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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

Hong Kong actor and singer Andy Lau appears to have shared a name with a Ming dynasty brickmaker. Photo: Getty Images

SCMP Highlights

China’s 7-day hypersonic design; Andy Lau’s Ming mystery: 7 science highlights

From top mathematician on leaving the US to China’s coal-to-medicine feat, here are some highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting.

5 hours ago

South China Sea

Why military base on contested Paracels will be of ‘limited’ value to Beijing

24 Mar 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

Energy

Why Vietnam is leaning on Russia to weather energy turmoil

24 Mar 2026 - 8:20PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Getting worse each day’: why Southeast Asia is vulnerable to the fuel crisis

From Laos to Thailand, long queues are forming at petrol stations while residents are reeling from surging fuel prices.

23 Mar 2026 - 9:02PMvideocam

People queue to buy petrol at a station in Hanoi amid disruptions in supply and price surges due to the Iran war. Photo: Reuters

South China Sea

‘No dispute’: Beijing defends construction on Paracels in South China Sea

China says living conditions and local economy stand to benefit, days after Vietnam states opposition to land-reclamation activities.

23 Mar 2026 - 8:37PM

Energy

Vietnam PM visits Russia to sign energy deal amid Iran war disruption

Since the US-Israel war against Iran began, the cost of 95-octane petrol and diesel in Vietnam has soared by 50 per cent and 70 per cent respectively.

22 Mar 2026 - 9:26PM

South China Sea

Vietnam protests as China’s Paracels build-up escalates at Antelope Reef

Satellite images suggest accelerated dredging at the disputed South China Sea reef, sparking formal complaint from Hanoi.

22 Mar 2026 - 6:09PM

Antelope Reef is strategically located about 300km from Sanya, a major base for Chinese naval and air forces overseeing the South China Sea. Photo: European Union

China manufacturing

China’s exports are booming – so why are plants in this factory hub closing?

Dongguan reflects a growing polarisation in the Chinese economy, with many factories and workers left behind as hi-tech firms surge ahead.

22 Mar 2026 - 6:41AM

SCMP Highlights

China’s jet designer removed online; US warships’ Malaysia stop: 7 highlights

From US warships’ stop in Penang to Jollibee representing Southeast Asian brands globally, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

20 Mar 2026 - 1:20PM

Cambodia

Cambodia boosts Singapore and Malaysia fuel imports to survive energy crisis

Energy Minister Keo Rottanak says ‘an Asean power grid is the way to go’ as Vietnam and China restrict exports to Phnom Penh.

19 Mar 2026 - 12:57PMvideocam

An employee (second left) pumps fuel into the vehicle of a customer in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on March 9. Photo: AFP

China-Latin America relations

As Trump ramps up pressure on Cuba, China has ‘very limited options’

Any response from Beijing is likely to be constrained to diplomatic opposition and humanitarian aid, according to analysts.

19 Mar 2026 - 12:30PMvideocam

Cuba scrambled to restore power on Monday after a nationwide blackout that hit the communist-run island just as US President Donald Trump said he expected to take it over. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong tourism

Hong Kong Tourism Board to woo overnight big spenders, diversify visitor mix

Board executive director Anthony Lau says 75 per cent of its resources will go towards overseas markets.

18 Mar 2026 - 9:44PM

Asean

New US trade offensive threatens to test Asean ties

The trade probes may compel Southeast Asia to continue diversifying away from the US, with analysts predicting recent deals could unravel.

18 Mar 2026 - 6:28PM

Crime

Chinese and Kenyan charged after nearly 2,000 live ants seized

Pair appear in a Nairobi court, accused of supplying ⁠live ants to foreign traffickers.

18 Mar 2026 - 1:44PM

Zhang Kequn and Charles Mwangi in court on Tuesday. Photo: AP

China-Asean relations

China, Vietnam agree to live-fire drills in naval exercise boost

Agreement between naval commanders ahead of 40th joint exercise comes as Vietnamese leader To Lam hails ties with China as ‘top priority’.

17 Mar 2026 - 7:24PMvideocam

Chinese and Vietnamese navy vessels pictured during their 39th joint patrol, in the Gulf of Tonkin in November 2025. Photo: Xinhua

US, Israel war on Iran

Asia ramps up coal power generation to avoid soaring LNG costs amid Iran war

LNG prices have doubled to three-year highs as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has all but stopped and Qatar halts shipments.

