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Key Events

Việt Nam Cracks Down on Online Speech Before Party Congress;

The Party Tells Diplomats It Is Ready for Its Congress, Offers No Clarity on Top Leadership;

Politburo Reaffirms State Economy’s Leading Role Ahead of 14th Party Congress;

Controversial Novel The Sorrow of War Dropped from Awards List;

Aligning Policy and Law: Tô Lâm Sets Expectations for Legislature.

Facebook User Arrested as Việt Nam Tightens Online Controls

In the run-up to the Communist Party of Vietnam’s 14th National Congress, domestic law enforcement agencies have stepped up actions against individuals on social media who share or promote what officials label as “reactionary” or “anti-state” content.

These moves come as broader efforts to control online discourse and manage narratives ahead of the major political gathering scheduled for later this month.

According to Luật Khoa Magazine and local enforcement sources, multiple social media account holders have faced administrative sanctions or police action for reposting articles, videos, and other materials from foreign-based outlets and figures deemed hostile to the state.

In Cao Bằng Province, police on Jan. 6 cited an elderly woman, identified only by her initials, for sharing dozens of posts considered fabricated or misleading that originated from sites linked to German-based thoibao.de (an online magazine in Vietnamese) and controversial commentator Lê Trung Khoa.

Authorities warned citizens against aiding the dissemination of such information and stressed that similar behavior would incur legal consequences.

Other local responses include an administrative fine of 7.5 million dồng ($285) issued by the Tây Ninh provincial cyber police to an individual who repeatedly shared content from Lê Trung Khoa’s social media that the government alleged distorted facts and damaged the reputation of state bodies and officials.

These developments unfold against a backdrop of recent high-profile prosecutions linked to “anti-state propaganda.” Lê Trung Khoa himself was convicted on Dec. 31, 2025, in absentia and sentenced to 17 years in prison under Article 117 of the 2015 Penal Code for producing and disseminating material considered hostile to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Recently, authorities have also targeted others connected to related online networks.

In a separate but related case, Hanoi authorities arrested and charged Facebook user Hoàng Thị Hồng Thái under Article 117 for “making, storing, disseminating, or propagating information, documents, or items aimed at opposing the state.”

The Criminal Investigation Department of the Hà Nội Police executed the arrest and obtained a temporary detention order on Jan. 7 after prosecutorial approval, marking a decisive enforcement action against alleged anti-state activity online.

Multiple Vietnamese news outlets report that Hồng Thái, described as a well-known Facebook user, is accused of disseminating content that authorities believe undermines the legitimacy of the state.

While law enforcement agencies have not publicly detailed the specific posts that triggered the charges, prosecutors maintain the case is being pursued in accordance with the law and that the investigation continues.

Critics of Việt Nam’s strict information control argue that such legal provisions can be applied broadly to stifle dissent and restrict freedom of expression, particularly in politically sensitive periods.

Supporters of the crackdown counter that robust enforcement is essential to maintain social stability and guard against foreign or domestic efforts to disrupt national harmony, especially during significant events like the Party Congress.

As authorities emphasize vigilance against “misleading and harmful” content, citizens are being urged to exercise caution online and to verify information sources to avoid legal trouble. The unfolding cases illustrate how digital expression is increasingly subject to legal scrutiny amid major political transitions in Việt Nam.

Việt Nam Briefs Diplomats on 14th Party Congress Plans While Key Personnel Decisions Remain Secret

The Vietnamese authorities on Jan. 7 briefed foreign diplomatic missions and international organizations on the agenda and preparations for the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party, even as leadership arrangements for the pivotal political event remain undisclosed.

The briefing was chaired by Lê Hoài Trung, Vietnam’s foreign minister, with co-chairs Nguyễn Thanh Bình, deputy head of the Party Central Organization The meeting was attended by the Commission and Phan Xuân Thủy, who is the deputy head of the Central Commission for Propaganda and Mass Mobilization.

