TOPIC

/ location

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

Japan

Takaichi to hold talks in Vietnam on economic security, critical minerals

Both sides are expected to discuss cooperation in areas such as energy and artificial intelligence.

2 May 2026 - 4:15PMvideocam

China trade

Durian Express? China brings in cheaper fruit with new Southeast Asia train

2 May 2026 - 10:02AM

Asean

Why Singapore, Thailand are among the world’s ‘happiest’ economies

1 May 2026 - 8:58PMvideocam

Food and Drinks

Le Le redefines Vietnamese fine dining in Hong Kong with Saigon soul food

Discover Hong Kong’s Le Le: progressive Vietnamese fine dining rooted in Elizabeth Chu’s Saigon childhood memories, Michelin-starred innovation and bold culinary storytelling.

30 Apr 2026 - 8:00AM

Elizabeth Chu, chairwoman of ZS Hospitality. Photo: Alexander Mak

Thailand

‘Destroying the world’s kitchen’: the poisoning of the Mekong River

Many millions depend on the river but toxic run-off from mining for modern technology - including for war - could be an existential threat.

1 May 2026 - 9:57AMvideocam

Malaysia

‘Barrage of questions’: Malaysian Indians least likely to be scammed, police say

Despite all races being equally targeted, ethnic Indians lost the least because they would keep questioning until the scammers gave up.

30 Apr 2026 - 9:16AMvideocam

South Korea

Survival of the sweetest: Choco Pies save Vietnamese hiker lost for 37 hours

The student’s 37-hour agony on Tam Dao Mountain – sustained by Choco Pies – has boosted the snack’s survival kit status.

28 Apr 2026 - 2:02PM

Last week, Orion Vietnam uploaded a promotional post on social media celebrating the hiker’s safe return. Photo: Facebook/OrionVietnam

Asean

Will Asean’s oil scramble mean Russia builds lasting stronghold in region?

Southeast Asia’s pivot may be for economic reasons, but some analysts warn Moscow could seek to build lasting influence in the region.

28 Apr 2026 - 7:24PM

United Nations

Landmark UN nuclear summit opens as world’s warhead count grows

UN chief urges world to ‘breathe life’ into a landmark non-proliferation treaty as nations gather in New York.

28 Apr 2026 - 12:35PM

Malaysia

At Malaysia’s arms bazaar, drone dealers chase Southeast Asian market share

‘Drone warfare is the future,’ say arms dealers in Kuala Lumpur – and the region’s militaries are buying in.

26 Apr 2026 - 1:46PMvideocam

Malaysian army officers visit the booth of Special Technology Control, a Russian developer of unmanned systems, at the Defence Services Asia exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Tuesday. Photo: EPA

War and conflict

Opinion | Blinding the world with lies makes peacemaking an impossible task

From Iran to the Horn of Africa, disinformation is killing diplomacy. Mediators need facts, not state-sponsored fictions.

25 Apr 2026 - 11:00AM

A satellite image shows smoke rising from an oil refinery in Tuapse, Russia, on Monday after an overnight strike claimed by Ukraine’s military. Photo: Planet Labs PBC/Reuters

India

Chinese drone discovery sharpens focus on Asia’s undersea security race

Experts say India is playing ‘steady catch-up’ in boosting undersea surveillance, while Southeast Asian nations’ capabilities differ widely.

24 Apr 2026 - 7:27PM

2026 Trump-Xi summit

Xi Jinping meets foreign leaders: tracker 2026

World leaders are flocking to Beijing, seeking new ties amid rising geopolitical tensions.

24 Apr 2026 - 11:58AM

The Philippines

This retiree in the Philippines downloaded an app. Then he lost his life savings

Industrial-scale malware is replacing ‘pig-butchering’ as Cambodia’s scam hubs pivot to high-speed digital heists.

24 Apr 2026 - 10:41AMvideocam

“Malware-as-a-service” seizes control of a user’s phone after gaining entry through a fraudulent app, monitoring use in real-time and harvesting data such as fingerprints. Photo: Shutterstock

Conservation

Pangolin win: Vietnam sends scale smugglers to prison for 8 years

The Asian pangolin has been hunted for its meat and scales to the point of extinction, causing poachers to turn to its African cousins.

23 Apr 2026 - 5:45PM

A rescued pangolin bought off a wildlife seller rests at the Green Finger Garden in Lagos, Nigeria. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Powerful reaction: how Iran war could spark Asia’s green hydrogen surge

The war-driven hike in fossil fuel prices is narrowing the cost gap, making the clean energy alternative look like a good option.

