Recently, Cao Bang made a strong decision to cut out intermediate layers. In Cao Bang, we strictly implement the policies and guidelines directed by the Party and the State, just as other localities do. Clearly, Cao Bang must "renew itself." This reality exists not only in Cao Bang but in many other places as well. Even for myself, the chair of the Provincial People's Committee now has many expanded powers compared to before, and so does the Commune Chairman.
Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam (L) shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump during their meeting at the White House, February 20, 2026. -- A four-seater car carrying three people plunged into a ravine after colliding with a parked motorcycle on a coastal mountain road in Khanh Hoa Province on Friday, leaving one woman seriously injured and prompting an emergency rescue operation, local authorities said the same day. -- Thirteen people in Thanh Hoa Province were hospitalized with suspected food poisoning on Thursday after eating eggs from ornamental fish, authorities said, as health officials launched an investigation and warned the public about the risks of consuming unfamiliar aquatic products. Ho Chi Minh City-- Traffic police in Ho Chi Minh City reported on Friday that more than 1,700 cases of alcohol-related violations were handled over the first three days of the Lunar New Year. -- Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City handled more than 170,000 passengers on Friday, the fourth day of the Lunar New Year festival, setting a record in over a decade.
An initiative to attract PhDs and develop outstanding young scientists returning home began with an intimate dinner, where the distance between teacher and student dissolved in shared stories, memories, concerns and aspirations. Biotechnology Laboratory at the International University - Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City. For young scientists, the first two years include a Category C research grant of up to VND200 million (US$8,000). “This initial success made me seriously consider returning to Vietnam long term to contribute to my homeland,” Dr Trung shared. Beyond the new professional challenges, I have the chance to understand my homeland more deeply,” he said.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam (L) shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump during their meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C., February 20, 2026. Trump congratulated Lam on his re-election as general secretary of the 14th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and said he was pleased to host him at the White House. U.S. President Donald Trump (L) gestures while welcoming General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam during their meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C., February 20, 2026. Regarding bilateral relations, President Trump praised Vietnam’s efforts to help balance two-way trade and welcomed the newly signed high-value agreements during General Secretary Lam’s visit. In September 2023, during an official visit to Hanoi by then-U.S. President Joe Biden, the two countries elevated their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, bypassing the intermediate strategic partnership stage.
Overcoming pressure to reach a perfect GPANguyen Hoang Hong Phung graduated in Industrial Management from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology with a perfect GPA of 4.0/4.0. Since high school, Hong Phung had been interested in Industrial Management, a discipline that bridges economics and engineering, closely tied to production processes, operations and corporate governance. After carefully studying the curriculum and receiving guidance from her family and teachers, she decided to apply to Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. In her early days at one of Vietnam’s most rigorous technical universities, Phung struggled with self-doubt and worried about keeping pace with the demanding coursework. Study habits behind a 4.0 GPAAccording to Hong Phung, the most important factor in sustaining her perfect GPA was proactivity in learning.
For a mother of six in Nghe An, Tet is a whirlwind of busyness filled with laughter and unforgettable memories. Speaking about her decision to have a large family, Tuyet said it was never impulsive. When Tet arrives, Tuyet puts work aside to devote all her time to her children. ‘Laugh-and-cry’ moments during TetThe seven mother and children join hands to prepare a warm Tet. Mother and children gather to celebrate Tet with both paternal and maternal families.
It is no coincidence that Finland, which has led global happiness rankings for many consecutive years, is known for its comprehensive healthcare system, strong preventive care and advanced social welfare policies. A significant turning pointAmong all factors contributing to citizens’ happiness, healthcare holds a central place. Over the past five years, the healthcare system from the central to grassroots levels has been gradually strengthened. To build a society where citizens’ happiness is the central objective, the healthcare system must be reorganized into three tightly connected and harmonious tiers. Elevating preventive healthcare becomes truly meaningful only when placed within the broader framework of human-centered health and social security policies.
Thu Trang, an overseas Vietnamese living in Finland, poses happily beside her newly purchased home in Phan Thiet, Vietnam. Photo: SuppliedFrom policy to trustBefore the 2025 Land Law took effect, the path for overseas Vietnamese to own land and property in their homeland was long and complicated. Nga, the owner of the apartment in Long Thanh, suggested building a national database to store information about assets owned by overseas Vietnamese, making it easier for future generations to manage inheritance. She also hopes the government will issue electronic citizen ID cards to overseas Vietnamese who own homes in Vietnam. Lawyer Lam Quang Quy, director of the Overseas Vietnamese Support Center under the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Associations for Overseas Vietnamese, affirmed that the 2024 Land Law and the 2023 Housing Law have significantly expanded land and housing rights for overseas Vietnamese who retain Vietnamese citizenship.