The meeting marked one of the most detailed official engagements with the diplomatic corps ahead of the congress, which is scheduled to take place later this month.

Vietnamese officials, addressing representatives of foreign embassies and international organizations, expressed their readiness to convene the 14th National Congress. However, they acknowledged that information related to personnel appointments, widely regarded as the most consequential outcome of any Party Congress, continues to be treated as confidential.

On policy and social direction, Lê Hoài Trung mentioned that the congress will thoroughly review 40 years of the Đổi Mới (renovation) reform process and evaluate the successes and failures of the current five-year party term.

The event is also expected to outline long-term development strategies for what officials describe as Việt Nam’s “era of national resurgence,” with a particular focus on the 2030–2045 period.

Economically, reports prepared for the congress indicate that Việt Nam remains among the world’s faster-growing economies, recording an average annual growth rate of approximately 6.3 percent between 2021 and 2025, despite global headwinds. Officials framed this performance as evidence of the effectiveness of the party’s leadership and policy direction.

Throughout the briefing, authorities repeatedly emphasized that personnel arrangements are a “decisive factor” in implementing party policy. Yet neither the procedures for selecting top leaders nor the list of candidates or electors were made public, reinforcing the opaque nature of leadership transitions within Việt Nam’s one-party system.

According to the official timeline, the party’s 15th Central Committee Plenum, held Dec. 22–23, is considered the decisive meeting for finalizing personnel plans for the next term. The closed-door session reportedly concluded with agreement on leadership arrangements, but no names were formally released.

Notably, General Secretary Tô Lâm is widely believed to remain within the core leadership and may continue to hold, or even consolidate, top positions within the party-state apparatus.

The 14th Party Congress is scheduled to take place from Jan. 19 to 25. Delegates are expected to elect around 200 full and alternate members of the party’s Central Committee, based on the personnel framework approved at the 15th Plenum.

Security preparations have intensified in parallel with political planning. Ahead of the congress, both police and military forces have been mobilized for training and security operations.

On Dec. 25, the Special Forces Command convened a nationwide military conference focused on combat readiness and the protection of key sites linked to the congress. On Jan. 6, the Ministry of Public Security, together with the Hà Nội Police, held a deployment ceremony and conducted joint drills for security scenarios during the event.

At the same time, police in several provinces have summoned and sanctioned social media users for sharing posts related to dissidents such as Lê Trung Khoa and Nguyễn Văn Đài, labeling the content “fabricated” or “false” and warning the public against “aiding or spreading” such information—a signal of heightened control over online discourse as the congress approaches.

Party Congress Looms as Việt Nam Reasserts State Economic Dominance

Việt Nam’s Politburo has reaffirmed the central role of the state economy as the country approaches the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party, reinforcing a long-standing policy line that places state ownership at the core of Việt Nam’s socialist-oriented market economy.

General Secretary Tô Lâm signed Resolution 79-NQ/TW on behalf of the Politburo on Jan. 6. The document stresses that the state economy remains a “particularly important component” and must continue to play a leading role in stabilizing the macroeconomy, guiding national development, and ensuring social progress, defense, and security.

The resolution was released just weeks before the 14th Party Congress, where major political and economic directions for the next five years and beyond are expected to be formalized. Its timing signals policy continuity at a moment when leadership arrangements remain undisclosed and economic governance is expected to feature prominently on the congress agenda.

According to the Politburo, the state economy is tasked not only with regulating markets and managing strategic resources but also with spearheading growth in key sectors considered vital to national interests. These include infrastructure, energy, finance, defense-related industries, and other areas deemed essential for economic sovereignty and long-term stability.

The resolution outlines ambitious targets for state-owned enterprises, calling for improved efficiency, competitiveness, and international standing. By 2030, Việt Nam aims to have dozens of state-owned firms ranked among Southeast Asia’s top 500 companies, with one to three enterprises potentially entering the global top 500. The Politburo frames these goals as evidence that state ownership can coexist with modernization and global economic integration.