23 Apr 2026 - 4:33PMvideocam

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police arrest 9 over HK$1.7 million in fake travel insurance claims

Syndicate allegedly faked overseas accidents with forged documents to claim payouts from insurers without ever leaving the city.

23 Apr 2026 - 5:11PM

Malaysia

How an alleged Malaysian scammer vanished with US$25 billion in life savings

More than 300 foreign nationals flock to Malaysia in pursuit of justice over the ‘High Inspirations’ scam.

23 Apr 2026 - 11:34AMvideocam

Investors worldwide lost billions in an alleged Malaysian scam promising high returns. Photo: Shutterstock

Food and agriculture

Asia braces for food shortages as ‘super El Nino’ and Iran war collide

A precarious planting season looms amid suppressed rainfall and soaring fertiliser costs threatening the region’s harvests.

22 Apr 2026 - 5:06PM

Hong Kong

Rosewood throws its weight behind female empowerment in hospitality

Rosewood Hong Kong hosts a weeklong residency for female professionals to write a new chapter in hospitality.

22 Apr 2026 - 8:00AM

Malaysia

Neighbours shocked after ‘nice uncle’ arrested in Malaysia for gunning down 3

Johor locals stunned as polite, orchard-owning man with a licensed shotgun for crops was arrested for a triple shooting.

21 Apr 2026 - 9:39AM

A 71-year-old Malaysian man was arrested for shooting three people dead in Johor. Photo: Shutterstock

Art

Vietnamese-American’s war-themed art stirs painful parallels with clashes today

A Hong Kong exhibition dedicated to the late artist Dinh Q. Le highlights his commentary on US military force and the human cost of conflict.

21 Apr 2026 - 11:07AM

“Untitled 1” (2013), by Dinh Q. Le. Photo: 10 Chancery Lane Gallery. This woven image is based on the infamous “Napalm Girl” photograph taken during the Vietnam war. It is featured in an exhibition at Hong Kong’s 10 Chancery Lane Gallery that pays tribute to the late Vietnamese artist. Photo” courtesy of 10 Chancery Lane Gallery

Japan

Vietnam, Philippines trust Japan. But Indonesia’s more cautious

Analysts say Indonesia worries about its neutrality as Tokyo ramps up ties with the US and lags behind China on green investment.

22 Apr 2026 - 9:48AMvideocam

South Korea

South Korea targets India, Vietnam in ‘co-prosperity’ push for trade and tech

President Lee embarks on a strategic trip to New Delhi and Hanoi, boosting economic ties and supply chains amid the Middle East chaos.

20 Apr 2026 - 3:34PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Why Iran war is making petrol cars an unwanted luxury in Asia

From Nepal to Vietnam, soaring fuel costs are making petrol cars a luxury as Asia outpaces Europe in the race to go electric.

20 Apr 2026 - 9:20AM

A man looks at an EV from a Chinese carmaker at an auto expo in Shanghai. Photo: AP

US, Israel war on Iran

Shock therapy: war forces oil-addicted Asia to finally go green

Burned by soaring energy prices, Southeast Asian nations are racing to future-proof themselves against the volatility of war.

18 Apr 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

Floating solar panels are seen at a hydro-solar farm run by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand in Ubon Ratchathani province. Photo: AFP

China manufacturing

Iran war energy shock sees Chinese firms recalibrate overseas expansion plans

Businesses are rethinking short-term strategies as they adapt to rising costs and slowing growth across major economies.

18 Apr 2026 - 6:33AMvideocam

China-Asean relations

As I see it | Vietnam and China are now perfectly aligned

The emerging partnership enables Vietnam to preserve diplomatic flexibility and advance economic diversification in the face of US pressure.

17 Apr 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW

Vietnam

Takaichi to hold talks in Vietnam on economic security, critical minerals

Both sides are expected to discuss cooperation in areas such as energy and artificial intelligence.

Durian Express? China brings in cheaper fruit with new Southeast Asia train

Why Singapore, Thailand are among the world’s ‘happiest’ economies

Le Le redefines Vietnamese fine dining in Hong Kong with Saigon soul food

Discover Hong Kong’s Le Le: progressive Vietnamese fine dining rooted in Elizabeth Chu’s Saigon childhood memories, Michelin-starred innovation and bold culinary storytelling.

‘Destroying the world’s kitchen’: the poisoning of the Mekong River

Many millions depend on the river but toxic run-off from mining for modern technology - including for war - could be an existential threat.

