She also called on local game developers to embed historical and cultural values into their games to preserve and promote Vietnamese identity. While expanding game production is vital, controlling the negative impacts of gaming content is equally important - especially content originating from abroad and distributed across borders into Vietnam. She also revealed that the ABTEI had developed and implemented a database software system for managing licensed online games. This system will allow all licensed games - whether domestic or international apps - to carry a distinctive logo. The new feature aims to enhance transparency and make it easier for regulatory bodies to monitor licensed games.

Platform reliance fuels growth but exposes gapsMilieu Insight noted that Vietnam’s e-commerce ecosystem remains heavily platform-centric. Platform fees accepted only when returns are clearVietnamese sellers increasingly view platform fees as a necessary investment rather than a simple operating cost, but only when benefits are clear and measurable. Logistics remains persistent bottleneckLogistics continues to rank among the most pressing challenges for online sellers. Seventy-four percent of respondents said sustainable growth in Vietnam’s e-commerce sector depends on coordinated efforts from sellers, platforms, and regulators. The Milieu Insight study also noted that success hinges on addressing key challenges in logistics, fee transparency, and competition from foreign players.

Damage to the barber shop ceiling after the incident. Just seconds later, a man suddenly crashed through the roof, piercing two layers of plastic ceiling before landing on the shop floor. Thankfully, the two ceiling layers helped break his fall, and he escaped with only minor scratches.”Dat explained that his barber shop is located in his home. Dat confirmed that his barber shop has since resumed operation. “I’m still using a cement-fiber roof but I’ve also added two plastic ceiling layers to help with heat insulation,” he said.

Most of these entities are expected to also receive gold import licenses,” Tuan said. Tuan affirmed that any enterprise or bank licensed to produce gold bars and meeting the requirements will be eligible for gold import licenses. Before December 15, the central bank will approve these quotas for gold bars and raw gold imports. In Phase 2, trading will expand to include both raw gold and gold bars. Phase 3 will see further expansion to include domestically circulated gold, gold certificates, and gold derivatives.

Residents of alley 87 Tran Phu Street, Cho Quan Ward, Ho Chi Minh City pool their time and money to prepare quality meals for pediatric patients and the poor. Pham Thi Bich Nhu (L) and her friends prepare charity meals for people in need in Ho Chi Minh City. Thao, Nhu’s younger sister, said that many children from poor rural areas have to come to Ho Chi Minh City for medical treatment. For nearly 20 years, Nguyen Thi Phu, 71, along with a few neighbors, has swept the alley twice a day. According to Nguyen Thi Ngoc Thach, head of residential group 23 in Cho Quan Ward, the actions of residents in alley 87 are deeply admirable.

Wild Himalayan cherry blossoms are in full bloom along a street in Mang Den, a highland tourist attraction in Quang Ngai Province, central Vietnam, December 2025. Photo: Tuoi TreCheck out the latest news in Vietnam today:Society-- Vietnam’s National Competition Commission has invited VNG Corporation, the parent company of the popular messaging app Zalo, to a working session scheduled for Wednesday to review how the platform collects, uses, and protects user information, amid growing scrutiny over consumer data protection. -- Cold air may continue to dominate northern Vietnam on Tuesday, bringing light rain, dense fog, and biting temperatures, while the southern region is expected to enjoy sunshine and a mild morning, according to the national weather agency. Ho Chi Minh City-- Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City said seven companies are ready to recruit more than 3,700 workers after a South Korean-owned garment manufacturer announced it would stop operations, as over 2,600 affected employees seek assurances on severance benefits, including a 13th-month salary. -- More than 4.46 million visits were recorded at museums in Ho Chi Minh City in 2025, up 40 percent year on year, reflecting growing public interest in cultural heritage and the city’s expanding museum system, according to the municipal Department of Culture and Sports.

Credit for supporting industries and high-tech sectors saw the highest growth rates, at over 27% and 20%, respectively. With strong credit demand, liquidity pressures are inevitable. He added that year-end payment needs and capital demand typically spike due to seasonal effects, intensifying pressure on the system's liquidity. “As of December 24, capital mobilization growth stood at just around 14.1%, significantly lower than the 17.87% growth in credit. The central bank stands ready to supply capital and support liquidity for credit institutions to ensure smooth operations and meet the economy’s payment needs.

The university reminds the public that all official announcements are published only on its verified website and fanpages. It urges students, parents, and the broader community not to provide personal information, send money, or engage with any activity promoted by unofficial or suspicious channels. After receiving reports from parents and students, the school outlined a deceptive tactic where scammers pretend to be students contacting the parents of classmates. Phu advised parents and students to immediately contact the homeroom teacher or the school administration if they encounter any suspicious requests. “For the safety of students and their families, the school leadership urges everyone to remain vigilant against identity-based scams,” Phu emphasized.

