General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam delivers a speech at the ceremony marking the 81st anniversary of Vietnam's National Day (September 2, 1945–2026) at the Ho Guom Opera House in Hanoi on the evening of August 28, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Top leader delivers speech at ceremony marking 81st anniversary of National Day

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam delivered a speech at a ceremony marking the 81st anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day (September 2, 1945 –2026) at the Ho Guom Opera House in Hanoi on August 28.

The VietnamTimes respectfully introduced a translation of his speech.

Distinguished delegates!

Comrades, compatriots and international friends!

Today, amid the glorious atmosphere of these historic autumn days, in Hanoi, the capital city with a thousand years of civilisation, we solemnly organise a ceremony to celebrate the 81st anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – a brilliant milestone in the history of national construction, defence and development.

On behalf of the Party, State and people of Vietnam, I warmly welcome and extend my sincere greetings and best wishes to incumbent and former leaders of the Party, State, National Assembly and Vietnam Fatherland Front, revolutionary veterans, heroes of the people’s armed forces, labour heroes, intellectuals, scholars, religious dignitaries, representatives of the working people; ambassadors and heads of representative offices of international organisations in Vietnam, distinguished guests, and all Vietnamese people across the country and those living abroad.

Comrades, compatriots and international friends!

As autumn arrives, the hearts of millions of Vietnamese people turn with deep emotion toward the historic Ba Dinh Square, where, 81 years ago, beloved President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence - proclaiming to the world the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Every sentence and word of that historic proclamation retains its full value despite the many vicissitudes of history; it echoes in the hearts and minds of the Vietnamese people and serves as the wellspring of the entire nation's great unity: “Vietnam has the right to enjoy freedom and independence, and in fact, has become a free and independent country. The entire Vietnamese people are determined to devote all their spirit and strength, their lives and property, to safeguarding that freedom and independence.”

Amid the sacred atmosphere of the “Independence Day”, every Vietnamese person gains a deeper appreciation for the value of “independence” and “freedom.” This is an occasion for us to express our boundless gratitude for the immense contributions of President Ho Chi Minh; to pay our profound tribute to revolutionary predecessors, heroes and martyrs who fought bravely and sacrificed their lives for the independence, sovereignty, reunification and territorial integrity of the Fatherland; and to honour the great contributions of the people, who have worked and promoted their creativity to build a peaceful, independent, democratic, prosperous, flourishing, civilised and happy Vietnam that is steadily advancing toward socialism. Comrades, compatriots and international friends!

President Ho Chi Minh once said “unity is an invincible force.” Over the past 81 years, that “invincible force” has not only led the Vietnamese revolution from one victory to another but has also enabled the Vietnamese people to achieve remarkable feats and great accomplishments of historic significance in the cause of national construction and defence.

From a country without international recognition, Vietnam today has established diplomatic relations with 194 countries, including all United Nations member states. Vietnam has established strategic partnership and comprehensive partnership frameworks with 45 partners, become a member of 70 major international organisations, and joined 17 free trade agreements.

From a country devastated by war, Vietnam has emerged as a dynamic economy which is deeply integrated into the global economy, with a large trade volume and an important role in global production chains. In particular, from an underdeveloped economy, Vietnam has made rapid strides, becoming an upper-middle-income economy after 40 years of Doi moi (Renewal).

From a country that endured enormous losses and sacrifices, the Vietnamese people have steadfastly fought for and safeguarded national independence and reunification through the ups and downs of history; while gradually building a peaceful, stable and developed nation where people enjoy freedom, prosperity and happiness, and exercise their right to be masters of the country, and which has become a beautiful, safe, friendly and hospitable destination for investors and friends from around the world. It is a journey forged by the nation’s unwavering determination, spirit of solidarity and relentless aspiration to move forward. It is a revolutionary path under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, which has always regarded serving the people as its raison d’être. It also reflects the invaluable support and assistance that international friends and people around the world have given Vietnam.

Comrades, compatriots and international friends!

This year’s National Day celebration takes place in an entirely new atmosphere, marking a turning point in Vietnam’s history: following the era of independence, the era of national reunification and the era of renewal, the 14th National Party Congress officially ushered the country into a new era of development – a path towards a wealthy, strong and prosperous Vietnam.

Looking back on the glorious journey from 1945 to the present, every Vietnamese person can take immense pride and confidence, while gaining even greater trust in the pursuit of strategic goals towards two historic milestones: by 2030, marking the 100th founding anniversary of the glorious Communist Party of Vietnam, Vietnam will become a country with a modern industrial base and upper-middle income; and by 2045, celebrating the 100th founding anniversary of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, Vietnam will become a developed, high-income, prosperous and happy nation.

