HCMC Development Blueprint: The Politburo’s Resolution No. 09-NQ/TW (May 19, 2026) lays out a political roadmap for Ho Chi Minh City’s “new era” push, aligning central and city agencies around shared priorities and directions, building on earlier HCMC resolutions from 1982, 2002, 2012 and 2022. Strategic Tech Drive: Vietnam is accelerating “strategic technologies” with spillover benefits, pushing policy, implementation and breakthrough steps to boost national self-reliance, competitiveness, and defence capacity, with VAST highlighting research and innovation linked to practical needs. Press and Lawmaking: Ahead of Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day (June 21), NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man and PM Le Minh Hung met press leaders in Hanoi, stressing the media’s role in defending Party ideology and improving mainstream information quality as newsrooms modernize for the digital era. Regional Energy Deal: Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov inaugurated the first phase of the “ROX Issyk-Kul” solar plant (175 MW) in Issyk-Kul, with Vietnam’s ROX Energy Global, framing it as energy-security cooperation and a skills-transfer boost for local specialists. Local Environment Action: Dong Nai authorities transferred a rare lesser adjutant for rescue and conservation after residents reported it, showing stronger community awareness of biodiversity protection. Vietnam–Cuba Economic Debate: Cuban opposition figures criticized Díaz-Canel’s “late Chinese reforms” package, arguing municipal autonomy and currency/enterprise changes are being improvised without deeper legal and political trust reforms.