A weak cold spell is expected to return to northern Vietnam midweek, bringing light rain and cooler conditions. Skies will remain mostly cloudy with occasional light rain. In the south-central coastal region, the northern part will see light rain in some places and sunshine in the afternoon. Around February 24-25 and from February 27 to March 1, scattered rain and light rain are forecast across the region. Other regions will see scattered showers and thunderstorms in the late afternoon and at night, with sunny conditions during the day.
Ho Chi Minh City (VNA) – The Tan Son Nhat International Airport is expected to handle more than 170,000 passengers on February 20 (the fourth day of the Lunar New Year), including nearly 100,000 arrivals to Ho Chi Minh City – the highest daily figure recorded to date. According to the airport’s operations centre, it is scheduled to operate 1,037 flights on the day, serving an estimated 170,798 passengers. This marks the first year that Terminal T3 has been brought into service during the Lunar New Year holiday, significantly boosting Tan Son Nhat’s operational capacity. On February 20 alone, Terminal T3 is set to handle 459 flights (including 230 arrivals), serving nearly 67,000 passengers. Under the airport’s initial plan for the Lunar New Year 2026 Festival, Tan Son Nhat is expected to serve an average of around 145,000 passengers per day, with the busiest days projected to reach 165,000 passengers.
A cruise ship carrying international tourists docks in Da Nang City, central Vietnam, February 19, 2026. Tourists are welcomed after disembarking from a cruise ship in Da Nang City, central Vietnam, February 19, 2026. Passengers visited attractions in central Vietnam including the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture, the Marble Mountains and the ancient town of Hoi An. Local tourism officials and industry representatives welcome cruise passengers upon arrival in Da Nang City, central Vietnam, February 19, 2026. Photo: Khai DangIn 2025, Da Nang received 47 cruise ships carrying 57,600 passengers, up 37.1 percent from a year earlier and 12 more vessels than the previous year.
People wearing 'ao dai' (Vietnam’s traditional costume) walk through Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Photo: Nguyen Hien / Tuoi TreThe Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, said the move aims to create favorable conditions for sightseeing and recreation during Tet while stimulating tourism demand in the capital. Earlier, several sites in Hanoi had already offered free entry for three days, from the 29th day of the last lunar month to the second day of 2026 Tet, including some relics in the Old Quarter, the Huong Son Scenic Complex (Huong Pagoda), while the Hanoi Museum has offered free admission for one month. According to the Hanoi Department of Tourism, during the five-day Lunar New Year holiday of 2026, the capital is estimated to have welcomed more than 593,000 visitors, up 11.7 percent year-on-year. International arrivals surged by more than 51 percent to 111,000, while total tourism revenue was estimated at VND2.231 trillion (US$85 million).
General Secretary Lam highly appreciated the achievements in cooperation between the two countries in the fields of politics, economy and trade, security and defence, and people-to-people exchanges. (Photo: VNA)The Party chief welcomed the positive results achieved in the negotiation process of a reciprocal trade agreement and highly appreciated the role, attention and support of the US Trade Representative. Greer respectfully thanked General Secretary Lam for the meeting and congratulated him on his re-election at the recent National Party Congress. The Trade Representative highly appreciated the positive results in the bilateral relations, including in the economic and trade sectors. On this occasion, Greer extended New Year greetings to General Secretary Lam and the people of Vietnam./.
A Savills report showed that the Asia-Pacific property sector is entering a more stable phase in 2026, with Vietnam earning praise for its robust economic fundamentals and expanding domestic demand. Data from Vietnam’s National Statistics Office (NSO) and international research bodies showed that Vietnam’s GDP growth from 2022-2025 reflected a clear recovery and sustained stability. Savills expected rental rates in key regional markets to maintain upward momentum in 2026, driven by genuine occupancy needs and the increasingly critical role of logistics infrastructure in global value chains. Sharing a similar view, Country Head of JLL Vietnam Trang Bui said the Vietnamese market is entering a phase of “healthy rebalancing”. According to CEO of Savills Vietnam Neil MacGregor, regional trends are increasingly evident in the Vietnamese market, but with greater depth and quality.
The practice environment at the hospital is a vital factor for human resource training. Medical training is very expensive. The tuition students pay only accounts for a small part of the actual cost. In developed countries, medical students are considered a precious resource. However, current tuition fees for medical students are not low, even two to three times higher than the average tuition fees of other fields.
