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

A woman uses her smartphone in a coffee shop in Hanoi. Photo: AFP

US-China tech war

US pushes Vietnam to decouple from Chinese tech, sources say

Vietnam has been asked ‘to reduce its dependency on Chinese hi-tech’, say one of the people familiar with the discussions.

17 Jun 2025 - 10:18AMvideocam

North Korea

‘Personal insult’: why North Korea’s Kim doesn’t want another Trump summit

17 Jun 2025 - 3:23PMvideocam

US-China trade war

The US-China rivalry is reshaping global supply chains – who benefits most?

16 Jun 2025 - 7:00PMvideocam

Art

Rare chance to see works by 2 major Southeast Asian artists in Hong Kong

Villepin gallery’s new exhibition features artists Fernando Zobel and Le Pho in a group show that also includes Zao Wou-Ki and Kang Myonghi.

15 Jun 2025 - 1:15PM

Form IV/Saeta IV (1957), by Filipino artist Fernando Zobel, is seen at “Worlds Within: Art as Refuge” a new exhibition at Hong Kong’s Villepin gallery. Photo: Villepin

Asean

Asian Angle | Trump tariffs challenge Asean’s unity and economic stability

As Trump’s tariff policies threaten Asean solidarity, the bloc should focus on regional trade to maintain stability and prevent division amid divergent responses.

15 Jun 2025 - 10:00AMvideocam

Hong Kong tourism

Group tour prices from Hong Kong drop 10% as tourists opt for alternatives to Japan

Increased earthquake concerns create shift in preference towards South Korea, Vietnam and cities in western mainland China for summer travel.

15 Jun 2025 - 6:54PM

Food and Drinks

Tears for cheers: Vietnam to raise alcohol tax to 90% by 2031

The new move adds to the challenges facing the beer industry, led by Heineken, Carlsberg and local brewers Sabeco and Habeco.

14 Jun 2025 - 11:25AM

Young women drink beer at local restaurant in Saigon, Vietnam. Photo: Shutterstock

Brics

Vietnam officially joins Brics as ‘partner country’, Brazil announces

Southeast Asian country’s ‘dynamic economy’ touted as the group of emerging economies widens its agenda urging a more inclusive global order.

14 Jun 2025 - 2:44AMvideocam

China’s C919 passenger plane

China steps up global aviation expansion as Comac bids for Laos carrier

Laos’ flag carrier would reportedly agree to use Comac jets as part of the deal, as the Chinese aviation firm continues its push into Southeast Asia.

13 Jun 2025 - 3:32PMvideocam

Asean

Is Trump’s Myanmar, Laos travel ban a blow to US-Southeast Asia ties?

Observers say closed channel over terrorist threat ‘illogical’ and a setback to long-standing relations with affected countries.

12 Jun 2025 - 11:00AM

People walk to transport arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. A new travel ban ordered by US President Donald Trump, restricting entry to citizens from 12 countries, took effect on Monday. Photo: AFP

Asean

Opinion | How Europe can be Southeast Asia’s hedge against US-China trade war

The region’s best bet might be to take its own side and develop greater trade and diplomatic relations with Europe.

11 Jun 2025 - 5:30AMvideocam

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers his keynote address during the Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore on May 30. He called for deepening EU-Asia trade as well as security ties. Photo: EPA-EFE

China trade

Pressured by US tariffs, Chinese exports expand in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia

‘Exports are being diversified, bit by bit, and Southeast Asian countries are becoming more and more important trading partners,’ analyst says.

10 Jun 2025 - 2:59PMvideocam

Animals

Snakes on a plane highlight Thailand-India trafficking, NGO warns

Venomous vipers found on Thailand-India flight last week illustrates ‘troubling’ trend driven by exotic pet trade, anti-smuggling group says.

10 Jun 2025 - 2:55AM

Education in Hong Kong

Hong Kong students still unable to get US visa bookings: consultancy firms

Visa appointments remain unavailable as of Monday despite openings in Beijing and other jurisdictions, industry figures say.

