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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

last updated:

29 November, 2024

Taiwan

Taiwan’s failure to warn plane away from airforce base sparks security concerns

Many question island’s wartime readiness after pilot nearly lands single-engine aircraft at sensitive military installation by mistake.

9 Jan 2025 - 10:35PMvideocam

Snitches get riches: Vietnam offers cash rewards for reporting traffic offenders

8 Jan 2025 - 3:53PM

Squid Game

Squid Game accused of whitewashing South Korea’s Vietnam war ‘atrocities’

7 Jan 2025 - 9:02AM

South China Sea

South China Sea conflict risks to rise in Trump’s second term, academic forecasts

The year ahead is likely to see Washington take a more aggressive approach to Beijing, while other disputes in the waterway continue.

6 Jan 2025 - 10:54PMvideocam

US president-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration is expected to take a confrontational approach to Beijing, fuelling tensions in the South China Sea, according to a Chinese expert. Photo: Reuters

TikTok

Asian Angle | Vietnam’s ‘Chubby Bear’ approach to TikTok reveals double standards

Vietnam’s TikTok strategy involves enforcing censorship while exploiting youth-centric trends to promote pro-leader narratives.

5 Jan 2025 - 10:00AM

Food and Drinks

Vietnamese chef’s zero-waste recipes pay tribute to parents’ struggle

The son of Vietnamese refugees, Tu David Phu grew up with the idea of food frugality, which he channels in his cookbook The Memory of Taste.

5 Jan 2025 - 4:15AM

India

Vietnam’s BrahMos plans spotlight India’s rising Southeast Asian security role

The US$700 million deal would make Vietnam the second nation in the region to acquire the supersonic cruise missiles after the Philippines.

6 Jan 2025 - 8:09AM

A BrahMos missile system is seen in New Delhi during a parade in 2021. Photo: AFP

Asia travel

Vietnam bans vapes, to impose fines for users and jail producers

Country joins others including Singapore, Thailand, India and Australia in banning travellers from bringing in e-cigarettes.

3 Jan 2025 - 11:45AMvideocam

Asean

Vietnam’s hesitation on Brics highlights delicate US ties, economic consideration

Vietnam’s delay in joining Brics reflects its balance between strengthening ties with the US and the potential benefits of aligning with a bloc seen as a US counterweight.

3 Jan 2025 - 8:00AM

Asean

Opinion | In a Trump 2.0 trade war against China, Vietnam stands to benefit again

With its growing hi-tech manufacturing and US partnership in trade and security, Vietnam will be a critical beneficiary of the economic fallout.

1 Jan 2025 - 4:30PMvideocam

A woman rides past the Wistron NeWeb Corporation factory in Ha Nam, Vietnam, on October 11. The plant is expanding to produce satellite equipment for SpaceX. Photo: Reuters

China-Asean relations

Chinese warships make port call in Vietnam after talks on joint patrols

Fleet led by destroyer and amphibious warfare ship docked in eastern city of Da Nang, PLA says.

31 Dec 2024 - 5:00PMvideocam

Chinese warships made a port call in Da Nang on Saturday. Photo: Weibo/PLA Southern Theatre Command

Ageing society

Vietnam’s birth rate slumps to record low despite propaganda push

Like many Asian countries with falling fertility rates, Vietnam is increasingly concerned about the long-term impact of an ageing society.

30 Dec 2024 - 4:56PMvideocam

China trade

How Vietnam emerged as a serious rival to China’s export machine

Vietnam’s factories have made impressive progress since 2018 and are now competing with China on quality as well as price.

30 Dec 2024 - 9:33AMvideocam

China trade

Durian, the fashionable fruit that is changing tastes across China

A Shenzhen restaurant has gone viral online after launching a 199-yuan-a-head buffet featuring more than 200 durian dishes.

28 Dec 2024 - 9:00AM

People buy Malaysian durians at the China-Asean Expo in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, in September. Photo: Xinhua

North Korea

Revolution, elections and a baby hippo, this was the year in Asia

From climate change to political storms and a Taylor Swift world tour, Asia in 2024 was characterised by turbulence and surprises.

