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Vietnam

Latest news, in-depth features and opinion on Vietnam, covering politics, economy, society and the country's relationships with the United States, Australia, China and neighbouring Southeast Asian countries.

Capital

Hanoi

Head of State

President To Lam

Head of Government

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh

Zhang Kequn, left, and Charles Mwangi at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Law Courts in Nairobi, Kenya on Tuesday. Photo: AP

Crime

Chinese national and Kenyan associate charged with illegally smuggling ants

Zhang Kequn and Charles Mwangi, who were arrested after authorities found them with 1,948 ants, appeared in court in Nairobi on Tuesday.

2 hours ago

China-Asean relations

China, Vietnam agree to live-fire drills in naval exercise boost

17 Mar 2026 - 7:24PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Asia ramps up coal power generation to avoid soaring LNG costs amid Iran war

17 Mar 2026 - 6:48PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Vietnam warns of April flight reductions as jet fuel shortage fears deepen

Hanoi seeks new suppliers as China and Thailand halt exports of jet fuel due to the Iran war.

17 Mar 2026 - 8:37AMvideocam

Vietnam faces potential flight cuts from April due to jet fuel shortages. Photo: EPA

United States

Trump administration can resume ‘third-country’ deportations, appeal court rules

Attorney General Pam Bondi called the ruling, that deports undocumented migrants to countries that are not their own, a ‘key win’.

17 Mar 2026 - 3:45AM

Malaysia

Deal or no deal? Malaysia-US trade pact in turmoil after minister ‘misspeaks’

First, a minister called the deal dead. Then his ministry backtracked. Now the opposition is demanding answers.

16 Mar 2026 - 9:53PMvideocam

Science

Things ‘I do not like’ led me to quit US for Hong Kong, top mathematician says

The academic also says he is motivated by his vision to make Asia an intellectual powerhouse for science and learning.

16 Mar 2026 - 12:03PMvideocam

Ngo Bao Chau says he wants to help turn Asia into a powerhouse of maths and science. Photo: Handout

Asean

Can Asean break free from US-China supply chain grip?

The bloc will look for new markets and deepen regional cooperation to reduce trade uncertainty, economic ministers say.

16 Mar 2026 - 4:17PMvideocam

China’s military drills

In joint patrols with China, Vietnam steers course between 2 powers

The Gulf of Tonkin will be the backdrop this week for naval activities despite a five-decade maritime dispute.

16 Mar 2026 - 10:45AMvideocam

China-Asean relations

Will Paracels dispute overshadow China-Vietnam drive for closer strategic ties?

Foreign, defence and public security ministers are to meet after images suggested China had started land reclamation work at Antelope Reef.

13 Mar 2026 - 10:03PM

The two countries have been working to strengthen ties in recent year. Photo: Shutterstock

South China Sea

What’s important about Antelope Reef in the South China Sea’s Paracel Islands?

Reports of extensive reclamation work on the once-submerged feature have prompted questions about its strategic value to Beijing.

13 Mar 2026 - 7:07PMvideocam

Antelope Reef, part of the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. Photo: Handout

United States

Vietnam records world-highest trade surplus with US, surpassing Mexico, China

Vietnam’s exports to the US rose 53 per cent to exceed US$20 billion in January from a year earlier, official data ‌shows.

13 Mar 2026 - 3:30PMvideocam

Asean

Philippines urges Asean to be global investment safe haven amid Middle East war

This year’s Asean chair calls on the bloc to ensure investment ‘certainty’ at the opening of the foreign ministers meeting in Manila.

13 Mar 2026 - 12:28PM

Energy

Opinion | Why Asia’s future depends on breaking the shackles of fossil fuels

The choice facing Asia is clear: pay the large, one-time cost of transition or keep paying the unpredictable price of vulnerability.

12 Mar 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

Motorists, some with containers, queue for gasoline at a gas station in Hanoi on March 10. Photo: AFP

South China Sea

Is Beijing stepping up island building in South China Sea after 10-year pause?

Satellite images suggest that extensive work is taking place at Antelope Reef, which is also claimed by Vietnam.

13 Mar 2026 - 11:43AM

Satellite imagery suggests new sand dredging work has been taking place at Antelope Reef. Photo: European Union

United States

US launches trade probe into China and EU in bid to revive Trump tariffs

The Section 301 investigations could lead to another set of import taxes to replace those struck down by the Supreme Court.

