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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

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

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

China travel

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

11 Jun 2026 - 6:36PM

Hong Kong economy

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

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

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

Farmers pick blueberries at an orchard in southwest China’s Yunnan province. Photo: China News Service via Getty Images

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

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

The C909 regional jet has transported more than 30 million passengers since launching a decade ago. Photo: Sina

United States

US proposes 25% tariff to punish Brazil over trade practices

The measures cover areas such as electronic payment services, preferential tariffs, intellectual property protection and the ethanol market.

2 Jun 2026 - 10:13PM

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer speaks with reporters at the White House in April Greer called the Brazil action “quite nuanced” because of the broad exemptions. Photo: Reuters

Crime

Vietnam detains Australian man who trashed Da Nang cafe

He destroyed bar equipment and furniture, and customers’ belongings, including laptops and mobile phones.

1 Jun 2026 - 9:35PMvideocam

The Philippines

Philippines and Vietnam close ranks on South China Sea as To Lam visits

The Vietnamese president is wrapping up a Southeast Asia tour aimed at shoring up regional security alliances.

1 Jun 2026 - 2:31PM

Singapore

Shangri-La Dialogue: can Asia do ‘less Shangri-La, more ships, more subs’?

In response to Hegseth’s call, participants at the Singapore forum say defence spending levels have to factor in different countries’ needs.

31 May 2026 - 11:46PMvideocam

Participants speak at the Shangri-La Dialogue defence forum in Singapore on Sunday. Photo: Singapore’s Ministry of Defence

India

India seals BrahMos missile deal with Vietnam, eyes Indonesia next

A senior Indian defence ministry official made the announcement at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore.

31 May 2026 - 10:51AM

Asean

Asian Angle | Where Southeast Asians really want to live, work and travel

While Thailand leads for tourism, Singapore and Japan are the top draws for work, revealing uneven regional soft power dynamics.

31 May 2026 - 10:00AM

China-Japan relations

China and Japan aren’t talking. Will their rare earth trade go quiet?

With bilateral relations at a low and Beijing already enacting limited export controls on critical minerals, fears of a broader ban grow.

31 May 2026 - 7:55AMvideocam

Singapore

Rising costs in Singapore spur business migration as regional alternatives rise

Analysts say the economic gains could come with trade-offs, such as increasing income inequality between skilled and unskilled workers.

30 May 2026 - 4:30PM

The Kuala Lumpur city skyline in Malaysia. Analysts say Kuala Lumpur is a “highly complementary partner” to Singapore. Photo: Shutterstock

Asean

Opinion | Why the Philippines walks a delicate balance as Asean chair

Manila’s success at the helm will depend on its ability to make the Association of Southeast Asian Nations more operational than before.

30 May 2026 - 5:30AMvideocam

Singapore

Vietnam’s To Lam warns of 3 crises converging in Asia-Pacific security

In the Singapore forum’s keynote address, the Vietnamese president urges a strategic framework for trust building to avert such threats.

29 May 2026 - 10:56PM

The Philippines

Vietnam, Philippines to forge stronger ‘alignment’ on 50 years of ties

Analysts say To Lam’s first visit to Manila as state leader signals Vietnam’s balanced foreign policy and investment in Asean partnerships.

29 May 2026 - 7:18PM

Vietnam’s President To Lam is due in the Philippines for a two-day state visit on Sunday and Monday. Photo: AP

Thailand

Trade, Ho Chi Minh’s legacy: Vietnam’s To Lam seeks to ‘re-energise’ Thai ties

The president, who visited Ho Chi Minh’s former home in Udon Thani, will meet the Thai king and hold talks with PM Anutin.

28 May 2026 - 4:37PM

Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul (left) and Vietnam’s President To Lam review a guard of honour at Government House in Bangkok on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

Crime

Samoan suspect confesses to hired hit in Vietnam on Sydney gangster

In a rare gun crime in Vietnam, the suspect admitted that he and an accomplice were in Ho Chi Minh City looking for two victims.

27 May 2026 - 7:28PM

United States

‘Notorious’ Vietnam market defies raids, tariff threats to sell Gucci dupes

‘Police come once a year with a TV crew. They film the seizure of a shop, and then it’s business as usual,’ a Ninh Hiep bazaar seller says.

27 May 2026 - 3:45PM

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Vietnam

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

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Why Hongkongers should be very interested in the Pinglu Canal

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.

US proposes 25% tariff to punish Brazil over trade practices

The measures cover areas such as electronic payment services, preferential tariffs, intellectual property protection and the ethanol market.

Vietnam detains Australian man who trashed Da Nang cafe

He destroyed bar equipment and furniture, and customers’ belongings, including laptops and mobile phones.

Philippines and Vietnam close ranks on South China Sea as To Lam visits

The Vietnamese president is wrapping up a Southeast Asia tour aimed at shoring up regional security alliances.

Shangri-La Dialogue: can Asia do ‘less Shangri-La, more ships, more subs’?

In response to Hegseth’s call, participants at the Singapore forum say defence spending levels have to factor in different countries’ needs.

India seals BrahMos missile deal with Vietnam, eyes Indonesia next

A senior Indian defence ministry official made the announcement at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore.

Asian Angle | Where Southeast Asians really want to live, work and travel

While Thailand leads for tourism, Singapore and Japan are the top draws for work, revealing uneven regional soft power dynamics.

China and Japan aren’t talking. Will their rare earth trade go quiet?

With bilateral relations at a low and Beijing already enacting limited export controls on critical minerals, fears of a broader ban grow.

Rising costs in Singapore spur business migration as regional alternatives rise

Analysts say the economic gains could come with trade-offs, such as increasing income inequality between skilled and unskilled workers.

Opinion | Why the Philippines walks a delicate balance as Asean chair

Manila’s success at the helm will depend on its ability to make the Association of Southeast Asian Nations more operational than before.

Vietnam’s To Lam warns of 3 crises converging in Asia-Pacific security

In the Singapore forum’s keynote address, the Vietnamese president urges a strategic framework for trust building to avert such threats.

Vietnam, Philippines to forge stronger ‘alignment’ on 50 years of ties

Analysts say To Lam’s first visit to Manila as state leader signals Vietnam’s balanced foreign policy and investment in Asean partnerships.

Trade, Ho Chi Minh’s legacy: Vietnam’s To Lam seeks to ‘re-energise’ Thai ties

The president, who visited Ho Chi Minh’s former home in Udon Thani, will meet the Thai king and hold talks with PM Anutin.

Samoan suspect confesses to hired hit in Vietnam on Sydney gangster

In a rare gun crime in Vietnam, the suspect admitted that he and an accomplice were in Ho Chi Minh City looking for two victims.

‘Notorious’ Vietnam market defies raids, tariff threats to sell Gucci dupes

‘Police come once a year with a TV crew. They film the seizure of a shop, and then it’s business as usual,’ a Ninh Hiep bazaar seller says.

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