24 Dec 2024 - 9:30AMvideocam

Students and other activists carry Bangladesh’s national flag during a protest march to mark one month since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stepped down after a mass uprising, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on September 5. Photo: AP

Vietnam’s biggest city gets its first metro line

The US$1.7 billion metro line runs almost 20 kilometres from the city centre and took 17 years to complete

23 Dec 2024 - 6:00PM

Urban planning

‘Finally’: Ho Chi Minh City’s first metro line opens after years of delays

US$1.7 billion metro line opens in Vietnam’s commercial capital – but it took 17 years to reach this point.

23 Dec 2024 - 6:02PMvideocam

Asean

Opinion | How Southeast Asia can become the next AI powerhouse

Young, dynamic and fast, the region has unique advantages, supported by investment in infrastructure, talent, policy support and collaboration.

22 Dec 2024 - 8:30PMvideocam

An AI virtual anchor is pictured during the launch of Malaysia’s National AI Office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on December 12. Southeast Asia’s unique combination of adaptability, dynamism and strategic investments is positioning it as a critical player in shaping the AI landscape. Photo: Xinhua

Diplomacy

‘Very striking’: China and Vietnam tighten ties in a ‘3+3’ strategic pivot

The inclusion of public security alongside diplomacy and defence in their new dialogue mechanism has piqued analysts’ interest.

22 Dec 2024 - 8:00AM

South China Sea

To keep calm in the South China Sea, Beijing reaches for the bilateral playbook

China’s often-used bilateral consultation mechanism doesn’t always work, but it does help defuse conflicts, experts say.

22 Dec 2024 - 6:00AMvideocam

China-Asean relations

Defence minister on first overseas trip since Beijing denied he was investigated

Dong Jun meets the head of the Vietnamese Communist Party in Hanoi on visit to mark military anniversary.

20 Dec 2024 - 6:18PMvideocam

Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun visited Vietnam this week to attend a celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army. Photo: AFP

Crime

Man allegedly sets Hanoi karaoke bar on fire, killing 11 people

Witnesses said the blaze was so large that no one dared to attempt to rescue those trapped inside.

19 Dec 2024 - 11:34AM

Firefighters inspect a building burned down by a blaze in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Thursday. Photo: AP

Singapore

Singapore, Vietnam eye undersea cable as US flags risks of Chinese contractors

Keppel and Sovico Group in talks to build a new network to meet booming demand for AI services and data centres.

13 Dec 2024 - 2:34PMvideocam

China-Asean relations

China’s Wang Yi calls for progress with Vietnam on South China Sea cooperation

At a meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son, the two sides flagged a dialogue mechanism on diplomacy, defence and security.

11 Dec 2024 - 5:00PMvideocam

Asia travel

The Amalfi Coast? Not quite. Phu Quoc in Vietnam’s odd mix of attractions

Vietnam’s biggest island, Phu Quoc offers a blend of natural beauty, beaches and fantastical attractions – there is even a replica Colosseum.

11 Dec 2024 - 7:15AM

Sunset Town is a major tourist attraction on Phu Quoc, a Vietnamese island that offers a blend of natural beauty and artificial attractions. The town makes people feel as if they are not in Vietnam. Photo: courtesy of JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay

South China Sea

South China Sea: Vietnam reef projects may set scene for conflict with Beijing

Satellite images show potential military structures on Vietnamese features in Spratly Islands, which experts say could curb China’s advantage.

10 Dec 2024 - 10:01AMvideocam

A satellite image of Pearson Reef in the Spratly Islands, taken on September 29, suggests Vietnam may be building a 3km runway. Photo: CSIS/AMTI/MAXAR Technologies

China trade

‘Get down to business’: China, Vietnam set aside maritime disputes for trade

Brisker trade and new investments in factories and infrastructure among the fruits of pragmatic approach to relationship.

10 Dec 2024 - 11:11AMvideocam

Asean

Opinion | Why Russia is finding favour in Southeast Asia once again

As Russia seeks Global South partners and the war in Ukraine drags on, Southeast Asian states are rekindling ties with the Kremlin.

9 Dec 2024 - 5:49AM

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