Students at Tan Quy Primary School were brought home for lunch after the school suspended meal services. In coordination with the HCMC Police and the Market Surveillance Agency, authorities have expanded investigations into Sago Food, located in Hiep Phuoc Commune. Nine companies supplying ingredients to Sago Food are now also under scrutiny, while 12 schools have been instructed to suspend all semi-boarding lunch services involving the company's products. At Tan Quy Primary School, the impact was immediately visible. In the interim, schools are expected to develop temporary plans to manage lunch services safely and effectively.

The opening stage of the 2025/26 LPBank V-League has yet to deliver a truly sharp impression. Prior to the break - which allowed the national U23 team to participate in the SEA Games and the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup - the season had yet to find its rhythm. Currently, a dozen V-League clubs have contributed players to the U23 national team, and many believe the team’s recent achievements can bring new energy to domestic football. After impressive performances in West Asia, several U23 players - including Dinh Bac, Trung Kien, Ly Duc, and Nhat Minh - are now seen as candidates for regular V-League action. But in a season that has so far lacked momentum, these rising stars may well be the shot of adrenaline Vietnamese football needs.

The Phan Thiet fish sauce craft has been practiced for about three centuries by coastal communities in south-central Vietnam. Today, the city is home to over 200 facilities involved in fish sauce production and distribution. Collectively, they supply tens of millions of liters of various fish sauce products to the market annually. The Phan Thiet Fish Sauce Association currently counts 48 members, including five joint-stock companies, 29 limited liability companies, one private enterprise, and 13 production facilities. The move to seek national heritage status is expected to safeguard the cultural identity embedded in Phan Thiet’s fish sauce brand, enhancing its visibility and value both domestically and internationally.

Traffic police officers check drivers for alcohol violations. Some users have claimed that these regulations will see major adjustments in 2026, particularly in relation to drink-driving violations - legally referred to as DUI (Driving Under the Influence). Several platforms have also spread the claim that the fines for DUI - whether involving motorcycles, cars, or even bicycles - will be considerably raised. However, the Traffic Police Agency has confirmed that Decree 168/2024 remains in effect and that there has been no change to the prescribed penalties. The levels of fines for alcohol violations are still being applied as stipulated in the current legal framework, with no increases planned at this time.

Photo: Truong Trung / Tuoi TreFor decades, informal use of sidewalks by street vendors, parked vehicles, cafés, and market stalls has pushed pedestrians onto roadways, creating safety risks and degrading the urban environment. The effort has led to clearer promenades in several key wards, with authorities saying most violations were resolved without dispute once regulations were explained. Others warned that removing vendors and street seating could erode the distinctive character that draws people to Vietnam’s cities. Proponents of the campaign within Vietnam argue that reclaiming sidewalks is part of a broader push for urban civility and modernization. They challenge the idea that sidewalk culture is inherently authentic, saying pedestrian safety and livability should outweigh nostalgia for cluttered streets.

Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong (R) holds talks with European Council President António Costa in Hanoi, January 29, 2026. During the talks, Cuong, on behalf of the Vietnamese state and people, warmly welcomed Costa on his official visit to Vietnam from Wednesday to Thursday, describing it as historically significant. President Cuong said the visit opened a new chapter in Vietnam-EU relations, with both sides agreeing to elevate ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi TreCosta said he was honored to be the first European guest to visit Vietnam following the 14th National Party Congress. An overview of the talks between Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong and European Council President António Costa in Hanoi, January 29, 2026.

AI becomes a tool for deceptionVu Duy Hien, Deputy Secretary-General and Chief of Office of the NCA, noted that 2025 saw a surge in online scams using AI, deepfakes, and identity fraud. These technologies are now being used to impersonate individuals, organizations, and businesses - especially during peak shopping and travel seasons. Four major online scams to watch for this TetLieutenant Colonel Le Thanh Binh from the Department of Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention (A05) outlined four key tactics cybercriminals are expected to use over the holiday:1. Fake travel websites and social media pagesFraudsters create websites, Facebook accounts, or even verified fanpages that mimic reputable homestays, travel agencies, or ticket sellers. Malware via fake booking emailsScammers impersonate well-known booking platforms and send emails to hospitality providers with subjects like booking confirmations, customer complaints, payment updates, or cancellation requests.

A screen grab shows the Group B standings at the 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup, confirming Thailand and Vietnam have both qualified for the quarterfinals. Thailand’s players celebrate after scoring during their 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup match against Kuwait in Indonesia, January 29, 2026. Vietnam’s futsal team at the 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup in Indonesia. Thailand currently top Group B on goal difference, with a +7 margin compared with Vietnam’s +3. The 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup is being held in Indonesia from January 27 to February 7, featuring 16 teams from across the continent.

Spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang. Photo: Ministry of Foreign AffairsA day earlier, the official Facebook page of the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam and the X account of the Board of Peace stated that Vietnam had become a founding member of the Board of Peace, an American government-led international organization. Screenshots of posts by the Board of Peace and the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam regarding Vietnam’s founding membership in the Board of PeaceIn that spirit, Vietnam supports the peace plan for ending the Gaza conflict, adopted by the UN Security Council in Resolution 2803 on November 17, 2025, and it has accepted the invitation to join the Board of Peace to implement this plan. “Vietnam will actively cooperate with members of the Board of Peace in implementing the peace plan, thereby ending the conflict in the Gaza Strip and promoting sustainable peace in the Middle East on the basis of a two-state solution in line with international law, the UN Charter, and relevant UN resolutions,” Hang added. On January 16, U.S. President Donald Trump sent a letter to Party General Secretary To Lam, inviting him and Vietnam to join the Board of Peace as a founding member, together with the international community, to promote a sustainable peace solution to the Israel–Palestine conflict in the Gaza Strip.

The policy is part of broader reforms aimed at promoting fairness in admissions by limiting the excessive advantages some applicants gain through international test results. Photo: Pham HaiBonus points are typically awarded for national and international academic achievements, special talents, or qualifications such as foreign language certificates. He noted that while certificates like IELTS are valuable indicators of certain skills, they should not overshadow core academic performance. "Excessive bonus points for language certificates introduce inequities." A standardized national approach to conversion tables, coupled with a reasonable bonus point cap, would ensure consistency across the system.

Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam (R) and President of the European Council (EC) António Costa. -- To date, Vietnam has had 15 comprehensive strategic partners spanning Asia, Europe, and the Americas, with the most recent being the EU. Ho Chi Minh City-- The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has issued a decision to establish the Planning and Architecture Center under the municipal Department of Planning and Architecture, based on the merger of several units. -- The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction has licensed 91 sidewalk locations for electric battery-swapping cabinets on several downtown streets, and is currently announcing eligible sites. Education-- Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City plans to roll out multiple incentives to attract leading scientists and top experts for research and teaching in the coming months.

Xuan Son celebrates his second goal against Lion City Sailors. Lion City played with a deep defensive setup while Nam Dinh focused on slow, deliberate build-up play. In the 25th minute, Tuan Anh was brought down in the box, but VAR denied Nam Dinh a penalty. The second half saw Lion City push forward in search of an equalizer, but their commitment upfield exposed gaps at the back. With this win, Nam Dinh remains at the top of Group B with a perfect 12 points from four matches.

President Luong Cuong and European Council President Antonio Costa during their bilateral meeting. President Cuong reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to strengthening ties with the EU, which he called one of the country’s most important diplomatic partners. He emphasized Vietnam’s desire to build a deeper and more comprehensive relationship with both the EU and its member states. He commended Vietnam’s impressive development achievements and emphasized the country’s central role in the EU’s ASEAN and Indo-Pacific strategies. He said the EU sees tremendous potential for expanded cooperation with Vietnam in trade, sustainable development, innovation, ocean economy, governance, security, and people-to-people exchange.

(Photo: T.C)But when she arrived, the shop had already run out of queue numbers for gold rings - with dozens still waiting inside. "Gold prices are sky-high right now. As for SJC gold bars, buyers are now required to register online in advance. SJC’s 1–5 chỉ rings were quoted at 186.8–189.8 million VND per tael (buy–sell), a surge of 6.1 million VND on both ends. Back home, even as domestic gold prices repeatedly smash previous records, Vietnamese investors show little interest in taking profits.

Vietnam’s futsal team celebrates a second straight win at the AFC Futsal Championship 2026. With two early goals in hand, coach Diego Giustozzi's players shifted to a more controlled pace, prioritizing structure and defensive stability. In the second half, despite being reduced to four men after a red card for Ngoc Linh and having to face Lebanon’s power-play tactics, Vietnam maintained their discipline and organization. Coach Giustozzi: "Focus shifts to Thailand"Speaking after the match, coach Diego Giustozzi expressed satisfaction with the result and the team’s overall composure. The players handled the 3-on-4 situation excellently, keeping our goal safe.”Despite the early goals, Giustozzi admitted Vietnam could have scored more with better final passes and sharper finishing.