This composite image shows a Zalo user on her smartphone alongside a portion of the app’s updated terms of service, which now request additional personal information from users. Users must accept all terms or face account deletion after 45 days, with no option for partial consent. "Even if users only use Zalo, VNG can utilize their personal data across subsidiaries, whether or not the user engages with those companies," a privacy expert noted. Yet skepticism remains over its collection of extensive personal data, including family relationships and government-issued ID numbers, which critics say exceeds Government Decree 147, under which ID numbers are required only if a phone number is unavailable. From January 1, 2026, the Law on Personal Data Protection will give citizens greater control over their personal data, Nguoi Lao Dong reported.

A drone is tested for delivery at the Saigon Hi-Tech Park in Ho Chi Minh City, December 29, 2025. The deal is valid for three years and serves as a basis for their cooperation in implementing upcoming pilot activities, in line with Ho Chi Minh City’s orientation toward science and technology development and innovation. Representatives from tech firm Saolatek and mobile retailer Di Dong Viet sign a memorandum of understanding to pilot goods delivery services by drone at the Saigon Hi-Tech Park in Ho Chi Minh City, December 29, 2025. If drone delivery proves viable, it could significantly shorten delivery times while saving on labor and operating costs. The company’s engineering team, largely made up of graduates from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology under the Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City, spent more than 15 years persevering through early failures.

In Hanoi, renovation works are in progress on the iconic Long Bien Bridge, where aging components are being replaced after years of heavy use and exposure. Contractors are installing new concrete panels and steel drainage channels to replace deteriorated sections that have long shown signs of decay. At several spans of the bridge, workers are actively removing and replacing old concrete slabs on the road surface. Long Bien Bridge seen from Chuong Duong Bridge. Ảnh: Đức HoàngSevere peeling and damage visible on Long Bien Bridge surface.

Released on December 19, Avatar 3 has consistently held the top spot at the box office. In just the last weekend, Avatar 3 earned 40.5 billion VND (about 1.66 million USD) across 9,252 screenings. Still, the animated hit’s total revenue in the Vietnamese market has already exceeded 213 billion VND (about 8.75 million USD). It's been a long time since two Hollywood films have simultaneously maintained their grip on the top two positions in Vietnam’s box office with such commanding numbers. Anaconda: Clash of the Super Python earned just 2.2 billion VND (about 90,000 USD), placing fourth, while the animated film SpongeBob and the Pirate’s Curse brought in 1.4 billion VND (roughly 57,000 USD), ranking fifth.

HCMC residents will be able to ride buses and the metro for free on New Year’s Day. Photo: MQAccording to Phuong Trang Passenger Bus Joint Stock Company, passengers traveling on 78 bus routes operated by the company will not be charged any fare on New Year’s Day. Beyond these 78 routes, other subsidized bus lines managed by various operators across HCMC will also waive fares on January 1. Currently, Ho Chi Minh City operates about 179 bus routes, both subsidized and unsubsidized, with more than 2,300 vehicles in service. Alongside the buses, the Ben Thanh–Suoi Tien metro line will also be free for all passengers on New Year’s Day.

Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy reacts during the 2025 Southeast Asian Games women’s football final against the Philippines in Thailand, December 17, 2025. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi TreGerman news channel NTV this week revisited a disallowed goal by Vietnam forward Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy in the women's football final at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, describing it as a major officiating mistake. Malaysian media, including the New Straits Times, reported that Malaysia's football authorities were fined over the violations. Veteran football writer John Duerden said in a commentary piece that the incident could prompt closer scrutiny of nationality regulations in international football. Other football controversies cited by international media in 2025 included a match-fixing scandal in Turkey and allegations of governance issues within Cameroon's football federation.

The directive noted that the work of signing and implementing international commitments in recent years has revealed a number of shortcomings and limitations. The Secretariat called on Party committees at all levels, Party organizations, officials, and Party members to raise awareness of the importance of signing and effectively implementing international commitments for Vietnam's development, standing, and credibility. It also emphasized the need to resolutely combat and refute false or distorted narratives spread by hostile and reactionary forces regarding the signing and implementation of international commitments. Party committees are tasked with reviewing and refining Party regulations and state laws, as well as improving procedures to facilitate the signing and implementation of international commitments. International commitments should be translated into action programs and work plans for ministries, sectors, and localities, based on statements and agreed exchanges between key leaders and foreign partners.