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Key Events

Việt Nam’s Top Leaders Win Unanimous Local Backing to Run for National Assembly;

Ministry of Public Security Seeks Legal Change to Expand Its Financial Resources;

Severe Smog Forces Expressway Closure as Hà Nội Air Quality Worsens;

Leaked Plan Suggests Vietnamese Military Preparing for Contingencies Involving U.S. Conflict;

A Village Leader Prosecuted for Criticizing the Government on Zalo Under the “Abuse of Democratic Freedoms” Law;

Top Legal Draft Would Require Approval to Livestream Court Proceedings.

Senior Vietnamese Officials Secured Unanimous Local Approval for Assembly Candidacies

The authorities have begun the formal nomination process for the 16th National Assembly (2026–2031), with a series of “absolute confidence” votes at local residential meetings paving the way for the candidacies of top party and state leaders, according to Luật Khoa Magazine.

At voter consultation meetings held in early February, residents in several Hanoi wards unanimously endorsed the nomination of Tô Lâm, the general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, along with multiple other senior officials, to run as National Assembly deputies.

Under Việt Nam’s electoral framework, these meetings—organized by local chapters of the Vietnam Fatherland Front—are a mandatory step in the tightly controlled candidate selection process.

The Fatherland Front is the umbrella organization that brings together political, social, and mass groups to mobilize public support, oversee elections and consultations, and serve as a bridge—largely symbolic—between the state and society in Vietnam.

In Tô Lâm’s case, voters at his administrative division reportedly expressed 100% confidence, praising his political credentials, moral standing, and leadership record.

Similar outcomes were recorded for other high-ranking figures, including Trần Thanh Mẫn, Trần Cẩm Tú, Lê Minh Hưng, and Lê Minh Trí, all of whom were introduced as prospective candidates and received unanimous approval from attending residents.

Official statements from these meetings emphasized that the nominees “fully meet the standards” for National Assembly deputies and maintain close, responsible relationships with their local communities. Voters were quoted as highlighting the candidates’ discipline, adherence to party guidelines, and active participation in neighborhood affairs—language that closely mirrors standardized assessment criteria commonly used in such consultations.

Observers note that the process occurs within a highly managed political environment, despite the presentation of these votes as evidence of grassroots democracy.

Candidate lists are pre-screened by party organs, and the Fatherland Front plays a central role in coordinating nominations, leaving little room for genuine competition or dissenting views. As a result, unanimous confidence votes for senior leaders have become a familiar feature of Việt Nam’s election cycles.

The timing of these nominations is also politically significant. The upcoming National Assembly election follows the Communist Party’s 14th National Congress, where power consolidation and leadership restructuring have been major themes.

Introducing top party figures as National Assembly deputies reinforces institutional alignment between the party’s highest decision-making bodies and the state’s legislature, which is constitutionally defined as Vietnam’s highest organ of state power.

According to Luật Khoa Magazine, similar “absolute confidence” outcomes have been reported in other localities, particularly for centrally endorsed candidates working in the party, government, or security apparatus.

This pattern underscores the largely symbolic nature of voter consultations, which function more as procedural endorsements than as mechanisms for meaningful public choice.

Việt Nam’s National Assembly election is expected to take place in March 2026. As the nomination process continues nationwide, the overwhelming approval of senior leaders at the local level signals not only their political dominance but also the limited space for electoral pluralism within Vietnam’s one-party system.

Việt Nam Police Seek Access to the Security Industry Fund Under Proposed Law Change

The Ministry of Public Security has submitted a proposal to the National Assembly to amend key defense and security legislation with the aim of increasing its access to financial resources, according to a report by Luật Khoa Magazine.

The proposed change would allow the ministry to draw additional funding from the newly created Security Industry Development Investment Fund, a state financial mechanism designed to support industrial projects and programs related to national security operations.

The amendment relates to adjustments in the Law on National Defense, Security Industry, and Industrial Mobilization, a law originally enacted on July 1, 2025. That law consolidated various defense-related industrial activities under a unified legal framework, and the revisions now under consideration took effect on January 1, 2026.

