According to the central bank, 86.97 percent of adults now have a payment account at a bank, surpassing the target of at least 80 percent for the 2020-25 period. The proportion of adults with savings deposits at banks in the past year reached 33 percent, exceeding the goal of 25-30 percent. About 290,000 small- and medium-sized enterprises had outstanding loans at credit institutions, surpassing the target of at least 250,000 enterprises. Some 71 percent of adults had credit history information recorded in the banking system’s credit information database, exceeding the target of at least 70 percent. Other priorities include developing digital financial infrastructure, implementing national financial education and digital citizenship programs, strengthening consumer protection, and promoting sustainable and climate finance, the meeting heard.

A photo shows the motorbike taxi driver taking the female tourist to the Train Street coffee area in Hanoi. According to the post, on the afternoon of February 24, the tourist left the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology in Nghia Do Ward, Hanoi and was heading to a restaurant on Trang Tien Street in Hoan Kiem Ward. Despite having agreed on the destination beforehand, the driver stopped at places not included in the itinerary, including the popular Train Street coffee area. Later that evening, the tourist and a Vietnamese friend went to Hoan Kiem Ward Police to report the incident. “The ward police have received the case and are carrying out necessary professional procedures,” a Hoan Kiem Ward official told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

Flights approaching Da Nang International Airport were forced to delay landings and take-offs late on February 24, 2026 after an unauthorized drone appeared in the central Vietnamese city’s airspace. Photo: Truong Trung / Tuoi TreAround 6:20 pm, several planes scheduled to land in Da Nang had to delay their descent, circling repeatedly until clearance was given. An aircraft from Taipei to Da Nang was forced to circle in the air late on February 24, 2026 after an unauthorized drone appeared in the central Vietnamese city’s airspace. Later that afternoon, flight N125YU/GA7C RCSS-VVDN observed another drone at around 1,200 feet, or 365.76 meters in the same area. On Sunday, flight VJC720/A321 VVDN-VVCI detected a drone at 1,700 feet, or 518.16 meters, to the right of the aircraft.

Emergency responders quickly transported them to Saint Paul General Hospital for treatment. Officials said they are monitoring the patients’ condition and will provide updates as more information becomes available. Witnesses reported that the tree was large with a wide canopy and dense branches. The trunk nearly toppled completely, leaving broken limbs scattered across the park grounds. Local authorities said they will continue investigating the incident.

Previously, only organizations and enterprises under the Ministry of National Defense were permitted to research, manufacture, export, import, and supply explosive fireworks. Under existing rules, the prime minister decided which defense ministry entities were authorized to conduct such activities. The new decree transfers that authority to the ministers of public security and national defense. The public security minister will decide which entities under the Ministry of Public Security are allowed to engage in activities related to explosive fireworks, while the defense minister will make corresponding decisions for entities under the Ministry of National Defense. The decree also revises authority over the organization of explosive fireworks displays during major holidays.

A stretch of the Saigon River runs past downtown Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam. In addition, Masterise outlined plans for an LRT or tramway route extending 48.7 kilometers along the river corridor. Both the riverside road and the Saigon River rail line are designated priority projects under the planning framework. To date, two enterprises have expressed interest in studying the development of a road and urban railway corridor along the Saigon River. Earlier, during the 2024–25 period, Sun Group, another Vietnamese property developer, also submitted documents seeking permission to conduct surveys and study investment in the same projects.

Ultimately, she decided to withdraw VND500 million from her savings, viewing it as a financial turning point. Most buying and selling decisions were based on the feeling that “if it is rising, it will keep rising,” combined with herd mentality. The risk of trend-driven investingAccording to financial advisor Nguyen Manh Cuong, trend-driven investing often arises from a predictable chain of psychological effects. The first layer is market risk, which cannot be completely eliminated. The foundation includes an adequate reserve fund, a stable personal financial structure, and a clear risk tolerance principle.

Photo: Asian Football ConfederationAs part of its promotional campaign for the tournament, which kicks off in early March, the AFC launched an ‘Epic Moments’ poll featuring nine standout moments from the history of the women’s game in Asia. Vietnam’s achievement in qualifying for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup was included on the shortlist. The AFC labeled the entry 'Vietnam defy the odds,' highlighting the team’s performance in the 2022 Women’s Asian Cup play-offs, which also served as qualifiers for the 2023 World Cup. In a 35-second video clip, the AFC revisited Vietnam’s key goals during the play-off stage of the 2022 tournament, describing the team as having overcome adversity and secured progression under intense pressure. The 2026 Women’s Asian Cup will see Vietnam compete in Group C alongside Japan, India, and Taiwan.

