Vietnam Morning Monitor: First direct Moscow-Phu Quoc flight brings 247 Russian tourists, 14-year-old student drowns at Nha Trang beach

| SOCIETY

-- Authorities in Khanh Hoa Province, home to the famed beach destination of Nha Trang, are investigating reports of a rare primate believed to be a black-shanked douc langur appearing in Thuan Nam Commune, prompting warnings for residents not to approach or disturb the animal.

Police said on Saturday that they received reports from local people about a primate moving through the neighborhood.

A video recorded by residents shows the animal running through their neighborhood before jumping onto a fence and fleeing when discovered.

Based on the footage, authorities said the primate appears to have gray-black fur, a white tail, white facial markings and black fur on its limbs.

-- A 14-year-old student drowned after being swept away by strong waves while swimming at Nha Trang Beach on Saturday.

The victim, identified as B.Q.V. from Dien Khanh Commune, was bathing with two friends near the Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel in Nha Trang Ward when rough seas pulled him offshore.

Rescue teams recovered his body after several hours of searching.

-- The administration of Thanh Hoa Province on Saturday declared an emergency and approved urgent reconstruction work following the collapse of an abutment at Bai Sim Bridge on the Nghi Son-Bai Tranh route.

The damage occurred in the early hours of Monday after heavy rain and flooding caused one bridge abutment to collapse while the other showed signs of subsidence and movement.

The province plans to demolish the damaged structure and build a new bridge at the same location.

The project is expected to cost about VND20 billion (US$774,800) and is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2027.

-- A nine-month-old infant in Ca Mau Province was successfully treated after swallowing an open safety pin that became lodged in the esophagus, a Thanh Vu Medic Bac Lieu General Hospital representative said on Saturday.

The baby was hospitalized with persistent crying, excessive drooling, breathing difficulties and an inability to feed.

X-rays revealed the open pin stuck between the neck and chest, posing a high risk of tearing or puncturing the esophagus.

A multidisciplinary team performed an emergency endoscopic procedure under general anesthesia and removed the object after 30 minutes.

The child recovered well and was discharged.

| ECONOMY

-- Vietnam has officially designated December 12 as National E-Commerce Day, underscoring the growing importance of online retail as the country's e-commerce market is projected to reach nearly $38 billion in 2026.

The announcement was made on Saturday by the Vietnam E-Commerce and Digital Economy Agency during a press conference unveiling a series of activities marking National E-Commerce Day and National E-Commerce Week, also known as Online Friday 2026.

| TRAVEL

-- A Sun PhuQuoc Airways flight carrying 247 Russian tourists from Moscow landed safely at Phu Quoc International Airport in An Giang Province on Saturday afternoon, marking the airline's first direct route connecting the southern Vietnamese island with Europe.

The airport operator said Moscow is the first international destination served by an Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft in Sun PhuQuoc Airways' fleet.

Russian visitors continue to be drawn to Phu Quoc for its warm climate, beaches and long-stay winter vacations. Vietnam’s 45-day visa exemption policy has also helped boost arrivals from Russia.

| HO CHI MINH CITY

-- Around 250 Vietnamese family members and Lao and Cambodian students joined a cultural exchange program organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Labor Federation on Saturday, aimed at helping international students experience Vietnamese culture and build closer ties with local families.

The program included a visit to the Nguyen Thi Dinh Temple historical site in Vinh Long Province, where participants paid tribute to the female general and learned about Vietnam's history of courageous resistance and the compassion of its people.

At Lan Vuong Tourist Area in Vinh Long, the students joined Vietnamese traditional recreational activities, including boat rowing, cycling and crossing coconut trunk bridges.

Can Tho to celebrate Vietnam Culture Day with vibrant activities