The key focus of the amendment is to broaden the financial base available for security industry development beyond the regular state budget.

Under the proposed legal change, the Security Industry Development Investment Fund would serve as a central source of financial backing for projects that aim to strengthen Vietnam’s security-related industrial capacity.

The fund would be legally classified as a state financial institution outside the regular budget, supervised by the Ministry of Public Security. It is intended to support the implementation of priority programs, including research and production in the security sector, procurement of technical equipment for law enforcement agencies, and development efforts that involve high levels of risk or innovation.

The fund would get money from more than just regular government funding; it would also include legal donations from businesses and individuals, profits that companies reinvest after paying taxes, and contributions from groups involved in national security.

Such flexibility, proponents of the amendment argue, will enable the ministry to better mobilize financial resources to meet evolving security challenges without solely relying on annual state budget allocations.

The draft amendment was submitted during the 10th session of the National Assembly of the 15th legislature, signaling lawmakers’ willingness to revisit and refine legislation shortly after its initial implementation.

Observers note that this rapid legislative turn reflects broader efforts by security institutions in Vietnam to consolidate their operational and financial footing as they assume expanded roles in domestic and national industrial sectors.

The proposed changes come at a time when the public security apparatus has been increasingly involved in regulatory and administrative functions often tied to national security oversight.

Past discussions illustrate a trend toward more expansive legal authority for security agencies, including proposals to tighten police screening of foreign investors in key infrastructure sectors.

Supporters of the amendment maintain that giving the Ministry of Public Security greater access to diversified funding mechanisms will enhance Vietnam’s capacity to modernize and sustain critical security industry undertakings.

They argue that such reforms are necessary in an era marked by rapid technological change and evolving geopolitical risks. Critics, however, caution that broadening financial autonomy for security institutions raises questions about transparency and civilian oversight, especially in the context of already extensive authority vested in such agencies.

The National Assembly is expected to review the amendment proposal in the coming weeks as part of its legislative agenda for early 2026. Lawmakers will weigh both the strategic importance of the funding expansion and concerns related to accountability and governance in national security financing.

Hazardous Air Quality in Hà Nội Triggers Emergency Traffic Measures

Severe air pollution blanketed northern Việt Nam this week, prompting authorities to suspend traffic on key expressway sections as the capital’s air quality deteriorated to “very unhealthy” levels, Luật Khoa Magazine reported.

Early on Feb. 4, thick smog and reduced visibility led traffic police to halt vehicle movement on the Cao Bồ–Mai Sơn–National Highway 45–Nghi Sơn expressway in both directions, marking the first time such a closure was ordered due to hazardous atmospheric conditions.

The ban affected the stretch from Km276 to Km287 toward Thanh Hóa and Km296 toward Hà Nội and remained in place until weather conditions improved enough to ensure driver safety.

The shutdown coincided with alarming air quality readings in Hà Nội. Data from local environmental monitoring showed that by 8 a.m. on Feb. 4, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in parts of the capital had reached 232, well into the “very unhealthy” category, posing significant health risks for residents.

Contributing monitoring stations across neighboring provinces also reported elevated pollution levels, with figures ranging from 153 to 192 in areas such as Hưng Yên, Bắc Giang, and Thái Nguyên.

Hà Nội’s worsening air quality reflects broader, persistent environmental challenges the city has faced during the winter season. Weather conditions common to the region—particularly temperature inversions and stagnant air masses—trap fine particulate matter (PM2.5) near the ground and hinder dispersion of pollutants.

Combined with emissions from transportation, construction dust, and industrial activity, the situation has routinely pushed Hà Nội into global lists of the most polluted cities during peak pollution episodes.

The expressway closure highlighted how smog l endangers not only public health but also transportation safety. Dense fog and smog can drastically reduce visibility, making high-speed travel on major routes perilous.

The Traffic Police Department under the MPS stressed that the emergency measure was necessary to prevent accidents and protect motorists as conditions deteriorated.

