Vietnam to Raise Regional Minimum Wage by 7.2% from January 1, 2026

From January 1, 2026, Vietnam’s regional minimum wage will rise by an average of 7.2%, with monthly wage increases of 250,000–350,000 VND (9.8-13.7 USD), under Government Decree No. 293/2025/ND-CP. The Government will adjust the basic salary after reporting to the National Assembly for consideration and decision, in line with the State budget’s capacity, the consumer price index and the country’s economic growth rate. During a visit to the Kim Bang Invalids Nursing Centre in the northern province of Ninh Binh ahead of the 79th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day (July 27, 1947–2026), PM Le Minh Hung extended his warm regards and profound appreciation to invalids, sick soldiers and revolutionary contributors across the country. Digital transformation is changing not only how people work and communicate but also how they practice their faith. A Buddhist sermon can now attract tens of thousands of online viewers. A Protestant believer in a remote area can join a Bible study class via smartphone. Religious activities once closely tied to places of worship are increasingly taking place in cyberspace. Under Circular No. 54/2026/TT-BGDDT on higher education curricula, learning outcomes must be defined as measurable and assessable competencies, providing the basis for curriculum design, teaching, assessment, quality improvement, credit recognition and degree awarding. The initiatives place fishermen at the centre of enforcement efforts, promoting community self-management while strengthening coordination between local authorities and relevant agencies in managing offshore fishing activities. The move was made as part of an expanded investigation into a criminal case involving Nguyen Thanh Nam, who is accused of “making, storing, distributing or spreading information, documents and items aimed at sabotaging the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.” Under Directive No. 16/CT-UBND, recently issued by the provincial People's Committee, combating IUU fishing has been identified as an urgent political priority requiring concentrated resources to address shortcomings in fishing fleet management, while holding agency heads and local leaders accountable for the results achieved. The northeastern coastal province of Quang Ninh has completed DNA sample collection from the remains of all unidentified war martyrs buried at 18 cemeteries across 15 localities, achieving full completion by July 14. The remains of 81 Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and military experts were recovered during the 2025–2026 dry-season search campaign, all of them yet to be identified. The official establishment of the Vietnamese Community Management Committee and the Vietnamese Association in Vientiane province on July 14 has completed the organisational network serving the Vietnamese community in all 18 provinces and centrally administered cities of Laos. The leader stressed that over the past 79 years, the Party and State have consistently attached great importance to caring for people who rendered service to the revolution, noting that gratitude should be reflected not only through policies but also through the responsibility of authorities at all levels, organisations and every citizen. Party General Secretary and State President To Lam on July 15 affirmed that caring for revolutionary contributors is both a political responsibility and a moral obligation, calling for more comprehensive and timely policies to ensure that those who sacrificed for the nation receive the care and respect they deserve. Prime Minister Le Minh Hung on July 15 offered incense and laid flowers in tribute to fallen soldiers at the Lang Son martyrs' cemetery during a working visit to the northern province of same name. More than one million people visited the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in the first half of 2026, including over 256,000 international visitors. Operators of inland ports and terminals must carry out regular inspections, maintenance and repairs to ensure facilities remain safe and operational. They are also required to work with competent authorities and the Inland Waterway Port Authority to verify that vessels operating at ports and terminals meet all safety requirements. Each DNA sample represents a renewed hope and another step towards reuniting the nation's fallen heroes with their families and hometowns. Under the signed record, the Takeo Special Task Committee handed over the remains of 14 Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts to its An Giang counterpart, including 10 sets of remains recovered in Kirivong district and four in Tram Kak district. The value of studying mathematics goes far beyond winning medals. He noted that mathematics helps develop logical thinking, perseverance, critical inquiry and the ability to approach problems from different perspectives. Under the decree, students admitted to eligible programmes who meet entrance score requirements or are directly admitted, and rank among the top 30% of entrants, will be eligible for Government scholarships. The scholarships will be renewed annually based on academic performance and conduct. Quang Ngai currently has 127 martyrs' cemeteries containing 37,689 graves, including 26 collective ones. Of these, 16,758 have complete information, 5,134 contain partial information, while 15,771 remain unidentified. Around 6,000 martyrs from the province have yet to have their remains located. Vietnam’s revised Law on Belief and Religion has established a legal framework governing religious activities in the digital ecosystem for the first time, marking a significant policy milestone. Copyright, VietnamPlus, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Editor-in-chief, Mr. Tran Tien Duan.