12 Mar 2026 - 7:46AM

Energy

Iran war threatens prolonged energy shock, slower growth for Asia

Observers say an extended disruption of energy flows could mean persistently higher fuel costs and widening trade deficits for Asian importers.

11 Mar 2026 - 9:45PMvideocam

US-China relations

Mainland Chinese see Taiwan positively, won’t retreat from US trade war: survey

China Pulse polling study gives rare window into views of ordinary people on mainland, where opinions are often restricted or even banned.

14 Mar 2026 - 4:32AMvideocam

Tourists strike a pose next to a giant Ultraman inflatable displayed at Kaohsiung Wonderland during the Lunar New Year holidays in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, in February. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Asia sees violence, fuel rationing, queues as energy crunch over war hits

In Bangladesh a man was killed and the military has been deployed, while lines have formed elsewhere too, as many nations rely on imports.

10 Mar 2026 - 5:59PMvideocam

Weather

A heatwave is coming to Southeast Asia. So is an energy shock

Indonesia and Malaysia are set to feel the worst of an early summer first, compounding an LNG supply crisis triggered by the Iran war.

9 Mar 2026 - 4:22PM

My Take

My Take | An America in decline will keep losing wars to weaker foes – including in Iran

When battles become a matter of choice rather than necessity or survival, US leaders have a preternatural ability to choose badly and undermine their own country.

9 Mar 2026 - 10:39AM

This photo taken on March 3, 2026 shows a view of the damaged Golestan Palace in Tehran, Iran. The UNESCO World Heritage Site was partially damaged in air raids during US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Photo: Xinhua

Two Sessions 2025

Beijing signals high hopes for South China Sea ‘golden rules’ by end of year

Wang Yi voices ‘determination’ to work with rival claimants yet urges Manila to ‘be aware of its responsibility’.

8 Mar 2026 - 6:44PMvideocam

Chinese coastguard personnel patrol the waters around the disputed Scarborough Shoal, which Beijing claims as Huangyan Island, in November 2025. Photo: Xinhua

Asean

Why Vietnam’s new AI law makes it proving ground for Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia’s first law on AI could raise the bar from voluntary guidelines to binding legal frameworks across the region, analysts say.

8 Mar 2026 - 6:43PMvideocam

Electric & new energy vehicles

Iran war oil shock accelerates Southeast Asia’s EV revolution

Southeast Asia was already going electric. Then war broke out in the Middle East and it started going faster.

8 Mar 2026 - 10:00AMvideocam

South Korea

In Vietnam’s Da Nang, South Korean tourism boom meets growing resentment

The coastal city has become a hub for Korean tourists and businesses, but workers and residents say the boom has also exposed frictions.

8 Mar 2026 - 9:59PMvideocam

A couple runs along the seafront next to the beach in Da Nang, central Vietnam, last year. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong economy

As Iran war closes Middle East skies, how high can Cathay Pacific fares fly?

Cathay fares to Hong Kong surge 93 per cent on average for Saturday departures compared with typical prices over past 12 months.

9 Mar 2026 - 8:15PM

Cathay Pacific has been adjusting routes to redirect capacity after suspending services to and from Dubai and Riyadh, the SCMP has learned. Photo: Eugene Lee

Singapore

How Southeast Asia’s coffee chains are brewing cross-border success

Home-grown brands such as Zus Coffee are betting on cultural fluency, halal positioning and digital tools to make further inroads.

5 Mar 2026 - 4:47PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | US war on Iran isn’t likely to go as planned

US war planners have overlooked viewing their adversary through realpolitik in the past. They now face a far more organised opponent.

3 Mar 2026 - 9:50PMvideocam

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Vietnam

Chinese national and Kenyan associate charged with illegally smuggling ants

Zhang Kequn and Charles Mwangi, who were arrested after authorities found them with 1,948 ants, appeared in court in Nairobi on Tuesday.

China, Vietnam agree to live-fire drills in naval exercise boost

Asia ramps up coal power generation to avoid soaring LNG costs amid Iran war

Vietnam warns of April flight reductions as jet fuel shortage fears deepen

Hanoi seeks new suppliers as China and Thailand halt exports of jet fuel due to the Iran war.