Environmental authorities have attributed Hanoi’s chronic pollution problem to a range of factors. Vehicle emissions—especially from the city’s millions of motorbikes and cars—remain a major source of airborne particulate matter, while construction activities and open burning contribute additional dust and smoke to the atmosphere.

Regional agricultural burning and industrial operations in nearby provinces further compound the city’s air quality woes.

People widely recognize the health implications of such severe pollution. Health officials have repeatedly warned that sustained exposure to high PM2.5 levels can lead to respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, and other serious health conditions.

Past advisories have encouraged residents, particularly vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly, to limit time outdoors, use air purifiers indoors, and wear protective masks when pollution spikes.

In response to recurring episodes of hazardous air quality, local and national authorities have outlined longer-term measures aimed at reducing emissions.

Plans include stricter vehicle emission standards, expanded public transportation options, and potential bans on gasoline-powered motorbikes in central districts by 2026—measures designed to curb one of the largest sources of pollution in Hanoi.

As the city continues to grapple with seasonal smog, the expressway closure and health warnings serve as stark reminders of the immediate and ongoing challenges of managing air quality in one of Southeast Asia’s fastest urbanizing capitals. Authorities say continued monitoring and public advisories will remain in effect as conditions evolve.

Vietnamese Defense Planners Consider Risk of Future U.S. Confrontation

An internal Vietnamese military document has revealed that planners within the Ministry of National Defense are preparing for the possibility of a future conflict with the United States, even as Hà Nội publicly deepens diplomatic ties with Washington, according to an Associated Press analysis. The Associated Press cited a report by The 88 Project.

The document, reportedly completed in August 2024 and titled “The Second U.S. Invasion Plan,” outlines strategic assessments that view the U.S. as a potentially belligerent power and calls for vigilance against the risk of American military action, despite stating that the immediate likelihood of war is low.

According to the leaked material, Vietnamese defense analysts argue that the United States, in seeking to “strengthen deterrence against China,” might adopt unconventional forms of warfare or intervention against nations it perceives as outside its strategic orbit.

The document suggests that U.S. efforts to promote democracy, human rights, and other values could be interpreted domestically as part of a broader strategy to undermine socialist governance in Việt Nam, raising concerns about potential “color revolutions” similar to those seen in Ukraine and the Philippines.

The planning paper emphasizes the need for the People’s Army of Vietnam to prepare for a range of contingencies, including possible large-scale invasions pitched as responses to perceived strategic deviations.

While it acknowledges that “currently there is little risk of a war against Việt Nam,” officials cited in the document urge constant readiness to prevent external powers from creating a pretext for aggression.

The release of this document shows how different Việt Nam's official diplomatic stance is from its internal strategic thinking. In 2023, Việt Nam elevated its relationship with the U.S. to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the highest level of bilateral diplomatic engagement, during a historic visit by President Joe Biden—marking a significant milestone since normalization of relations in the 1990s.

Despite this outward engagement, the internal assessment reflects deep-seated wariness within segments of Việt Nam’s defense establishment about U.S. intentions. Analysts quoted in public summaries of the plan contend that U.S. military alliances and operations in the Asia-Pacific region could be interpreted as pressure on Hà Nội to align with broader anti-China strategies—an alignment Việt Nam has historically resisted in favor of maintaining strategic autonomy.

Experts outside Việt Nam point to historical memory as a major factor in shaping Hanoi’s defense calculations. The legacy of the Vietnam War remains a powerful influence on military doctrine and threat perception, reinforcing a cautious approach to any major power’s intentions, even those of a current strategic partner.

The document’s release has also drawn attention to internal debates among Vietnamese policymakers. Some argue that perceptions of U.S. belligerence may not fully reflect official foreign policy under civilian leadership, which continues to pursue economic and security ties with both Washington and other major global powers, including China and Russia.

Nevertheless, the defense paper’s existence suggests that segments of the military are hedging against worst-case scenarios as part of broader risk planning.