On the path towards the new era, the Communist Party of Vietnam has consistently placed “the people as the masters and at the centre”, ensuring that all orientations and policies genuinely stem from the people’s lives, aspirations, rights and legitimate interests, with their happiness, prosperity and well-being as the ultimate goal of its efforts.

Comrades, compatriots and international friends!

Throughout the past historic journey, Vietnam has received invaluable support and assistance from the international community. On this occasion, the Party, State and people of Vietnam would like to express sincere gratitude and look forward to the continued companionship, support, and close cooperation of friends, partners, the business community, and foreign investors as the country pursues international integration in this new era of development.

In today’s deeply interdependent and closely interconnected world, instability in any country or region can affect global security and development. No country, however powerful, can tackle global challenges alone. We must pursue strategic proactiveness, embrace international integration and ensure stable peace and development in an increasingly uncertain world.

Together, we must enhance dialogue and cooperation, and settle disputes and conflicts on the basis of the fundamental principles of international law and the United Nations Charter, thereby bringing lasting peace and sustainable, inclusive development to the world. We must work together to address global challenges and harness the scientific and technological revolution as a positive force for the advancement of humanity. Together, we can overcome every challenge. Together, we can build a world of peace, stability and sustainable development.

Vietnam stands ready to serve as a bridge for cooperation and dialogue and to make increasingly substantive contributions to addressing shared challenges facing the international community; support an equal and fair multilateral system with the United Nations at its centre. For us, this is not only an affirmation of Vietnam’s responsibility, but also a profound expression of gratitude for the sincere and invaluable support and assistance that friends and people around the world have extended to Vietnam throughout the journey of national construction and defence over the past eight decades.

On the occasion of the 81st anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, I wish all distinguished guests, compatriots, comrades and international friends good health and happiness, and hope that we will continue to accompany one another on the path towards building a strong, prosperous, democratic, equitable and civilised Vietnam. May peace, cooperation and development continue to be the prevailing trend in international relations, for a better world for generations to come.

Thank you very much!

Chief Justice Nguyen Van Quang (left) and Chen Zhijun, Chief Justice of the High People’s Court of Sichuan (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, China share experience in judicial reform, digital transformation

During their stay in Sichuan from August 26-28, the Vietnamese delegation visited the High People’s Court of Sichuan province and the Tianfu New Area People’s Court and the Jiezi tourism and environmental protection court under the Chongzhou People’s Court.

Chief Justice Nguyen Van Quang has led a high-ranking delegation of the Supreme People’s Court of Vietnam on a working visit to China’s Sichuan province to study the Chinese side's experience in judicial reform, judicial review and digital transformation in court operations.

During their stay in Sichuan from August 26-28, the delegation visited the High People’s Court of Sichuan province and the Tianfu New Area People’s Court and the Jiezi tourism and environmental protection court under the Chongzhou People’s Court.

Speaking in a working session with Chen Zhijun, Chief Justice of the High People’s Court of Sichuan, Quang spoke highly of the court’s achievements in adjudication, handling a large caseload, applying information technology and supervising the adjudication work of lower-level courts.

The Vietnamese delegation paid particular attention to China’s experience in judicial review, final-instance review and retrial, including the receipt and screening of petitions, detection of errors in legally effective judgments and decisions, and procedures for ordering retrials.

The two sides also discussed how judicial review can be used to provide professional guidance, ensure consistent application of the law and improve the quality of adjudication by lower-level courts.

Quang said China’s experience in balancing the need to promptly correct judicial errors with the stability and legal effectiveness of final judgments and decisions is valuable to Vietnam as it studies ways to improve its legal framework and the quality of adjudication.

At the Tianfu New Area People’s Court, the Vietnamese delegation focused on the “Tianfu Smart Court” model, particularly the application of technology in case management, building and using electronic case files, supporting judges in studying cases and applying artificial intelligence (AI).

Quang said building electronic courts and moving towards digital courts is a key task set by the Supreme People’s Court of Vietnam.

The activities in Sichuan provided the Vietnamese delegation with practical experience in judicial review, digital transformation and specialised court models, while contributing to more substantive and effective exchanges and cooperation between the courts of Vietnam and China.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (right) reveives Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Santiphab Phomvihane in Hanoi on August 28 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam prioritises strengthening relations with Laos: PM

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung affirmed Vietnam’s highest priority is to consolidate its special solidarity with Laos, pledging closer coordination with the neighbouring country to remove obstacles and facilitate bilateral investment and business cooperation.

