietnam says its engagement can support regional peace and strengthen its international standing. China Ties: National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man’s October 11–15 visit to China has focused on legislative cooperation, political trust, trade, infrastructure and public exchanges, including talks with China’s premier and CPPCC chairman. Party and Economy: The 14th Party Central Committee’s fourth plenum backed a shift toward encouraging Party members’ lawful business and wealth creation, while maintaining safeguards against abuse of public office. Hanoi Security: To Lam called for a leaner, stronger Capital Armed Forces and urged better coordination and preparedness at the grassroots level.

Regional Diplomacy: Vietnam’s vice president is due at the CICA summit in Azerbaijan on October 14–16; Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi says the country’s active role strengthens its standing and supports regional peace. China Ties: National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man met senior Chinese leaders in Beijing, with both sides pledging closer legislative and public exchanges and expanded practical cooperation. Party–Business Policy: At its latest plenum, the Party Central Committee backed a shift toward encouraging Party members to create legitimate wealth, while retaining safeguards against abuse of public office. Defence: To Lam urged Military Region 2 to assess risks early and maintain readiness to protect the country. Hanoi Governance: Marking 80 years of the Capital Armed Forces, To Lam praised their close ties with the city’s Party organisation, authorities and residents.

Vietnam–China Ties: National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man met Chinese Premier Li Qiang and CPPCC chairman Wang Huning in Beijing, with both sides pledging deeper political, economic and parliamentary cooperation. Party and Economic Policy: The 14th Party Central Committee’s fourth plenum signalled a shift toward encouraging Party members’ legitimate business and investment, while retaining safeguards against abuse of public office. Defence: President To Lam urged Military Region 2 to spot risks early, strengthen coordination with local authorities and remain ready to protect the country. Hanoi: At the Capital Armed Forces’ 80th anniversary event, Lam highlighted their close ties with the city’s Party organisation, administration and residents.

China Ties: National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man met Chinese political adviser Wang Huning in Beijing on October 11, pledging deeper parliamentary and public exchanges and more practical cooperation. His visit includes co-chairing a bilateral legislative committee. Defence: To Lam urged Military Region 2 to monitor threats closely, advise leaders promptly and strengthen coordination with police and local authorities. Hanoi: At a ceremony marking 80 years of the Capital Armed Forces, To Lam highlighted their close ties with the city’s Party organisation, government and residents. Party Direction: The 14th Party Central Committee’s fourth meeting concluded with plans to review the Party’s leadership record and reinforce its governance and implementation capacity. Regional Diplomacy: Prime Minister Le Minh Hung’s first official visits to Laos and Cambodia focused on deepening political ties and advancing cooperation.

Vietnam–China Ties: National Assembly President Trần Thanh Mẫn began a five-day visit to Beijing, where he is co-chairing a legislative cooperation meeting. He urged stronger political, security, trade and people-to-people ties, as officials point to rapidly growing bilateral trade. Hanoi’s Armed Forces: At a ceremony marking 80 years of the Capital Armed Forces, General Secretary and President Tô Lâm called for building a lean, efficient and strong force closely connected to Hanoi’s people and authorities. Neighbourhood Diplomacy: Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng’s meetings in Cambodia reaffirmed the priority both sides place on political ties and wider cooperation; his recent Laos visit also focused on deepening the countries’ special relationship. Party Governance: The 14th Party Central Committee concluded its fourth meeting, setting reviews of the Party’s leadership and long-term development path and backing efforts to strengthen Party-building and governance capacity.

Vietnam–China Ties: National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man arrived in Beijing on October 11 for a visit through October 15, including co-chairing a cooperation session with China’s National People’s Congress. The visit aims to turn leaders’ agreements into closer parliamentary and practical cooperation. Hanoi Security: At a ceremony marking 80 years of the Capital Armed Forces, To Lam called for building a lean, efficient and strong force. Neighbourhood Diplomacy: Prime Minister Le Minh Hung’s visits to Laos and Cambodia reaffirmed Hanoi’s priority on ties with both neighbours, with political trust framed as the basis for deeper cooperation. Party Governance: The 14th Party Central Committee’s fourth meeting concluded after setting out reviews of the Party’s leadership and long-term development path, alongside steps to strengthen Party-building and implementation capacity.

Capital Forces: At an October 10 ceremony marking 80 years of the Capital Armed Forces, General Secretary and President To Lam called for building a lean, efficient and strong force closely connected to Hanoi’s people and authorities. China Ties: Vietnam’s National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man visits China from October 11–15 to advance legislative cooperation. A Chinese scholar said parliamentary ties help strengthen political trust and practical cooperation. Cambodia Relations: On his October 9 visit, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung met Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen and National Assembly President Khuon Sudary, reaffirming the importance of party-to-party ties and cooperation between the neighbours. Party Leadership: The 14th Party Central Committee’s fourth meeting concluded in Hanoi after setting directions for long-term reviews of Party leadership, national development and Party statutes, and stressing stronger leadership and implementation capacity.