Breakfast @ Tuoi Tre News — March 27

Catch up on the news in Vietnam today:

Politics

-- Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he is always delighted to welcome Vietnam’s Party General Secretary To Lam to Russia, according to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang.

Ho Chi Minh City

-- One case of meningococcal disease was recorded in Ho Chi Minh City during the week of March 9-15, involving a 21-year-old student residing in Binh Loi Trung Ward, who is currently studying online at the University of Transport Ho Chi Minh City, according to the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control.

-- The Saigontourist Group Culinary Culture and Delicacies Festival 2026 kicked off at Van Thanh Tourist Area in Thanh My Tay Ward, Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday night, with over 500 specialties from Vietnam’s three regions expected to be served to fest-goers until Sunday.

-- Hiep Phuoc Power Company on Thursday evening held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Hiep Phuoc liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plant project, located at Hiep Phuoc Industrial Park in the southern metropolis, with a total investment of nearly VND19 trillion (US$720 million).

Economy

-- Vietnam sharply cut retail fuel prices at midnight on Thursday, with RON95 gasoline falling by over VND5,620 ($0.21) per liter to VND24,330 ($0.92) and E5RON92 gasoline dropping by almost VND4,750 ($0.18) to nearly VND23,330 ($0.88) per liter.

-- Party chief Lam hosted the leaders of more than 40 international corporations from the Asia Business Council in Hanoi on Thursday, affirming that he will encourage domestic enterprises to expand partnership with foreign investors, while directing legislative, executive and judicial bodies to create favorable conditions for enterprises to grow, enhance international cooperation, and move up global value chains.

-- The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has proposed that the Ministry of Construction allow Vietnamese airlines to impose a fuel surcharge on domestic airfares amid the spike in jet fuel prices triggered by the escalating Middle East conflict.

-- Local air carriers plan to either suspend operations or reduce flight frequencies on several air routes from April 1 due to the surge in jet fuel costs and limited supply.