Vietnam Accelerates AI Urbanization and Investment Attraction Amidst Tourism and Infrastructure Growth

Hanoi is regarded as one of the most promising markets for hospitality investment, thanks to rising visitor numbers and its ability to sustain demand. Hanoi opened registration for free chip-enabled bus cards for eligible passengers using subsidised bus services on July 6, 2026, aiming to improve service quality and make public transport more convenient, especially for older people. As Hanoi moves to realise its long-term development vision for a new era, the capital is stepping up efforts to attract investment. By signing 50 memoranda of understanding with leading domestic and international corporations and organisations, the city aims not only to expand infrastructure but also to lay the foundation for becoming a modern AI city, with technology serving as a key driver of growth. Following the canoe capsize off Phu Quoc, authorities in An Giang province and the Phu Quoc Special Zone are mobilising all available resources to provide medical care for the victims. In Kim Lien commune, Nghe An province - the hometown of President Ho Chi Minh, the lotus is more than a cherished cultural symbol. By combining high-value lotus products with immersive tourism experiences, the locality is creating new economic opportunities for residents while enriching the visitor experience and showcasing the unique heritage of the Land of Lotus. France’s online magazine Journal des Français à l'étranger has described the central coastal city of Da Nang as the "Miami of Vietnam", praising its affordable living costs, improving infrastructure and high quality of life, making it an increasingly popular destination for digital nomads. The Coast Guard Region 4 Command deployed personnel and vessels for search and rescue operations on the afternoon of July 11, immediately after receiving reports of the capsizing of the Osean Pearl passenger canoe near May Rut Ngoai Island in the Phu Quoc Special Zone of An Giang province. Search and rescue operations following a canoe capsize off Phu Quoc Island were completed by 3:30 pm on July 11, with all 36 people on board brought ashore. They included 32 Indian tourists, one tour guide and three crew members. Twenty-one people were rescued, while 15 were confirmed dead. Prime Minister Le Minh Hung has called for the building of an elite, professional and rapidly deployable international search and rescue force as Vietnam seeks to strengthen its capacity to respond to global humanitarian emergencies and contribute more actively to international disaster relief efforts. The Central Public Security Party Committee and the Ministry of Public Security hosted a ceremony in Hanoi on July 11 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the traditional day of the People's Security Force and receive the Gold Star Order, a prestigious award bestowed by the Party and the State. A special flight carrying Vietnam's military and police search and rescue team home from Venezuela landed safely at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on the evening of July 10 after successfully completing a 10-day earthquake relief mission. Vietnam attracted 34.65 billion USD in foreign direct investment (FDI) in the first six months of 2026, while realised FDI reached its highest first-half level in five years, according to the National Statistics Office (NSO). Nestled along the scenic coastline of southern Vietnam, Phuoc Hai commune in Ho Chi Minh City combines pristine beaches, rich fishing traditions and a tranquil atmosphere. As demand for sustainable and experience-based tourism continues to grow, the coastal destination is emerging as a promising new attraction for both domestic and international visitors. Vietnam's domestic carbon exchange officially commenced operations on June 29, marking the launch of the country's carbon market. For Ho Chi Minh City, home to a large concentration of manufacturing and export businesses, the platform opens new opportunities to join global green value chains while underscoring the need for technological upgrades, emissions management and compliance with carbon standards. Prolonged heavy rain from the night of July 8 to July 9 triggered flooding and landslides across the northern province of Lao Cai. As severe weather persisted, local authorities launched emergency response, mobilising personnel and equipment to assist affected residents and minimise damage. The third Vietnam - Laos Border Defence Friendship Exchange continued in Nghe An province on July 10 with a series of activities. A series of activities highlighting the political, defence and humanitarian dimensions of the third Vietnam – Laos Border Defence Friendship Exchange took place on July 9 at the Nam Can (Nghe An, Vietnam) – Nam On (Bolikhamsai, Laos) international border gate, further reinforcing the two countries' special friendship and shared commitment to building a border of peace, friendship, cooperation and development. The multi-sensory exhibition Giao thoi (Transition), featuring a state-of-the-art 3D mapping display with an interactive sensor system, is offering visitors an immersive journey through Vietnam’s cultural heritage. The exhibition has become a major attraction at the Vietnam Women's Museum. The Steering Committee for the Search, Recovery and Identification of Martyrs’ Remains of Ho Chi Minh City on July 9 received war memorabilia and burial records of fallen soldiers from the research team for the Vietnam Wartime Accounting Initiative (VWAI). Prime Minister Le Minh Hung on July 9 called for a modern, efficient restructuring of Vietnam’s healthcare network, stressing that investment in healthcare is an investment in the nation’s future, as he attended the inauguration of Viet Duc University Hospital’s Ninh Binh campus. Prime Minister Le Minh Hung on July 9 urged ministries, sectors and localities to accelerate the implementation of four national target programmes and ensure the full disbursement of all funds allocated for 2026, including more than 17 trillion VND (646.5 million USD) carried over from the 2021–2025 period. The 500-day campaign is a nationwide effort to recover and identify the remains of fallen soldiers. More than a search mission, it is a race against time to identify those who remain unknown through DNA technology. From central agencies and local authorities to organisations and citizens, people across Vietnam are joining forces to help bring the campaign to a successful conclusion, paying tribute to the nation's fallen heroes and their families. Hanoi’s master plan with a 100-year vision is more than a spatial development blueprint. It reflects the Party’s and the State’s long-term vision for the capital in a new era of development. Copyright, VietnamPlus, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Editor-in-chief, Mr. Tran Tien Duan.