Special mechanisms set to boost investment appeal of HCM City
The resolution provides the key legal framework for advancing the Cai Mep Ha Free Trade Zone (FTZ), attracting strategic investors and supporting economic expansion across the southern key economic region. It is designed as a “super seaport city”, integrating transport, logistics, hi-tech industry and financial services. Experts say the project could help resolve existing administrative and infrastructure bottlenecks in HCM City. According to the economist, the special mechanisms within the Cai Mep Ha FTZ will also enable the application of digital technology from licensing to operational monitoring. This will transform the area into a modern port city, integrating multimodal transport infrastructure by sea, road and air via Long Thanh International Airport, creating a logistics gateway for the southern key economic region./.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 04, 2026 17:19 UTC
Vietnam requests Netflix to remove film over maps featuring “U-shaped line”
In a January 3 notice to Netflix, the department said it had received information that the film was being distributed online in Vietnam via Netflix’s website https://www.netflix.com and app. The 27-episode series is currently available in the country up to episode 25. Netflix has rated the series T13 (13+), making it suitable for viewers aged 13 and older. The department classified “Shine on me” as a C-rated film - prohibited from distribution - citing violations under Point d, Clause 1, Article 9 of the 2022 Law on Cinematography. Under Clause 2, Article 15 of Government Decree No.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 04, 2026 16:33 UTC
2025 in pictures: Unforgettable moments captured on VietnamNet
The year also marked a turning point in Vietnam’s administrative reform, as the government restructured local units from provincial to communal levels to streamline operations and bolster socio-economic development. Under a resolution passed by the National Assembly in June 2025, the number of provincial-level units was reduced from 63 to 34, including 6 centrally administered cities and 28 provinces. This major consolidation aimed to cut bureaucracy, reduce management layers, and enhance the efficiency of local governance. It laid the groundwork for organizational stability ahead of the 2026–2031 Party Congress cycle. Photos: Hoang Ha, Nguyen Hue
Source:VietNamNet News
January 04, 2026 11:02 UTC
Vietnam’s agro-forestry-fishery exports turn tables, hit $70bn in 2025
Workers process fish at a seafood export firm in An Giang Province, southern Vietnam. According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (Vinafruit), China remained Vietnam’s largest fruit and vegetable buyer in 2025, making up more than 60 percent of the latter's total fruit and vegetable exports. Europe emerged as a bright spot, with fruit and vegetable exports to the EU surging 40 percent from 2024. Seafood reaches an all-time highSeafood exports also hit a historic high of $11.32 billion last year. Vinafruit’s Nguyen believes fruit and vegetable exports of $9-10 billion in 2026 are well within reach.
Source:Tuoitre News
January 04, 2026 09:55 UTC
Apple falters in the AI race despite a year of hardware triumphs
Back in June 2024, Apple introduced "Apple Intelligence" at WWDC with fanfare and bold promises. By March 2025, Apple was forced to admit that it couldn’t get things to work as intended. Many suspected that Apple Intelligence, though attractive in concept, lacked real substance. A significant portion of Apple Intelligence was pushed into 2026. In the end, 2025 was the year Apple reaffirmed its excellence in hardware, delivering a string of impressive new products.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 04, 2026 08:31 UTC
American man finds home, love, and legacy in Vietnam
Gratitude for a Vietnamese mother’s love“From my earliest moments, from the love I received at home, Vietnam became a core part of me. Christian grew up surrounded by the love of his Vietnamese mother. Growing up under the care of a Vietnamese mother, Christian experienced a childhood rich in cultural warmth. “I came to serve, but in the end, Vietnam gave me invaluable lessons in humanity, humility, and gratitude.”Alongside his loving mother, Vietnam also gifted him something else: a beautiful and gentle wife. In November 2022, after three years of long-distance love, Christian felt ready.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 04, 2026 08:06 UTC
Vietnam football 2026: From Southeast Asia to Asian giants
Vietnam U23 team kicks off 2026 with the AFC U23 Asian Cup this January. The men’s national team triumphed at the ASEAN Cup, the U23s claimed the Southeast Asian U23 Championship, and the year concluded with a euphoric victory at the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand. Historic milestone: 7 national teams reach Asian finalsThe biggest headline is that seven Vietnamese national teams have qualified for the final rounds of Asian competitions in 2026 - an unprecedented achievement. Only Vietnam and Japan achieved this in 2025Among Southeast Asian nations, Vietnam stands alone in reaching this level of comprehensive qualification in 2025. Even more impressive, most Vietnamese teams qualified with perfect winning records, demonstrating technical stability and mental fortitude.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 04, 2026 07:26 UTC
Vietnam voices deep concern over Venezuelan situation, urges restraint
Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang. Photo: Ministry of Foreign AffairsThe foreign ministry's spokesperson Pham Thu Hang made the statement on Saturday in response to reporters’ questions about Vietnam’s position on the unfolding situation in Venezuela. Vietnam also urges all parties to refrain from the use or threat of force in international relations, she stated. U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was detained and removed from Caracas following a large-scale operation. Maduro was described as wearing gray clothing, handcuffed, and escorted by more than a dozen federal agents dressed in black.
