A collection of photographs taken by Émile Gsell in the 1860s offers a rare glimpse into a largely undeveloped Saigon. The images depict a city vastly different from its modern iteration, with only the core of what is now District 1 showing significant development.
Vietnam is advancing reforms to transform its cultural heritage into a powerful engine for innovation, economic growth, and national soft power. Coordinated efforts in copyright enforcement, heritage protection, and the heritage economy are underway to achieve policy goals. However, a considerable gap remains between policy ambitions and practical implementation.
In Hanoi, Vietnam, the chairwoman of My Hanh Group faces trial for allegedly defrauding investors of nearly 1,300 billion VND (approximately $50 million) by falsely promoting a Ngoc Linh ginseng cultivation project. The scheme promised high returns, and the trial will examine the alleged fraudulent nature of the investment.
For nearly four decades, Vietnamese combat engineers have dedicated their lives to clearing mines, particularly in Vị Xuyên. These unsung heroes risk death daily to return peace to former battlefields, reflecting Vietnam's ongoing struggle with its wartime legacy.
Ho Chi Minh City has approved a detailed 1/500 scale plan for the redevelopment of the Ga-Gao (Poultry-Rice) market area. Concurrently, educational reforms are being pushed forward for the 2026-2027 school year, focusing on delaying formal first-grade instruction and enhancing STEM, AI, and English education.
The chairwoman of My Hanh Group faces trial for allegedly defrauding investors through a 'Ngoc Linh ginseng project' that promised high returns. Over VND 1.3 trillion was raised, with more than VND 850 billion still outstanding.
A Vietnamese government investigation has revealed that import restrictions on raw gold from 2023 to 2025 are a key factor driving domestic gold prices significantly above global market rates. Limited supply coupled with persistent demand is widening the price gap.
Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security announced the appointment of Colonel Trịnh Khắc Cường as the new Director of the Lào Cai Provincial Police. This personnel change aims to enhance security and contribute to the socio-economic development of the province. The former director will be transferred to a leadership role in the Immigration Department.
Vietnam's Central Propaganda Department and other bodies held a political theory training session for teachers in the southern region. The initiative aims to enhance the quality of political theory education across the education system and foster national aspirations among the youth, reflecting the Communist Party's ideological control and talent development efforts.
Vietnam is accelerating efforts to elevate the status of its traditional medicine. A forum commemorating the "Southern medicine for Southern people" philosophy of the great physician and Zen master Tue Tinh, who lived 700 years ago, was held to promote its use. This aligns with policies integrating traditional medicine with modern healthcare and expanding insurance coverage.
The audience zone map for the 2026 'Motherland in My Heart' artistic program in Ho Chi Minh City has been officially announced. Following its success in Hanoi, the zones named Independence, Freedom, Happiness, and the 'Red Star Flag' will be used again. The program is known for its immense popularity, with tickets selling out in seconds.
Vietnam has expressed deep condolences on the passing of Saysomphone Phomvihane, Chairman of the National Assembly of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Vietnamese embassy officials and the expatriate community paid their respects, reaffirming the "special relationship" and continued cooperation between the two nations.
Vietnamese President To Lam's state visits to New Zealand and Australia are poised to elevate the Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships to new heights, promising tangible benefits for people and businesses.
A new sinkhole, approximately 5 meters deep, has appeared on National Highway 3B in Thai Nguyen province, Vietnam. This marks the ninth such incident in the area this year, posing significant risks to traffic safety and local residents' lives. Authorities are implementing safety measures.
The Vietnamese National Assembly observed a minute of silence to mourn the passing of Lao Parliament Speaker Xaysomphone Phomvihane, a key leader of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, who died on August 8 at the age of 70. Phomvihane made significant contributions to fostering the special friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.
Vietnamese President To Lam attended the 'Tech Connect' forum at the University of Technology Sydney during his state visit to Australia. The forum focused on science, technology, innovation, education, and human resource development, aiming to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two nations.
Vietnam Coast Guard Region 2 launched the "Excellent Ship - Ship Training Competition 2026" on August 10 in Da Nang City. The competition aims to evaluate combat training, technical work, and the implementation of the "Movement 50," serving as a basis for future training and technical work guidance.