57-NQ/TW, issued by the Politburo in late 2024, which calls for breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation. The city aims to achieve 95 percent 5G coverage and ensure full coverage in major urban areas, high-tech parks, industrial zones, ports, airports, and logistics hubs. Meanwhile, 6G network trials will be launched in several locations as part of preparations for next-generation connectivity. The city will also accelerate the roll-out of end-to-end online public services as it moves toward building a fully digital government. Investment in science and technology infrastructure will continue, including trials of unmanned aerial vehicles for logistics and urban management.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chairs a meeting with health experts and hospital directors in Hanoi on February 24, 2026, ahead of the 71st anniversary of Vietnamese Doctors’ Day (February 27). Photo: Nhat Bac / Tuoi TreCheck out the latest news in Vietnam today:Politics-- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh praised the health sector's achievements and called for further reforms to better serve the public and foster the development of the private health sector as a key pillar of public healthcare at a meeting in Hanoi on Tuesday, marking the 71st anniversary of Vietnamese Doctors' Day (February 27). -- Police in Ho Chi Minh City are investigating the case of a 34-year-old woman who died after receiving an at-home skin-whitening infusion administered by another woman at an apartment on Nguyen Thi Dinh Street on Monday, with Le Van Thinh Hospital notifying authorities early on Tuesday that she had passed away before arrival. Technology-- The Ho Chi Minh City Digital Transformation Center will evaluate and deploy a shared GIS-based software application for house numbering and signage in the first quarter of 2026 to ensure data consistency and connectivity, under the direction of chairman of the municipal People's Committee Nguyen Van Duoc. Culture-- Authorities in central Quang Ngai Province have announced a series of activities marking the 120th birth anniversary of late Prime Minister Pham Van Dong (March 1, 1906–2026), with the main ceremony set for 8:30 am on March 1 at his memorial site in the province's Mo Duc Ward to honor his legacy and contributions to Vietnam.

Looking at Vietnam’s total trade turnover of US$930 billion in 2025, experts believe the country’s extensive growth model has reached its limits. However, the trade surplus narrowed to US$20.05 billion in 2025, down from US$24.77 billion the previous year. These sectors also retain higher domestic value and depend less on imported inputs compared to many processing and manufacturing industries. A growth model reaching its limitAlongside the US$930 billion record, Lam pointed to a steady decline in the trade surplus. By 2025, although total trade surged to US$930 billion, the surplus narrowed to just above US$20 billion.

National governance is not merely administrative management. Citizen and business satisfaction should serve as the primary goal and benchmark for evaluating public governance capacity. In the current context, however, we must decisively move from traditional “state management” - focused on control, procedural compliance and administrative orders - to “modern state governance”, centered on streamlining, effectiveness and accountability. Beginning in 1962, South Korea implemented five-year economic plans focused on export-oriented industrialization, shifting from textiles to electronics and automobiles. Three lessons from Singapore, South Korea and Estonia are not universal formulas.

In 2025, natural disasters and extreme weather swept from north to south, with preliminary estimates of economic losses reaching VND100,000 billion (US$4 billion). River flood warnings should translate alarm levels into projected inundation depths in residential areas. Investments are needed to install camera-based real-time water level monitoring at reservoirs and along river systems, combined with flood scenario modeling based on historical data and meteorological forecasts. In 2025, we formed a temporary “Three-Region Disaster Response Team” of around 50 members, including boat operators, drone pilots and logistics personnel. Only by safeguarding ecosystems can we protect our living space in harmony with nature.

A 119-year-old houseThe old house of Mr. Xuan sits modestly among modern townhouses. Photo: Ha NguyenOn Nguyen Thai Son Street in Hanh Thong Ward, HCMC, a charming old house sits modestly among rows of modern townhouses. The wooden roof beams, damaged over time, have been reinforced with iron bars by Mr. Xuan’s family. Photo: Provided by the familyDuring Tet, Mr. Xuan’s family hangs the old ceremonial cloth panels, known as tien ban, before the three main altars. Photo: Provided by the familyDuring Tet, members of Mr. Xuan’s family reunite in the old house to celebrate the Lunar New Year together.

Du teaches Dao Nom script to younger generations. His hair has turned silver with time, yet whenever Dao Nom script is mentioned, his eyes still light up with rare passion. For Du, Dao Nom script is not merely a recording tool but the spirit of the nation. He is among the authors who helped compile the Thanh Hoa Dao Nom script series, consisting of nine volumes and approximately 1,400 characters. This is the first officially approved Dao Nom script textbook series in Vietnam, now introduced into teaching in Dao villages across the province.