Việt Nam’s government has not publicly commented on the leaked document. Analysts say the episode highlights the complexities of Hà Nội’s foreign policy calculus: balancing economic and strategic cooperation with the United States with concerns about preserving sovereign political structures and avoiding entanglement in great-power rivalries in the Indo-Pacific region.

Prosecution of Village Chief Reflects Vietnam’s Tight Controls on Online Dissent

Authorities in Đắk Lắk Province have formally prosecuted a local village chief on charges of “abusing the rights to freedom and democracy,” after he repeatedly posted criticisms of government policies and local officials on the messaging platform Zalo, local media and legal reports show.

The case highlights the ongoing use of Vietnam’s controversial Article 331 of the Penal Code, a provision critics say is frequently applied to curb dissent in online and offline speech.

On Feb. 3, police in Đắk Lắk Province decided to charge Nguyễn Ngọc Hải Đăng, 36, a village chief from Chí Thạnh Commune, and placed him under house arrest for supposedly misusing his rights for supposedly criticizing the government and harming the interests of the state and others.

According to Luật Khoa Magazine and Vietnamese media, the police alleged that between October 2023 and October 2025, Đăng used a Zalo group called “Công dân khu phố Chí Thạnh” (The citizens of Chí Thạnh), which he founded and moderated, to disseminate posts, images, and commentary about state and local government initiatives.

These allegedly included commentary on policies on housing clearance, road construction, and local social welfare programs. Authorities have characterized the content as “fabricated,” “distorting” official policies, and “demeaning” to the reputation of regional party and governmental leaders.

Law enforcement sources say that in addition to policy critique, Đăng posted the photos of several local officials in ways construed by investigators as mocking or insulting.

According to police statements reported in Vietnamese media, his repeated conduct allegedly “caused public anxiety, undermined the prestige and role of party and state organizations, and affected the management and administration of local governance.”

Authorities also contend that, despite repeated in-person and community feedback urging him to discontinue such posts, Đăng persisted in posting allegedly negative content, prompting a decision to pursue a criminal case.

He has reportedly acknowledged circulating online content that violates relevant legal provisions and has expressed a desire for leniency from the courts as proceedings continue.

The prosecution of Đăng is part of a larger trend where Vietnamese authorities often use Article 331, which is commonly understood as “abuse of democratic freedoms to harm the interests of the state,” to charge people for expressing their opinions online and criticizing government actions.

Human rights groups and independent observers have repeatedly criticized the application of such legal provisions for stifling free expression and civic discourse. Bloggers, commentators, and social media users have faced similar charges recently for their critical posts on Facebook and other platforms.

International civil society organizations, including Reporters Without Borders, have documented cases in which individuals faced fines or prison sentences under provisions such as Article 331 or related statutes, alleging that these laws serve to deter dissent and limit political discourse.

Vietnamese authorities assert that statutes such as Article 331 are necessary to maintain social order and protect against disinformation, defamation, and destabilizing commentary that could harm public confidence in government institutions.

However, legal analysts and free-speech advocates argue that the broad language of the law makes it vulnerable to misuse against critics. As Đăng’s case proceeds, it is expected to draw attention to ongoing tensions between state regulation of online speech and claims of constitutional freedoms, especially as social-networking platforms become more central to community communication and political dialogue in Việt Nam.

The Supreme People's Court Moves to Ban Unauthorized Livestreaming of Trials to Protect State Secrets

Việt Nam has proposed a new rule that would prohibit livestreaming of courtroom proceedings on digital platforms unless expressly authorized by the presiding judge, citing the need to safeguard state secrets and maintain the integrity of judicial processes.

The proposal, detailed in a draft internal directive under consideration, is part of broader revisions to courtroom procedures and evidence recording that could significantly restrict public access to real-time trial coverage.

Under the draft directive being prepared by the Supreme People’s Court, all forms of livestreaming—including live audio and video broadcasts over social media and other internet platforms—would be strictly banned if undertaken without the explicit permission of the trial chair.

