Stories from Vietnam

Deputy Minister of Defense Nguyen Quang Ngoc chaired a meeting regarding the 500-day campaign to collect and identify remains of fallen soldiers. The campaign focuses on several provinces including Tuyen Quang, Quang Tri, Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Tay Ninh, Dong Nai, and Ho Chi Minh City. The meeting also addressed social insurance, health insurance, and unemployment insurance policies.

Police in Bac Ninh province located two tourists who had become lost in the Tay Yen Tu spiritual tourism area. The individuals were found safe and in stable health following an emergency search lasting over four hours. The search began after authorities received reports of the missing persons at approximately 11:45 AM yesterday. Local police from Tay Yen Tu commune conducted the rescue operation.

Economic police in Ho Chi Minh City uncovered an illegal production ring for E-MOS brand weight loss supplements. The operation was led by a husband and wife using the Mai Xuan Thanh Agricultural Products Co., Ltd. Authorities report the ring produced and distributed supplements valued at over 3 billion VND during February and March 2026. The investigation follows increased consumer demand for processed foods and discounts at major shopping centers like Takashimaya and Dong Khoi. Police are currently managing the fallout from the illegal production activities. The ring operated through the Mai Xuan Thanh agricultural limited liability company located in Binh My, Ho Chi Minh City. Authorities are investigating the full scope of the safety regulation violations.

Forest protection coverage in Vietnam has increased from 1.7 million hectares a decade ago to 7.43 million hectares currently. Local authorities are implementing policies to support community-based economic models to improve livelihoods and income. The management includes 1.2 million hectares at the commune level and approximately 2 million hectares managed by individual households. Nguyen Ba Ngai, General Secretary of the Vietnam Forest Association, noted that healthy forests receive higher payments while degraded forests receive less. Vietnam has approved Decision 208 regarding the multi-use development of forest ecosystems through 2030 with a vision toward 2050. The plan aims to integrate forest landscapes with tourism, including resorts and educational sites for students.

The Politburo has officially decided to establish the Central Theoretical Council for the 2026 term. The announcement was made during a conference led by the General Secretary to formalize the new council's formation.

Agricultural cooperatives in Bac Ninh Province are restructuring to increase value and sustainable development. The province has implemented policies to support cooperatives with infrastructure and brand building. Products such as black pepper and black peanuts are now linked to major supermarkets. These activities have resulted in annual profits exceeding 1 billion VND. Cooperative members and workers are earning a monthly income of 7 million VND. Nguyen Van Nghiep provided details on these economic results. Nguyện Văn Nghiệp noted the role of the cooperative in connecting businesses and ensuring product branding. Cooperatives in Bac Ninh province report average annual revenues of 700 to 800 million VND per unit. Member and worker incomes within these cooperatives are 1.2 to 1.3 times higher than those of non-cooperative households.

The 2026 Vietnam Specialty Coffee competition organizers announced results in Buon Ma Thuot, Dak Lak province. A total of 151 samples were evaluated, with those scoring 80 points or higher receiving specialty coffee certification. The selection process identified the top 10 products for the award.

The Vietnamese government has decided to establish a specialized economic zone in Hai Phong. The zone is intended to serve as a high-tech industrial center.

The Politburo has decided to establish the Central Theoretical Council for the new term. Nguyen Xuan Thang has been appointed as the Chairman of the Council for the 2026-2031 term. The General Secretary stated the council will serve as a hub for intellectual convergence and crystallization.

The Vietnamese government has decided to establish a specialized economic zone in Hai Phong. The zone is intended to serve as a high-tech industrial hub.