Vietnam's Minister of Science and Technology proposed to the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) a shift from education-centric cooperation to research and innovation. The aim is to launch joint research projects and strengthen ties between Vietnam's Strategic Technology Center and Australian partners.
Vietnam's Ministry of National Defense announced on August 10th that the highest entrance score for 23 military universities reached 29.76 for university and college levels. While slightly down from last year, overall scores are trending upwards, indicating intensified competition, especially with the highest recruitment quota in five years for university and college programs.
Vietnam and Thailand celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties, reaffirming their enduring friendship and deepening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Cooperation spans economic, political, and cultural spheres, underscoring their regional importance.
Vietnamese Party General Secretary and President To Lam, during his state visit to Australia, called for strengthening strategic cooperation in science, technology, and innovation. He expressed expectations for high-quality Australian investment, particularly in green finance and digital infrastructure, and sought technical support for developing an international financial center.
Vietnam's Communist Party has directed the diplomatic sector to promote science and technology diplomacy, positioning sci-tech as a new driver of growth. This initiative is part of a national strategy emphasizing innovation and digital transformation to fundamentally shift the economic growth model.
The visit of Vietnam's top leader to New Zealand is expected to inject fresh momentum into bilateral ties. Building on over 50 years of relationship, both nations aim to expand cooperation across trade, investment, education, and security.
Lao National Assembly President Xaysomphone Phomvihane has passed away. Vietnam expressed deep condolences, honoring his contributions to the special relationship between the two nations. His death may have implications for the continuity of bilateral ties.
Tuyen Quang province in northern Vietnam has suspended Vũ Đình Hưng, the Director of the Department of Education and Training, following a large-scale cheating scandal in the high school entrance exam. The scandal, which involved an unusually high number of perfect scores in mathematics, has led to 29 people being prosecuted.
The Light Rail Transit (LRT) project on Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island is accelerating, aiming for a trial operation start in June 2027. Infrastructure development is progressing ahead of the APEC summit.
Ethnic communities in Vietnam's northwestern Dien Bien province are preserving their traditional heritage, including shoemaking by the Xạ Phang people and embroidery by the Mong community, passing these crafts down through generations and exploring links with tourism development.
Vietnam will observe two days of national mourning on August 10-11 following the passing of Lao National Assembly President Xaysomphone Phomvihane. Vietnamese leaders lauded his contributions to strengthening the "great friendship" and "special solidarity" between the two nations.
Vietnamese Party General Secretary and President To Lam has commenced a state visit to Australia. This marks the first high-level visit since the two nations elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, aiming to deepen ties in the Indo-Pacific.
Dong Thap Province's Tram Chim National Park is reporting encouraging initial results from its crane conservation project after over three years of implementation. The red-crowned cranes are adapting well, and the park's wetland ecosystem is showing signs of recovery.
Vietnam is bolstering investment in manufacturing, high-tech sectors, and renewable energy to achieve sustained economic growth, while managing exchange rate fluctuations. Expanding international trade and improving the investment climate are also key priorities.
Vietnam declared two days of national mourning, August 10-11, for Xaysomphone Phomvihane, President of the National Assembly of Laos and a key figure in the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. Vietnamese leaders paid tribute to his contributions to the Lao revolution and national development.
The Phu Quoc light rail transit (LRT) project, connecting Phu Quoc International Airport with the APEC Convention Centre, is on track for a trial run in June 2027. This initiative is set to bolster the island's capacity for APEC 2027 and mark a new era of infrastructure development and urban planning.
Despite Vietnam's economic growth, many foreign companies struggle with market entry. Common pitfalls include confusing legal incorporation with operational readiness, choosing the wrong legal structure, poor coordination among service providers, and misjudging local partnerships. A long-term perspective and localized strategies are crucial for success.
Hiep Ninh Communal House in Tay Ninh Province, over a century old, stands as a silent witness to the region's early settlement, village formation, and community emergence amidst the modern urban landscape.
Vietnam's team secured two gold, one silver, and four bronze medals at the 3rd International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence held in Kazakhstan, demonstrating the nation's international competitiveness and students' talent in AI.