Breakfast @ Tuoi Tre News -- August 4

Catch up on the news in Vietnam today:

Politics

-- Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung on Monday called for individuals and household businesses to be considered for inclusion in the draft Law on Small and Medium Enterprise Development to encourage their transition into formal businesses, particularly one-person enterprises, as part of efforts to improve the legal framework and promote economic growth.

Society

-- Police in Hai Phong City, northern Vietnam, on Monday said they had detained 28 people for allegedly organizing a transnational gambling operation involving thousands of billions of Vietnamese dong (VND1 billion equals about US$38,000), with 17 charged with organizing gambling and nine with money laundering after investigators uncovered a system for funneling gambling proceeds through bank accounts in Vietnam.

-- The Drug Administration of Vietnam under the Ministry of Health on Monday ordered a nationwide suspension and recall of all batches of 330 ml Layer Clean foaming hand sanitizer after tests found undeclared preservatives methylisothiazolinone and methylchloroisothiazolinone, while the product lacked the required cosmetic registration and was made at an uncertified facility.

Business

-- Saigontourist Group on August 3 announced its 2026-30 strategic partner network and signed cooperation agreements with Vietnam Airlines, Becamex Group and IPPG to develop tourism products and services by leveraging their strengths in aviation, technology, infrastructure and retail.

-- Live pig prices fell by VND1,500-2,000 (US$0.05 – 0.07) per kilogram across Vietnam on Monday, reaching their lowest levels since early 2026 as abundant supply, weak demand, cheaper imported meat and concerns over banned substances weighed on the market.

Culture

-- Vietnam will host the Miss Heritage Global 2026 pageant for the first time from October 2 to 8 in the cities of Hue and Da Nang, central Vietnam, with dozens of contestants from countries and territories taking part and the grand final scheduled for October 7 in Da Nang.

Education

-- Malaysian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Firdauz Othman said on the sidelines of a recent international higher education conference in the city that Vietnam and Malaysia have significant potential to deepen university partnerships in AI, digital technology, research and human resources, helping turn their comprehensive strategic partnership into practical and sustainable outcomes.

Entertainment

-- 'Attack on Titan: The Last Attack' will return to Vietnamese cinemas on August 14, 2026, more than a year after its first theatrical release in Vietnam, allowing fans another chance to watch the conclusion of the globally popular anime franchise.

Tourism

-- Vietnam welcomed 13.9 million international visitors in the first seven months of 2026, with China and South Korea as the two largest source markets and Russia ranking third after arrivals from the market surged 174 percent year on year, as the country aims to receive 25 million foreign tourists this year.

Sports

-- Vietnam beat Indonesia 3-0 at Pakansari Stadium in Indonesia on Monday evening to move top of Group A with seven points and strengthen their chances of reaching the ASEAN Cup 2026 semifinals.