The restriction would apply to “live transmission of the conduct of the trial” across digital networks and platforms, a measure officials say is necessary to protect sensitive information and uphold the dignified conduct of legal proceedings.

The draft document emphasizes controls on the use of electronic devices inside courtrooms and is intended to update existing courtroom rules and replace parts of the current Supreme People’s Court regulations.

Participants and observers would be required to keep personal devices such as phones, tablets, and smart watches on silent or powered off during proceedings, with limited exceptions for judge-approved purposes.

Recording or photographing courtroom events would only be permitted with the permission of the presiding judge, and the use of such material would be subject to safeguards ensuring that sensitive state or personal information is not improperly disclosed.

The draft rules aim to balance judicial transparency with other legal obligations, including the protection of classified information under Việt Nam’s stringent state secrets laws, which were recently revised and expanded by the National Assembly.

Proponents of the new rules argue that the changes are meant to ensure trials proceed without disruption and without unintended dissemination of materials that could compromise ongoing investigations, affect witness safety, or reveal protected data.

Court officials say the restrictions would also align courtroom practice with broader legal frameworks intended to regulate online information flows and uphold social order.

However, legal analysts and press freedom advocates warn that such restrictions could curb public access to judicial proceedings and limit transparency in a system where independent media coverage is already tightly controlled.

Việt Nam’s media environment has long been subject to stringent censorship and content restrictions, with state authorities regulating online speech and access to information under a wide array of laws governing state secrets and national security.

Courtroom recording proposals in the past have faced criticism. In earlier years, measures restricting journalists from recording or disseminating court audio and video without judicial consent were considered discouraging independent reporting from trials, potentially weakening public scrutiny of the legal system.

The Supreme People's Court has not yet finalized or officially published the draft directive, and it remains unclear when the new rules will take effect. If approved, the change would represent a marked tightening of courtroom media protocols, limiting unauthorized live digital broadcasts at a time when social media and online news consumption are pervasive.

The authorities maintain that such measures are justified to protect state interests, privacy, and judicial integrity, but the proposed ban will likely spark debate among legal professionals, civil society groups, and media organizations about transparency and the public’s right to observe legal proceedings in an increasingly digital information environment.

Quick Takes:

Government Moves to Ease Backlash Over Decree 46 Implementation

Việt Nam’s controversial Decree 46/2026, which outlines the implementation of the Food Safety Law, has sparked strong criticism from businesses and lawmakers, who say it caused confusion and supply bottlenecks at ports and borders due to a lack of transitional guidance. In response, the National Assembly Standing Committee urged the government to review and learn from the decree’s rollout. Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has ordered an immediate resolution to remove obstacles in its enforcement and directed ministries to issue detailed guidance so that customs work and inspections can proceed smoothly.

Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) Prepares to Classify and Assess Credibility of Social Media Influencers

The MIC is drafting a framework to classify, rate, and assess the credibility of key opinion leaders on social media and livestream platforms. The proposed system would categorize influencers based on factors such as content type, audience size, and adherence to legal norms, enabling the authorities to distinguish between official, commercial, and private accounts. The draft aims to support future regulations on online content management, combat misinformation, and enhance accountability for influential digital voices, though critics warn it may curb free expression and impose new burdens on content creators.

Việt Nam Upgrades VNeID “Super App” With Child ID and Metro Ticket Features

The government has rolled out an updated version (2.2.5) of its VNeID digital identity app, adding new features, including child identification for users under 14 and integration of the metro ticketing and check-in functions, alongside digitized land title (sổ đỏ) records. The enhancements aim to broaden the app’s utility in line with Việt Nam’s digital transformation goals, streamline everyday services, and support “smart city” initiatives. Officials say the upgrades also improve access to public services and simplify administrative procedures, while critics caution that expanding digital identification platforms raises privacy and data security concerns.

“Absolute Confidence” Messages as Tô Lâm and Senior Leaders Are Nominated for Vietnam’s National Assembly

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