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 has highlighted the extreme importance of preparing and enhancing the quality of documents for the 14th National Party Congress, including personnel plans, which are crucial in the current context of the nation.

Addressing the 4th meeting of the 14th National Party Congress’ sub-committee for personnel affairs in Hanoi on March 25, the Party chief, who is also head of the sub-committee, described the upcoming congress as a special milestone in the nation’s development path, which opens up a new era for the country, the era of the nation’s rise to strong development and prosperity. Read full story

- Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's official visit to Vietnam from March 25-26 is expected to further enhance the newly upgraded comprehensive strategic partnership (CSP) between the two nations, Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam told the press ahead of the trip.

According to the diplomat, this will be PM Wong’s first official visit to Vietnam since taking office, following Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam’s visit to Singapore less than two weeks ago. While the Party chief was in the island state, the two countries elevated their relations to a CSP, the first between Singapore and an ASEAN country. Read full story

- Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh on March 24 met with representatives of the European Central Bank (ECB) to discuss plans for the establishment of financial centres in Vietnam, as part of his working visit to Germany – the final stop in his European tour.

At the meeting, the Deputy PM commended the ECB’s role in controlling inflation, maintaining economic stability, and promoting sustainable growth. He stressed that Vietnam views the institution as a model to learn from in its efforts to refine the financial market, enhance monetary oversight, and improve macroeconomic management. Read full story

- Granma, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of Cuba, has launched a special sub-web featuring rare images and archival materials celebrating the special solidarity between Vietnam and Cuba, which mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year (December 2, 1960 – 2025).

Released in the same year that Granma celebrates the 60th anniversary since its first issue (October 4, 1965), the sub-web is more than just an archive, it is a visual chronicle of a historic brotherhood. Among its highlights are iconic moments such as Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro’s famous declaration: “For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to shed its blood,” President Ho Chi Minh’s warm reception of the first Cuban delegation on its official visit to Vietnam, and the sugar-laden ships from Cuba arriving at Hai Phong port. Read full story

- Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's upcoming state visit to Vietnam is set to boost bilateral ties, with a strong focus on advancing cooperation in pivotal sectors such as renewable energy, manufacturing, high-tech agriculture, biofuels, education, and climate change response.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Brazil Bui Van Nghi highlighted in a recent interview with Vietnam News Agency (VNA) that this visit, scheduled from March 27-29, follows the elevation of Vietnam-Brazil relations to a strategic partnership during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's participation in the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro in November 2024. Read full story

- The National Assembly Standing Committee convened the 7th meeting of full-time deputies in Hanoi on March 25, focusing its discussions on key legislative proposals to be presented at the upcoming 15th NA’s 9th session.

In his opening speech, NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man called for opinions on eight draft laws that underwent initial review at the 8th session, the Law on amendments and supplements to several articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality, and the draft Law on Personal Data Protection. Read full story

- Vietnam’s construction sector is pushing to deliver more mega, world-class projects, boosting its global reputation and ushering the nation into a new era - the era of the nation's rise.

Nguyen Thanh Nghi, then Minister of Construction, said over the past four decades, more than 120 large-scale projects of national significance have been completed. Many of them feature innovative structural designs, new construction techniques, and cutting-edge technologies, some introduced in Vietnam for the first time or holding regional importance.

- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dang Bang at the University of Cambridge's Judge Business School has pointed out Vietnam’s key advantages in realising the Politburo’s Resolution 57, which targets breakthroughs in sci-tech, innovation, and national digital transformation.

Talking with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s resident reporter in London, Bang highlighted Vietnam’s advantages such as a young and tech-savvy population, steady economic growth, deep integration into global supply chains across multiple industries, and modern infrastructure like large airports and seaports. Read full story

- The High-level People’s Court in Hanoi on March 25 opened an appellate hearing for the case of stock market manipulation and fraudulent appropriation of property involving FLC Group Joint Stock Company (FLC Group).

Before the hearing, former FLC Group Chairman Trinh Van Quyet had submitted a request for either a trial in absentia or a postponement, citing serious health issues that made him unable to attend the trial. Hospital 19-8 also confirmed Quyet's deteriorating condition, according to the chief judge. Read full story

- The High-level People's Court in Ho Chi Minh City on March 25 commenced the appeal trial for the second phase of the high-profile case involving Van Thinh Phat Group and Saigon Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SCB).

The case is being reviewed on appeal following requests from Truong My Lan and 27 other defendants. Lan has appealed the entire verdict, challenging her convictions for "fraudulent appropriation of assets" (embezzling nearly 30.87 trillion VND – 1.2 billion USD – from 35,824 secondary investors), "money laundering" (involving 445.75 trillion VND), and "illegal cross-border money transfers" (4.5 billion USD). Other defendants are seeking reduced sentences, suspended sentences, or reconsideration of certain charges./. Read full story