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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

Japan

Japan to double security aid to 12 Indo-Pacific nations

Tokyo more than doubles its security assistance programme to US$114 million in strategic push.

4 hours ago

US immigration

Why US visa pause could have ‘real consequences’ for Asian applicants

26 Aug 2026 - 9:31PMvideocam

Hong Kong stock market

Amos Food hungry for Hong Kong capital to expand global sweets empire

26 Aug 2026 - 4:16PM

Energy

Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City plans low-emission zone to clear downtown air

Vietnam’s business hub aims to phase out petrol and diesel transport from central areas by mid-2027, starting with buses and delivery fleets.

26 Aug 2026 - 3:00PM

Electric cars charge up at a station in Hanoi, Vietnam, in April 2024. Photo: EPA-EFE

Food and Drinks

Chocolate’s bean-to-bar boom, from Asian flavours to single-origin cacao

Artisanal brands like Marou, Dandelion, Pump Street and Fossa are among the makers championing traceable cacao, bold flavours and small-batch craft.

26 Aug 2026 - 8:00AM

South Korea

South Korea says US cut joint marine drill over Iran war constraints

The cancellation follows US President Donald Trump’s order last week to scale down the separate annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises.

24 Aug 2026 - 8:25PM

The Philippines

Philippines stakes claim as Latin America’s gateway to Asean

Shared history offers an edge, but analysts say the Philippines must deliver more than nostalgia to rival Singapore or Vietnam.

24 Aug 2026 - 4:40PMvideocam

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro (left) shakes hands with Chile’s Foreign Affairs Minister Francisco Perez Mackenna during a meeting on the sidelines of an Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Metro Manila last month. Photo: EPA

China technology

Opinion | Asia is reaching for the open road that Chinese AI offers

Countries seeking sovereign AI want to control their own AI capabilities rather than rent them from a foreign platform.

23 Aug 2026 - 4:30PMvideocam

Hong Kong weather

Hong Kong to assess typhoon warning as Tropical Storm Narra nears Guangdong coast

Narra expected to strengthen before moving towards western coast of Guangdong, bringing windier weather and heavy showers to Hong Kong.

22 Aug 2026 - 5:55PM

DR Congo

Wax-sealed secrets: Vietnamese gangs keep ivory trade alive after China’s ban

A 1.2-tonne seizure reveals how transnational syndicates bypass bans to move poached tusks from Africa to Asia.

22 Aug 2026 - 11:00AM

Policemen inspect a log that was used to conceal 1.2 tonnes of trafficked ivory at Quy Nhon port in Vietnam on August 12. Photo: VNA via AP

China consumption

Chinese durian lovers rejoice as better logistics send prices lower

Improved cold-chain transport links are making durians cheaper in the world’s biggest market for the pungent tropical fruit.

22 Aug 2026 - 11:00AM

Expanding supply and faster cross-border cold-chain links are driving down durian prices for Chinese consumers. Photo: AP

Video | Will Vietnam get old before it gets rich?

The country targets high-income status by 2045, but faces a demographic hurdle, with over-65s expected to outnumber children.

24 Aug 2026 - 10:12AM

United States

As I see it | The US is telling its trading partners – do as I say, not as I do

While Washington says it is monitoring certain countries, including Japan, for foreign exchange interventions, it also coordinated with Tokyo to prop up the yen.

22 Aug 2026 - 5:30AM

Accidents and disasters in China

China’s Typhoon Maysak death toll soars as flooded region tallies final losses

Six weeks after ‘historically rare’ disaster, Guangxi authorities update fatalities, quadrupling total from 39.

21 Aug 2026 - 6:30PMvideocam

Typhoon Maysak inflicted more damage in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region than expected. Photo: cnsphoto via Reuters

South Korea

Japan’s Aeon exits Thai retail to chase Vietnam’s booming middle class

Aeon is selling its MaxValu stores in Thailand to Central Retail, retreating from a market dominated by local giants.

21 Aug 2026 - 3:05PM

A MaxValu supermarket in Bangkok, Thailand. Japanese retailer Aeon is selling its 30 MaxValu stores in the country to Thailand's Central Retail Corporation in September. Photo: Shutterstock

Science

International study finds solar panels in China could be harming birds

The researchers found a direct correlation between greater government support for solar and the loss of biodiversity.