While reaffirming the leading role of the state sector, the resolution also reiterates that the private and foreign-invested sectors are important drivers of growth. It emphasizes equal treatment before the law for all economic actors, while maintaining that the state economy must remain the backbone The system is capable of steering development and absorbing external shocks.

Việt Nam’s leadership argues that strengthening the state economy is necessary amid increasingly complex global conditions, including geopolitical instability, supply chain disruptions, and intensifying economic competition. This context presents state-owned enterprises as instruments for safeguarding national resilience, not solely as profit-driven entities.

Critics, however, have long questioned the efficiency of Việt Nam’s state sector, pointing to persistent problems such as weak corporate governance, uneven performance, and limited transparency among state-owned enterprises. While the resolution acknowledges the need for reform and improved management, it stops short of outlining concrete accountability mechanisms or timelines for restructuring underperforming firms.

The reaffirmation of the state economy’s dominant role shows that Việt Nam is sticking to its long-standing approach, where market forces work under strong government control. As delegates prepare for the 14th Party Congress, the resolution signals that, despite economic diversification and deeper global integration, the party intends to preserve state leadership over the commanding heights of the economy.

With the congress expected to set Việt Nam’s development roadmap through 2030 and toward 2045, Resolution 79 underscores that state-led economic governance will remain a defining feature of the country’s political and economic trajectory.

Recognition Withdrawn as The Sorrow of War Rekindles Cultural Debate

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has removed the novel “Nỗi buồn chiến tranh” (The Sorrow of War) by Bảo Ninh from its recently announced a list of 50 outstanding literary and performing arts works created since national reunification, the ministry said in an official announcement on Jan. 9. The decision follows controversy and reflects both a review of selection criteria and the author’s own request.

The list, first unveiled on Nov. 13, 2025, was intended to honor seminal works in literature, theater, music, and dance from April 30, 1975, to April 30, 2025. “The Sorrow of War,” a novel first published in 1987 and widely recognized internationally, was initially included among the titles selected for commendation.

In a letter to the ministry dated Jan. 7, Bảo Ninh expressed his wish to withdraw his work from the list because of the recent debating discussions, prompting officials to re-examine the selection.

“The Sorrow of War,” which tells the story of a soldier named Kiên navigating the aftermath of conflict and memory, has been widely translated and received numerous international awards over the decades.

Despite its global acclaim, the work has periodically sparked debate at home over its portrayal of war and its historical interpretation, illustrating the complex cultural reception of artistic representations of conflict.

The novel’s removal came amid public discussion and differing opinions about its inclusion in the list. Critics, including some commentators and former military figures, argued that the book’s perspective on war was controversial and misaligned with official narratives about the nation’s struggle and sacrifice.

These voices surfaced strongly after the initial announcement of the 50 works last year.

Supporters of the novel, including literary critics and readers, stressed its artistic merits, emphasizing its raw, human exploration of wartime experience and post-war trauma. They pointed to the novel’s emotional depth and craftsmanship as reasons it deserved recognition among the country’s distinguished works of literature.

The ministry’s statement underlined that its review process sought to ensure rigor, objectivity, and broad social consensus in recognizing artistic achievements. Officials said the revision also reflects the need to continue improving evaluation and selection mechanisms in the cultural sphere for large-scale and socially significant activities.

“The Sorrow of War” remains one of the most internationally recognized works of Vietnamese literature, having been translated into numerous languages and honored with awards such as the Nikkei Asia Prize and others. Its narrative blends personal memory and war imagery, offering a nuanced look at the psychological realities of those who experienced conflict.

The episode highlights ongoing debates within Việt Nam over how war and history are portrayed in literature and how cultural institutions balance artistic expression with social and historical considerations.

As discussions around the novel’s place in the nation’s literary canon continue, officials say this moment will inform future efforts to celebrate and preserve the country’s cultural and artistic heritage while engaging with diverse perspectives.

