The future is cycling in Ho Chi Minh City, whether we like it or not
Expat Life 11:31 13/01/2026Riding down Mai Chi Tho Boulevard now means sharing parts of the road with bicycles. Red lanes have been installed – the first of their kind in the city – and they have received a very mixed reaction from commuters and the local community.
Hanoi street vendor fined after seeking triple price for 'non la' from foreign tourist
Vietnam News 13:35 13/01/2026Police in Hanoi have fined a street vendor for attempting to charge a foreign tourist over three times the intended price, more than US$32, for a ‘non la’ (Vietnamese conical hat) in the city’s Old Quarter, following an incident captured on security camera footage and widely shared on social media.
FIFA social media highlights Vietnam U23 goalkeeper, forward after historic win
Vietnam News 13:19 13/01/2026FIFA’s official World Cup social media account spotlighted Vietnam's under-23 goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien and forward Nguyen Dinh Bac after the Vietnam boys completed a perfect group stage at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup with a 1–0 victory over host nation Saudi Arabia.
Ho Chi Minh City ‘banh mi’ shop fined $570 after 125 customers fall ill
Ho Chi Minh City 11:28 13/01/2026Local authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have imposed an administrative fine of VND15 million (US$570) on the owner of a ‘banh mi’ shop after 125 people reported symptoms consistent with food poisoning following consumption of products from the establishment.
Phu Quoc Airport ramps up operations as international arrivals soar
Travel 17:07 05/01/2026Phu Quoc International Airport in Phu Quoc Special Zone, an island in An Giang Province, southern Vietnam, is operating at full capacity to handle a record surge of international visitors, with around 80 flights arriving daily as the island cements its status as a top tourist destination in early 2026.
Workers skip New Year break to speed up APEC 2027 projects in Vietnam
Vietnam News 17:31 03/01/2026Thousands of workers have stayed on the job through the New Year holiday to accelerate the construction of major infrastructure projects in Phu Quoc Special Zone, an island destination administered by An Giang Province in southern Vietnam, to serve the 2027 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.
Int’l tourists gravitate to Vietnam’s Phu Quoc for day-to-night activities on New Year’s Day
Travel 14:23 02/01/2026Phu Quoc Special Zone, administered by An Giang Province in southern Vietnam, welcomed nearly 7,000 foreign visitors on January 1, 2026, with many enjoying the island’s high-end attractions from daytime sightseeing through night-time entertainment.
Vietnamese conglomerate takes over operations of Phu Quoc int'l airport
Economy 14:02 02/01/2026Leading Vietnamese conglomerate Sun Group officially assumed the management and operation of Phu Quoc International Airport on Thursday, a major shift in the administration of one of southern Vietnam's busiest aviation gateways as the island prepares for large-scale international events, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in 2027.
From bike lane to bicycle city: Ho Chi Minh City’s long road ahead
In-Depth 09:14 10/01/2026Ho Chi Minh City has just opened a pilot bicycle-priority lane along a roughly-six-kilometer stretch of Mai Chi Tho Avenue. It is a welcome experiment, but one that also highlights how far the city still has to go.
‘Make in Vietnam’: A strategic choice
In-Depth 16:36 08/01/2026The year 2026 marks a pivotal stage in Vietnam’s transition to a new growth model, one that demands high growth be matched by improvements in quality and competitiveness.
Wildlife rescue efforts sharply grow in Ho Chi Minh City
In-Depth 09:01 06/01/2026In Ho Chi Minh City, public awareness of wildlife protection has continued to improve, with more residents voluntarily handing over wild animals, alongside ongoing efforts by forest rangers to receive, care for, and release them back into their natural habitats.
The new math of work: When quitting changed meaning
In-Depth 14:15 04/01/2026Quitting is not the kind of thing that usually comes with a candle. In the weeks around Christmas 2025, it did.
Expert flags bottlenecks in Ho Chi Minh City’s digital economy
In-Depth 10:12 02/01/2026Ho Chi Minh City should urgently remove two major bottlenecks over hard infrastructure and legal frameworks to unlock the potential of digital economy development.
'Acoustic hazard': Noise complaints spark Vietnam pickleball wars
In-Depth 15:14 28/12/2025The piercing pop-pop of pickleball paddles starts before sunrise and ends after midnight at dozens of newly built courts across Hanoi, as residents relish one of Vietnam's fastest-growing sports -- or rage at the noise it makes.
Op-ed: To make ‘banh mi’ safe, Vietnamese vendors must change
In-Depth 12:22 26/12/2025‘Banh mi’ is not just a convenient meal; it is part of urban life and a defining feature of Vietnam’s street-food culture.
When AI cameras reshape public conduct in Vietnam
In-Depth 14:34 24/12/2025Arriving in Hanoi last week, I noticed something quietly striking as lines of vehicles waited neatly behind stop lines.
Zeekr 009 Grand heads to Vietnam in 2026
Economy 14:08 13/01/2026The Zeekr 009 is scheduled to enter the Vietnamese market in late 2026 through local distributor Tasco Auto, with the flagship Zeekr 009 Grand drawing particular attention.
European firms’ confidence in Vietnam hits 7-year high in Q4 2025
Economy 13:57 13/01/2026The European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) has officially released the latest Business Confidence Index (BCI) report for the fourth quarter of 2025, recording its highest level in seven years and marking a decisive shift in European business sentiment.