The PM made the remarks while hosting a reception in Hanoi on August 28 for Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Santiphab Phomvihane, who was in Hanoi to attend the 2026 mid-term meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee on Bilateral Cooperation.

PM Hung welcomed Santiphab, who is also Chairman of the Laos-Vietnam Cooperation Committee, saying his visit provided an opportunity to review the implementation of the 2026 Cooperation Plan between the two governments and prepare for the 49th session of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee.

He praised the positive progress in bilateral ties, noting that political and diplomatic relations, along with security and defence cooperation, have stayed strong and built on mutual trust. Collaboration in education and training, people-to-people exchanges, and transport links have also expanded, further strengthening the close friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic cohesion between the two nations.

PM Hung affirmed Vietnam’s readiness to work closely with Laos to resolve difficulties and facilitate operations and investment by businesses from both countries. He encouraged large-scale projects with strong connectivity and spillover effects that can make practical contributions to their respective socio-economic development.

Regarding cooperation between the two finance ministries, the Vietnamese leader spoke highly of their active implementation of the 2026-2030 cooperation agreement following the restructuring and streamlining of the State apparatus in both countries, saying this would help improve the quality and effectiveness of financial cooperation in the new period.

He urged the ministries to step up the sharing of experience in budget management, taxation, customs, public debt, investment and public asset management, while accelerating digital transformation and cashless payments in the financial sector. He also called for closer coordination in managing and effectively using development resources, particularly public investment, loans and Vietnam’s aid to Laos.

PM Hung suggested that the Lao side create favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses and investors operating in Laos, promote projects in transport connectivity, logistics, border gates, border trade, energy and economic corridors, and strengthen coordination through ASEAN and regional financial mechanisms.

He welcomed the outcomes of the 2026 mid-term meeting of the Vietnam – Laos and Laos – Vietnam Cooperation Committees, and applauded their role in coordinating the implementation of agreements and cooperation projects. The leader urged the two committees to continue playing their coordinating roles, proactively review and expedite the implementation of high-level agreements, the outcomes of the 48th meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee and the cooperation plan between the two Governments, and propose solutions to address obstacles, while coordinating the effective implementation of key projects.

For his part, Santiphab conveyed regards from Lao PM Sonexay Siphandone to PM Hung and other high-ranking Vietnamese leaders.

He briefed PM Hung on developments in Laos, the operations of the Lao Ministry of Finance, and coordination between the two finance ministries and cooperation committees.

The Lao official expressed appreciation for Vietnam’s continued support for Laos’ socio-economic development, macroeconomic stabilisation, human resources training, and improvement of State management capacity.

He expressed hope for continued coordination and support from Vietnam, particularly in public finance and budget management, resource mobilisation, and improving the investment and business environment. He also called on the two sides to further encourage Vietnamese businesses to invest in Laos’ priority sectors, helping strengthen complementarity between the two economies.

Vietnam Women’s Union, UNICEF promote cooperation for women and children

President of the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) Le Thi Thuy received UNICEF Representative to Vietnam Silvia Danailov on August 28 to discuss deepening bilateral cooperation for the comprehensive development of women and children.

At the meeting, VWU President Le Thi Thuy expressed deep appreciation for UNICEF’s sustained, comprehensive support for Vietnam and the Union over past decades. She highlighted key joint programs across health care, child protection, anti-trafficking, clean water, environmental sanitation, positive parenting skills education, and gender-based violence prevention, noting that UNICEF’s assistance in capacity building has helped the Union modernize its operations, particularly in remote, border, and ethnic minority areas.

To further enhance cooperation efficiency in the new phase, the VWU President expected that UNICEF and Silvia Danailov personally will prioritize support for the Union in key areas: finalizing and scaling up positive parenting educational materials and models; building capacity for Union officials, teachers, and communities for early identification of risks and the prevention of violence and child abuse; and enhancing the quality of psychological counseling and support for children and minors.

She proposed that UNICEF help promote child protection in the digital environment by equipping parents and students with safe digital skills, raising public awareness on the responsible use of social media and artificial intelligence, and expanding clean water and environmental sanitation programs, with particular attention to menstrual hygiene support for female students and upgrading sanitation facilities at 248 ethnic minority semi-boarding school sites in mountainous and border regions.

