The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has received petitions from voters in Ninh Binh Province, forwarded by the National Assembly’s Committee on Petitions and Supervision. Notably, voters emphasized the requirement for effective salary reform in line with the roadmap stipulated in Resolution No 27 of the Central Committee, thereby contributing to the enhanced operational efficiency of grassroots governments. Calculating new salariesIn response, MHA stated that Resolution No 27 on salary policy reform for officials, civil servants, public employees, the armed forces, and workers in enterprises clearly defines the factors for designing new salary tables. It also expands salary relationships as a basis for determining specific salary levels within the salary system. Among them, 94.6 percent of officials and civil servants possess qualifications and expertise suitable for their job positions.

The accident scene where a passenger bus carrying a charity group overturns in Phinh Ho Commune, Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam, December 27, 2025. The bus was transporting a charity delegation heading directly to Hoa My Kindergarten, previously located in Ban Mu Commune and now part of Phinh Ho Commune. The crashed bus lies severely damaged at the site of the accident in Phinh Ho Commune, Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam, December 27, 2025. The passenger bus is badly crushed after being turned upright by rescue teams in Phinh Ho Commune, Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam, December 27, 2025. Officials from the provincial police and other emergency services were dispatched immediately to provide first aid, rescue the injured, and secure the scene.

When digital trust is no longer optionalFilip Graovac, Deputy Country Representative of The Asia Foundation (TAF) in Vietnam, said digital trust is the foundation of all business activities in the digital environment. “Digital trust is not optional, it is essential,” he emphasized, noting that this trust directly translates into consumer confidence, repeat purchases, and a company’s reputation within the community. He warned that when digital trust erodes, businesses tend to withdraw from the digital environment. Accessible solutions for small businessesFacing these challenges, experts believe that building digital trust must start with people and communities. Small businesses have strong demand for basic security tools but are constrained by cost and human resource bottlenecks.

A strange thing happened: despite being buried for seven years, the body remained perfectly intact when the coffin was opened. Gradually, it became his profession.”In his nearly 10 years of work, Nam has encountered three other such "difficult" cases. As long as the reburial is meticulous and the deceased is settled in a clean "new home," his mind is at peace. At first, seeing her husband immersed in “work for the dead” night after night, Nhung felt uneasy. Helping others brings some income, and my conscience feels at peace.” From then on, he received full support from his wife and children.

However, VCCI argues that the 1 billion VND revenue threshold may be inconsistent with existing tax calculation benchmarks, which are currently set at 3 billion VND and 50 billion VND. Survey highlights challengesA VCCI survey conducted in June 2025 revealed persistent difficulties among household businesses earning over 1 billion VND. For businesses below that threshold, VCCI suggests enhancing tax monitoring using alternative data sources instead of requiring universal e-invoice compliance. He believes the 1 billion VND threshold is sensible. Raising the threshold may shrink e-invoice coverageDr. Tu warns that increasing the threshold to 3 billion VND could unintentionally exempt nearly all household businesses from e-invoicing.

More than three decades ago, Do Son casino in Hai Phong made history as the first licensed gambling venue in Vietnam. Vietnam’s first legal casino fades into memoryAccording to local authorities in Do Son ward, the casino was granted pilot operating status in 1992. At its peak, Do Son casino was a flamboyant symbol of Vietnam's opening economy and tourism aspirations. Architectural elegance now lost to timeDesigned in European Renaissance style, Do Son casino featured ornate facades, intricate motifs, and luxurious materials including marble, premium wood, and gilded metals. Do Son casino now bears a scruffy, neglected appearance.

A house fire along National Highway 14 in Dak Lak Province, Vietnam kills four members of the same family and left a newborn baby severely injured, December 27, 2025. Flames engulf a house along National Highway 14 in Dak Lak Province, Vietnam, killing four members of the same family and leaving a newborn baby severely injured, December 27, 2025. A house fire along National Highway 14 in Dak Lak Province, Vietnam kills four members of the same family and left a newborn baby severely injured, December 27, 2025. An aerial view of a house fire along National Highway 14 in Dak Lak Province, Vietnam that kills four members of the same family and left a newborn baby severely injured, December 27, 2025. The couple’s newborn baby, less than one month old, was rescued alive but suffered severe burns and is currently receiving intensive treatment at a hospital.

Hotels receive recognition for maintaining smoke-free environments at a ceremony held in Hanoi on December 24, 2025. Photo: T.HoaHealth experts described the trend as a positive signal for both community well-being and the overall quality of Vietnam’s tourism services. The findings were highlighted at the first-ever ceremony honoring ‘Outstanding Smoke-Free Hotels,’ held on Wednesday in Hanoi. These included disseminating tobacco harm prevention regulations to staff and guests through internal rules, signage, leaflets, and direct guidance. “In addition to no-smoking signs, we inform guests that smoking in rooms will result in penalties,” the representative said.

