Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra, and National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh. Several were born in 1971, including Dao Hong Lan, Nguyen Thi Tuyen, Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc, and Ho Thi Hoang Yen. Nguyen Thanh Hai – Member of the Central Committee, Chairwoman of the National Assembly Committee on Science, Technology, and Environment4. Le Thi Nga – Member of the Central Committee, Deputy Chairwoman of the National Assembly Committee on People’s Petitions and Oversight12. Le Thi Thuy – Deputy Secretary of the Government Party CommitteeDeputy Secretary of the Government Party Committee Le Thi Thuy.

Among the 200 members elected to the new 14th Party Central Committee, many are representatives of Vietnam’s ethnic minority groups. Several hold key leadership roles at both the central and local levels, as well as within the National Assembly. Notably, five current provincial Party secretaries are from ethnic minorities. They include: Ho Van Nien, Secretary of the Quang Ngai Provincial Party Committee; Hau A Lenh, Secretary of the Tuyen Quang Provincial Party Committee; Hoang Van Nghiem, Secretary of the Son La Provincial Party Committee; Y Thanh Ha Nie Kdam, Secretary of the Lam Dong Provincial Party Committee; and Hoang Quoc Khanh, Secretary of the Lang Son Provincial Party Committee. Below is the list of official members of the 14th Party Central Committee who are from ethnic minority backgrounds:Additionally, the list of alternate (reserve) members of the 14th Party Central Committee includes two individuals from ethnic minorities:Hoai Thanh

A humanoid robot built by two high school students in Ninh Binh has drawn widespread attention at the province’s recent STEM and science-technology showcase. The humanoid robot built by high school students in Ninh Binh can recognize faces and perform lifelike hand movements. The humanoid robot was created by Nguyen Tran Duc Luong and Nguyen Dinh Kien from Nguyen Khuyen High School B. From concept to interaction: A human-like machine built by teensUnlike theoretical models, the students’ robot features realistic capabilities, including facial recognition and flexible arm movements. Accompanying the project was a second standout entry in the security category: the "GuardDog Robot AI," designed by Phan Duc Manh and Nguyen Ngoc Khanh from Nguyen Hue High School B.

The annual competition seeks to honor standout students who embody the values of the university - knowledge, professionalism, and the capacity to adapt and lead in the complex world of medicine. For Quynh Anh, the moment her name was called was overwhelming. Nguyen Thi Quynh Anh, a sixth-year student at Hanoi Medical University, wins the Student of the Year title. To Quynh Anh, a good doctor must be both technically proficient and emotionally attuned. “Professionalism isn’t just about medical knowledge or clinical skills - it’s also reflected in how we treat people, in our sense of duty and care,” she said.

Deputy PM Bui Thanh Son affirmed that Vietnam values President Donald Trump’s efforts to advance peace, cooperation, and global prosperity, and expressed Vietnam’s readiness to join the Gaza Peace Council as a founding member. Vietnam looks forward to working with other Council members to implement the Gaza Peace Plan, which was approved under UN Security Council Resolution 2803 on November 17, 2025. Members of the Trump cabinet expressed appreciation for Vietnam’s decision to join the Peace Council, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the Vietnam–US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They supported accelerating talks on reciprocal tax agreements and welcomed Vietnam’s participation as a founding member of the Gaza Peace Council. Deputy PM Bui Thanh Son and the Vietnamese delegation took part in several discussions, making active and constructive contributions to the dialogue.

With a desire to preserve a piece of his community’s cultural and historical identity, Ha Van Sy, a resident of Co Lung commune in Thanh Hoa province, traded his family’s stilt house for a century-old bronze pot. Inside, they’ll find a rare, giant bronze pot considered a local treasure - both for its physical size and cultural significance. According to Sy, the pot once belonged to a local landlord. The bronze pot weighs nearly 100kg and was acquired in exchange for a stilt house. It now sits beneath Sy’s stilt house floor, secured by a cable to one of the support columns.

Vietnam’s new General Secretary will chair an international press conference to announce the outcomes of the Congress. At 2 p.m. today, the closing session of the 14th Party Congress will be held, broadcast live on national television. As per tradition, the newly elected leadership - including the Party Central Committee, Politburo, Secretariat, and Inspection Commission - will officially present themselves to the Congress during the closing session. Yesterday afternoon, the Congress completed its voting process, electing 200 members to the new 14th Central Committee. Seven other members of the 13th Politburo also secured re-election to the 14th Party Central Committee.

