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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

ANA and Japan Airlines planes taxi at Haneda airport in Tokyo on April 12, 2026. Photo: Kyodo

China travel

China-Japan flights to decline 57% in summer travel peak as tensions linger

Of Japan’s top five inbound tourism markets so far this year, mainland China is the only one where travellers require a visa.

6 hours agovideocam

China trade

Why the Vietnam ‘detour’ for US-bound Chinese goods hit a dead end

25 Jun 2026 - 6:31AMvideocam

The Philippines

Strong ties, even stronger dollar propel US to top of Philippine tourism market

23 Jun 2026 - 7:40PMvideocam

Singapore

Why Wong-Putin meeting doesn’t mean Singapore’s going soft on Russia

Singapore needs to balance its tough stance on the Ukraine war with its responsibilities towards other Asean nations, experts say.

22 Jun 2026 - 6:58PMvideocam

Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during their meeting on the sidelines of the Russia-Asean Summit in Kazan on Thursday. Photo:
Sputnik/AP

Cuba

Asian Angle | When the US comes for Cuba, what can Vietnam do?

Vietnam has stood by Cuba for 60 years. Now Washington is raising the price of that friendship – and Hanoi must decide what it’s worth.

20 Jun 2026 - 3:00PMvideocam

Extreme weather

Asia’s shaky food supply shudders as ‘super’ El Nino arrives

Every few years, the Pacific runs a fever. This year, it could be worse than anything seen for decades, scientists warn.

20 Jun 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

Africa

Vietnamese deported to South Sudan under Trump’s controversial scheme goes home

At least seven African nations have agreed to accept deportees who are not their own citizens as part of arrangements with the US.

19 Jun 2026 - 7:13PM

Vietnamese deportee Tuan Phan, who spent nearly a year in South Sudan, speaks during a press conference before his departure from Juba International Airport on Friday. Photo: Reuters

Malaysia

How a surge in midnight sea incursions is threatening Malaysia’s blue economy

The success of Malaysia’s maritime economic development depends on its ability to monitor and protect its waters, experts say.

19 Jun 2026 - 11:59AMvideocam

Americas and the Caribbean

Under US pressure, Cuba unveils largest economic reform in decades

National Assembly votes unanimously to approve dozens of reforms aimed at opening up the struggling island’s economy.

19 Jun 2026 - 3:24PM

Pets

Cats rescued from slaughter in Vietnam spotlight enduring pet meat trade

Animal activists say the cat and dog meat trade often operates over large networks that sometimes span all of Vietnam.

18 Jun 2026 - 9:15PM

Cats seized by police at a facility in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday. Photo: Humane World for Animals Vietnam / AFP

China shipbuilding

China tests future of shipping on its next trade corridor: a US$10 billion canal

The megaproject is set to boost trade links with Southeast Asia and connect inland provinces to global shipping routes.

18 Jun 2026 - 9:00PM

Beigang Yunhe 002, the first 5,000-tonne intelligent demonstration vessel for the Pinglu Canal, successfully completed a sea trial on Wednesday. Photo: South China Morning Post

Malaysia

Malaysia and Asean tap Russia for energy security, defying Western ‘prejudices’

At the Asean-Russia summit in Kazan, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim signalled the bloc’s willingness to engage with Moscow on trade.

18 Jun 2026 - 6:29PM

Asean

Aid and diplomacy: US Navy’s renewed bid for Southeast Asian influence

Pacific Partnership 2026 aims to counter China’s rising influence in the region, amid growing doubts about US leadership, analysts say.

17 Jun 2026 - 5:21PM

Asean

Iran war ‘stark wake-up call’ for fossil fuel-dependent Southeast Asia: IEA

The agency warns that the region’s energy import bill could triple to US$245 billion by 2035 if it does not quickly look for alternatives.

16 Jun 2026 - 11:02PM

The sun sets next to power lines along San Fernando town, north of the Philippines’ capital of Manila. Photo: AFP

Thailand

Thailand and Vietnam team up in an Asean ‘plus or minus’ gamble

Southeast Asia’s second- and third-largest economies opt for bilateral insurance over reliance on the regional bloc.

14 Jun 2026 - 12:00PM

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul welcomes Vietnam’s President To Lam to Bangkok’s Government House complex on May 28. Photo: Sopa Images/Zuma Press Wire/dpa

China travel

Panda and pet services: China plans over 160 tourist trains to boost consumption

Beijing eyes themed journeys and new on-board services as part of broader efforts to rebalance the economy.