Vietnam province urges residents to stop using pork products from scandal-plagued well-established food processing firm
Vietnam News 13:47 13/01/2026Authorities in Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam have urged residents to temporarily stop using pork-based products made by Ha Long Canned Food JSC, a long-running company, as investigations continue into a major food safety scandal involving diseased pork used at the firm.
Novel concept: China's spellbinding bookstores draw selfie snappers
World 12:38 13/01/2026Towering accordion steps and a fantastical spiral staircase greet visitors to a massive bookstore in northern China's Tianjin, where its striking interior is a bigger draw for selfie snappers than scholars.
Alonso leaves Real Madrid, Arbeloa appointed as coach
World 12:15 13/01/2026Real Madrid said Monday that coach Xabi Alonso has left the Spanish giants by mutual consent, to be replaced by Alvaro Arbeloa.
Ho Chi Minh City police charge couple for producing noodles mixed with banned chemicals
Ho Chi Minh City 12:08 13/01/2026Police in Ho Chi Minh City have detained and launched criminal proceedings against a married couple for allegedly producing and selling large quantities of fresh noodles containing prohibited chemicals, posing serious risks to public health.
Asian media hail Vietnam U23s’ discipline, rising competitiveness after Saudi win
Vietnam News 11:48 13/01/2026Vietnam’s under-23 team drew praise from Asian football officials and regional media after completing a perfect group stage at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, with commentators highlighting the team’s discipline, tactical maturity, and growing competitiveness at continental level.
Vietnam hosts emergency medical response drill ahead of 14th National Party Congress
Vietnam News 11:13 13/01/2026Vietnam’s Ministry of Health on Monday conducted an emergency medical drill to test and finalize healthcare preparedness plans for the 14th National Party Congress, ensuring comprehensive medical coverage for delegates throughout the major political event in Hanoi next week.
European commissioner says US military takeover of Greenland would be end of NATO
World 11:02 13/01/2026SALEN, Sweden - The European Union can help provide security for Greenland, should Denmark request it, the European Commissioner for Defence and Space said on Monday, warning that a U.S. military takeover of Greenland would be the end of NATO.
American International School Vietnam dissolved after prolonged suspension
Education 10:58 13/01/2026The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has officially ordered the dissolution of American International School Vietnam (AISVN) after the school failed to remedy violations following a prolonged suspension of operations.
Vietnam’s Quang Ngai unveils Tet fireworks plan, highlighting Mang Den, Ly Son as travel hotspots
Travel 10:08 13/01/2026Quang Ngai Province in central Vietnam will stage a series of artistic programs and fireworks displays to welcome Lunar New Year 2026, or Tet, with celebrations extending to two of its most popular tourist destinations, Mang Den and Ly Son Island.
Vietnam province urges residents to stop using pork products from scandal-plagued well-established food processing firm
Vietnam News 13:47 13/01/2026Authorities in Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam have urged residents to temporarily stop using pork-based products made by Ha Long Canned Food JSC, a long-running company, as investigations continue into a major food safety scandal involving diseased pork used at the firm.
Asian media hail Vietnam U23s’ discipline, rising competitiveness after Saudi win
Vietnam News 11:48 13/01/2026Vietnam’s under-23 team drew praise from Asian football officials and regional media after completing a perfect group stage at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, with commentators highlighting the team’s discipline, tactical maturity, and growing competitiveness at continental level.
Vietnam hosts emergency medical response drill ahead of 14th National Party Congress
Vietnam News 11:13 13/01/2026Vietnam’s Ministry of Health on Monday conducted an emergency medical drill to test and finalize healthcare preparedness plans for the 14th National Party Congress, ensuring comprehensive medical coverage for delegates throughout the major political event in Hanoi next week.
Vietnam edge Saudi Arabia to advance as Group A winners at U23 Asian Cup
Vietnam News 09:39 13/01/2026Vietnam’s under-23 team beat hosts Saudi Arabia 1-0 early on Tuesday to finish top of Group A and advance to the quarterfinals of the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup.
Ho Chi Minh City police charge couple for producing noodles mixed with banned chemicals
Ho Chi Minh City 12:08 13/01/2026Police in Ho Chi Minh City have detained and launched criminal proceedings against a married couple for allegedly producing and selling large quantities of fresh noodles containing prohibited chemicals, posing serious risks to public health.
Ho Chi Minh City to break ground on $5.5bn national sports complex in mid-January
Ho Chi Minh City 14:23 12/01/2026The Rach Chiec national sports complex project, which is poised to become a landmark for Ho Chi Minh City, will get off the ground on January 15, with a total capital of over VND145 trillion (US$5.5 billion).
Life goes on as rare cold grips Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City 13:27 12/01/2026Ho Chi Minh City has been experiencing unusually cold weather in recent days, with overnight temperatures falling to around 16–17 degrees Celsius, among the lowest recorded in years for Vietnam’s southern commercial hub.
Ho Chi Minh City approves $211mn investment in green park, road expansion project
Ho Chi Minh City 10:24 12/01/2026Ho Chi Minh City authorities have approved the implementation of a major infrastructure project to widen Ton That Thuyet Street and develop a green park along the Te Canal, with total investment exceeding VND5.554 trillion (US$211 million).
Ho Chi Minh City backs US semiconductor giant AMD’s R&D investment
Ho Chi Minh City 16:50 11/01/2026Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s southern economic hub, is launching initiatives to help U.S. semiconductor leader Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) establish a research and development (R&D) center at the Saigon High-Tech Park.
