Diplomatic Conference Priorities: At the 33rd Diplomatic Conference in Hanoi, Party and State leaders pushed a “pioneering” external affairs agenda, with To Lam stressing diplomacy as a crucial, regular task and calling for research that spots opportunities early and advises prompt action. Party Governance Reform: To Lam also launched a Central Steering Committee to review and amend Party Statutes, aiming for rules that are scientific, concise, practical and enduring amid restructuring, the two-tier local administration model, power oversight and digital transformation. Party-to-Party and People-to-People Diplomacy: Politburo member Tran Cam Tu urged stronger renewal to make Party diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy more effective for rapid, sustainable development, turning soft power into trust and consensus. Vietnam–Malaysia Partnership: To Lam met outgoing Malaysian Ambassador Tan Yang Thai, highlighting deepening political trust and fast-growing trade (US$10.8bn in the first half of 2026, +40%); PM Le Minh Hung also received Malaysia’s defence minister, linking defence cooperation to broader comprehensive partnership goals. Vietnam–Singapore Ties: Tran Cam Tu hosted Singapore’s ambassador, calling to better use party-to-party strategic dialogue and experience sharing in governance and socio-economic development. Vietnam–India Strategic Dialogue: An ICWA–VASS forum in New Delhi discussed future pathways for the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, pointing to new cooperation areas like AI, semiconductors, critical minerals and cybersecurity. Local Governance Experiment: A Chinese scholar said Hanoi’s “socialist communes/wards” pilot is meant to concretise the 14th Party Congress direction and test stronger grassroots governance under the two-tier model. Security and Defence Law Updates: The 16th National Assembly debated draft WMD prevention/control law and amendments to military and defence laws, with To Lam stressing legislation that stays ahead of change. Public Service Delivery Gap: Vietnam’s free annual health screenings have reached 32.28 million people, but a major rural doctor shortage is stalling full rollout and widening performance gaps between provinces. Regional Engagement: Vietnam received ASEAN ambassadors and chargés d’affaires, with To Lam reaffirming ASEAN centrality and Vietnam’s independence, self-reliance and multilateral foreign policy.