11 Jun 2026 - 6:36PM

Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Why Hongkongers should be very interested in the Pinglu Canal

China-Asean trade is expected to surge as the Pinglu Canal synergises with the Hainan free-trade zone – creating demand for services Hong Kong can provide.

11 Jun 2026 - 8:07PMvideocam

China airliners

Air China C909 hits bird as Chinese jets face growing ‘real-world’ tests

Wildlife strike in Beijing caught on video near popular vantage point, illustrating how rising flight volumes expose Comac’s fleet of jets to more operational risks.

11 Jun 2026 - 12:24PM

A suspected bird strike on a Chinese-made C909 regional jet in Beijing reportedly left some marks on its nose and airframe, but experts said the likelihood of any severe damage was very low. Photo: handout

Banking & finance

New York leads, but Asia-Pacific’s financial hubs are on the rise

The centre of gravity is shifting east in the financial services world, but New York remains the global benchmark, says Colliers report.

10 Jun 2026 - 7:31PM

Donald Trump

Trump’s forced-labour tariffs put Southeast Asia in the firing line

Washington’s proposed tariffs of 10 per cent to 12.5 per cent could push regional countries to accelerate economic integration.

9 Jun 2026 - 4:58PM

US-China relations

Nationals from China, India among 17 new US denaturalisation cases

Chinese-born Georgia resident among 17 people accused of obtaining citizenship through fraud or concealing serious crimes.

9 Jun 2026 - 5:57AMvideocam

US prosecutors say a Chinese-born resident of the American state of Georgia hid a prior deportation order and immigration history under a different identity before becoming a US citizen in 2006. Photo: Shutterstock

Malaysia

Malaysia tackles illegal foreign-owned firms, as regional crackdown widens

Thailand is investigating businesses that circumvent curbs on foreign ownership by using Thai nationals for majority ownership registration.

8 Jun 2026 - 9:09PMvideocam

Malaysia’s iconic Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. The country has announced a crackdown against illegal businesses run by foreigners. Photo: EPA

Hong Kong weather

Hong Kong serves up local flavour as ‘Typhoon Dim-sum’ joins new storm names list

City’s weather forecaster says latest submission has been endorsed by UN-backed Typhoon Committee for use in the Western North Pacific region.

8 Jun 2026 - 9:16PM

China trade

How China’s blueberry boom is reaching Southeast Asia on faster trade links

The fruit is heading to Asean markets on the China-Laos Railway, supported by the world’s largest free trade agreement.

7 Jun 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

United States

Editorial | US tariff threat over forced labour looks like old wine in a new bottle

With the latest escalation in Trump’s forever tariff war, Washington is alienating allies and adversaries alike.

7 Jun 2026 - 6:45AM

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer speaks to reporters during a tour of a manufacturing facility on April 9, in Warren, Michigan, the US. Photo: AP

Middle East

Asia-Pacific to lead global retail sales, weather Middle East conflict

The region is projected to contribute to two-thirds of global new retail sales over the next five years, fuelled by e-commerce.

5 Jun 2026 - 10:00AM

Customers check out products at a retail store in Kochi, India. Photo: Reuters

Taiwan

How Japan, Philippines are building a maritime security front against China

Tokyo-Manila defence cooperation is linking Pacific flashpoints, with broad implications for Beijing, analysts say.

3 Jun 2026 - 7:50PMvideocam

China airliners

Why China’s C909 jet is rapidly being deployed in Xinjiang

The Chinese-made jet debuted in Xinjiang as recently as 2023, but is now being used on more than 120 routes in the region.

3 Jun 2026 - 7:00AMvideocam

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Vietnam

China-Japan flights to decline 57% in summer travel peak as tensions linger

Of Japan’s top five inbound tourism markets so far this year, mainland China is the only one where travellers require a visa.

Why the Vietnam ‘detour’ for US-bound Chinese goods hit a dead end

Strong ties, even stronger dollar propel US to top of Philippine tourism market

Why Wong-Putin meeting doesn’t mean Singapore’s going soft on Russia

Singapore needs to balance its tough stance on the Ukraine war with its responsibilities towards other Asean nations, experts say.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Asian Angle | When the US comes for Cuba, what can Vietnam do?