Trump administration can resume ‘third-country’ deportations, appeal court rules

Attorney General Pam Bondi called the ruling, that deports undocumented migrants to countries that are not their own, a ‘key win’.

Deal or no deal? Malaysia-US trade pact in turmoil after minister ‘misspeaks’

First, a minister called the deal dead. Then his ministry backtracked. Now the opposition is demanding answers.

Things ‘I do not like’ led me to quit US for Hong Kong, top mathematician says

The academic also says he is motivated by his vision to make Asia an intellectual powerhouse for science and learning.

Can Asean break free from US-China supply chain grip?

The bloc will look for new markets and deepen regional cooperation to reduce trade uncertainty, economic ministers say.

In joint patrols with China, Vietnam steers course between 2 powers

The Gulf of Tonkin will be the backdrop this week for naval activities despite a five-decade maritime dispute.

Will Paracels dispute overshadow China-Vietnam drive for closer strategic ties?

Foreign, defence and public security ministers are to meet after images suggested China had started land reclamation work at Antelope Reef.

What’s important about Antelope Reef in the South China Sea’s Paracel Islands?

Reports of extensive reclamation work on the once-submerged feature have prompted questions about its strategic value to Beijing.

Vietnam records world-highest trade surplus with US, surpassing Mexico, China

Vietnam’s exports to the US rose 53 per cent to exceed US$20 billion in January from a year earlier, official data ‌shows.

Philippines urges Asean to be global investment safe haven amid Middle East war

This year’s Asean chair calls on the bloc to ensure investment ‘certainty’ at the opening of the foreign ministers meeting in Manila.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Why Asia’s future depends on breaking the shackles of fossil fuels

The choice facing Asia is clear: pay the large, one-time cost of transition or keep paying the unpredictable price of vulnerability.

Is Beijing stepping up island building in South China Sea after 10-year pause?

Satellite images suggest that extensive work is taking place at Antelope Reef, which is also claimed by Vietnam.

US launches trade probe into China and EU in bid to revive Trump tariffs

The Section 301 investigations could lead to another set of import taxes to replace those struck down by the Supreme Court.

Iran war threatens prolonged energy shock, slower growth for Asia

Observers say an extended disruption of energy flows could mean persistently higher fuel costs and widening trade deficits for Asian importers.

Mainland Chinese see Taiwan positively, won’t retreat from US trade war: survey

China Pulse polling study gives rare window into views of ordinary people on mainland, where opinions are often restricted or even banned.

Asia sees violence, fuel rationing, queues as energy crunch over war hits

In Bangladesh a man was killed and the military has been deployed, while lines have formed elsewhere too, as many nations rely on imports.

A heatwave is coming to Southeast Asia. So is an energy shock

Indonesia and Malaysia are set to feel the worst of an early summer first, compounding an LNG supply crisis triggered by the Iran war.

My Take | An America in decline will keep losing wars to weaker foes – including in Iran

When battles become a matter of choice rather than necessity or survival, US leaders have a preternatural ability to choose badly and undermine their own country.

Beijing signals high hopes for South China Sea ‘golden rules’ by end of year

Wang Yi voices ‘determination’ to work with rival claimants yet urges Manila to ‘be aware of its responsibility’.

Why Vietnam’s new AI law makes it proving ground for Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia’s first law on AI could raise the bar from voluntary guidelines to binding legal frameworks across the region, analysts say.

Iran war oil shock accelerates Southeast Asia’s EV revolution

Southeast Asia was already going electric. Then war broke out in the Middle East and it started going faster.

In Vietnam’s Da Nang, South Korean tourism boom meets growing resentment

The coastal city has become a hub for Korean tourists and businesses, but workers and residents say the boom has also exposed frictions.

As Iran war closes Middle East skies, how high can Cathay Pacific fares fly?

Cathay fares to Hong Kong surge 93 per cent on average for Saturday departures compared with typical prices over past 12 months.

How Southeast Asia’s coffee chains are brewing cross-border success

Home-grown brands such as Zus Coffee are betting on cultural fluency, halal positioning and digital tools to make further inroads.

Opinion | US war on Iran isn’t likely to go as planned

US war planners have overlooked viewing their adversary through realpolitik in the past. They now face a far more organised opponent.

Opinion | Why Asia’s future depends on breaking the shackles of fossil fuels