Vietnam, Cambodia Legislators Vow Deeper Ties

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam hosted a reception for President of the Cambodian National Assembly Samdech Khuon Sudary in Hanoi on July 28. The meeting underscored the profound political and strategic significance for the two Southeast Asian neighbours' traditional friendship, particularly in further institutionalising ties between their legislative bodies, according to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Neak Chandarith, Director of the Institute for International Studies and Public Policy (IISPP) at the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP). Samdech Khuon Sudary's official visit to Vietnam is set to open a new chapter in the history of relations between the two legislatures. The visit aims to deepen people-to-people bonds, particularly through the legislative framework, while delivering on agreements reached by the two parties during their high-level meeting in Phnom Penh in February. Meanwhile, Vietnam's 16th National Assembly (NA) is holding its first extraordinary session, deliberating 31 items, including the adoption of 15 draft laws, four draft resolutions, five major issues, and the first readings of seven additional bills. The Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRCS) also re-elected Do Thi Thu Thao, Secretary of the Party Committee of the VRCS's Central Committee, as President of the 12th VRCS Central Committee for the 2026-2031 tenure. For the new term, the VRCS aims to comprehensively reform its operations by placing people at the centre, communities as the foundation, and digital transformation and innovation as the driver of development. The organization will anchor operations in transparency, integrity, accountability, and openness, enhancing its system for donors to track donation usage and beneficiaries to provide feedback. Vietnam has demonstrated its ability to build consensus, foster cooperation, and maintain balance amid an increasingly complex geopolitical environment as a proactive and responsible member of ASEAN, said Beni Sukadis, Senior Coordinator at the Indonesian Institute for Defence and Strategic Studies (LESPERSSI). Vietnam's 31-year journey has seen it transform from a newcomer into a responsible, proactive, and increasingly influential member, reflecting deeper regional economic and foreign integration and its emergence as a key driver of ASEAN's development, resilience, and global standing. This shift also aligns with recognizing inspections not just as a tool to detect violations but as an important mechanism for improving institutions and strengthening national governance. Regarding administrative reform, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam warned that administrative restructuring would be hollow if administrative borders continue to shackle development mindset through fragmented, localized decision-making. Professor Zhu Chenming, Honorary Director of the Institute of South and Southeast Asian Studies under the Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences, analyzed that the Vietnamese Party and State leader's decision to outline new strategic directions immediately after the restructuring process reflects a clear understanding of Vietnam’s evolving development needs. Simply completing institutional reorganisation could create the misconception that the reform mission has been accomplished, while significant governance and development challenges remain. Source: VietnamPlus English