Source:Tuoitre News
January 04, 2026 07:25 UTC
Breakfast @ Tuoi Tre News - January 4
Young people in Ho Chi Minh City take part in a pottery-making class during the New Year 2026 holiday. -- Vietnamese Ambassador to Venezuela Vu Trung My confirmed on Saturday that all Vietnamese citizens in Venezuela were safe, according to the Vietnam News Agency. Society-- Traffic police on Saturday found that a passenger bus traveling on the Phan Thiet - Vinh Hao Expressway in south-central Vietnam had committed serious traffic violations. Officers then imposed a total fine of over VND60 million (US$2,280) on the vehicle operator. Ho Chi Minh City-- Traffic police in Ho Chi Minh City recorded nearly 6,400 violations of traffic safety regulations from Wednesday to Friday, including 2,075 drunk-driving cases, an officer said on Saturday.
Source:Tuoitre News
January 04, 2026 07:24 UTC
The new math of work: When quitting changed meaning
Their stories reflect a reality that even though the nine-to-five norm has not vanished, its meaning has changed. But for many young workers today, that promise wears like an old coat that no longer keeps out the cold. Young workers were not celebrating balance or ease. Many young workers, he observes, are searching for a 'dream company,' when the more pressing question is whether the work itself leads anywhere beyond the role. "Young employees want to know what they're doing actually leads somewhere," he explains.
Source:Tuoitre News
January 04, 2026 07:20 UTC
From defense to education, US–Vietnam cooperation expands in 2025
Ambassador Knapper shared, “As 2025 comes to a close, we commemorate an extraordinary milestone - 30 years of U.S.–Vietnam diplomatic relations. Ambassador Marc E. Knapper and the Harvard University delegation visit the National Archives Center III in Hanoi. A special report titled Vietnam Matters to America, America Matters to Vietnam was also published, using data and statistics to illustrate the depth of bilateral cooperation. According to Ambassador Knapper, these events symbolize the growing maturity of the bilateral defense relationship. General Phan Van Giang, Vietnam’s Minister of Defense, and U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth exchange wartime memorabilia.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 04, 2026 04:30 UTC
Cold wave hits Hanoi, temperatures to dip to 10°C
Mountainous areas may experience severe cold and frost. From the night of January 4 into January 5, northern Vietnam will see light and scattered rain. Mountainous and midland areas in the north are expected to suffer from severe cold, with the potential for freezing temperatures. The lowest temperatures during this cold spell in northern Vietnam, Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An are forecast to range from 10°C to 13°C. In mountainous areas, the mercury may drop to between 7°C and 10°C, and even below 5°C in higher elevations.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 04, 2026 04:15 UTC
In Vietnam, couple fined for cooking on railway tracks
A still image shows a married couple cooking on railway tracks in Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam. The provincial traffic police unit on Saturday issued a combined VND800,000 (US$30.4) administrative fine against the couple for violating railway safety regulations. Many described the behavior as a violation of the law, a disregard for personal safety, and a threat to railway traffic safety. A clip showing a married couple cooking on railway tracks in Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam surfaces on local social media. Based on current regulations, the provincial traffic police booked the offenders and imposed the fine on the couple.
Source:Tuoitre News
January 04, 2026 03:49 UTC
Vietnam fines boat captain for alcohol violation while carrying S.Korean tourists in Nha Trang Bay
Waterway traffic police in Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam said they had found a tour boat captain in violation of alcohol limits during an inspection. Photo: Nguyen HoangThe captain told officers he had consumed alcohol the night before but still operated the passenger boat the following morning, according to police. Officers later conducted alcohol tests on the captain of another passenger boat, which had just docked at Nha Trang’s tourist pier after carrying nearly 10 passengers. Rusty and damaged fire extinguishers were found on several tourist boats during a waterway safety inspection, police said. Khanh Hoa waterway traffic police conduct a breath alcohol test on a tour boat captain at Nha Trang’s tourist pier on January 3, 2026.
Source:Tuoitre News
January 04, 2026 03:04 UTC
Vietnam voices concern about developments in Venezuela
The spokesperson called on all sides to exercise restraint, engage in dialogue, and resolve disputes and differences based on international law. She emphasized the importance of efforts that contribute to peace, security, stability, and cooperation in the region and globally. On January 3, US President Donald Trump announced that American forces had detained Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Prior to the announcement of his capture, President Maduro had declared a nationwide state of emergency. At a press conference, President Trump stated: “We will govern Venezuela until a safe, appropriate, and cautious transition of power can take place.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 04, 2026 02:50 UTC