Elementary school students play a traditional game ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday at a school in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. However, schools may allow students to begin their holiday earlier, potentially from February 9, depending on their academic plans, the department said. Ho Tan Minh, chief of staff of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, said schools could add up to three days before the official holiday period to enable students to participate in traditional family and cultural activities ahead of the Lunar New Year. "Any additional days off must be arranged before the holiday," Minh said, adding that students at all levels must return to school on the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, February 23. Vietnam's Lunar New Year, or Tet, is the country's most important holiday and typically involves extended travel and family gatherings.

The first Can Tho River Culture Festival opens in Ninh Kieu Ward, Can Tho City, southern Vietnam, December 27, 2025. Society-- Police in Ho Chi Minh City have charged two employees of CityZoo Company, managed by a French national, with embezzling more than VND17.7 billion (US$671,500). Economy-- VinFast is opening an exhibition and test-drive area for its electric vehicle lineup at the Vietnam National Exhibition Center in Hanoi. -- The Vietnamese auto market will see the arrival of two new brands in 2026, including Lotus and Zeekr. Travel-- The second Sa Dec Ornamental Flower Festival opened at Sa Dec Square in Dong Thap Province, southern Vietnam on Saturday night, drawing thousands of tourists.

The proportion of black pepper exports dropped from 70.9% in 2024 to 68.8% in 2025. In contrast, processed pepper products saw modest increases: ground black pepper rose from 15.4% to 15.9%, and white pepper grew from 8.2% to 10.7%. Moreover, Vietnam’s pepper commanded the highest export prices among the top five suppliers to the U.S. - Vietnam, Indonesia, Brazil, China, and Zimbabwe. Vietnam currently accounts for about 60% of global pepper export volume, with an increasingly diversified product portfolio. By year’s end, Vietnam’s pepper exports could exceed $1.6 billion - the highest ever.

Speaking at the 2025 Commendation Ceremony for Outstanding Ethnic Minority Students and Youth, the Deputy PM emphasized the event’s deep humanitarian value, honoring the tradition of learning and the efforts of ethnic minority youth to rise through education, self-improvement, and social contribution. “Education is key to opportunity and equality”Deputy PM Mai Van Chinh and Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung with outstanding ethnic minority students and youth, 2025. The “six clears” directive150 outstanding ethnic minority students and youth honored as symbols of perseverance and pride. Local authorities were urged to prioritize recruitment, development, and incentives for talented ethnic minority professionals - especially in border and island areas - and to complete construction of the 100 ethnic boarding schools on schedule. The 2025 Commendation Ceremony for Outstanding Ethnic Minority Students and Youth took place on December 27 at the Ho Guom Theatre in Hanoi.

The project, managed by the Urban Transport Management Center under the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction, carries a total investment of more than 12.7 billion VND (about USD 500,000). The project not only enhances traffic safety but also represents a concrete step in Ho Chi Minh City’s carbon reduction strategy. The dedicated bicycle lane on Mai Chi Tho Boulevard is taking shape. Photo: TKThe 2-meter-wide bicycle lane allows a maximum speed of 20 km/h. Photo: TKPublic bicycles have been arranged along Mai Chi Tho Boulevard, ready to serve residents once the project is completed.

Captain Nguyen Hoang Hai Quang attends the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress. Captain Quang currently serves as Deputy Squadron Leader and Chief of Staff of Squadron 1, Regiment 925, Division 372, Air Defense – Air Force Service. This marks his seventh visit to Hanoi this year, having previously participated in the 11th All-Army Patriotic Emulation Congress in September. To date, Captain Quang has logged nearly 700 hours of flight, earning the title of Level-2 Military Pilot. Despite the accolades, Captain Quang remains humble:“Achievements in the air are never mine alone.

The whispers grew louder after singer Nguyen Vu publicly suggested that the song might have come from an AI demo - a claim he attributed to the song’s producer, Ken Quach. “I gave permission to sing, not to claim”According to Huong My Bong, she had allowed Nguyen Vu to perform a cover of her song. The legal road aheadSinger Nguyen Vu. “No AI understands what it means to love someone so much it leaves you drunk for a lifetime.”She isn’t just defending her song. Nguyen Vu performing “Drunk a lifetime for you”.