17 Mar 2026 - 6:48PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Vietnam warns of April flight reductions as jet fuel shortage fears deepen

Hanoi seeks new suppliers as China and Thailand halt exports of jet fuel due to the Iran war.

17 Mar 2026 - 8:37AMvideocam

United States

Trump administration can resume ‘third-country’ deportations, appeal court rules

Attorney General Pam Bondi called the ruling, that deports undocumented migrants to countries that are not their own, a ‘key win’.

17 Mar 2026 - 3:45AM

US Attorney General Pam Bondi. Photo: EPA

Malaysia

Deal or no deal? Malaysia-US trade pact in turmoil after minister ‘misspeaks’

First, a minister called the deal dead. Then his ministry backtracked. Now the opposition is demanding answers.

16 Mar 2026 - 9:53PMvideocam

Science

Things ‘I do not like’ led me to quit US for Hong Kong, top mathematician says

The academic also says he is motivated by his vision to make Asia an intellectual powerhouse for science and learning.

16 Mar 2026 - 12:03PMvideocam

Asean

Can Asean break free from US-China supply chain grip?

The bloc will look for new markets and deepen regional cooperation to reduce trade uncertainty, economic ministers say.

16 Mar 2026 - 4:17PMvideocam

Regional ministers pose for a group photo during the Asean Economic Ministers’ Retreat in Manila on Friday. Photo: EPA

China’s military drills

In joint patrols with China, Vietnam steers course between 2 powers

The Gulf of Tonkin will be the backdrop this week for naval activities despite a five-decade maritime dispute.

16 Mar 2026 - 10:45AMvideocam

Vessels from Chinese and Vietnamese navies take part in a joint patrol in the Gulf of Tonkin in November last year. Photo: Xinhua

China-Asean relations

Will Paracels dispute overshadow China-Vietnam drive for closer strategic ties?

Foreign, defence and public security ministers are to meet after images suggested China had started land reclamation work at Antelope Reef.

13 Mar 2026 - 10:03PM

South China Sea

What’s important about Antelope Reef in the South China Sea’s Paracel Islands?

Reports of extensive reclamation work on the once-submerged feature have prompted questions about its strategic value to Beijing.

13 Mar 2026 - 7:07PMvideocam

United States

Vietnam records world-highest trade surplus with US, surpassing Mexico, China

Vietnam’s exports to the US rose 53 per cent to exceed US$20 billion in January from a year earlier, official data ‌shows.

13 Mar 2026 - 3:30PMvideocam

A container ship sails from the Hai Phong International Container Port in Vietnam. Photo: Reuters

Asean

Philippines urges Asean to be global investment safe haven amid Middle East war

This year’s Asean chair calls on the bloc to ensure investment ‘certainty’ at the opening of the foreign ministers meeting in Manila.

13 Mar 2026 - 12:28PM

Filipinos test ride electric bikes they explore ways to save on transport costs following oil price spikes on Thursday. Photo: AP

Energy

Opinion | Why Asia’s future depends on breaking the shackles of fossil fuels

The choice facing Asia is clear: pay the large, one-time cost of transition or keep paying the unpredictable price of vulnerability.

12 Mar 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

South China Sea

Is Beijing stepping up island building in South China Sea after 10-year pause?

Satellite images suggest that extensive work is taking place at Antelope Reef, which is also claimed by Vietnam.

13 Mar 2026 - 11:43AM

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Vietnam

China’s 7-day hypersonic design; Andy Lau’s Ming mystery: 7 science highlights

From top mathematician on leaving the US to China’s coal-to-medicine feat, here are some highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting.

Why military base on contested Paracels will be of ‘limited’ value to Beijing

Why Vietnam is leaning on Russia to weather energy turmoil

‘Getting worse each day’: why Southeast Asia is vulnerable to the fuel crisis

From Laos to Thailand, long queues are forming at petrol stations while residents are reeling from surging fuel prices.

‘No dispute’: Beijing defends construction on Paracels in South China Sea

China says living conditions and local economy stand to benefit, days after Vietnam states opposition to land-reclamation activities.

