National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan hosted a reception in Hanoi on March 7 for a delegation from the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (the Parliamentary Network) led by its Vice President Soukri Cherif.
Showing her delight at the effective cooperation between Vietnam and the WB, the top legislator said that Vietnam needs the support of the international community, including the bank, to fulfill its goals amidst many difficulties and challenges.
She affirmed that the NA of Vietnam will closely supervise the management and use of WB assistance, ensuring it is used effectively to bring added value to the local socio-economic development.
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She also spoke highly of the cooperation and support that the WB has given to NA agencies, which she said helped improve the legislature’s supervision over finance, budget and economy.
She lauded the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the WB and the NA Finance and Budget Committee in 2017, aiming to enhance the committee’s capacity in monitoring financial and budgetary issues.
Over the past years, the WB has also given consultations to Vietnam on important strategic issues, she added.
Ngan proposed the WB continue aiding Vietnam in building and completing legal framework to stabilise the macro economy, promote growth, develop human resources and ensure social harmony and sustainable use of natural resources.
She asked for the WB’s assistance for major infrastructure, human resources development and climate change response projects.
She also called for support from the Parliamentary Network’s members to activities of the WB and IMF in Vietnam.
Hailing the Parliamentary Network as a bridge to enhance cooperation channels among parliaments, Ngan stressed that the Vietnamese NA is ready to join and make active contributions to the network.
The host discussed with the network’s parliamentarians about gender equality, job creation for women and young people, changes to tax policy once the WB cuts investment assistance, population aging, public debt limit, the legislature’s role in budget allocation, climate change response, the NA’s supervisory role and relations between the law-making body and the government.
According to her, the rate of Vietnamese female lawmakers reaches 26.7 percent, still below the targeted 30 percent.
Vice President of the Parliamentary Network Soukri Cherif and WB Country Director in Vietnam Ousmane Dione thanked NA Chairwoman Ngan for practical discussions.
Dione said the working trip is part of cooperation programmes between WB, IMF and member nations, adding that the discussed matters will be reflected in the next agenda.
The delegation comprises parliamentarians from Australia, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Egypt, France, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Latvia, Morocco, Myanmar, the Philippines, Poland, South Africa, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda and Ukraine.
The delegation will visit on-going projects in Vietnam and discuss with leaders of State agencies and representatives from the private sector during the four-day trip.
Founded in 2000 with the engagement of parliamentarians from over 140 countries, the Parliamentary Network seeks to engage lawmakers from around the globe in the common mission of addressing good governance and poverty challenges in both their home countries and abroad.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung emphasised the need to further improve institutions and policy frameworks, develop digital infrastructure and data resources, and create the necessary conditions for science, technology, innovation and digital transformation to become new drivers of economic growth.
Prof. Huang Rihan of Huaqiao University in China’s Fujian province said the Vietnamese leader’s address highlighted three major crises currently facing the world - the crisis of the international order, the crisis of development models, and the crisis of strategic trust.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang said that alongside the robust growth of relations between the two countries, defence cooperation has continued to develop extensively and intensively, becoming increasingly practical and effective.
Adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 24, 2024, and opened for signature in Hanoi in October 2025, the convention is the first global multilateral treaty dedicated to combating cybercrime.
The visits also took place at a time when the Philippines is serving as ASEAN Chair in 2026, Singapore is preparing to assume the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2027, and Vietnam is set to host the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in 2027.
Ngo Phuong Ly, spouse of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, expressed her emotion at seeing the children’s optimism despite difficult circumstances, noting that both Vietnam and the Philippines place children at the centre of their development policies, from education, health care to child protection.
Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, his spouse and a high-level Vietnamese delegation departed Manila on June 1, concluding a successful state visit to the Republic of the Philippines from May 31 to June 1 at the invitation of Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and his spouse.
Participants reviewed rental housing demand in each area, considering different market segments and target groups. They also examined the gap between supply and demand, and pinpointed issues in policy frameworks.
Vietnam and the Philippines have agreed to elevate their relationship to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership, opening a new phase of cooperation in politics, defence and security, economic ties and other key areas.
Vietnam and the Philippines on June 1 issued a Joint Statement on the Enhanced Strategic Partnership during General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam’s state visit to the Philippines.
Economic cooperation between Vietnam and the Philippines should move to a new level, with greater emphasis on quality, depth and substance, as the two countries seek to maximise opportunities under their newly upgraded Enhanced Strategic Partnership.
Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and his spouse are paying state visit to the Philippines from May 31 to June 1 at the invitation of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and his spouse.
General Secretary and President To Lam encouraged the Vietnamese in the Philippines to remain united, abide by local laws, contribute practically to the homeland and continue fostering friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
By moving from crisis response to proactive risk reduction, Vietnam has positioned itself as a responsible and mature “architect” of regional peace, said a Malaysia-based expert.
The President Ho Chi Minh monument in the ASEAN Garden holds profound historical, cultural, and diplomatic significance, reflecting the friendship between Vietnam and the Philippines, as well as the solidarity within the ASEAN community.
The trip demonstrates Vietnam's high regard for its friendship and cooperation with the Philippines, as well as with ASEAN and the Southeast Asian region.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam on May 30 met with leaders of major Singaporean corporations, technology companies, financial institutions and banks with long-standing investments and business operations in Vietnam.
General Secretary and President Lam expressed his hope that the community will remain united, preserve the Vietnamese language and cultural identity, and strengthen ties with the homeland.
The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in emerging and high-potential fields, including digital transformation, green economy, clean energy transition, new technologies, innovation, smart finance, supply chain resilience, financial centre development and food security.
At the A*STAR Model Factory, one of Singapore’s flagship research and application facilities for smart industry, innovation and digital transformation in production, General Secretary and President Lam expressed his impression of Singapore’s approach in creating conditions for enterprises to directly test technologies before making large-scale investments.