Vietnam’s presence at the 137th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-137) and related meetings will confirm the country’s active participation in multilateral parliamentary activities and help promote its legislature’s role at the IPU forum.
Invited by IPU President Saber Chowdhury, Chairwoman of the Federation Council of Russia Valentina Ivanovna Matviyenko and Chairman of the State Duma of Russia Vyacheslav Volodin, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan will lead a NA delegation to the IPU-137 in Saint Petersburg, Russia from October 14-15.
Vietnam’s participation in IPU activities is an important task, allowing the legislature to promote and protect Vietnam’s interests, learn international viewpoints, explain the nation’s views on global concerns, and conduct bilateral meetings on the sidelines with its partners.
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| National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan |
These are also chances for Vietnam to learn from other parliaments’ experience to improve the quality of its NA’s operations, promote its image to international friends, and improve its position in the international arena.
In April 1979, Vietnam became a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Since then, the country has been an active member of the forum, which has been acknowledged by other countries. Through the IPU forum, relations between the Vietnamese National Assembly and other parliaments have been established and intensified.
In October 2007 at the 117th IPU Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, Vietnam's NA was elected to the IPU Executive Committee - the forum’s highest body - for the first time.
Vietnam was designated as IPU Vice President in 2009. In this role, Vietnam made effective contributions to the IPU’s activities, optimising international support for Vietnam and its legislature.
Notably, in April 2015, Vietnam hosted the 132nd IPU Assembly with the Hanoi Declaration adopted, contributing to devising the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development.
In October 2016 at the 135th IPU Assembly in Switzerland, Chairman of the NA Committee for External Affairs Nguyen Van Giau was elected to the IPU Executive Committee for 2016-2019.
Recently in May, Ho Chi Minh City hosted an Inter-Parliamentary Union symposium for Asia-Pacific, which discussed responding to climate change and the role of lawmakers in realising sustainable development goals.
After the 137th IPU Assembly, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan will visit Kazakhstan from October 16-18.
Party General Secretary and State President To Lam urged the Vietnam Trade Union to reform more rapidly, deeply and substantively. It must work together with the State, enterprises and training facilities to improve workers’ professional qualifications, digital skills and adaptability.
VGCL President Nguyen Anh Tuan said achievements obtained over the past ternure reflect the close guidance of the Party, effective coordination among State agencies, local authorities, the Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organisations, support from employers and, above all, the dedication and innovation demonstrated by trade union officials, members and workers across the country.
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.