Tô Lâm Urges Lawmakers to Turn Party Policy Into Law

The National Assembly should take a proactive legislative role in translating Communist Party policies into law, Party General Secretary Tô Lâm said in a speech marking the 80th anniversary of the country’s first general election.

The remarks underscore the leadership’s emphasis on strengthening legal institutions as the country prepares for key political milestones in 2026.

Speaking at a national ceremony on January 6 to commemorate the first nationwide election to the National Assembly in 1946, Tô Lâm discussed the historical importance of that moment, saying it marked the first “leap forward” in institutionalizing democratic principles in the newly established state.

Lâm reaffirmed that the event established a foundational truth—that state power belongs to the people—while stressing the evolving role of the Assembly in Việt Nam’s political system.

Tô Lâm said the National Assembly has increasingly demonstrated its capacity to “step ahead” institutionally by promptly codifying the party’s strategic directions and policy orientations into law. He urged lawmakers to build on this tradition by continuing to “step ahead in institutional development,” take responsibility, and show courage in making decisions on complex, unprecedented, and novel issues.

His remarks reflect the broader political context in which the party and state institutions are aligning legislative processes more closely with strategic development goals.

Over the course of 2025, the 15th National Assembly passed a record volume of legislation, including dozens of laws and resolutions designed to implement and operationalize party directives. Observers noted that the Assembly’s expedited legislative activity was part of an effort to ensure timely legal underpinning for major economic and governance reforms.

Tô Lâm’s call for an assertive Assembly complements other recent statements in official circles about the need to deepen institutional reform. Party and state leaders have stressed the importance of improving the quality of laws, using digital tools like artificial intelligence in lawmaking, and changing the way the parliament seeks to support development, innovation, and economic growth.

The leadership’s focus on stronger legal frameworks occurs amid preparations for the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party and the upcoming legislative term, during which the Assembly will play a central role in implementing the congress’s resolutions.

The authorities have made clear that the Assembly’s work, including election preparation and legislative planning, is integral to consolidating the institutional foundation for the next phase of national development.

Analysts say the Assembly’s evolving role mirrors broader governance priorities: reinforcing rule-making capacity, improving transparency and the predictability of the legal environment, and ensuring that party policies are backed by enforceable law.

This emphasis is considered intended to support Việt Nam’s strategic goals, such as innovation, economic resilience, and social stability, in a period marked by rapid technological change and regional competition.

Yet critics caution that while legislative ambition has increased, questions remain about procedural rigor and the balance of powers in a one-party political system.

Independent observers often point out that, in practice, the party’s central role in setting the legislative agenda means that the Assembly’s function is closely aligned with party directives rather than acting as a fully autonomous lawmaking body.

Still, as the party prepares to set its policy course for the coming years, Tô Lâm’s message underscores a strategic push to fortify the legal framework as a foundation for national development.

Lâm’s emphasis on the Assembly “stepping ahead” reflects an institutional ambition to reduce gaps between central policy design and implementation through law as Việt Nam enters a new political and socioeconomic chapter.

Quick Takes

Việt Nam Reaffirms Strong Traditional Ties With Venezuela Amid Uncertainty

Việt Nam says it will maintain its longstanding traditional friendship with Venezuela and seeks to continue promoting cooperation under the Comprehensive Partnership framework, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said at a regular press briefing. Spokesperson Phạm Thu Hằng emphasized that recent developments in Venezuela should not affect bilateral relations, and Việt Nam remains committed to deepening cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Việt Nam established diplomatic ties with Venezuela in 1989 and has described the relationship as historically warm and solid. Officials reiterated their willingness to work closely with Caracas on joint initiatives despite evolving political conditions.

