Stories from Ho Chi Minh City · Vietnam

VOH Ho Chi Minh City discussed patriotism among the Gen Z demographic. The western bus station is busy with tourists from nearby provinces. Traffic police are placing coastal alerts in high-traffic or accident-prone areas, not along entire routes. A poetry competition was held where participants were encouraged to follow rules and not cause arguments. The winner would receive a small sum from the organizer to compensate for household chores. The competition aimed to foster a sense of community and shared enjoyment of poetry. One poem read, 'As the flowers bloom, spring returns to the old,' which the village interpreted as a beautiful and profound verse. The broadcast discussed youth patriotism, referencing a poem by Du Fu titled 'Gift to Bai Ma Wang Biao'. The poem describes a poet in a place called Bai Ma Wang Biao.

The Ho Chi Minh City Fintech Center announced 104 strategic pillars to develop a complete fintech ecosystem in Vietnam. Participants include militia forces, armed forces, and runners from 168 wards and communes across the city. Competitions feature 3 km and 5 km races held on central routes including Dong Khoi and Nguyen Hoang. Eligible candidates must have graduated from high school in Vietnam or hold a recognized equivalent foreign diploma. Those with a relevant college diploma or a university degree are also eligible. Applicants for university admission must possess a university degree and submit a resume, a basic citizen profile, and three recent 3x4 color photographs taken within the last six months. The back of each photo must include the applicant's name, year, month, and birth date.

Ho Chi Minh City market management authorities conducted inspections of gold businesses in District 5 and District 6. Three businesses were fined 210 million VND for trading goods with unknown origins. In Thu Duc City, authorities also identified violations involving the issuance of 500 unauthorized documents. The inspections were carried out by Market Management Division No. 5 and Division No. These enforcement actions are part of ongoing regulatory oversight in the region. Market management authorities in Ho Chi Minh City issued fines exceeding 700 million VND following a one-week inspection period. Authorities in Thu Duc City penalized nine organizations 506 million VND and seized jewelry valued at 331 million VND. Inspections in Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces resulted in the seizure of 300 million VND worth of violating goods.

Jensen secured first place in the women's Carambole cycling event traveling from Vung Tau to Thu Dau Mot. The race covered a distance of 141 km. This marks the second time the event has been held in the Ho Chi Minh City area. Despite the win, the results did not alter the overall standings after 20 stages. Five additional champions were identified during the competition held yesterday. Artem Nish secured a victory following a sprint finish after a group of six cyclists attacked 20 km from the finish line. Nish received support from Alex K. Ramm and the Anicolor Camp during the stage. The victory occurred after the group passed two mountain counts. Nish expressed satisfaction with the result and the performance of the Jacante da Cura team.

Vietnam's venture capital market has maintained annual investment levels between $500 million and $600 million in recent years. The country currently hosts approximately 4,000 startups, though most venture capital remains sourced from foreign investors. Specialized financial tools are being utilized to support technology companies from early-stage development through growth phases. Ho Chi Minh City leadership and founding shareholders are actively engaging with these financial instruments to bolster the local ecosystem. Annual investment levels have stabilized at $500-600 million following a 2021 peak of $1.4 billion. The Ho Chi Minh City Party Secretary and various business leaders are supporting financial tools to assist tech enterprises from early stages through growth.

A new trend of bird watching is gaining popularity among young adults, with a 27-year-old noting it's becoming a widespread habit. This surge is attributed to technological advancements, such as apps that identify bird songs and images, making the hobby more accessible. It also offers a way for young people to disconnect from smartphones and cope with stressful modern life, promoting mindfulness and connection with nature.

Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City is preparing to handle over 56,300 passengers, including 32,600 domestic and 23,600 international travelers. The airport has issued warnings to passengers to avoid terminal confusion during the holiday period. Current domestic services are primarily focused on Vietjet operations. Authorities plan to operate 713 flights to meet the increased demand for cargo and passenger services. Ho Chi Minh City officials committed to resolving administrative obstacles to maintain development momentum. Experts suggest the modern Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) airport model could increase provincial GDP by 3% to 10%. Quyen Quoc stated that while achieving two-digit growth remains a challenge, the super airport will transform the area into a hub for high-quality capital.

Traffic is moving slowly in several areas of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Projects scheduled for continuous construction through the holiday include VNDai 2, VNDai 3, Nuc Giao An Phu, My Thuy, and Tang Long Bridge. Management teams will remain on duty 24/7 to ensure project deadlines are met. The donation includes 400 million VND for public works during the 2026 Ha Sanh campaign. Additional funds include 200 million VND for the Ho Chi Minh City Red Cross and 150 million VND each for the Navy Command and the Ho Chi Minh City Police. Vehicles have formed queues exceeding 4 km on Vo Tri Road. Traffic is reported as chaotic at the inter-ward roundabout and highway entrance due to heavy truck and car volume. Traffic police and civil defense forces are on-site attempting to manage the congestion.

Police Colonel Tran Van Hieu led a delegation to Cho Ray Hospital on April 20 to visit two firefighters injured during a factory explosion. The blast occurred when a drum of solvent exploded approximately 10 meters from the officers while they were performing duties. The injured personnel remain under intensive medical observation.

The People's Court of Ho Chi Minh City has opened the first-instance trial for a major drug trafficking case involving Vo Ba Thi Sinh and five Laotian nationals. This represents an increase of over 220 percent compared to previous periods. Major projects involve corporations from South Korea, Singapore, China, and other nations. Targeted sectors for development include high technology, semiconductors, innovation, data centers, logistics, digital economy, and green growth. The total investment value reached 2.71 quadrillion VND. Ho Chi Minh City will invest more than 2.939 trillion VND in local development, according to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee office on April 28. The announcement was reported by VOH. The investment follows a change in the fuel price management schedule due to the upcoming April 30 and May 1 holidays.