Party Governance in Focus: Vietnam’s 14th Party Central Committee opened its third meeting in Hanoi, with General Secretary and State President To Lam urging a shift from restructuring to stronger leadership and governance capacity, plus unified management of development space and resources and a move toward productivity- and knowledge-driven growth. Digital Execution & Identity: To Lam directed faster rollout of VNeID links with Singapore and other ASEAN partners, citing slow implementation, weak data sharing, and uneven agency execution as key bottlenecks. Online Media & Party Discipline: State outlets quietly removed or altered reports about closer monitoring of officials’ and Party members’ social-media accounts, underscoring tighter ideological control in the digital era. Public Security & Participation: To Lam called for a more revolutionary, professional People’s Police and for broader public participation in safeguarding national security and social order. Culture as Development Engine: Experts praised To Lam’s culture directives as action-oriented, aiming to turn cultural resources into digital reach, competitive products, and soft power. International Ties: Vietnam–Laos friendship was reaffirmed as a cornerstone treaty, while Vietnam–Philippines relations marked 50 years with renewed people-to-people momentum. Regional Party Cooperation: CPV and CPC leaders discussed internal affairs, political-legal work, and anti-corruption cooperation. Human Rights Backlash Case: A renewed public denunciation campaign against Chu Ngọc Quang Vinh highlights the sharp consequences of online vilification and state-media amplification.