Vietnam PM visits Russia to sign energy deal amid Iran war disruption

Since the US-Israel war against Iran began, the cost of 95-octane petrol and diesel in Vietnam has soared by 50 per cent and 70 per cent respectively.

Vietnam protests as China’s Paracels build-up escalates at Antelope Reef

Satellite images suggest accelerated dredging at the disputed South China Sea reef, sparking formal complaint from Hanoi.

China’s exports are booming – so why are plants in this factory hub closing?

Dongguan reflects a growing polarisation in the Chinese economy, with many factories and workers left behind as hi-tech firms surge ahead.

China’s jet designer removed online; US warships’ Malaysia stop: 7 highlights

From US warships’ stop in Penang to Jollibee representing Southeast Asian brands globally, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Cambodia boosts Singapore and Malaysia fuel imports to survive energy crisis

Energy Minister Keo Rottanak says ‘an Asean power grid is the way to go’ as Vietnam and China restrict exports to Phnom Penh.

As Trump ramps up pressure on Cuba, China has ‘very limited options’

Any response from Beijing is likely to be constrained to diplomatic opposition and humanitarian aid, according to analysts.

Hong Kong Tourism Board to woo overnight big spenders, diversify visitor mix

Board executive director Anthony Lau says 75 per cent of its resources will go towards overseas markets.

New US trade offensive threatens to test Asean ties

The trade probes may compel Southeast Asia to continue diversifying away from the US, with analysts predicting recent deals could unravel.

Chinese and Kenyan charged after nearly 2,000 live ants seized

Pair appear in a Nairobi court, accused of supplying ⁠live ants to foreign traffickers.

China, Vietnam agree to live-fire drills in naval exercise boost

Agreement between naval commanders ahead of 40th joint exercise comes as Vietnamese leader To Lam hails ties with China as ‘top priority’.

Asia ramps up coal power generation to avoid soaring LNG costs amid Iran war

LNG prices have doubled to three-year highs as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has all but stopped and Qatar halts shipments.

Vietnam warns of April flight reductions as jet fuel shortage fears deepen

Hanoi seeks new suppliers as China and Thailand halt exports of jet fuel due to the Iran war.

Trump administration can resume ‘third-country’ deportations, appeal court rules

Attorney General Pam Bondi called the ruling, that deports undocumented migrants to countries that are not their own, a ‘key win’.

Deal or no deal? Malaysia-US trade pact in turmoil after minister ‘misspeaks’

First, a minister called the deal dead. Then his ministry backtracked. Now the opposition is demanding answers.

Things ‘I do not like’ led me to quit US for Hong Kong, top mathematician says

The academic also says he is motivated by his vision to make Asia an intellectual powerhouse for science and learning.

Can Asean break free from US-China supply chain grip?

The bloc will look for new markets and deepen regional cooperation to reduce trade uncertainty, economic ministers say.

In joint patrols with China, Vietnam steers course between 2 powers

The Gulf of Tonkin will be the backdrop this week for naval activities despite a five-decade maritime dispute.

Will Paracels dispute overshadow China-Vietnam drive for closer strategic ties?

Foreign, defence and public security ministers are to meet after images suggested China had started land reclamation work at Antelope Reef.

What’s important about Antelope Reef in the South China Sea’s Paracel Islands?

Reports of extensive reclamation work on the once-submerged feature have prompted questions about its strategic value to Beijing.

Vietnam records world-highest trade surplus with US, surpassing Mexico, China

Vietnam’s exports to the US rose 53 per cent to exceed US$20 billion in January from a year earlier, official data ‌shows.

Philippines urges Asean to be global investment safe haven amid Middle East war

This year’s Asean chair calls on the bloc to ensure investment ‘certainty’ at the opening of the foreign ministers meeting in Manila.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Why Asia’s future depends on breaking the shackles of fossil fuels

The choice facing Asia is clear: pay the large, one-time cost of transition or keep paying the unpredictable price of vulnerability.

Is Beijing stepping up island building in South China Sea after 10-year pause?

Satellite images suggest that extensive work is taking place at Antelope Reef, which is also claimed by Vietnam.

Opinion | Why Asia’s future depends on breaking the shackles of fossil fuels