‘Barrage of questions’: Malaysian Indians least likely to be scammed, police say

Despite all races being equally targeted, ethnic Indians lost the least because they would keep questioning until the scammers gave up.

Survival of the sweetest: Choco Pies save Vietnamese hiker lost for 37 hours

The student’s 37-hour agony on Tam Dao Mountain – sustained by Choco Pies – has boosted the snack’s survival kit status.

Will Asean’s oil scramble mean Russia builds lasting stronghold in region?

Southeast Asia’s pivot may be for economic reasons, but some analysts warn Moscow could seek to build lasting influence in the region.

Landmark UN nuclear summit opens as world’s warhead count grows

UN chief urges world to ‘breathe life’ into a landmark non-proliferation treaty as nations gather in New York.

At Malaysia’s arms bazaar, drone dealers chase Southeast Asian market share

‘Drone warfare is the future,’ say arms dealers in Kuala Lumpur – and the region’s militaries are buying in.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Blinding the world with lies makes peacemaking an impossible task

From Iran to the Horn of Africa, disinformation is killing diplomacy. Mediators need facts, not state-sponsored fictions.

Chinese drone discovery sharpens focus on Asia’s undersea security race

Experts say India is playing ‘steady catch-up’ in boosting undersea surveillance, while Southeast Asian nations’ capabilities differ widely.

Xi Jinping meets foreign leaders: tracker 2026

World leaders are flocking to Beijing, seeking new ties amid rising geopolitical tensions.

This retiree in the Philippines downloaded an app. Then he lost his life savings

Industrial-scale malware is replacing ‘pig-butchering’ as Cambodia’s scam hubs pivot to high-speed digital heists.

Pangolin win: Vietnam sends scale smugglers to prison for 8 years

The Asian pangolin has been hunted for its meat and scales to the point of extinction, causing poachers to turn to its African cousins.

Powerful reaction: how Iran war could spark Asia’s green hydrogen surge

The war-driven hike in fossil fuel prices is narrowing the cost gap, making the clean energy alternative look like a good option.

Hong Kong police arrest 9 over HK$1.7 million in fake travel insurance claims

Syndicate allegedly faked overseas accidents with forged documents to claim payouts from insurers without ever leaving the city.

How an alleged Malaysian scammer vanished with US$25 billion in life savings

More than 300 ­foreign nationals flock to Malaysia in pursuit of justice over the ‘High Inspirations’ scam.

Asia braces for food shortages as ‘super El Nino’ and Iran war collide

A precarious planting season looms amid suppressed rainfall and soaring fertiliser costs threatening the region’s harvests.

Rosewood throws its weight behind female empowerment in hospitality

Rosewood Hong Kong hosts a weeklong residency for female professionals to write a new chapter in hospitality.

Neighbours shocked after ‘nice uncle’ arrested in Malaysia for gunning down 3

Johor locals stunned as polite, orchard-owning man with a licensed shotgun for crops was arrested for a triple shooting.

Vietnamese-American’s war-themed art stirs painful parallels with clashes today

A Hong Kong exhibition dedicated to the late artist Dinh Q. Le highlights his commentary on US military force and the human cost of conflict.

Vietnam, Philippines trust Japan. But Indonesia’s more cautious

Analysts say Indonesia worries about its neutrality as Tokyo ramps up ties with the US and lags behind China on green investment.

South Korea targets India, Vietnam in ‘co-prosperity’ push for trade and tech

President Lee embarks on a strategic trip to New Delhi and Hanoi, boosting economic ties and supply chains amid the Middle East chaos.

Why Iran war is making petrol cars an unwanted luxury in Asia

From Nepal to Vietnam, soaring fuel costs are making petrol cars a luxury as Asia outpaces Europe in the race to go electric.

Shock therapy: war forces oil-addicted Asia to finally go green

Burned by soaring energy prices, Southeast Asian nations are racing to future-proof themselves against the volatility of war.

Iran war energy shock sees Chinese firms recalibrate overseas expansion plans

Businesses are rethinking short-term strategies as they adapt to rising costs and slowing growth across major economies.

As I see it | Vietnam and China are now perfectly aligned

The emerging partnership enables Vietnam to preserve diplomatic flexibility and advance economic diversification in the face of US pressure.

Opinion | Blinding the world with lies makes peacemaking an impossible task

More than 300 foreign nationals flock to Malaysia in pursuit of justice over the ‘High Inspirations’ scam.