Vietnam Morning Monitor: Vietnamese top leader To Lam wraps up visit to EU, Belgium. Business households await 30% tax cut amid revenue limit concerns.

| POLITICS

-- Vietnamese Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and his high-ranking delegation successfully wrapped up their official visit to the European Union and Belgium on Saturday, concluding a series of high-level diplomatic engagements in Brussels. Reported by the Vietnam News Agency, the visit aimed to deepen political trust, boost trade cooperation, and strengthen multifaceted ties between Vietnam and its European partners.

-- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam and its Belgian counterpart announced a Joint Statement regarding the official visit of General Secretary and President To Lam to the Kingdom of Belgium from October 23–24, 2026, at the invitation of Prime Minister Bart De Wever. 

During the visit, both sides agreed to enhance multifaceted cooperation—spanning trade, defense, science, and technology—with a view to elevating bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership. Furthermore, the leaders discussed key regional and international issues, reaffirming their commitment to international law and multilateralism.

| SOCIETY

-- Long Chau, a prominent pharmacy and vaccination chain, alongside the city's Department of Health, the Hope Foundation, various hospitals, Gene Solutions, and eight international drugmakers, launched the 'For Vietnamese Women – No More Cancer Worries' project in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday. 

The alliance aims to promote proactive prevention and early detection of women's cancers, particularly breast and cervical cancers, which account for 37 percent of new cases and 30 percent of cancer deaths among Vietnamese women. Huynh Minh Chin, deputy director of the city's Department of Health, stated at the launch that the program will significantly improve awareness and access to screening and preventive care.

-- The Investigation Police Agency of Haiphong City on Saturday announced the prosecution of 31-year-old Ly Van Cuong for obstructing law enforcement. According to authorities, on October 20, Cuong refused to stop his car on Ton Duc Thang Avenue and intentionally drove it toward traffic police officers on duty.

| BUSINESS

-- Many business households in Vietnam are eagerly awaiting a proposed 30-percent tax reduction for units with annual revenues under VND10 billion (US$388,260). However, according to local business owners and tax experts speaking on Saturday, taxpayers remain anxious that slight revenue fluctuations near the threshold could cause them to lose eligibility.

The Ministry of Finance noted that the relief package aims to support millions of small operators, though stakeholders continue to seek clearer guidelines on revenue calculations.

-- The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam on Saturday requested domestic airlines, such as Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet, to research, restore, and expand domestic air routes. The agency asked carriers to increase flight frequencies on existing paths and establish new connections between economic and tourist hubs. Airlines are required to submit their detailed implementation plans before November 10.

-- According to the State Bank of Vietnam, commercial banks and enterprises signed 18 cooperation agreements totaling approximately VND230 trillion (US$8.9 billion) at a conference held on October 23 in Ho Chi Minh City. These agreements focus on financing key infrastructure, energy, and social housing projects across the Southeast region for the 2026–2030 period.

| SPORTS 

-- Vietnamese gamer Pham Anh Tu (also known as FPLxChanh) advanced to the semifinals of the FC Mobile World Championship 2026 in Seoul, South Korea, on October 24 after defeating Brazil's Davizin7 3-1. With this victory, FPL Pro reported that he has secured at least $20,000 in prize money following five matches. The semifinals and finals will take place on October 25.

Foreign tourists in Hoi An, Vietnam