Additionally, she expressed hope that UNICEF will continue to support operating the “Peaceful House” and “Safe House” models in a professional and sustainable manner through international expertise, technical assistance, and resource mobilization.

UNICEF Representative Silvia Danailov applauded the VWU’s achievements and initiatives supporting women, children, and families, particularly pregnant women and ethnic minorities.

She expressed appreciation that the initiative on care for children from pregnancy receives direct attention and guidance from the spouse of the Party General Secretary and President, calling it a clear testament to the strong commitment of Vietnam's top leadership to future generations.

Danailov emphasized the need to expand positive parenting programs online and in communities, effectively utilize the VWU’s extensive network to strengthen early prevention and response to violence, abuse, and trafficking, and ensure online safety for children.

She added that clean water and sanitation models centered on women and children should be replicated, while climate change response, disaster management, and early action to mitigate drought risks should serve as a new strategic priority in bilateral cooperation.

A area showcasing products at AI Day 2026 held in Hanoi on April 5, 2026 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam targets top-three ASEAN ranking in AI by 2030

Vietnam aims to rank among the three leading ASEAN countries in artificial intelligence (AI) by 2030, with the AI economy expected to account for around 6% of GDP and exports of AI products, services and solutions reaching about 5 billion USD, according to the National AI Strategy to 2045.

At a regular press briefing in August hosted by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Nguyen Khac Lich, Director of the ministry's Authority for Digital Technology and AI, said the strategy represents a move from just researching, developing, and applying AI to driving a full-scale national transformation powered by it.

​AI is evolving beyond a technology tool into a core capability for policymaking, economic development and social governance. Human resources, infrastructure and data form the foundation, while effective institutions and AI governance are key to breakthroughs. The approach puts people at the centre, promotes AI skills among citizens, and calls for coordinated development of AI infrastructure, data and platforms while safeguarding safety, security and sovereignty.

By 2030, Vietnam aims for 60% of businesses using AI to improve efficiency, all civil servants using AI in their work weekly, and 60% of administrative decisions supported by data and AI. The satisfaction rate for AI-supported public services is expected to rise by at least 30%.

All ministries, sectors and localities are expected to have AI deployment plans, while all online public services and administrative dossiers will be AI-supported. The strategy also targets the development of a national AI computing capacity coordination platform, a platform for evaluating Vietnamese-language AI models, at least five shared AI platforms, 10 Vietnamese AI brands and eight Vietnamese-language AI models of four different scales.

To support these goals, annual total investment in AI is expected to reach 1-1.5% of GDP. Key datasets will be digitised, standardised, cleaned, and made AI-ready.

Vietnam also aims to develop a strong AI workforce, including 10,000 highly qualified AI professionals and 50,000 university-level or higher personnel with AI application skills by 2030. Some 500,000 workers will be trained to operate AI, while 10 million trained workers will receive basic AI skills.

The strategy sets out nine key pillars, focusing on AI talent and skills, data and models, infrastructure, research and technological capabilities, AI in governance and economic sectors, support for SMEs and cooperatives, and the development of a strong, safe and trustworthy AI ecosystem.

Vietnamese AI firms will play a central role, with emphasis on “Make in Vietnam” solutions and AI-native businesses. The strategy also calls for international cooperation while strengthening domestic capabilities and strategic autonomy through diversification of partners, technologies and supply chains.

The strategy’s breakthrough and strategic solutions focus on institutions and policies, national coordination and accountability, resource mobilisation, international cooperation and standards setting, public awareness and responsible AI, as well as monitoring and evaluation.

According to Lich, the implementation will follow the “six clear” principle - clear people, clear tasks, clear timelines, clear responsibilities, clear outputs and clear authority.

The Ministry of Science and Technology will be responsible for directing inter-sectoral coordination for implementation, while ministries, sectors and localities will formulate plans and mobilise resources. Businesses, research and training institutions, and other relevant organisations will contribute to assigned tasks, he said.

By 2045, Vietnam aims to join Asia’s top 10 in AI research, development and technological mastery, with AI serving as a core platform for the State, economy and society, he went on.

At the briefing, the ministry also launched its one-stop-shop AI portal at ai.dda.gov.vn to support implementation of the AI Law and related regulations. The platform enables businesses, developers, State agencies, experts and citizens to handle procedures, submit declarations, access information and engage with regulators through a unified system.

Its key functions include receiving applications for controlled testing, AI risk classification and system registration, serious incident and periodic reporting, publication of assessment results and violations, and connecting businesses with support programmes, shared infrastructure and data, and other AI development resources.

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