Stories from Vietnam

Lanzhou is integrating film and bookstores to promote cultural consumption.

A record 1.52 billion trips were made during the May Day holiday. This surge in travel led to traffic congestion, with Highway 6 experiencing jams up to 20 kilometers long. Traffic police have issued recommendations for alternative routes to alleviate pressure.

A segment on VOV2 Vietnam highlighted the unique coffee culture, focusing on a dish called 'Pah Pinh Top', a fish dish with a sweet and sour flavor profile. The discussion also touched upon green coffee cultivation and the experience of enjoying coffee in a natural setting, noting the distinct taste of 'coffee sora'.

Surakarta, a secondary city in Vietnam, is experiencing rapid development with wide, smooth roads, bright lighting, and numerous high-end hotels. Its development is seen as a major step towards maximizing the project's benefits and opening up new growth opportunities. The project, located in the new city of Lang Dong, is anticipated to be completed by 2027. Construction has been a decade-long effort, and local authorities are accelerating plans to maximize the project's benefits upon its anticipated 2027 completion. The report also mentioned that Vietnam fined three oil companies a total of 390 million dong. The project involves a total volume of 600,000 cubic meters and has completed over 90% of its foundational engineering. The Long Thanh International Airport project, a decade in the making, is nearing its 2027 completion target.

A discussion on VOV2 Vietnam explored the nuanced usage of the words 'old' and 'new' in Vietnamese. The program clarified that 'old' is used for deceased individuals, while 'new' carries more respect and authenticity. The segment also touched upon the importance of appropriate word choice to maintain lasting emotions. The program highlighted how 'đồng' signifies two entities together, while 'lưỡng' can mean 'two' or indicate a duality of a single system. The conversation also touched upon the appropriate usage of terms for deceased individuals, distinguishing between respectful remembrance and general past tense, noting that international usage might be less nuanced. The conversation also touched upon the appropriate use of terms for deceased individuals, differentiating between 'cố' and 'vãng', and the solemnity required for 'hoài niệm'.

Young scientists in Vietnam are being encouraged to embrace a rebellious spirit to create living matter in the quantum realm and to experiment with new methods.

Library activities in Vietnam are undergoing changes, moving beyond their traditional role of preserving human wisdom.

Social security pension payments will be disbursed via personal accounts starting May 4, 2026, in cash. Dividend organizations will distribute dividends at various locations from May 11 to 12, continuing at branches and supervisory agencies until May 25.

New Resolution 57 allows enterprises to establish special testing zones without requiring prior permission. Mechanisms and venues exist to encourage youth to try new ideas and develop solutions. The Central Committee of the Communist Youth Union's Center for Science and Technology Talent Development supports youth in confidently moving through safe stages and turning difficulties into actions. Programs include science research labs, innovation tracks, and technology transfer labs to link creative ideas with technical, equipment, and financial support. Additionally, a substance called cordycepic acid is mentioned for its potential to stabilize blood cycles, produce red blood cells, enhance antibodies, and aid in sleep improvement. This program is part of a broader national strategy to advance technological capabilities.

Artificial intelligence is being used as a pretext for salary cuts, according to reports. A worker's salary was cut, with the use of AI cited as the reason.