The service, branded GrabCar Pet, will operate initially in Ho Chi Minh City, excluding areas that were formerly part of old Binh Duong and Ba Ria–Vung Tau Provinces, Grab Vietnam said on its website. GrabCar Pet will use four-seater and six-seater cars. Four-seater vehicles can carry up to two passengers and one pet, while six-seater vehicles can carry up to three passengers and two pets. Base fares start at about VND28,000 ($1) for the first two kilometers for four-seater cars, with prices increasing based on distance and travel time. Grab added that all GrabCar Pet trips will be covered by a compensation policy.

While still a university student, Nguyen Phuc Son found himself unexpectedly taking on the role of a single “father” to a four-year-old boy. Photo: NVCCWhile still a university student, Nguyen Phuc Son found himself unexpectedly taking on the role of a single “father” to a four-year-old boy. With no other choice, Son helped raise the child while studying for his university entrance exams. In 2021, at 20 years old, Son and his four-year-old nephew left their hometown and moved into a small rented room near the university. On other days, with no options left, he brought the child to class.

A screenshot from a clip circulating on social media shows bus driver V.D.K. using a mobile phone while driving a passenger bus in Dong Thap Province, southern Vietnam. A traffic police officer works with driver V.D.K. after he was caught using a mobile phone while driving, causing a collision with a parked truck on January 5, 2026 in Dong Thap Province, southern Vietnam. According to passengers, after the crash, the driver pulled the bus over, got out to negotiate with the truck driver involved, and then continued the journey as if nothing had happened.

Painter Luong Xuan Doan and Professor Tran Dinh Su at the talk. On January 10 in Hanoi, a talk was held to introduce a special edition of Kim Van Kieu by writer-translator Nguyen Van Vinh, along with an exhibition of 26 previously unpublished Kieu paintings by renowned artist Nguyen Tu Nghiem. According to him, the creator of the series - Nguyen Tu Nghiem - possessed “a slender, delicate soul, choosing joy in his hometown and carrying a special love for Nguyen Du’s work. Luong Xuan Doan noted that Nguyen Tu Nghiem often laid down color first, then released the lines. Luong Xuan Doan said Nguyen Tu Nghiem typically applied color before line, producing a particular emotional depth.

General Secretary To Lam receives US Ambassador Marc Knapper. Photo: VNAThe Party chief congratulated Ambassador Knapper on the successful completion of his tenure and highly valued his important contributions to the positive development of the Vietnam–US comprehensive strategic partnership. The upcoming 14th National Party Congress, he noted, will mark a new stage of development aimed at peace, independence, democracy and national prosperity. Regarding regional and international issues, the Party leader stressed the need to uphold the United Nations Charter and international law, and to resolve disputes through dialogue and other peaceful means. For his part, Ambassador Knapper sincerely thanked the leaders of the Party, the State and the people of Vietnam for their attention and support, which enabled him to fulfil his duties successfully.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang. Photo: Ministry of Foreign AffairsThe foreign ministry's spokesperson Pham Thu Hang made the statement at a regular press briefing in Hanoi on Friday in response to reporters’ questions about China’s recent opening of a commercial center on Phu Lam Island in the Hoang Sa archipelago. “Any foreign activities in Vietnam’s Hoang Sa archipelago that are not authorized by Vietnam are illegal and invalid,” Hang stated. She reiterated that the Southeast Asian country possesses full historical evidence and legal grounds to assert its sovereignty over Hoang Sa in accordance with international law. The foreign ministry has repeatedly affirmed Vietnam’s sovereignty over both the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos in the maritime region, based on its sufficient historical and legal evidence.

According to the Ministry of Construction, Vietnam currently has around 2,991 real estate projects that are stalled or facing unresolved difficulties, with a total investment value of nearly $100bn. Official figures show that the 2,991 stalled projects nationwide account for total investment of about $100bn. These include Resolution 201 on special policies for social housing development, and Resolution 171 on piloting commercial housing projects through agreements on land-use rights. “The key solution is to accelerate the development of social housing.”So far, there are 698 social housing projects underway nationwide, with a total scale of about 657,000 apartments. Despite strong growth in social housing supply, it still lags far behind the volume of commercial housing priced at over $3,300 per square metre.