21 Aug 2026 - 11:00AMvideocam

Malaysia

Anwar’s Taiwan remarks put Malaysia’s Beijing calculus in focus

Analysts say the comments did not change Malaysia’s one-China policy, but could reinforce perceptions of closer alignment with Beijing.

20 Aug 2026 - 7:37PM

US-China trade war

Editorial | ‘Transshipment scam’ is not a global conspiracy but a warning to the US

The White House’s accusation that over 40 nations are involved in a shadow network that harms the US betrays a misunderstanding of how trade works.

20 Aug 2026 - 7:15AM

Containers at the Port of Long Beach in the US on May 20. Photo: Los Angeles Times/TNS

Crime

Vietnam police confirm ex-politician spared charges over fatal crash in Hanoi

This is the first official acknowledgement of Nguyen Sy ⁠Cuong’s involvement after allegations had circulated on social media for months.

19 Aug 2026 - 11:15AM

Hong Kong economy

82% of Chinese firms eye overseas growth, with Hong Kong top service support pick

Trade Development Council survey also shows 94 per cent of respondents are eyeing countries in Belt and Road Initiative for expansion.

18 Aug 2026 - 9:18PM

US-Asean relations

US transshipment ‘scam’ claims put Asean exporters in a bind

Analysts say a report accusing nine Southeast Asian nations of helping China skirt tariffs conflates cheating with legitimate trade.

18 Aug 2026 - 5:33PMvideocam

A container lifter is used to organise goods containers at a port in Jakarta, Indonesia. Photo: AP

China-Latin America relations

Why Ecuador’s president is in China while enhancing security links with Trump

Ecuadorian president lands in Beijing seeking to free up key exports and gain Chinese investment, months after deepening US security ties.

18 Aug 2026 - 5:00AMvideocam

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa arrives in Beijing on August 16 to begin a state visit to China. Photo: Xinhua

South Korea

South Korea on edge over Trump’s call to cut military drills, goodwill for Kim

Trump appears to desire a diplomatic coup ahead of the midterm elections by hoping to announce another summit with Kim, analysts say.

17 Aug 2026 - 8:26PMvideocam

Thailand

How Cambodian worker exodus exposes Thailand’s fragile labour model

An estimated 780,000 Cambodian workers have left Thailand since last year’s border conflicts, affecting a wide range of industries.

16 Aug 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

To Lam

Asian Angle | How Vietnam’s ‘streamlining revolution’ may lead to uneven success

The most sweeping administrative overhaul in decades is expected to encounter hurdles ranging from staff shortages to resource mismatch.

15 Aug 2026 - 12:00PM

A woman uses her phone next to Vietnamese national flags and Communist Party of Vietnam flags in Hanoi. Photo: AFP

US-China trade war

US-China AI trade decoupling ‘manageable’ – but tech curbs a ‘wild card’: Citi

Beijing can weather current trade friction but tightening restrictions on open-weight models complicate outlook, analysts say.

14 Aug 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Washington’s anxieties over Chinese open-weight models escalated in late July following the release of Kimi K3. Photo: Shutterstock

China-Latin America relations

US accuses 9 Latin American countries of helping China avoid Trump’s tariffs

More than 40 countries targeted for helping Beijing illegally avoid tariffs by rerouting trade via nations with lower American import duties.

14 Aug 2026 - 7:34AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

New aircraft carrier heads to Mideast amid concerns over USS Abraham Lincoln

Reports have emerged about mental health and supply issues on the current ship after a long deployment in support of the Iran war.

14 Aug 2026 - 4:57AM

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Vietnam

Japan to double security aid to 12 Indo-Pacific nations

Tokyo more than doubles its security assistance programme to US$114 million in strategic push.

Why US visa pause could have ‘real consequences’ for Asian applicants

Amos Food hungry for Hong Kong capital to expand global sweets empire

Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City plans low-emission zone to clear downtown air

Vietnam’s business hub aims to phase out petrol and diesel transport from central areas by mid-2027, starting with buses and delivery fleets.

Chocolate’s bean-to-bar boom, from Asian flavours to single-origin cacao

Artisanal brands like Marou, Dandelion, Pump Street and Fossa are among the makers championing traceable cacao, bold flavours and small-batch craft.

