A screenshot shows a post from the FIFA World Cup Facebook account praising Vietnam's under-23 players following their Group A victory against Saudi Arabia at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, January 13, 2026. Vietnam sealed the top spot in Group A with nine points from three matches following the win early on Tuesday, advancing to the quarterfinals and eliminating hosts Saudi Arabia, who finished third in the group. Goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien played a key role in preserving the lead, making multiple saves as Saudi Arabia pressed for an equalizer. Vietnam will face either Syria or the United Arab Emirates in the quarterfinals at 10:30 pm (Vietnam time) on Friday. The 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup, held in Saudi Arabia from January 6 to 24, features four groups of four teams, with the top two in each group advancing to the quarterfinals.

The Vietnam Centre for Protection of Music Copyright (VCPMC), under the Vietnam Musicians’ Association, collected more than 424.3 billion VND (16.15 million USD) in music royalties in 2025, marking an 8% increase from 2024. The highest individual payout reached 4 billion VND, while many others earned between 2.5 billion and 3 billion VND. During the year, VCPMC distributed nearly 269 billion VND in royalties to rights holders, up 5% from 2024. Royalties for the fourth-quarter distribution are being finalised and are expected to be paid before the Lunar New Year, with an estimated total of 120 billion VND. According to the office, the VCPMC’s achievements in 2025 show that collective copyright management in Vietnam has become increasingly mature and made significant progress.

According to NSO Director Nguyen Thi Huong, the income structure is shifting in a more progressive and sustainable direction, with the proportion of wages and wage-like earnings continuing to rise in total household income. Alongside rising per capita income, survey results indicate that household living standards remained stable throughout 2025. Household income during the year showed a more stable and positive trend than in the same period of 2024. Key measures included continued support and allowances for people who rendered services to the nation, the poor, disadvantaged groups and social protection beneficiaries. Continued support for free health insurance cards and medical examination cards for eligible groups further eased healthcare-related financial burdens.

Ho Chi Minh City has decided to dissolve American International School Vietnam (AISVN). In August last year, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training proposed the municipal administration consider dissolving AISVN, citing the school's prolonged suspension of operations and failure to rectify violations. However, after the suspension period, the school failed to rectify the causes that led to the suspension. Also, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Home Affairs, the Ho Chi Minh City Tax Department, and the Ho Chi Minh City Social Security Agency are responsible for supervising and urging the settlement of outstanding insurance contributions, tax obligations, and severance benefits for employees of American International Education JSC in accordance with regulations. In June last year, the department held another meeting with representatives of American International Education JSC and the school to assess their progress in addressing the causes of the suspension.

In addition, 679 social housing projects are underway, with a scale of approximately 657,000 units. “2025 was a year that laid an important foundation for the real estate market to enter 2026 with a new growth cycle,” the Deputy Minister noted. Dinh said many real estate projects that had legal obstacles removed over the past year contributed a significant supply to the market. Real estate prices depend on many factors, such as land-use fees, construction costs, infrastructure investment, interest expenses, and selling costs. Low-income earners will also have more opportunities to access housing as more social housing projects are implemented.

Vietnam’s Nguyen Dinh Bac celebrates after scoring the winning goal against Saudi Arabia during their Group A match at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, January 13, 2026. Photo: AFCVietnam absorbed sustained pressure for much of the match, with Saudi Arabia registering 26 shots but failing to convert their chances. Saudi Arabia struggled to respond after conceding, with many efforts either blocked or off target despite continued possession. Jordan also advanced as Group A second-finishers, while Saudi Arabia and Kyrgyzstan were eliminated. The 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup, held in Saudi Arabia from January 6 to 24, features four groups of four teams, with the top two in each group advancing to the quarterfinals.

Photo: Phuc TaiCheck out the latest news in Vietnam today:Politics-- State President Luong Cuong on Monday received U.S. -- Police in Ho Chi Minh City have launched a criminal case and detained a married couple accused of producing and distributing large quantities of fresh noodles containing banned and potentially hazardous chemicals, authorities said on Monday. Education-- Ho Chi Minh City authorities have officially dissolved the American International School Vietnam after the institution failed to remedy violations following a prolonged suspension of operations, according to a decision announced on Monday. -- Vietnam Airlines has been ranked among the top 25 safest full-service airlines in the world for 2026 by AirlineRatings, placing 19th globally, up three positions from 2025. The national flag carrier is the only representative from Vietnam to make the list.