Vietnam has stood by Cuba for 60 years. Now Washington is raising the price of that friendship – and Hanoi must decide what it’s worth.

Asia’s shaky food supply shudders as ‘super’ El Nino arrives

Every few years, the Pacific runs a fever. This year, it could be worse than anything seen for decades, scientists warn.

Vietnamese deported to South Sudan under Trump’s controversial scheme goes home

At least seven African nations have agreed to accept deportees who are not their own citizens as part of arrangements with the US.

How a surge in midnight sea incursions is threatening Malaysia’s blue economy

The success of Malaysia’s maritime economic development depends on its ability to monitor and protect its waters, experts say.

Under US pressure, Cuba unveils largest economic reform in decades

National Assembly votes unanimously to approve dozens of reforms aimed at opening up the struggling island’s economy.

Cats rescued from slaughter in Vietnam spotlight enduring pet meat trade

Animal activists say the cat and dog meat trade often operates over large networks that sometimes span all of Vietnam.

China tests future of shipping on its next trade corridor: a US$10 billion canal

The megaproject is set to boost trade links with Southeast Asia and connect inland provinces to global shipping routes.

Malaysia and Asean tap Russia for energy security, defying Western ‘prejudices’

At the Asean-Russia summit in Kazan, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim signalled the bloc’s willingness to engage with Moscow on trade.

Aid and diplomacy: US Navy’s renewed bid for Southeast Asian influence

Pacific Partnership 2026 aims to counter China’s rising influence in the region, amid growing doubts about US leadership, analysts say.

Iran war ‘stark wake-up call’ for fossil fuel-dependent Southeast Asia: IEA

The agency warns that the region’s energy import bill could triple to US$245 billion by 2035 if it does not quickly look for alternatives.

Thailand and Vietnam team up in an Asean ‘plus or minus’ gamble

Southeast Asia’s second- and third-largest economies opt for bilateral insurance over reliance on the regional bloc.

Panda and pet services: China plans over 160 tourist trains to boost consumption

Beijing eyes themed journeys and new on-board services as part of broader efforts to rebalance the economy.

Opinion | Why Hongkongers should be very interested in the Pinglu Canal

China-Asean trade is expected to surge as the Pinglu Canal synergises with the Hainan free-trade zone – creating demand for services Hong Kong can provide.

Air China C909 hits bird as Chinese jets face growing ‘real-world’ tests

Wildlife strike in Beijing caught on video near popular vantage point, illustrating how rising flight volumes expose Comac’s fleet of jets to more operational risks.

New York leads, but Asia-Pacific’s financial hubs are on the rise

The centre of gravity is shifting east in the financial services world, but New York remains the global benchmark, says Colliers report.

Trump’s forced-labour tariffs put Southeast Asia in the firing line

Washington’s proposed tariffs of 10 per cent to 12.5 per cent could push regional countries to accelerate economic integration.

Nationals from China, India among 17 new US denaturalisation cases

Chinese-born Georgia resident among 17 people accused of obtaining citizenship through fraud or concealing serious crimes.

Malaysia tackles illegal foreign-owned firms, as regional crackdown widens

Thailand is investigating businesses that circumvent curbs on foreign ownership by using Thai nationals for majority ownership registration.

Hong Kong serves up local flavour as ‘Typhoon Dim-sum’ joins new storm names list

City’s weather forecaster says latest submission has been endorsed by UN-backed Typhoon Committee for use in the Western North Pacific region.

How China’s blueberry boom is reaching Southeast Asia on faster trade links

The fruit is heading to Asean markets on the China-Laos Railway, supported by the world’s largest free trade agreement.

Editorial | US tariff threat over forced labour looks like old wine in a new bottle

With the latest escalation in Trump’s forever tariff war, Washington is alienating allies and adversaries alike.

Asia-Pacific to lead global retail sales, weather Middle East conflict

The region is projected to contribute to two-thirds of global new retail sales over the next five years, fuelled by e-commerce.

How Japan, Philippines are building a maritime security front against China

Tokyo-Manila defence cooperation is linking Pacific flashpoints, with broad implications for Beijing, analysts say.

Why China’s C909 jet is rapidly being deployed in Xinjiang

The Chinese-made jet debuted in Xinjiang as recently as 2023, but is now being used on more than 120 routes in the region.

Asian Angle | When the US comes for Cuba, what can Vietnam do?