President gathers insights in HCM City ahead of NA’s 9th session
State President Luong Cuong provided key updates on global and national developments, highlighting the socio-economic progress made by HCM City, a special urban centre and a hub for economy, culture, education, and sci-tech that has played a pivotal role in Vietnam’s growth.
State President Luong Cuong meets with voters in HCM City (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – State President Luong Cuong,ꦏ accompanied by a National Assembly delegation from Ho Chi Minh City, met with voters in the outlying districts of Cu Chi and Hoc Mon on April♔ 22 to gather insights ahead of the 15th National Assembly (NA)’s 9th session.
President Cuong provided key updates on global and national developments, highlighting the socio-economic progress made by HCM City, a special urban centre and a hub for economy, culture, education, and sci-tech that has played a pivotal role in Vietnam’s growth.
Under the Party’s comprehensive leadership, the NA’s close oversight, and the Government’s decisive direction, Vietnam achieved a remarkable 6.93% GDP growth in Q1 2025, the highest first-quarter figure in six years, ranking among the world’s top 20 fastest-growing economies. The country also made significant strides in socio-culture, health, and education. Major infrastructure projects, including highways and railways, are being rolled out nationwide. National defence, security, and diplomacy have been bolstered, ensuring political stability and public order.
Notable progress has been seen in Party and political system building. Preparations for local Party congresses and the 14th National Party Congress are underway in a serious, scientific, and responsible manner aligned with efforts to modernise leadership and governance structures.
Commending the city's Party Organisation, authorities, and people for their contributions to these successes, he urged them to thoroughly understand and drastically follow directives from the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, the Secretariat, the Government, and especially those of the Party General Secretary, which focus on streamlining the organisational apparatus and administrative units at all levels, and building a two-tier governance system, contributing to the success of local Party congresses and the upcoming 14th National Party Congress.
Public input from citizens, public servants, and Party members throughout this process is vital to foster unity and consensus, he said.
He urged timely allocation of necessary resources to operationalise the newly formed communal units and accelerate digital transformation toward e-government, digital government, digital society, and digital citizenship. The aim is to achieve a growth rate of 10% in 2025 and sustain double-digit growth thereafter.
Meticulous preparations for the 50th anniversary of the southern liberation and national reunification (April 30) were also stressed, with plans for a grand celebration, military parade, and mass procession. The President called for utmost security and safety during all commemorative activities, cultural, sports, and social gratitude events, as well as the groundbreaking and inauguration of major projects.
State President Luong Cuong offers incense at Nga Ba Giong national relic site (Photo: VNA)
Earlier in the morning, President Cuong offered incense and laid flowers at the Nga Ba Giong national relic site in Xuan Thoi Thuong commune, Hoc Mon district in memory of President Ho Chi Minh, senior Party leaders, revolutionary forebears, fallen heroes, and all those who sacrificed for national independence.
He also visited and presented gifts to Hero of the People's Armed Forces To Van Duc, a legendary guerrilla known as the “tank destroyer” who invented anti-tank mines and disabled over 5,000 enemy tanks during a decade-long campaign in Cu Chi./.
Voters expressed their confidence in the Party and State’s effective implementation of socio-economic tasks, especially amid the US’s new tariffs, as well as their trust in the success of the revolution to streamline the political system’s apparatus, the rearrangement of administrative units and the organisation of the two-level local administration.
To achieve at least 8% growth this year and double-digit growth thereafter, PM Pham Minh Chinh committed to realising the Politburo’s resolutions on advancing sci-tech, innovation, digital transformation, and global integration.
NA Secretary-General Le Quang Tung said the 9th session will address a broad agenda, including constitutional amendments, 44 legislative items, and 12 key issues tied to socio-economic development, State budget, oversight, and other key matters.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
The ministry has instructed Vietnamese representative agencies in Israel, Iran, as well as those in neighbouring countries, to closely monitor the situation and request local authorities to ensure absolute safety for Vietnamese citizens living, studying, and working in high-risk areas.
Senior Vietnamese leaders on June 19 sent letters of congratulations to New Zealand leaders on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of Vietnam – New Zealand diplomatic relations (June 19, 1975 – 2025).
The Party chief attributed the achievements in the first half to the continuous, direct, and comprehensive leadership of the Politburo and the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee, and the close and effective coordination of relevant ministries, sectors and localities.
General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the VPA’s General Staff and Deputy Minister of National Defence reaffirmed Vietnam’s unwavering gratitude for Cuba’s invaluable support during its struggle for independence and nation-building efforts, and pledged to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Cuba as it navigates current challenges.
Vietnam is a country with which Russia shares a special relationship. In the 1950s and 60s, particularly during Vietnam’s struggle for independence, the two countries forged a deep bond. While much has changed over time, the friendship and cooperation between our nations have endured, said Russian President Vladimir Putin.
For 50 years, Vietnam and New Zealand have worked together to uphold peace and prosperity for their peoples and the region. The friendship, cooperation, and mutual understanding Vietnam and New Zealand nurtured have grown from a seed into a deeply rooted, strong, and thriving tree, she stressed.
Since the Strategic Partnership was established in 2020, Vietnam and New Zealand have witnessed steady growth in the relations. Beyond the remarkable 40% increase in bilateral trade over five years, political relations and multilateral interactions, particularly within the CPTPP framework, have remained highly positive.
Known as the “four pillars for Vietnam’s ascend”, the Pobiburo's Resolutions 57, 59, 66, and 68 focus on cultivating a robust national entrepreneurial spirit, unlocking resources for innovation across society, and accelerating the development of digital economy, knowledge-based economy, green economy, and circular economy, propelling Vietnam forward rapidly and firmly on the path of modernisation and international integration.
Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang cleared up deputies' concern regarding how to spur socio-economic growth, renew traditional growth motives and establish new momentum for development.
Vietnam proposed several priorities: narrowing the digital divide, strengthening women’s leadership in the digital economy and AI governance, and mobilising sustainable financing for gender equality initiatives in line with each country’s national priorities and context. Vietnam also advocated for genuine women’s participation and leadership across all areas of public life.
