Vietnam National Assembly Confirms Two New Deputy Prime Ministers Ahead of January Congress

Vietnam's National Assembly has appointed two new deputy prime ministers, Pham Thi Thanh Tra and Ho Quoc Dung, increasing the total number of deputy prime ministers to nine. Pham Thi Thanh Tra, the first woman to hold the position, previously served as Minister of Home Affairs and held leadership roles at the provincial level. Ho Quoc Dung, formerly the Communist Party chief of Gia Lai province, has a legal background and significant regional leadership experience. Additionally, the assembly confirmed appointments for ministers of foreign affairs, agriculture, and home affairs during its final session of the year. This session precedes the upcoming five-yearly congress of Vietnam's Communist Party in January, which will set the country's strategic policies and select new leadership. The appointments reflect preparations for the congress and ongoing governance adjustments in Vietnam.