9 Jun 2025 - 6:17PM

The US consulate in Hong Kong in Central. Education consultancy firms have said they have been unable to make US visa bookings for students since last Thursday. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

South China Sea

China’s 4 core principles show way to peace in South China Sea, think tank says

China and Southeast Asia must keep resolution of maritime issues ‘within their own hands’, Xinhua Institute research report says.

8 Jun 2025 - 9:00PMvideocam

South China Sea

Vietnam ramping up expansion of South China Sea outposts: Chinese think tank

Satellite images show Hanoi reclaiming land and building military facilities such as airstrips on contested Spratly Island reefs, SCSPI says.

7 Jun 2025 - 7:06PMvideocam

China trade

As US-China rivalry squeezes Asian markets, is taking sides even an option?

Analysts break down what the protracted power plays between Washington and Beijing mean for Asian economies as they walk a tightrope of risks vs rewards.

7 Jun 2025 - 7:08AMvideocam

US-China trade war

Xi-Trump phone call fails to spark much enthusiasm on Chinese factory floors

Disillusioned by US president’s shifting policy positions, many manufacturers want to see clearer signals before they make major moves.

6 Jun 2025 - 8:00PM

A worker moves car parts destined for export at a GWM factory in Chongqing on May 21. Photo: Xinhua

Asean

Opinion | How Trump’s tariffs could benefit Asean in the long run

While the tariffs may undermine the bloc’s growth in the short term, they are spurring increased cooperation between member states and with others.

6 Jun 2025 - 6:30PMvideocam

Viral stories

Vietnam bride gets lavish dowry of 100 civet cats worth US$70,000 to create income

22-year-old also lands gold bars and property, but cat gifts prompt concerns over animal exploitation.

9 Jun 2025 - 7:24AM

US-China relations

US avoids currency manipulator label for China, but slams lack of transparency

The decision not to sanction China for currency manipulation comes after Trump hailed a ‘very positive’ call with President Xi Jinping.

6 Jun 2025 - 6:42AMvideocam

US Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent looks on during a press conference in the Oval Office in May. Photo: AFP

US-China trade war

No US tariffs on ‘unavailable natural resources’: commerce chief

Assurance given at House hearing where lawmakers voiced concerns about American consumers facing rising prices.

6 Jun 2025 - 9:13AMvideocam

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington on Thursday. Photo: AFP

China-Philippines relations

Opinion | With 50 years of history, Manila and Beijing should do better diplomacy

Stop allowing South China Sea spat to poison the waters when there are in fact many areas of potential cooperation for mutual benefit.

6 Jun 2025 - 5:30AMvideocam

Donald Trump

Vietnam tariff reprieve would be the ‘silliest thing’ US could do: Lutnick

US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said responding in kind to Hanoi would be a ‘terrible deal’.

5 Jun 2025 - 10:26AMvideocam

Women and gender

Facing gender ratio crisis, Vietnam proposes tougher laws on sex selection

Officials warn Vietnam could have 1.5 million more men than women by 2034 without action.

4 Jun 2025 - 9:12PMvideocam

As Vietnam modernises, traditional preferences for sons continue to influence reproductive choices. Photo: AP

Ageing society

Vietnam scraps 2-child policy to tackle shrinking birth rate

The nation’s birth rate sunk to a record low in December. Previous laws allowed only one or two children per family, except in special cases.

4 Jun 2025 - 11:26AMvideocam

A Vietnamese woman holds her baby in Hanoi. Vietnam’s total fertility rate dropped to just 1.91 children per woman last year. Photo: AFP

Trade

Vietnam faces list of ‘tough’ US demands to cut Chinese imports in tariff talks

If US requests to effectively cut Vietnam’s reliance on China were met, they could pose a serious challenge to the Southeast Asian country’s economy.

3 Jun 2025 - 7:19PMvideocam

Asean

Opinion | Asean-GCC-China summit signals a redrawing of trade away from the US

The partnership offers a chance to reduce US reliance through new supply chains, trade agreements and regional production in critical sectors.

3 Jun 2025 - 6:46PMvideocam

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW