International Scholars: Elections in Vietnam Reinforce Legal Foundation for New Stage of Development
	99.68% Voter Turnout Reflects Strength of National Unity

Speaking with a Vietnam News Agency (VNA) correspondent, Rachel Nguyen Isenschmid, Secretary General of the Swiss-Vietnamese Economic Forum (SVEF), described this as a significant transition that both ensures leadership continuity and creates opportunities to promote reform and cooperation amid deepening integration. According to her, with a focus on stability, transparency, and reform, Vietnam is well-positioned to enhance its role on the global economic map.

The First Session of the 16th National Assembly. (Photo: National Assembly)

The representative of SVEF expressed confidence that, with the new leadership team, Vietnam will continue to advance international cooperation frameworks, including strategic partnerships with countries such as Switzerland, thereby facilitating more efficient flows of capital, knowledge, and technology.

Rachel Nguyen Isenschmid emphasized that this is not only a time for the two countries to review past cooperation, but also to shape strategic directions for the future, focusing on three key priorities.

First, strengthening policy dialogue and refining legal frameworks, particularly in areas such as finance, investment, innovation, and sustainable development. Promoting trade agreements and bilateral cooperation will play an important role in building a long-term foundation.

Second, enhancing business connectivity and innovation ecosystems through forums such as SVEF, trade promotion programs, and cooperation between financial and technological centers of both countries. These serve as practical bridges to help businesses better understand markets, needs, and opportunities for collaboration.

Third, investing in human resource development and educational exchange, as people remain the core of all sustainable relationships. Cooperation programs among universities, research institutes, and enterprises will help build a long-term foundation for collaboration.

Rachel Nguyen Isenschmid, Secretary General of the Swiss–Vietnamese Economic Forum (SVEF), during a working session in Vinh Long in July 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Rachel Nguyen Isenschmid expressed confidence that, with close coordination between the public and private sectors, as well as the support of organizations such as SVEF, Vietnam-Switzerland relations will continue to deepen in a substantive manner and deliver lasting value to both nations.

In an interview with Voice of Vietnam (VOV), Ramla Khalidi, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam, stated that the goals Vietnam has set for its new development phase are aligned with global sustainable development trends. According to her, Vietnam is pursuing a very clear long-term vision: to become an upper-middle-income country by 2030 and move toward high-income status by 2045. The country has been concretizing these goals through a series of policies and reforms across various sectors, from science and technology, education, and healthcare to institutional restructuring and international integration.

According to the UNDP representative, what stands out is not only the growth and reform targets, but also Vietnam’s development approach - one that places people at the center.

“One notable point we observe is that in the inaugural speeches of Vietnamese leaders, a consistent message is emphasized: the ultimate goal of all development efforts is people. Citizens must be at the center and the beneficiaries of development achievements,” Ramla Khalidi remarked.

Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki also expressed confidence in Vietnam’s reform and growth prospects. He affirmed that Japan will continue to support the reform process and expressed confidence that the new leadership will accelerate reforms to achieve high growth targets and long-term development milestones. Bilateral cooperation has continued to strengthen, particularly through development assistance programs focusing on green transition, digital transformation, and strategic technologies.

Meanwhile, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Gillian Bird assessed that the consolidation of the leadership apparatus demonstrates strong confidence in Vietnam’s development future. She highlighted the country’s impressive socio-economic achievements in recent years and affirmed that Australia will continue to accompany Vietnam on the basis of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, particularly in promoting integration and maintaining an open approach.

Opinions also noted Vietnam’s increasingly proactive role on the international stage, as reflected in its active participation in multilateral mechanisms and contributions to global issues. This has helped reinforce the image of a dynamic and responsible country while strengthening partners’ confidence.

The World and Vietnam Report cited Pham Khanh Nam, Editor-in-Chief of Huong Viet Magazine in Germany, as saying that the consolidation of the leadership apparatus sends a clear message of stability and consistency in the development path, particularly important in a volatile global context. According to him, this provides a foundation for strengthening public and international confidence.

He also emphasized the need to continue renewing the growth model, improving the market economy institutions, and promoting digital transformation and innovation to enhance the quality, efficiency, and competitiveness of the economy. At the same time, it is necessary to leverage overseas Vietnamese resources as an important bridge in international cooperation, especially in Europe.

Regarding relations with the European Union, he noted that Vietnam has many opportunities as partners accelerate supply chain diversification, but must also better meet high standards on environment, labor, and governance to fully benefit from free trade agreements.

Overseas Vietnamese communities have also expressed confidence and expectations. The Vietnam-Japan International Exchange Organization (FAVIJA) sent a congratulatory letter to Vietnam’s senior leaders, affirming that the consolidation of the leadership apparatus reflects the trust of the Party, the National Assembly, and the people, while expressing hope that it will serve as a driving force for the country’s continued sustainable development and enhanced international standing.

FAVIJA stated that it will continue to play its role as a bridge, promoting people-to-people exchanges, supporting the Vietnamese community in Japan, and contributing to the friendship between the two countries.

Vietnamese in Thailand Stand Ready to Join National Efforts Toward Vietnam’s Development Goals As the entire country looks toward the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Vietnamese community in Thailand has expressed deep interest ...

Secretary-General of the Brazil-Vietnam Friendship Association: The 16th National Assembly Will Continue to Drive Vietnam’s Development In an interview with VietnamTimes Magazine, journalist and historian Pedro de Oliveira, Secretary-General of the Brazil-Vietnam Friendship Association, stated that the election of deputies to ...