Stories from Vietnam

The Vietnam Health Ministry is seeking feedback from various ministries and local health departments regarding a draft circular to amend certain laws in Circular 03/2023. The proposal suggests a staffing quota of 15 employees per commune health station. The draft also includes a mechanism to adjust personnel based on regional population scales. For health stations in zones 1 and 2 with populations exceeding 6,000, staffing would increase for every additional 2,000 residents.

Authorities in Dong Nai province have approved the planning for a new Digital Technology Zone near Long Thanh Airport. The development aims to bolster regional technological infrastructure.

Hanoi will provide a 30% interest rate subsidy for individuals purchasing electric motorcycles via installment plans. The subsidy applies to the total contract value for loan terms not exceeding 12 months. The initiative aims to support the transition from fossil fuel-powered motorcycles to electric alternatives. This follows the pilot of a low emission zone in the Hoan Kiem district. Additionally, the city will support residents through equivalent value public transport service credits.

Hanoi is piloting a low emission zone in the Hoan Kiem ward to support urban transport greening. The city is also working on pedestrian routes and expanding walking corridors. These measures are part of a comprehensive solution for urban environmental management. Hanoi will pilot restrictions on motorbike and car usage in specific streets including Nguyen Huu Huan and Ly Thai To. Under the resolution, vehicles will be prohibited during certain timeframes or in specific zones. Motorbikes are scheduled to be banned from 18:00 to 24:00 on Fridays, and from 06:00 to 24:00 on Saturdays and Sundays. The zone will cover 0.5 square kilometers across 11 streets in the Hoan Kiem district. The area has a circumference of 3.5 kilometers and a population of approximately 20,000 people.

Vietnamese authorities launched a coordinated raid on July 5, 2025, targeting a major fraud operation in the Tam Sac Vang Economic Zone, Cao Bang province. The operation, designated Case 625T, resulted in the arrest of ringleader Hoang Van Trung, born in 1994, in a local bar. Police seized over 230 mobile phones, 292 laptops, 36 desktop computers, and thousands of SIM cards and projectors. Investigators also recovered two large boxes containing hundreds of notebooks detailing meticulously prepared fraud scripts used for psychological manipulation and asset theft. Two large cardboard boxes containing hundreds of notebooks were also recovered, which contained detailed fraudulent scripts used to manipulate victims. The arrest occurred while the suspect was hiding in a bar.

The Commonsa Iapa organization has conducted educational sessions for over 200 cases of youth violations during the past four months. Vietnamese authorities are penalizing young individuals for traffic violations, including passengers lying down without seatbelts or interfering with drivers. Such actions risk warnings or fines between 5 and 50 yuan. The authorities said the extreme risk of passengers lying down during high-speed driving, which can lead to severe injury or death in case of sudden braking or collision. Illegal modification of vehicle seats into beds also faces penalties. Vietnam is focusing on science and technology creativity for young people, providing mechanisms and policies for them to develop their ideas. The Center for Development of Science and Technology for Youth has established a global network connecting young scientists.

Police in Buon Ma Thuot have detained two individuals for suspected drug-related crimes. The suspects include a 36-year-old identified as DTTH and a 35-year-old identified as VTT. Both individuals were residents of Buon Ma Thuot, specifically from Thanh Nhat and Tan Hoa wards. They are being held for criminal investigation regarding the illegal use and trafficking of narcotics. Authorities are coordinating with the Ministry of Public Security's C04 Department to pursue the case. Police in Dak Lak province detained two individuals on April 2, 2026, for allegedly organizing illegal drug use and trafficking. The operation involved 200 officers from various specialized departments. The suspects are identified as 36-year-old DTTH from Thanh Nhat Ward and 35-year-old VTT from Tan Hoa Ward.

Police in Ca Mau province have initiated criminal proceedings and searched the residence and workplace of Vu Bien, born in 1984, in Khanh An commune. The suspect is facing charges for the illegal sale of flowers. Investigations indicate the illegal activity occurred between June 2022 and June 2023. The suspect has been placed under house arrest.

High-tech crime units are coordinating with functional authorities to investigate the illegal sale of tickets for the Cata Van Ha Long 2026 event. The event is scheduled for 20:00 on April 30 at the 30th April Square and is intended to be entirely free of charge. Illegal accounts have been observed selling tickets for prices ranging from 200,000 to 500,000 VND.

The project was funded by the state budget and became operational in August 2025. The facility includes modern infrastructure and essential medical equipment such as ultrasound machines, electrocardiogram machines, oxygen tanks, and medical tools. Dr. Trang Minh Tri, Director of the Lai Hoa commune medical center, confirmed the facility meets Ministry of Health standards. The facility includes examination rooms, duty rooms, first aid and emergency rooms, vaccine rooms, and obstetrics rooms. The station notes that the availability of equipment like ultrasound machines, ECG monitors, and oxygen cylinders aims to reduce patient travel costs and improve local access. The facility is designed to meet all regulatory requirements for functional layout. The facility includes specialized departments for emergency care, cardiology, and obstetrics/gynecology.