Việt Nam to Pilot NFT and Bitcoin Trading Before Jan. 15

Việt Nam plans to launch a pilot program allowing the trading of NFTs and Bitcoin before January 15, as part of a controlled rollout of a regulated digital asset market. The initiative follows the government’s sandbox framework for testing cryptocurrency and digital asset activities under state supervision.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has instructed the Ministry of Finance to issue licenses to selected companies ahead of the deadline. Authorities say the pilot aims to balance innovation with risk management, providing a legal framework for digital asset trading while ensuring market stability and investor protection under close regulatory oversight.

Paper Health Records Will be Replaced With vNeID App

Việt Nam is moving to replace paper health certificates with digital records through the vNeID application, according to health authorities. The app will allow citizens to store and present electronic health information, including medical and vaccination records, via their smartphones. Officials say the shift is part of a broader push to digitize public services, streamline health verification, and reduce paperwork across medical facilities nationwide.

Digital ID Codes Will be Assigned to Real Estate From March 1

Việt Nam will require all houses, apartments, and real estate properties to carry a unique electronic identification code starting March 1 under a new government decree. The digital IDs will be stored in a national housing and real estate database, allowing authorities to track legal status and transaction information more effectively. Officials say the move aims to improve transparency, standardize property records, and strengthen state oversight of the real estate market.

Hanoi Limits Truck Traffic as Green SM Launches Urban Van Delivery Service

Two days after Hanoi’s government imposed new limits on truck operations inside the city, Xanh SM , the electric ride-hailing firm founded by Vietnamese billionaire Phạm Nhật Vượng, has introduced an in-city cargo service using VinFast EC Van electric vehicles to meet urban delivery demand. The compact vans, with about 650 kg capacity, can operate without special permits outside peak hours under the new traffic rules set by Decision 01/2026/QĐ-UBND, effective Jan. 15. The initiative coincides with stricter restrictions on conventional trucks, which now face tighter licensing and time-of-day movement limits in the capital.

Việt Nam Insight: Learn more about Việt Nam

Vietnam Faces a Strategic Crossroads in 2026

East Asia Forum/Alexander L Vuving/Jan. 10

“While moving closer to Washington, Hanoi has also strengthened ties with Beijing. Removing its long resistance on security grounds, Vietnam approved Chinese loans for a US$8.3 billion rail link in February 2025 and contracts for Chinese telecommunication firms Huawei and ZTE to supply 5G equipment in November 2025. Vietnam’s balancing act between the two superpowers is deepening the country’s dependence on — and vulnerabilities to — both the United States and China.

Two trends are worth watching in Vietnam over the next few years. Internally, the security and police forces’ quest for dominance, the collapse of institutional checks and balances into a balance of power between the regime’s two armed forces and the rise of digital authoritarianism promise to tighten the party-state’s control over Vietnamese society. Externally, Vietnam risks being torn between the rivalling superpowers, rather than becoming a ‘swing state’ in US–China competition.

Two balances of power — one between the Communist regime’s rivalling armed forces and the other between China and the United States — will shape Vietnam’s strategic trajectory in the years to come.”

A Decade of Repression: How Việt Nam Jailed Dissidents, Journalists, and Rights Defenders

The Vietnamese Magazine/Trần Quỳnh Vi/Jan. 8

“Data collected on arrests from 2015 to 2025 show that the Vietnamese government has been systematically cracking down on people who are exercising their rights to free speech, free association, and peaceful participation in civil society. These rights are protected by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which Vietnam is a party to.

In the early years of the period studied, the number of recorded arrests stayed low, with only seven in 2015 and 17 in 2016. But we should be careful since these numbers don't always mean that things are getting better; they could mean that prior cases weren't fully documented.

In 2017, arrests surged substantially to 43 cases. This marked a shift from isolated events to a more concerted pattern of enforcement targeting independent voices.

The trend reached its peak in 2018, when there were 152 arrests, which was several times more than in previous years. The rise happened at the same time as rallies around the country and more instability in the community, as well as a wider use of broadly defined 'national security' measures.”