In his speech, Politburo member, standing member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat and head of the subcommittee for the organisation of the congress Tran Cam Tu said with only 10 days remaining until the opening, security requirements have reached their highest level. He said under the direction of the Party Central Committee, its Politburo and Secretariat, and Party General Secretary To Lam, security preparations for the Congress had been rolled out in a comprehensive and tightly coordinated manner. The Central Public Security Party Committee and the Ministry of Public Security have issued timely and detailed directives and plans, instructing police units nationwide to activate hundreds of protection measures, both on the ground and in cyberspace, not only in Hanoi but across the country. He stressed the need to continue thoroughly following directions from the Politburo, the Secretariat and General Secretary Lam, while mobilising all available resources to ensure absolute security and safety for the Congress. Ministries, agencies and local authorities were asked to urgently enhance coordination and offer all possible support to the public security forces to successfully perform their assigned tasks.

The move was made to ensure readiness for missions related to maintaining security and operational safety for the 14th National Party Congress. A helicopter operated by Regiment 916 leaves Hoa Lac Airport for Gia Lam Airport in Hanoi, January 9, 2026. Photo: E916After completing technical checks and mission preparations, the helicopters took off from Hoa Lac Airport and landed at Gia Lam Airport at around 5:00 pm the same day. Six helicopter crews arrive at Gia Lam Airport in Hanoi on January 9, 2026, ready to support security missions for the 14th National Party Congress, scheduled for January 19-25 in Hanoi. Photo: E916The 14th National Party Congress is scheduled to take place from January 19 to 25 in Hanoi.

Nearly two years ago, residents first noticed a few wild fish, mostly catfish and silver carp, lingering near the water hyacinths close to shore. They also release additional fish to replenish the population and patrol the river to deter illegal fishing in the sanctuary zone. Truong Minh Hai, the group’s leader, has become a local celebrity among visitors. Truong Minh Hai feeds the wild fish at a protected riverside area. Photo: T.XTruong Minh Hai, head of the community group protecting aquatic life in Hong Ngu.

An illustrative photo of jicamasAccording to the Vietnam Food Safety Authority under the Ministry of Health, the incident occurred in Xuan Truong Commune, Ninh Binh Province. All patients were admitted to Hai Hau General Hospital, where they received emergency treatment and initial resuscitation before being transferred to Nam Dinh General Hospital for further care. Medical experts warned that jicama seeds contain rotenone, a toxic substance that was previously used as a pesticide and fish poison. Poisoning from jicama seeds may lead to dangerous symptoms including nausea, persistent vomiting, severe abdominal cramps, and continuous diarrhea. Doctors strongly advise the public never to eat jicama seeds.

Live hog prices in the Northern region jumped to VND68,000-VND69,000/kg in December from VND53,000-55,000/kg in late November, even reaching VND71,000/kg at times. On the last day of December, live hog prices in the Central and Central Highlands regions fluctuated from VND64,000-VND68,000/kg, a sharp increase of VND14,000/kg compared to the end of November. Live hog prices in the Southern region also rose from the level of VND52,000-VND55,000/kg to VND61,000-VND65,000/kg. In the early days of 2026, farm-gate live hog prices fluctuated slightly but remained anchored at VND62,000-VND69,000/kg. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in the first 11 months of 2025, Vietnam had to cull more than 1.23 million pigs due to African Swine Fever.

People cycle along a dedicated bike lane on Mai Chi Tho Avenue in An Khanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Photo: Tri Duc / Tuoi TreEditor's note: The following opinion was submitted to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper by Dr. Nguyen Minh Hoa of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ho Chi Minh City. Earlier attempts to carve out dedicated bicycle lanes were made in Hanoi and Hue. Urban planning, transport planning, residential design, and service networks were all aligned to support cycling as a daily mode of transport. Because of its historical development and urban form, Ho Chi Minh City is unlikely to become a full-fledged bicycle city in the way Copenhagen is.

Decree 360/2025/ND-CP, detailing several provisions of the Law on Special Consumption Tax, was issued by the government on December 31, 2025 and officially took effect on January 1, 2026. Previously, only PHEVs enjoyed this incentive, while HEV models were taxed at the same rate as conventional gasoline cars. Gasoline consumption of the hybrid version accounts for only about 48.6 percent of the conventional version, far exceeding the minimum requirement to qualify for the tax incentive. Its HEV version consumes 4.92 liters per 100 km, while the gasoline version with the same engine displacement consumes 7.2 liters per 100 km. The gasoline consumption ratio between the two versions is 68.3 percent.

Vietnam’s U23 players celebrate after Khuat Van Khang scored the opening goal against Kyrgyzstan in Group A of the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, January 9, 2026. Vietnam took the lead in the first half through a penalty converted by Khuat Van Khang after a Kyrgyz defender committed a foul in the box while attempting to clear a corner delivery. Vietnam’s Khuat Van Khang takes a penalty during the Group A match against Kyrgyzstan at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, January 9, 2026. 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. Vietnam are in Group A with hosts Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Kyrgyzstan.