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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

Indonesia

Indonesia’s flood death toll hits 883, hundreds still missing

The governor of hard-hit Aceh warns starvation has become the gravest threat to survivors in remote villages cut off by the devastation.

2 hours agovideocam

China exports

Waste to wealth: why China is building incinerators around the world

5 Dec 2025 - 1:55PM

Made in China 2025

End of an era: Japan’s Canon shuts China printer plant as local rivals rise

5 Dec 2025 - 8:00AM

Asean

In wake of Hong Kong blaze, Southeast Asia’s fire hazards come under scrutiny

Serious structural defects and inefficient bureaucracy tainted by corruption are common in the region, fire safety experts say.

4 Dec 2025 - 6:42PM

A person watches as a major fire engulfs residential buildings at Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong on November 26. Photo: dpa

China trade

Explainer | As China’s companies become industry leaders, where in the world are they going?

Across numerous sectors, China’s firms are setting up shop worldwide – and gaining ground on their well-entrenched competitors.

5 Dec 2025 - 5:58PMvideocam

South China Sea

China ramps up surveillance equipment at Spratly Islands bases: US think tank

Satellites detect new radars and electronic warfare gear at South China Sea outposts, CSIS says.

3 Dec 2025 - 8:00PMvideocam

Extreme weather

Asia’s floods kill over 1,000, lay bare human cost of climate inaction

From Indonesia’s deadliest disaster since 2018 to a state of emergency in Sri Lanka, Asia reels from a week of climate-fuelled destruction.

3 Dec 2025 - 5:45PMvideocam

People walk past the ruins of houses in a village affected by heavy flooding in Batang Toru, Indonesia’s North Sumatra province, on Wednesday. Photo: AP

South China Sea

‘Strategic’: why are drones taking off among South China Sea claimant states?

Experts weigh the merits and limits of growing pivot in the region to uncrewed aircraft and the potential for 24/7 patrols.

3 Dec 2025 - 11:19AMvideocam

China manufacturing

Factory of factories: China’s manufacturers join wave of overseas expansions

With many of their clients moving or building sites abroad, China’s factory owners are following suit, seizing a ‘last chance’ for new revenues.

3 Dec 2025 - 12:58PMvideocam

India

India’s looming BrahMos missile deal with Indonesia challenges US-China binary

New Delhi is emerging as a serious alternative security partner for Southeast Asia, offering hi-tech arms without ‘hegemonic baggage’.

1 Dec 2025 - 3:51PM

A Indian naval officer walks past a BrahMos weapon systems during a rehearsal for a Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, on January 20. Photo: Reuters

Singapore

Singapore becomes Plan B for Chinese travellers giving Japan a wide berth

Beijing’s call to boycott Japan after Sanae Takaichi’s remarks is benefiting Southeast Asian countries, travel agents say.

30 Nov 2025 - 9:30AM

Tourists take photos with the Merlion statue in Singapore. Chinese visitors say the city state is an “easy and comfortable” travel destination. Photo: Reuters

China-Africa relations

China set to benefit as South Africa looks to diversify away from US

As ties with Washington deteriorate, Pretoria is ‘determined to pursue economic diplomacy’ as it pursues new markets in Asia and Europe.

29 Nov 2025 - 4:00PM

Diplomacy

Asian Angle | The hidden domestic agenda behind Vietnam’s baffling foreign policy

To Lam’s recent pilgrimages to North Korea and Cuba signal ideological loyalty, even as he pushes a hard-nosed reform agenda at home.

29 Nov 2025 - 1:30PM

Asean

Opinion | In its year under Malaysia, Asean tried to set systemic reform in motion

Despite grumbles about loss of focus and misgivings about the longevity of new networks, Malaysia, ironically, perhaps didn’t go far enough.

27 Nov 2025 - 5:30AMvideocam

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim hands the gavel over to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr at the closing ceremony of the 47th Asean summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on October 28. The Philippines takes over as Asean chair on January 1. Photo: Xinhua

Robotics

UBTech humanoid robots to patrol China-Vietnam border crossings

The initiative features the industrial-grade Walker S2, billed as the world’s first humanoid robot capable of replacing its own battery.

