Vietnam’s National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan received the AIPA chairmanship for 2019-2020 from Speaker of the Thai House of Representatives Chuan Leekpai at the 40th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) which came to an end in Bangkok on August 29.
Chuan Leekpai applauded Vietnam’s remarkable contributions to ASEAN and expected to get stronger cooperation with the country in a bid to build a strong, solid, and sustainable ASEAN Community in the future.
In her address, the top Vietnamese legislator expressed her great honour to take over the AIPA 41 chairmanship and congratulated Chuan Leekpai, who is also Chair of AIPA 40, and Thai parliamentarians on the successful organization of the activities within the framework of the AIPA 40, especially the General Assembly.
Their all-out efforts have helped further draw the engagement of parliamentarians in promoting a peaceful and stable environment in Southeast Asia, as well as contributing to the building of a self-reliant, dynamic and sustainable ASEAN Community, Ngan said.
2020 will be a year to review the five-year development of the ASEAN Community since its establishment in 2015 and to draw experience from the five following years.
It will also be a special year for Vietnam when the nation both holds the position of a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Chair of ASEAN, and the Chair of AIPA 41.
Therefore, the Vietnamese legislature will continue innovating AIPA activities as well as enhancing the role and position of the AIPA in building the ASEAN community, the NA Chairwoman said.
"The National Assembly of Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to successfully assume the role of AIPA Chair. We look forward to receiving the support and close cooperation of the Thai Parliament and AIPA member parliaments, the AIPA Secretariat and the ASEAN Secretariat for the success of the AIPA and for the prosperous future of the ASEAN Community, " the Vietnamese NA leader said.
Through activities within the framework of the AIPA, Vietnam will go ahead with broader cooperation between the AIPA and the ASEAN, international organizations and multilateral cooperation mechanisms to accelerate the realization of commitments and plans towards the building of the ASEAN Community with a vision to 2025.
With the support of AIPA members, the National Assembly of Vietnam is set to host the first meeting of AIPA young parliamentarians and connect the AIPA with the ASEAN and youngsters of the bloc, she said.
Earlier the same day, NA Chairwoman Ngan attended the second plenary session of the 40th General Assembly of AIPA.
NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and heads of parliamentary delegations of AIPA signed a joint communique of the General Assembly of AIPA.
At the second plenary session, the General Assembly also adopted a resolution appointing Ms. Nguyen Tuong Van, Deputy Head of the Foreign Affairs Department of the Vietnam National Assembly Office as the 5th Secretary General of AIPA for the 2019-2020 tenure.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam has demanded a shift from passive preservation to actively shaping national memory, with each generation responsible not only for inheriting the past but also creating and safeguarding values that may become heritage for centuries.
The Government has identified three major objectives: promptly institutionalising Party policies on land, private-sector development and national digital transformation; addressing urgent practical obstacles to unlock resources and support the goal of double-digit economic growth; and building a modern, streamlined and effective land management system through stronger decentralisation and administrative reform.
General Secretary and President Lam said the most worthy tribute to previous generations is the responsibility and action of today's generation, while the greatest responsibility toward future generations is to create solid foundations and better conditions for the country's continued advancement.
Participants looked into 11 draft laws and one draft resolution, including laws amending and supplementing several articles of laws on non-agricultural land use tax and corporate income tax; natural resources tax; securities; accounting and independent auditing; the Labour Code; and laws on archives, gender equality, Red Cross activities and employment.
National Assembly (NA) President Tran Thanh Man on August 17 called for tighter safeguards and clear accountability in the banking sector, stressing that the management agency role of commercial banks must not become a “safety certificate” for corporate bonds.
The Ministry of Science and Technology said its top priority through end-2026 is a decisive shift from building institutional framework to delivering products, technologies and measurable results.
The two sides said the elevation of Vietnam-New Zealand ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has created an important political foundation for deepening cooperation between their research and academic institutions.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President of Vietnam To Lam on August 14 sent a message of congratulations to András Baka on his election as President of Hungary.
Reports, articles and assessments published on August 12-13 highlighted that Vietnam-New Zealand relations are shifting strongly from high-level political commitments to concrete cooperation programmes, with a focus on trade, investment, education, agriculture, science and technology, defence and security, and climate change response.
The Governor-General highlighted the historic significance of the visit as the first time a Vietnamese leader has visited New Zealand in both capacities of General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and President of the State.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Vietnam–New Zealand relations have continued to grow strongly, with substantive cooperation in numerous areas and further expansion in education and agriculture, generating fresh momentum for bilateral ties.
Regarding administrative reform, amendments to the Law on Radio Frequencies will remove licensing requirements deemed unnecessary or already regulated under other laws.
The ceremony was conducted in accordance with protocol for foreign heads of state visiting New Zealand, incorporating a traditional Māori welcome ceremony and an official greeting.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and President To Lam described overseas Vietnamese as “ambassadors” who help promote Vietnam's positive image internationally, and urged them to maintain solidarity, preserve national pride and cultural traditions, and make practical contributions to the country's development.
The Party leader stressed that the passing of NA President Xaysomphone is a great loss to the Lao Party, State and people, while Vietnam has also lost a great friend and a close, loyal comrade who had always held deep affection for the country, offered valuable support, and worked tirelessly to nurture and consolidate the Vietnam-Laos great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion.
Highlighting positive outcomes in Vietnam-Singapore cooperation across all areas, particularly since bilateral ties were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2025, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung proposed that the two sides maintain and step up high-level visits and exchanges at all levels.
Australia attaches great importance to its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam and highly values the substantive progress in bilateral relations, said Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong.
According to Government proposals submitted to the legislature, Quang Ninh and Bac Ninh cities will be formed based on the respective natural areas, populations and numbers of commune-level administrative units of the two provinces. Both proposals meet all five conditions stipulated in the Law on Organisation of Local Administration No. 72/2025/QH15 and all seven criteria for establishing centrally-run cities under Resolution No. 112/2025/UBTVQH15.
Xaysomphone Phomvihane was a capable revolutionary intellectual with broad knowledge and a strategic vision. Throughout his career, he remained committed to the Party's ideals and objectives, and demonstrated responsibility, flexibility and discipline in carrying out his assigned tasks.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung asked the Israeli Government to continue creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese people living, studying and working in Israel at a meeting with outgoing Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam Yaron Mayer in Hanoi on August 12.