Sovico Group pledges to break ground on Ho Chi Minh City metro line No. 4 in early 2027
Ho Chi Minh City 19:11 18/03/2026Sovico Group, a founding shareholder of air carrier Vietjet Air, has been committed to completing a feasibility study for metro line No. 4 in Ho Chi Minh City in the second quarter of 2026 and aims to start work on the project in the first quarter of 2027.
Vietnam faces ENSO shift in 2026 with risk of stronger storms
Vietnam News 15:22 18/03/2026Vietnam is expected to see the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) shift toward a warmer phase in 2026, increasing the risk of stronger storms and heavier rainfall even as overall storm numbers may not rise, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.
Vietnam urges Japan to supply crude oil, aviation fuel amid Middle East tensions
Vietnam News 17:00 18/03/2026Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has urged Japan to consider supplying crude oil from its reserves to Vietnam and facilitating the country’s purchase of aviation fuel from Japan, as escalating tensions in the Middle East threaten global energy supply chains.
In Vietnam, workers leave jobs to study Chinese for higher-paying roles
Vietnam News 13:53 18/03/2026More workers in industrial parks in northern Vietnam are quitting their jobs to study Chinese, aiming to improve employment prospects and wages.
Nearly 79 million Vietnamese vote in parliamentary, local elections
Vietnam News 09:35 15/03/2026Nearly 79 million voters across Vietnam began casting ballots on Sunday to elect members of the country’s 16th National Assembly and local People’s Councils for the 2026–31 term.
Vietnam’s Truong Sa ready for national election
Vietnam News 15:59 14/03/2026All preparations have been completed in Truong Sa (Spratly) Special Zone, administered by Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam, for the election of deputies to the country’s law-making National Assembly and local People’s Councils for the 2026-31 term, slated for March 15, or Sunday.
Ho Chi Minh City uses VNeID to verify over 9.6 million voters ahead of national election
Ho Chi Minh City 17:10 12/03/2026Ho Chi Minh City has completed the review of more than 9.6 million voters through the national digital ID system, VNeID, finalizing preparations for the upcoming national election slated for March 15.
Voters hope for stronger transport links between Ho Chi Minh City, coastal destinations
Ho Chi Minh City 14:53 12/03/2026Voters in Ho Chi Minh City voiced their hope for the development of transport infrastructure connecting the city with key coastal destinations such as Can Gio, Vung Tau, and Con Dao to boost tourism and economic growth at a voter meeting on Wednesday afternoon.
Comprehensive support package needed for Vietnamese economy
In-Depth 14:37 16/03/2026The global economy is experiencing sharp volatility, prompting many Vietnamese businesses to hesitate before signing new contracts amid rising risks, so stronger and more comprehensive support mechanisms from the government are increasingly seen as essential.
What to know about 'banh mi' food poisoning in Vietnam, and how to eat it safely
In-Depth 11:27 15/03/2026A series of suspected food poisoning incidents linked to 'banh mi' has recently raised concerns about food safety in Vietnam, drawing renewed attention to safety practices surrounding one of the country’s most beloved street foods despite such cases being relatively rare.
Drunk driving must end in mind first in Vietnam
In-Depth 16:04 14/03/2026A recent crash on Nguyen Chanh Street in Hanoi, in which a man driving under the influence of alcohol plowed into several cars and motorcycles, leaving one dead, forces society to confront, more honestly than ever, the issue of drinking and driving.
Vietnam’s Internet infrastructure ready to power low-altitude economy
In-Depth 16:28 09/03/2026Vietnam’s expanding 5G coverage and the arrival of low-Earth-orbit satellite Internet are positioning the country to accelerate its digital economy, particularly the emerging low-altitude economy, in the years ahead.
Op-ed: Vietnam can turn street vending into urban development asset
In-Depth 13:34 08/03/2026On Tuesday, Tran Luu Quang, secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, raised a point that struck directly at the heart of the city’s sidewalk economy.
Property ID cards expected to redefine Vietnam’s real estate market
In-Depth 11:21 05/03/2026Granting each property a unique identification code and publishing transaction data on a state-managed information system are poised to fundamentally reshape the rules of Vietnam’s real estate market in the years ahead.
Degraded collective housing in Hanoi: When concrete fades but memory endures
In-Depth 16:54 02/03/2026As Hanoi evolves, and modern high-rises replace ramshackle apartment blocks, many residents of the city’s tumbledown collective housing estates still find themselves tethered to memories that refuse to fade.
Fragile newborns begin life fighting for every breath at Hanoi hospital
In-Depth 20:23 28/02/2026Inside the intensive care unit at the Pediatric Center of Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi, premature infants, including babies born to mothers living with HIV, fight for survival, as doctors and nurses monitor every breath, heartbeat and fragile sign of life.
Milano, Highlands among SE Asia’s largest coffee chains: report
Economy 19:18 18/03/2026Vietnam’s coffee chain market is among the fastest-growing in Southeast Asia, with popular brands Milano Coffee and Highlands Coffee listed among the region’s largest operators, a report released on Monday by Momentum Works showed.
Japan's foreign ministry launches peace mediation unit
World 17:31 18/03/2026TOKYO -- Japan's Foreign Ministry has launched a new office tasked with actively engaging in the efforts to broker peace in countries in conflict.
Japan to begin active cyber defense operations in October
World 17:31 18/03/2026TOKYO -- The Japanese government decided at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday to begin active cyber defense operations on October 1, as part of efforts to prevent major cyberattacks.