25 Nov 2025 - 8:00PMvideocam

A UBTech humanoid robot seen at the China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing in July. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong exports grow 17.5% in October as trade policy uncertainties ease

Value of goods exported from Hong Kong in October stood at HK$461.8 billion.

25 Nov 2025 - 9:40PM

Malaysia

Video | Deadly monsoon flooding across Southeast Asia

Scores have died and entire communities displaced as a late-season monsoon surge overwhelms fragile flood management systems.

25 Nov 2025 - 12:28PM

Thailand

‘Flood after flood’ hits Thailand and Vietnam, with Malaysia next in line

Scores have died and entire communities displaced as a late-season monsoon surge overwhelms fragile flood-management systems.

25 Nov 2025 - 12:27PMvideocam

A person wades through a flooded area in Hat Yai, a major southern city in Thailand’s Songkhla province, on Saturday. Hat Yai has been declared a disaster zone. Photo: Reuters

Extreme weather

Video | Deadly Vietnam floods strand hundreds in relentless rain

Natural disasters in Vietnam between January and October have left 279 people dead or missing and caused damage estimated at more than US$2 billion.

24 Nov 2025 - 3:26PM

Extreme weather

Vietnam floods, landslides kill at least 90, US$343 million in damage

Natural disasters have left 279 people dead or missing in Vietnam and caused more than US$2 billion in damage between January and October.

24 Nov 2025 - 3:35PMvideocam

Food and Drinks

The rich history of cinnamon, from Ceylon to Cinnabon

A spice derived from the dried inner bark of evergreen trees, cinnamon’s warmth and versatility shine in sweet and savoury dishes alike.

22 Nov 2025 - 7:00AM

The US chain Cinnabon uses Makara cinnamon from Indonesia for its buns. Photo: Handout

Asean

Why Asean’s AI ambition may lead to widening economic and tech divide

While countries such as Singapore and Malaysia are ahead in the AI race, others like Cambodia and Laos risk being left behind, analysts say.

21 Nov 2025 - 5:31PM

An illustration of stock market trading using artificial intelligence. Asean is aiming to expand the use of AI across sectors. Photo: Shutterstock

Science

China overtakes US in medical research in science power shift: top publisher

Country is ‘now global leader in scientific publishing and output’, Fred Fenter, chief executive editor of Swiss-based Frontiers, says.

20 Nov 2025 - 1:27AMvideocam

Crime in Hong Kong

3 men linked to fatal attack on suspected triad member sent back to Hong Kong

Trio earlier handed over by mainland police, bringing number of arrests over Sha Tin knife attack to 10.

21 Nov 2025 - 1:38PM

China-New Zealand relations

Top NZ diplomat visiting China for US$337 million ferries contract

Winston Peters says deal with state-owned Guangzhou Shipyard International is ‘significant’ and a boost to economic ties.

19 Nov 2025 - 6:16PM

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters is slated to visit China next week as well as Vietnam and Thailand. Photo: AFP

Malaysia

Fifa kicks out Malaysia’s ‘heritage players’ appeal, urges criminal probes

Malaysia’s attempt to deceive by producing forged documents ‘strike at the very foundation of football’s integrity’, appeal committee says.

18 Nov 2025 - 5:27PM

Joao Vitor Figueiredo (in yellow) scores a goal for Malaysia during the AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam on June 10. Photo: AFP

Extreme weather

6 dead as landslide buries bus on Vietnam’s scenic Khanh Le pass

Two bodies are still trapped under the debris as the treacherous terrain and heavy rain hinder the rescuers’ work.

17 Nov 2025 - 4:13PMvideocam

Climate change

Climate collapse: Southeast Asia’s new normal?

With a 30th year of Cop climate talks under way in Brazil, for many of Asia’s most vulnerable populations, the crisis is already here.

21 Nov 2025 - 6:58AM

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