Hanoi (VNA) - The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.

- Party General Secretary To Lam attended the 7th patriotic emulation congress of the Vietnam War Veterans' Association (VWVA), and a ceremony to celebrate the 35th founding anniversary of the association (December 6, 1989 - 2024), in Hanoi on December 4.

The Party chief commended and congratulated the association on its outstanding achievements over the last 35 years, as well as for accomplishments in its patriotic emulation movement. Read full story

- State President Luong Cuong led a National Assembly (NA) deputy delegation of Thanh Hoa to a meeting with voters in Thuong Xuan district of the central province to inform them about the outcomes of the eighth session of the 15th legislature and listen to their opinions and aspirations.

Local voters hailed the close and effective coordination among the NA, the Government, and relevant agencies in law-building activities. Read full story

- Rearranging the organisational apparatus is a difficult task but it is essential, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed on December 4 at a Government conference to carry out the review of the implementation of Resolution No. 18-NQ/TW, issued by the Party Central Committee in 2017, which seeks to streamline the political system for greater efficiency.

Chinh, who is also head of the government steering committee for reviewing the implementation of the resolution, urged ministers and heads of sectors to promote a strong sense of responsibility, and implement the assigned tasks in a scientific manner, with a suitable and effective roadmap and approach, noting that the organisational structure is currently cumbersome, with many bottlenecks, limited time, high expectations, heavy tasks, and complex and sensitive work. Read full story

- National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man held talks with Speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan Nukaga Fukushiro in Tokyo on December 4 as part of his ongoing official visit to Japan.

Nukaga warmly welcomed the Vietnamese top legislator’s first official visit to Japan in his new capacity, and expressed his sympathy to Vietnam over the damage caused by Typhoon Yagi. He reaffirmed Japan's commitment to continue cooperating with and assisting Vietnam in disaster prevention and recovery efforts in the coming time. Read full story

- Nine ministries and agencies under the Government will be consolidated under a resolution on streamlining and optimising the political system, Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra told the Vietnam News Agency.

Accordingly, the Government will reduce its organisational structure from 30 to 21 administrative bodies, including 13 ministries, four ministerial-level agencies, and four Government bodies. Read full story

- The mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market is eyeing a booming year in 2025 when delayed deals are likely to resume thanks to a better business environment, according to experts.

Nguyen Cong Ai, Deputy General Director of KPMG Vietnam, noted that Vietnam’s M&A market is following the global slowdown. However, he held that the country will continue to attract investment in key sectors such as real estate, consumer goods, and the industrial sector, with emerging opportunities in technology, renewable energy, and finance. Read full story

- Pearl onions grown for long in Yen Thuy district, the northern province of Hoa Binh have become a popular side dish in the local diet.

Yen Thuy district currently has more than 130 hectares dedicated to pearl onion farming, with the majority of it concentrated in Phu Lai commune. Read full story

- Vietnam’s 2025 holiday schedule was announced early, which is expected to help both people and tour operators actively prepare for holidays across the year.

Next year, public employees and workers in Vietnam will enjoy a total of 22 days off for public holidays and Lunar New Year (Tet). These include 11 official holidays and 11 compensatory or consecutive days off due to overlapping with weekends or adjusted work schedules. Read full story./.