South Korea says US cut joint marine drill over Iran war constraints

The cancellation follows US President Donald Trump’s order last week to scale down the separate annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises.

Philippines stakes claim as Latin America’s gateway to Asean

Shared history offers an edge, but analysts say the Philippines must deliver more than nostalgia to rival Singapore or Vietnam.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Asia is reaching for the open road that Chinese AI offers

Countries seeking sovereign AI want to control their own AI capabilities rather than rent them from a foreign platform.

Hong Kong to assess typhoon warning as Tropical Storm Narra nears Guangdong coast

Narra expected to strengthen before moving towards western coast of Guangdong, bringing windier weather and heavy showers to Hong Kong.

Wax-sealed secrets: Vietnamese gangs keep ivory trade alive after China’s ban

A 1.2-tonne seizure reveals how transnational syndicates bypass bans to move poached tusks from Africa to Asia.

Chinese durian lovers rejoice as better logistics send prices lower

Improved cold-chain transport links are making durians cheaper in the world’s biggest market for the pungent tropical fruit.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Video | Will Vietnam get old before it gets rich?

The country targets high-income status by 2045, but faces a demographic hurdle, with over-65s expected to outnumber children.

As I see it | The US is telling its trading partners – do as I say, not as I do

While Washington says it is monitoring certain countries, including Japan, for foreign exchange interventions, it also coordinated with Tokyo to prop up the yen.

China’s Typhoon Maysak death toll soars as flooded region tallies final losses

Six weeks after ‘historically rare’ disaster, Guangxi authorities update fatalities, quadrupling total from 39.

Japan’s Aeon exits Thai retail to chase Vietnam’s booming middle class

Aeon is selling its MaxValu stores in Thailand to Central Retail, retreating from a market dominated by local giants.

International study finds solar panels in China could be harming birds

The researchers found a direct correlation between greater government support for solar and the loss of biodiversity.

Anwar’s Taiwan remarks put Malaysia’s Beijing calculus in focus

Analysts say the comments did not change Malaysia’s one-China policy, but could reinforce perceptions of closer alignment with Beijing.

Editorial | ‘Transshipment scam’ is not a global conspiracy but a warning to the US

The White House’s accusation that over 40 nations are involved in a shadow network that harms the US betrays a misunderstanding of how trade works.

Vietnam police confirm ex-politician spared charges over fatal crash in Hanoi

This is the first official acknowledgement of Nguyen Sy ⁠Cuong’s involvement after allegations had circulated on social media for months.

82% of Chinese firms eye overseas growth, with Hong Kong top service support pick

Trade Development Council survey also shows 94 per cent of respondents are eyeing countries in Belt and Road Initiative for expansion.

US transshipment ‘scam’ claims put Asean exporters in a bind

Analysts say a report accusing nine Southeast Asian nations of helping China skirt tariffs conflates cheating with legitimate trade.

Why Ecuador’s president is in China while enhancing security links with Trump

Ecuadorian president lands in Beijing seeking to free up key exports and gain Chinese investment, months after deepening US security ties.

South Korea on edge over Trump’s call to cut military drills, goodwill for Kim

Trump appears to desire a diplomatic coup ahead of the midterm elections by hoping to announce another summit with Kim, analysts say.

How Cambodian worker exodus exposes Thailand’s fragile labour model

An estimated 780,000 Cambodian workers have left Thailand since last year’s border conflicts, affecting a wide range of industries.

Asian Angle | How Vietnam’s ‘streamlining revolution’ may lead to uneven success

The most sweeping administrative overhaul in decades is expected to encounter hurdles ranging from staff shortages to resource mismatch.

US-China AI trade decoupling ‘manageable’ – but tech curbs a ‘wild card’: Citi

Beijing can weather current trade friction but tightening restrictions on open-weight models complicate outlook, analysts say.

US accuses 9 Latin American countries of helping China avoid Trump’s tariffs

More than 40 countries targeted for helping Beijing illegally avoid tariffs by rerouting trade via nations with lower American import duties.

New aircraft carrier heads to Mideast amid concerns over USS Abraham Lincoln

Reports have emerged about mental health and supply issues on the current ship after a long deployment in support of the Iran war.

Opinion | Asia is reaching for the open road that Chinese AI offers

Video | Will Vietnam get old before it gets rich?