Stories from Hanoi · Vietnam

Vietnam is deploying 3D scanning and blockchain technology to secure and preserve national heritage resources. Vietnam's libraries are adopting new digital thinking to manage knowledge resources. The goal is to optimize intellectual assets, enhance competitiveness, and promote innovation. This involves converting physical documents into digital data for easier searching and sharing. Centralized storage and management systems will be used to disseminate knowledge to the public, supporting national digital transformation. The National Library of Vietnam, along with libraries in Hanoi, Phu Tho, and Bac Ninh provinces, are facing numerous opportunities. The state needs to implement suitable investment policies, including sustainable funding for information resources like books, magazines, and foreign materials.

President Lee Jae-myung arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam, to begin an official tour and host a luncheon for the Korean diaspora. He highlighted the growth of the Korean community in Vietnam to 200,000 people, making it the largest in ASEAN and the fifth largest globally. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties as the Korean-Vietnamese community is projected to reach $150 billion by 2030. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed condolences to victims of the recent train accident in Vietnam. The Vice President also visited 200 policy-beneficiary households, poor households, and workers. Additionally, 200 scholarships were provided to underprivileged children with high academic achievements. The visit aimed to elevate the strategic partnership between the two nations to a higher level.

Vietnam's textile and garment exports are projected to reach $10.54 billion this year, representing a slight increase of 20%. The Vietnam Textile and Garment Group is actively implementing solutions to accelerate production and meet customer orders ahead of schedule to mitigate global supply chain shifts. This growth comes as the industry focuses on technological upgrades and proactive market adaptation to maintain competitiveness. The province of Quang Ninh alone has over 8,000 fishing vessels with more than 40,000 horsepower directly engaged in seafood exploitation. Authorities are said sustainable fishing methods that combine traditional practices with responsible exploitation trends.

The Politburo has officially decided to establish the Central Theoretical Council for the new term. The General Secretary announced the formation of the council during a recent conference. This new body is intended to guide political and theoretical development within the country. This leadership role is part of ongoing governance structures within the Vietnamese political system. The appointment involves members of the Politburo and Secretariat for the new National Assembly term.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has announced an adjustment to flight coordination parameters, increasing capacity to 46 flights per hour during daytime hours from April 25 to May 5. This initiative aims to meet growing passenger demand and is part of a long-term 10-year national aviation development project spanning 2026 to 2035. The move is expected to improve connectivity and operational efficiency across the country's airspace. Vietnam Airlines plans to increase flight frequency by 10-15% compared to regular schedules during the April 30 and May 1 holiday period. The airline expects to serve a total of 652 flights on the peak day of April 29. Independent candidates must complete document submissions between May 5 and May 9 following online registration. This adjustment follows the exploitation plans of the H.H.H.C and C.H.C.T.N.

Vietnam is navigating new economic drivers and structural challenges as it seeks to maintain its growth momentum in 2026. Mandatory waste source classification became law on January 1, 2025, under Government Decree 45 of the Environmental Protection Law. Violators face fines ranging from 500,000 to 1,000,000 VND. Implementation remains difficult due to challenges in identifying and recording specific violations in practice. Vietnam faces difficulties implementing waste sorting regulations required to build a circular economy. Enforcement is hindered by inadequate infrastructure, including a lack of sorting bins and collection systems that fail to separate waste. Authorities noted that while regulations exist, practical implementation and the ability to issue fines are currently limited by these logistical gaps.

Vietnamese officials are advocating for more rigorous measures and specific legal sanctions to prevent child drowning incidents. Experts suggest that while mandatory swimming lessons in schools may be difficult due to budget constraints, extracurricular programs and creating 'safe home environments' are essential. The push comes as part of a broader effort to improve child safety through better supervision and infrastructure. Statistics in Vietnam show more than 2,000 children die from drowning every year. Drowning is cited as one of the leading causes of death among children in the country. Authorities and families are urged to monitor children constantly to prevent accidents near lakes, rivers, and streams. Local governments are advised to install warning signs to protect children.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Vietnam has called on local authorities and businesses to accelerate the development of creative night tourism products. This law replaces previous provisions on judicial assistance for prisoner transfers. The 2025 law, comprising 4 chapters and 48 articles, designates the Ministry of Public Security as the central focal point for procedures. It also allows for electronic submission of case files and documents. Article 25 of the 2025 Law on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons stipulates conditions for transferring prisoners. By the end of 2025, the country is expected to have over 36,000 cooperatives and 153 cooperative unions. There are also more than 81,000 cooperative groups. The average annual revenue per cooperative is estimated at approximately 3,185 million VND.