Key domestic events of the week from May 11-16

Photo caption — The 11th Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front , for the term 2026-2031, was introduced at the Congress. Photo: Van Diep/TTXVN

The 11th National Congress of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, term 2026-2031

With the theme "Unity - Democracy - Innovation - Creativity - Development," the 11th National Congress of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, for the term 2026-2031, was held solemnly. The Congress was not only an important political and social event organized immediately after the very successful 14th Party Congress, the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and deputies to People's Councils at all levels for the term 2026-2031, but also significant as the first Congress under the new organizational model of the Fatherland Front.

The success of the 11th National Congress of the Vietnam Fatherland Front is a vivid testament to the strength of the great national unity. The 11th National Congress of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, for the term 2026-2031, calls upon all strata of the people, ethnic groups, religions, intellectuals, artists, businesspeople, and overseas Vietnamese to uphold the spirit of patriotism and national pride, to have absolute faith in the leadership of the Party and the State; to actively contribute their intellect and efforts, to work diligently in production, to continuously consolidate, build, and promote the strength of the great national unity, combined with the strength of the times, to work together to build a peaceful, independent, democratic, prosperous, civilized, and happy Vietnam, steadily advancing towards socialism.

Celebrating the 85th anniversary of the founding of the Ho Chi Minh Young Pioneers Organization.

Over 85 years of development and growth (May 15, 1941 - May 15, 2026), the Ho Chi Minh Young Pioneers Organization has become a familiar home for many generations of Vietnamese children, a place that nurtures ideals, cultivates character, and helps fulfill the dreams of the young generation. Throughout each stage of the revolution, the organization has always accompanied the development of the country, contributing to the formation of generations of members who are patriotic, knowledgeable, responsible, and eager to contribute.

In the new context with many intertwined opportunities and challenges, caring for and educating children, and building a strong Youth Pioneer Organization, is of even greater strategic significance for the future of the nation. On the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the founding of the Ho Chi Minh Youth Pioneer Organization (May 15, 1941 - May 15, 2026), on the afternoon of May 14, at the Presidential Palace, General Secretary and President To Lam met with 85 outstanding Youth Pioneer members from across the country.

The General Secretary and President affirmed that the meeting was a joy, a recognition, but also a message of trust from the Party, the State, families, teachers, and the entire society towards the children. This trust is not a pressure, but rather an encouragement for them to strive a little harder each day. Every small step forward today will contribute to great growth in the future. Every good deed today will further enhance the traditions of the Youth Union. Every pure dream, if nurtured through learning, training, and willpower, can become a valuable contribution to the country tomorrow.

The General Secretary and President expressed confidence that, upon returning to their localities, schools, and classrooms, the 85 exemplary young Pioneers would continue to spread goodness, humility, effort, and academic excellence for themselves and to help their peers progress. All Vietnamese children and young people, wherever they may be and whatever their circumstances, should always cherish love for their families, homeland, and country, and aspire to excel, worthy of being the future of the nation, the masters of a developed, strong, civilized, and happy Vietnam.

Announcement of the President's Order on 9 laws passed by the National Assembly.

On the afternoon of May 13th, in Hanoi, the Office of the President held a press conference to announce the President's Order regarding 9 laws that were passed by the First Session of the 16th National Assembly.

These laws include: the Law on the Capital City (amended); the Law on Access to Information (amended); the Law on Civil Status (amended); the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Emulation and Commendation; the Law on Beliefs and Religions (amended); the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Representative Agencies of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Abroad; the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Personal Income Tax, the Law on Value Added Tax, the Law on Corporate Income Tax and the Law on Special Consumption Tax; the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Notarization; and the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Legal Aid.

The newly promulgated laws embody a spirit of innovation and decisive action to remove bottlenecks, while also ensuring fundamental, long-term, and timely responses to practical demands, promoting decentralization and delegation of power coupled with increased accountability, and unlocking resources for socio-economic development.

Many practical activities in response to Workers' Month 2026

In response to the 2026 Workers' Month with the theme "Vietnamese Workers: Innovation and Creativity, Enhancing Labor Productivity," this week continued with dialogue programs, efforts to care for the lives and protect the rights of workers... which were widely received by union members and workers, and received attention and support from Party committees, government agencies, and employers.

The "May Dialogue" program and the forum "Union Members Contribute to Building the Vietnam Trade Union in the New Era" were organized to create opportunities for leaders of Party committees, government agencies, and employers to directly interact and dialogue with union members and workers. The forum also served as an opportunity to gather opinions and suggestions from union members to contribute to the completion of the XIV Congress Document of the Vietnam Trade Union and the revised Trade Union Charter.

In addition, activities aimed at improving the material and spiritual well-being of workers are emphasized. The trade union coordinates visits and gift-giving to members in need, organizes welfare booths, union meals, improves meal allowances, provides regular health check-ups, and offers health and psychological counseling. Family, cultural, and sports events are also organized to strengthen solidarity and provide entertainment for workers.

The trial of Dao Minh Quan resulted in four death sentences for defendants involved in an inter-provincial drug trafficking ring.

On the afternoon of May 14th, the People's Court of Ho Chi Minh City announced the first-instance verdict against Dao Minh Quan, the ringleader of the "Provisional National Government of Vietnam" organization, and his accomplices for the crimes of "Terrorism aimed at overthrowing the people's government" and "Activities aimed at overthrowing the people's government." Defendant Dao Minh Quan was sentenced to life imprisonment for both crimes, resulting in a combined sentence of life imprisonment.

From 2015 to 2017, members of this organization established numerous subgroups such as "Phoenix," "Cobra," "Commando," and "Dai Viet" to carry out sabotage and disrupt public order and security. Some domestic members committed arson at a vehicle impoundment facility in Dong Nai, causing significant property damage; they also planned arson and explosion attacks at key locations, including Tan Son Nhat International Airport and the 2019 terrorist bombing of the former Binh Duong Provincial Tax Department. However, these plots were detected and thwarted by law enforcement.

After three days of trial and deliberation, on May 15th, the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Court announced its verdict against the defendants in an inter-provincial drug trafficking ring. This was a particularly serious drug case, involving a large quantity of heroin, synthetic drugs, and numerous military weapons that were concealed and transported for drug transactions. Furthermore, the defendants used military weapons to resist law enforcement, resulting in the death of Lieutenant Nguyen Dang Khai (born in 1996, an officer of the Drug Crime Investigation Department, Quang Ninh Provincial Police) while on duty.

Defendant Bui Dinh Khanh (born in 1994, residing at Group 6, Gieng Day 1 area, Viet Hung ward, Quang Ninh province) was brought to trial for the crimes of Murder, Illegally trading in narcotics, Illegally possessing and using military weapons, and Intentionally damaging property.

Eighteen other defendants in the case were also tried for crimes including murder, illegal trafficking of narcotics, illegal possession of narcotics, organizing the illegal use of narcotics, illegal possession and transportation of military weapons, concealing crimes, and several related offenses as stipulated in the 2015 Penal Code, amended and supplemented in 2017.

Considering the defendants' crimes were extremely serious, dangerous to society, and required their isolation from society, the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Court sentenced four defendants to death.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/su-kien-trong-nuoc-noi-bat-tuan-tu-11-165-20260517083735041.htm