At Mount Mau Son in Lang Son province, the mercury dropped to -0.1°C - the lowest temperature reported so far this winter. In mountainous areas of northern Vietnam, hazardous cold persists, especially in provinces like Dien Bien and Lai Chau. Expert insights on the coldest spell so farMai Van Khiem, Director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, confirmed that this is the most intense cold spell in northern Vietnam since the start of the 2025–2026 winter. According to Khiem, the first widespread cold spell of the season occurred between January 6–8, characterized by dry conditions. Northern Vietnam should begin to warm up, and this warming trend is forecast to continue through the end of January.

Central Committee members then discussed and voted on the number of seats in the Politburo. Members were given the opportunity to nominate or self-nominate, with group discussions taking place before finalizing the official list. Politburo and Secretariat members must fully meet the criteria required of Central Committee members. Special cases are subject to Central Committee approval. Electing the General SecretaryGeneral Secretary To Lam casts his vote to elect official and alternate members of the 14th Central Committee.

Vietnam concluded the 13th Party Congress term as ASEAN’s top performer, with 2025 GDP growth hitting 8.02 percent and the national economy reaching US$514 billion. With 2025 GDP growth surging to 8.02 percent, Vietnam has established itself as the definitive growth leader of ASEAN and a rare global outlier. A cornerstone of this era was the elevation of bilateral ties with Singapore to a comprehensive strategic partnership in March 2025. Infrastructure pace: Vietnam’s $38 billion infrastructure blitz in 2026 provides the physical 'haảdware' that its neighbors are still working to authorize. As we look toward the 14th Congress, the foundation suggests that Vietnam’s 'Golden Era' is not just a hope.

This marks a significant step as these instruments now carry an investment-grade rating, one notch above Vietnam’s current rating of BB+ for unsecured foreign currency long-term debt. The upgrade follows Fitch’s review under its newly issued Sovereign Rating Criteria, introduced in September 2025. Fitch Ratings emphasized that the upgrade does not affect Vietnam’s overall sovereign credit rating, which remains at BB+ with a stable outlook, last affirmed in June 2025. The Ministry of Finance stated it is establishing a regular and proactive dialogue mechanism with major international rating agencies including Fitch, Moody’s, and S&P. Looking ahead, the ministry will continue working closely with Fitch and other international organizations to ensure accurate and updated assessments of Vietnam’s credit profile.

Kindergarteners and elementary-school students in Hanoi will not go to school if the outdoor temperature falls below 10 degrees Celsius. Photo: Vinh Ha / Tuoi TreRead what is in the news in Vietnam today:Politics-- The 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam continued a full-day session on Thursday, chaired by Party General Secretary To Lam, President of the Presidium, focusing on personnel matters of the 14th Party Central Committee. The congress approved the list of 200 newly-elected members of the 14th Party Central Committee, including 180 official members and 20 alternate members. -- The 14th Party Central Committee will convene its first plenary session to elect the Politburo, the Party General Secretary, the Secretariat, the Central Inspection Commission, and the Chairman of the Central Inspection Commission on Friday morning. Economy-- The People’s Committee of Ca Mau Province in southern Vietnam has approved a plan to select investors to implement two wind power plant projects with a total investment of over VND4.8 trillion (US$182.7 million).

Photo: Ted TranFollowing a 0–3 defeat to China in the semifinals of the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup, U23 Vietnam returned to training on January 21, readying themselves for the third-place playoff against South Korea. Before the session began, head coach Kim Sang Sik gathered his players to offer words of encouragement. Coach Kim Sang Sik knows that reaching the semifinals alone is already a significant achievement. With standout performances from players like Dinh Bac and Van Khang, U23 Vietnam has proven its ability to compete at the continental level. The third-place playoff between U23 Vietnam and U23 South Korea will kick off at 10 PM on January 23.

Each winter afternoon, as the tide recedes along the shoreline of Giao Ninh commune in Ninh Binh, clusters of villagers wade into the frigid sea. The final months of the lunar year bring biting winds and water cold enough to sting the skin. “But once you start working, you sweat so much that your clothes get soaked - even in the cold wind. Each winter, residents of Giao Ninh commune brave freezing waters to collect clams from concrete blocks exposed at low tide. Collected clams are sold on-site to traders as aquaculture feed, with some workers earning over $40 in a single afternoon.

Photo: Appleinsider200MP iPhone could debut in 2028 - but don’t expect it soonRecent reports suggest Apple is considering a 200MP camera sensor for a future iPhone model, with the earliest possible launch timeline set for 2028. However, according to renowned leaker Digital Chat Station on Weibo, Apple hasn’t even begun prototype testing of the 200MP sensor. According to Digital Chat Station, the iPhone 2026 camera system may feature variable aperture - an innovation that would bring the iPhone experience closer to professional photography. 200MP project still in early material testingWhile prototype development has yet to begin, sources say Apple’s 200MP camera is currently in the materials testing phase. If and when the 200MP camera arrives, Apple will likely position it as more than a numbers game.