Photo: Du LamOn December 27, in Hanoi, the association-formerly known as the Vietnam - France Friendship Association-held a ceremony to celebrate its 70th anniversary (1955 - 2025). The Vietnam - France Friendship and Cooperation Association receives the second-class Labor Medal on December 27. For its outstanding contributions, the Vietnam - France Friendship and Cooperation Association was presented with the second-class Labor Medal. Several distinguished members were also honored with the “For Peace and Friendship Among Nations” Medal from the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations. The ceremony took place at Hanoi Medical University-an institution closely associated with Professor Ho Dac Di, the university’s first rector and the founding president of the Vietnam - France Friendship Association.

A new development era and Vietnam’s historic arcThe 15th Party Central Committee plenary laid the foundation for Congress XIV in shaping Vietnam’s next strategic phase. The lesson: Vietnam’s development trajectory cannot rely solely on external forces. Three strategic breakthroughs for the new eraThe speech’s most important focus was the Party’s adoption of three strategic breakthroughs to steer Vietnam’s upcoming development phase. Congress XIV: A milestone for national progressIn closing, the General Secretary called Congress XIV a landmark political event for Vietnam. That is the defining challenge for Congress XIV-and for Vietnam’s next five years of development.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has received petitions from voters in Ninh Binh Province, forwarded by the National Assembly’s Committee on Petitions and Supervision. Notably, voters emphasized the requirement for effective salary reform in line with the roadmap stipulated in Resolution No 27 of the Central Committee, thereby contributing to the enhanced operational efficiency of grassroots governments. Calculating new salariesIn response, MHA stated that Resolution No 27 on salary policy reform for officials, civil servants, public employees, the armed forces, and workers in enterprises clearly defines the factors for designing new salary tables. It also expands salary relationships as a basis for determining specific salary levels within the salary system. Among them, 94.6 percent of officials and civil servants possess qualifications and expertise suitable for their job positions.

The accident scene where a passenger bus carrying a charity group overturns in Phinh Ho Commune, Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam, December 27, 2025. The bus was transporting a charity delegation heading directly to Hoa My Kindergarten, previously located in Ban Mu Commune and now part of Phinh Ho Commune. The crashed bus lies severely damaged at the site of the accident in Phinh Ho Commune, Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam, December 27, 2025. The passenger bus is badly crushed after being turned upright by rescue teams in Phinh Ho Commune, Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam, December 27, 2025. Officials from the provincial police and other emergency services were dispatched immediately to provide first aid, rescue the injured, and secure the scene.

When digital trust is no longer optionalFilip Graovac, Deputy Country Representative of The Asia Foundation (TAF) in Vietnam, said digital trust is the foundation of all business activities in the digital environment. “Digital trust is not optional, it is essential,” he emphasized, noting that this trust directly translates into consumer confidence, repeat purchases, and a company’s reputation within the community. He warned that when digital trust erodes, businesses tend to withdraw from the digital environment. Accessible solutions for small businessesFacing these challenges, experts believe that building digital trust must start with people and communities. Small businesses have strong demand for basic security tools but are constrained by cost and human resource bottlenecks.

A strange thing happened: despite being buried for seven years, the body remained perfectly intact when the coffin was opened. Gradually, it became his profession.”In his nearly 10 years of work, Nam has encountered three other such "difficult" cases. As long as the reburial is meticulous and the deceased is settled in a clean "new home," his mind is at peace. At first, seeing her husband immersed in “work for the dead” night after night, Nhung felt uneasy. Helping others brings some income, and my conscience feels at peace.” From then on, he received full support from his wife and children.

However, VCCI argues that the 1 billion VND revenue threshold may be inconsistent with existing tax calculation benchmarks, which are currently set at 3 billion VND and 50 billion VND. Survey highlights challengesA VCCI survey conducted in June 2025 revealed persistent difficulties among household businesses earning over 1 billion VND. For businesses below that threshold, VCCI suggests enhancing tax monitoring using alternative data sources instead of requiring universal e-invoice compliance. He believes the 1 billion VND threshold is sensible. Raising the threshold may shrink e-invoice coverageDr. Tu warns that increasing the threshold to 3 billion VND could unintentionally exempt nearly all household businesses from e-invoicing.

More than three decades ago, Do Son casino in Hai Phong made history as the first licensed gambling venue in Vietnam. Vietnam’s first legal casino fades into memoryAccording to local authorities in Do Son ward, the casino was granted pilot operating status in 1992. At its peak, Do Son casino was a flamboyant symbol of Vietnam's opening economy and tourism aspirations. Architectural elegance now lost to timeDesigned in European Renaissance style, Do Son casino featured ornate facades, intricate motifs, and luxurious materials including marble, premium wood, and gilded metals. Do Son casino now bears a scruffy, neglected appearance.