Mang Den Ultra Trail 2026 will take place from January 16 to 18, 2026 in Mang Den Commune, Quang Ngai Province, central Vietnam. -- Cold air may continue to dominate northern Vietnam on Saturday, bringing chilly temperatures, fog, and severe cold in mountainous areas, while southern Vietnam could experience sunny daytime conditions, according to the national weather agency. Ho Chi Minh City-- Ho Chi Minh City lawmakers on Friday approved investment policies for the Can Gio Bridge and the Phu My 2 Bridge under the public-private partnership model, clearing the way for two major transport projects worth more than VND36.386 trillion (US$1.38 billion) to improve connectivity at the city’s southern and southeastern gateways. -- Ho Chi Minh City plans to spend more than VND156 trillion ($6 billion) in compensation to relocate about 20,000 homes built along canals and rivers by 2030, aiming to improve living conditions, reduce pollution, and upgrade urban infrastructure, according to a proposal submitted by the city’s construction authority. -- Mang Den Ultra Trail 2026 will take place from January 16 to 18, 2026, in Mang Den Commune, Quang Ngai Province, offering runners five challenging distances through pristine forests and local culture.

Instead of a January debut, the Galaxy S26 is now rumored to be unveiled in February and officially available for purchase in March. A concept Galaxy S26 Ultra. Meanwhile, a report from Korea Economic Daily confirmed that Samsung has officially ceased development of the Galaxy S26 Edge. While no official date has been confirmed, launching the Galaxy S26 in February wouldn’t be unprecedented. The Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S22 both debuted in February, as did the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy S10, with availability typically following in March.

Duy is among those honored in the “Outstanding and Excellent Ethnic Minority Students 2025” program organized by the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs. Overjoyed at 28.25 - with a touch of regretNguyen Hoang Duy, born 2007, Khmer ethnic group, scored 28.25 and entered the Faculty of Chemical Engineering at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. His parents couldn’t guide him through complex formulas, but they taught him something more valuable: diligence and perseverance. “The way my father looked at me - proud and emotional - made me feel twice as happy,” Duy said. “While city students - especially those at specialized schools - solve complex problems easily, I struggled just to keep up.”When he decided to join the national gifted student exam, Duy felt overwhelmed.

The new anode-free battery allows electric vehicles to travel nearly twice as far without increasing size. The innovation lies in the anode-free architecture of the lithium metal cell. Meanwhile, the custom electrolyte promotes the formation of a stable surface layer of Li₂O and Li₃N on the lithium metal, enhancing ion transport and protecting the electrode throughout repeated use. Professor Park emphasized that the research marks a significant advance in addressing both the performance and durability issues of anode-free lithium metal batteries. The study has been published in Advanced Materials and has been hailed as one of the most promising breakthroughs in electric vehicle battery technology in recent years.

Nguyen Xuan Vu, vice president of the Vietnam Football Federation, speaks after the federation’s annual congress in Hanoi, December 26, 2025. Nguyen Xuan Vu, a VFF vice president, said the under-21 squad would form the core of Vietnam's Olympic team, allowing players to gain experience ahead of future regional and international tournaments. He said the age group would be eligible for the 2027 Southeast Asian Games and that several Asian football powers, including Japan and South Korea, have previously used younger squads at the Asian Games to prepare for Olympic qualification. Vietnam took a similar approach at the 2022 Asian Games, held in China in 2023, when a largely under-20 squad represented the country in the men's tournament. The 2026 Asian Games will be held in Japan from September 19 to October 4.

Decree 296/2025, which governs the enforcement of administrative penalty decisions, will take effect from January 1, 2026, replacing Decree 166/2013. Under the new decree, if shared business assets are insufficient to pay fines, authorities may seize personal property from members of household businesses or families. Expanded scope of asset seizureDecree 296/2025 clarifies the sources from which penalties may be collected and assets seized in cases involving organizations, household businesses, family units, cooperatives, and community groups. For household businesses, family-run operations, or cooperatives, enforcement will first target shared funds and assets. Wage and income deductions allowedThe decree introduces a mechanism for partial wage or income deductions from individuals.

Seven suspects have been charged with digging up dead, diseased pigs in Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam, and then slaughtering, processing, and distributing the meat to the market. Of these, 146 pigs had already been butchered, 125 were dead but intact, and 33 were still alive but severely weakened. Investigators estimated the total value of the seized pigs at about VND850 million (US$32,400). Laboratory tests conducted on 304 samples revealed that 295 tested positive for African swine fever, a highly contagious and deadly viral disease in pigs. Khanh Hoa police said the suspects’ actions seriously violated food safety regulations, threatened consumer health and lives, disrupted the livestock industry, and caused environmental pollution.