Stories from Vietnam

The ASEAN International Organization Secretary-General has called for urgent international support to evacuate sailors trapped in Elbiển Hóng Mút. The call follows escalating river tensions in Trung Đồng. The priority is ensuring the safety and welfare of innocent sailors following a decision by the International Maritime Organization council. This marks the second such incident in a week. Vessels traveling from the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman are avoiding the area. Sailors face risks of food and water shortages alongside potential transit disruptions. Union officials report receiving continuous requests for assistance as families express growing concern. Over 20,000 sailors remain stranded at sea due to maritime restrictions and escalating risks. More than 2,000 commercial vessels are caught in the disruption, affecting global supply chains.

Thanh Nguyen province commenced construction on 10 projects this morning. The projects span industrial infrastructure, social welfare, urban development, and coastal areas. The total investment for these projects exceeds 8.2 trillion VND. These developments are expected to drive local economic growth. Local authorities committed to coordinating with partners to ensure project quality and progress. The projects target residential areas and social welfare to increase local income levels. These initiatives are expected to boost the overall economic momentum of the province. These projects aim to attract new investment capital and create stable employment for local residents. Vuong Quoc Tuan, Chairman of the Thanh Nguyen Provincial People's Committee, stated the province is committed to improving the business investment environment and ensuring administrative transparency.

More than 1,017,000 students are expected to take the National Midterm Test (NMT) abroad.

Vietnam's GDP based on Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) is approaching and has slightly exceeded Thailand's estimated 2025 GDP of $1.881 trillion. The Vietnamese economy is estimated to be approximately $4 billion larger than Thailand's when measured by PPP. In Thai Nguyen province, authorities held a groundbreaking ceremony for 10 key projects to mark the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South. These projects represent a total investment of over 8.2 trillion VND. The projects cover various sectors to celebrate the upcoming national holiday. Vietnam's economy currently exceeds Thailand's by about 4 billion USD in PPP terms. Additionally, Thai Nguyen province began construction on 10 key projects with a total investment exceeding 8.2 trillion VND.

High-ranking officials face allegations of receiving bribes from foreign online gambling networks. The accused include Lieutenant General Okhay Selah, Deputy Director General of the Immigration Department, and Major General Sa Salman, Deputy Chief of Phnom Nhan City Police.

Vietnamese MPT Group has established a strategic cooperation agreement with Intel to apply artificial intelligence in optimizing factory operations. The partnership will utilize Intel's high-speed simulation technology and digital twin capabilities. MPT Group will combine these with its own data platform development and system integration experience. The partnership focuses on advancing semiconductor and AI solutions.

Vietnam reported 12.1 million international tourists visited Hanoi between January and April 2026. This represents a 20.9 percent increase compared to the previous year. Tourism revenue for this period is expected to reach between 5.8 and 6 billion USD. This growth follows a previous year's baseline. The city expects tourism revenue during the upcoming high season. The growth follows a period of recovery in the travel sector. The region expects revenue from tourism to reach 58-60 billion dong during this period.

Authorities issued administrative fines totaling 140 million VND to the Linh Anh Rizin beauty clinic, part of the Linh Anh Beauty Co., Ltd. The facility, located on Mai Chi Tho Boulevard in Phu Loi Ward, Binh Duong, was penalized for providing medical examination and treatment services without a license. The clinic was also cited for false advertising and received a 12-month suspension of its medical services and an order to remove all advertisements.

Hanoi will receive 109 new administrative powers, including 8 entirely new authorities, to allow for faster and more decisive local decision-making. The city will implement decentralized management models to serve as a pilot for the rest of the country. This administrative shift aims to create momentum for the capital's development goals. The process includes establishing principles for exercising these rights to ensure oversight and accountability mechanisms are maintained. Certain specific sectors have been identified by the capital as areas that will not be subject to this decentralization. The city will maintain specific protocols concerning national security, defense, foreign affairs, and religion. These mechanisms are intended to ensure that local decisions do not compromise national safety.

Nha Khoa Mastery, a limited liability company located on Thong Nhat Street in Dong Hoa Ward, was fined 160 million VND for providing medical examination services without a license and advertising before commencing operations. The facility was also ordered to suspend operations for 18 months and remove all advertisements. Additionally, Viet Khang Group, a limited liability company on Tran Dinh Xu Street in Cau Am Ward, was fined for providing medical services exceeding its permitted scope. Additionally, a practitioner named Mr. Te was fined 35 million VND for practicing beyond his professional scope and using a certificate belonging to another individual for 22 months. The authorities also suspended his professional practice certificate for 22 months and imposed a 5 million VND fine. The incident occurred in Ho Chi Minh City.