Breakfast @ Tuoi Tre News — January 14

Read what is in the news in Vietnam today:

Politics

-- Vietnam’s Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh met Singapore’s Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday during a visit to the city-state and sought his support and advice to deepen bilateral ties, including cooperation on developing financial centers and strengthening connectivity between the two countries’ international financial hubs.

Society

-- Vietnam’s Food Safety Department under the Ministry of Health on Tuesday instructed Ho Chi Minh City authorities to conduct urgent inspections of event and catering businesses after a Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper investigation exposed food safety violations at wedding and banquet venues.

Ho Chi Minh City

-- Ho Chi Minh City authorities said on Tuesday that the city will hold a ceremony on Thursday to announce the development of a northern Ho Chi Minh City science and technology urban area.

Economy

-- Google will start developing and manufacturing high-end smartphones in Vietnam this year, Nikkei ‌Asia reported on Tuesday, citing sources familiar with ‌the matter.

-- UOB Group said it plans to become the first foreign bank to build its headquarters in Ho Chi Minh City’s planned International Financial Center, with deputy chairman and chief executive Wee Ee Cheong calling Vietnam a key growth market and reaffirming the bank’s long-term commitment through continued investment and expansion in the country.

-- HSBC forecast Vietnam’s economy would grow 6.7 percent in 2026 while inflation would be held at about 3.5 percent, according to a newly released report.

Travel

-- Nho Eco-tourism Village in Khanh Hoa Province has received the Good Travel Seal Level 1 (Bronze) certification from the global Good Travel Guide system, becoming the first destination in Vietnam to earn the international sustainability recognition.

-- The New York Times named Vietnam a rapidly transforming ‘tourism powerhouse’ in its ’52 Places to Go in 2026’ list published earlier this month.

Sports

-- Vietnam will play the United Arab Emirates in the quarterfinals of the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup after the UAE secured second place in Group B behind Japan with a 1-1 draw against Syria in their group-stage match early Wednesday (Vietnam time).