KPC Aerospace is a South Korea-based aerospace enterprise specializing in manufacturing major aircraft components for Airbus, Boeing, and many other OEMs (original equipment manufacturer) for over 35 years. This is also the direction of the Center of Excellence (CoE) on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Twins, which Dassault Systemes inaugurated in Vietnam on January 8. The CoE’s distinctive feature, the Dassault Systemes representatives said, lies in its deep integration of industry’s best practices distilled from cooperation with Boeing, Airbus, and aerospace enterprises. Instead of merely learning tools or features, Vietnamese engineers can gain access to industry-proven processes embedded in software from over 30 years of experience. Training certificates are also considered a key factor in affirming the capacity of Vietnamese engineers in the international market.

As a child, Manh’s family lived in the Ba Dinh new economic area in former Bac Lieu province. Among them was the family of Tran Thi Ngu, Manh’s mother. After living with his mother and four siblings for only a few months, Manh left home on his own. She also said that after her brother ran away, Ngu made great efforts to search for him but returned in despair. All of Manh’s siblings recalled that after failing to bring her son back, Ngu cried for many days.

A view of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee building. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi TreRead what is in the news in Vietnam today:Society-- Vietnam ranked eighth globally in beer consumption in 2024 with 4.6 billion liters, while China remained the world’s largest market, according to data from Japan’s Kirin Holdings. Ho Chi Minh City-- A car driven by a man struck five motorcycles stopped at a red light at an intersection in Thu Duc Ward, Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday afternoon, injuring several people, local authorities said. -- Ho Chi Minh City authorities have approved plans to invest more than VND5.5 trillion (US$209.4 million) to upgrade and widen Ton That Thuyet Street and develop a green park along the Te Canal, according to a city government directive. Sports-- The Ho Chi Minh City Marathon ended on Sunday with nearly 11,000 runners from 75 countries and territories, including about 2,800 foreign participants who made up 26 percent of the field, organizers said.

Blood Paradise, Vietnam’s first major film centered on international scam operations involving Vietnamese citizens, has emerged as a box office sensation. In its second week, the film surpassed the VND 100 billion ($4.1 million) milestone, continuing its dominance of Vietnam’s weekend box office. This relevance has been a key factor in sustaining its box office momentum. Thanh Huong draws attention in the Vietnamese true crime film Blood Paradise. The rise and fall of familiar namesLove In Vietnam, featuring Kha Ngan, saw a disappointing box office debut with only $2,100 in ticket sales.

Photo: PhoneArenaLast year, Apple officially ended the iPhone SE line and introduced the iPhone 16e as its new budget offering. They use the iPhone 16e almost the same way they would a flagship iPhone 17 Pro - and they’re satisfied. iPhone 17e: Cheap, but not outdatedThe iPhone 17e is expected to fix the two biggest criticisms of its predecessor. Meanwhile, Dynamic Island gives the iPhone 17e a fresher, more contemporary appearance compared to the dated notch. Many of them don’t live in the U.S.For this group, the iPhone 17e could be Apple’s best release in years.

Nghia Hiep is Central Vietnam’s largest chrysanthemum cultivation zone, with over 30 hectares under flower. More than 500 households grow Tet flowers here, supplying hundreds of thousands of pots to local and regional markets each year. Chrysanthemum farming in Nghia Hiep began roughly 50 years ago, when a few households brought seeds from Da Lat to trial. Nghia Hiep flower village, the chrysanthemum capital of Central Vietnam, glows under electric light as cold weather sets in. Chrysanthemums in Nghia Hiep are nurtured night and day - each pot a family’s bet on a fruitful Tet season.

Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chairs a conference of the government's Party Committee in Hanoi on January 11, 2026 to review performance in 2025 and outline tasks for 2026. Participants at the conference agreed that the Party Committee had adopted a leadership approach described as a 'shift in mindset and turnaround in execution,' helping to enhance overall governance effectiveness. Determination to meet 2026 targetsUnder this leadership, Vietnam met and exceeded all 15 major socio-economic development targets in 2025, with GDP growth reaching 8.02 percent, among the fastest in the region and globally. Key goals include GDP growth of 10 percent or higher, about two percentage points above the 2025 level; per capita GDP of $5,400–5,500, up 7.4–9.4 percent year on year; and an average consumer price index of around 4.5 percent. Cultural and social development will be promoted alongside economic growth, with social welfare and living standards remaining among priorities.

Nguyen Huyen Linh sells sticky rice and breakfast foods to early-morning workers in cold weather in Khanh Hoi Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, January 10, 2026. A parent buys breakfast for her child in temperatures of around 19 degrees Celsius in Dien Hong Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, January 10, 2026. After nearly 30 years in Ho Chi Minh City, she was not used to the cold and had little choice but to adapt. / Tuoi Tre"Every once in a while, it's fun to feel Ho Chi Minh City as cold as Da Lat," said a resident. Hoa (L) and Dai collect recyclable waste from roadside eateries after midnight in Ho Chi Minh City, January 9, 2026.