Japan announces $315mn in next-generation ODA for Vietnam’s green transition
Vietnam News 17:19 18/03/2026Japan will provide a next-generation official development assistance (ODA) loan worth 50 billion yen (US$315 million) to Vietnam, featuring streamlined procedures and faster disbursement to support the country’s green transition and climate goals, officials said at a high-level workshop in Hanoi.
Vietnam-Middle East flights disrupted again as US-Iran conflict rattles regional airspace
Vietnam News 17:08 18/03/2026Several flights from Vietnam to Doha and Dubai have been canceled or rescheduled as escalating Middle East tensions, triggered by U.S.-led strikes on Iran on February 28, continue to disrupt regional airspace, affecting thousands of passengers amid tighter flight restrictions.
New Zealand to tighten immigration rules amid crime concerns
World 15:18 18/03/2026WELLINGTON - New Zealand's government will introduce legislation on Wednesday to tighten deportation, asylum and immigration enforcement rules, saying the changes are needed to tackle serious offending, migrant exploitation and bad-faith claims.
Around 4.9 million children under five died in 2024, says UN
World 15:18 18/03/2026LONDON -- About 4.9 million children died before reaching their fifth birthday in 2024, according to new United Nations estimates, a sign progress to reduce child mortality rates was stalling even before global aid budget cuts last year.
Brazil starts to restrict minors' access to social media
World 15:17 18/03/2026Brazil began implementing new measures on Tuesday to restrict minors' access to social media and prevent them from viewing violent or illegal content.
Vietnam’s hiring demand expected to surge in Q2, led by construction, property sector
Economy 15:01 18/03/2026Vietnamese businesses intend to expand their workforce in the next quarter, with the construction and real estate sector leading recruitment demand as Vietnam accelerates infrastructure development and urban expansion.
Morocco declared African champions after Senegal stripped of title
World 14:37 18/03/2026CAPE TOWN -- Morocco were declared Africa Cup of Nations champions and Senegal were stripped of the title after an appeal over the result of the final was upheld by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Tuesday.
V-Green to spend $380mn on 99 ultra-fast EV charging stations across Vietnam
Economy 13:29 18/03/2026V-Green Global Charging Station Development JSC, a Vingroup subsidiary, on Tuesday announced its plan to invest some VND10 trillion (US$380 million) in the development of 99 ultra-fast electric vehicle (EV) charging stations throughout Vietnam this year.
Japan announces $315mn in next-generation ODA for Vietnam’s green transition
Vietnam News 17:19 18/03/2026Japan will provide a next-generation official development assistance (ODA) loan worth 50 billion yen (US$315 million) to Vietnam, featuring streamlined procedures and faster disbursement to support the country’s green transition and climate goals, officials said at a high-level workshop in Hanoi.
Vietnam-Middle East flights disrupted again as US-Iran conflict rattles regional airspace
Vietnam News 17:08 18/03/2026Several flights from Vietnam to Doha and Dubai have been canceled or rescheduled as escalating Middle East tensions, triggered by U.S.-led strikes on Iran on February 28, continue to disrupt regional airspace, affecting thousands of passengers amid tighter flight restrictions.
Vietnam’s General Phan Van Giang chairs welcome ceremony for Chinese defense minister
Vietnam News 13:26 18/03/2026Vietnamese Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang on Wednesday morning presided over a welcome ceremony for Chinese Minister of National Defense Senior Lieutenant General Dong Jun and a high-level delegation from the Chinese ministry.
Vietnam to host Miss Heritage Global 2026
Vietnam News 13:14 18/03/2026Vietnam will host the Miss Heritage Global 2026 pageant for the first time in August, in a significant milestone for the country as well as for the international beauty contest, which celebrates the fusion of physical beauty with cultural heritage and historical values.
Vietnam experts warn chronic illness raises shingles risk
Vietnam News 12:25 18/03/2026Common chronic diseases such as cardiovascular conditions, diabetes and chronic kidney disease may significantly increase the risk of developing herpes zoster, according to experts at a recent medical conference in Vietnam.
Ho Chi Minh City eyes establishment of geriatric hospitals to cope with aging population
Ho Chi Minh City 11:51 18/03/2026Ho Chi Minh City is planning to develop geriatric hospitals as the number of elderly residents surpasses 1.5 million, reflecting the city’s rapid pace of population aging.
Ho Chi Minh City orders checks on bus fares, fuel supply at petrol stations
Ho Chi Minh City 11:51 17/03/2026The administration of Ho Chi Minh City has asked agencies to monitor fuel prices and supply while keeping bus and coach fares under control, following recent increases linked to rising fuel costs.
Ho Chi Minh City cameras detect more than 84,500 traffic violations in early 2026
Ho Chi Minh City 10:21 17/03/2026Traffic surveillance cameras in Ho Chi Minh City have detected more than 84,500 traffic violations since the start of 2026, city police said on Monday.
Sovico Group proposes $3.6bn transport projects in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City 15:03 16/03/2026Sovico Group, a founding shareholder of air carrier Vietjet Air, has proposed investing about VND94 trillion (US$3.6 billion) in five transport infrastructure projects in Ho Chi Minh City under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, according to a proposal submitted to the municipal government.
Ho Chi Minh City residents embrace free public e-bikes
Ho Chi Minh City 12:54 16/03/2026Residents in Ho Chi Minh City gravitated to Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street on Sunday afternoon to try out newly launched public electric bicycles, which are offered free for 15 minutes per ride throughout March.
