The agreements come as Vietnam and the US intensify negotiations on a reciprocal, fair and balanced trade deal designed to build a stable, long-term framework for economic and trade collaboration. Energy cooperation has been identified as a central pillar in this process, supporting Vietnam’s energy security, broadening the scope of bilateral engagement, promoting two-way trade, and helping shape a more balanced and sustainable trade partnership. Under the MoUs, BSR will cooperate with Chevron Supply and Trading, Marquis Energy, and ADM Asia-Pacific Trading Pte. The agreements cover crude oil supply for the Dung Quat Oil Refinery, potential imports of ethanol biofuel from the US, and the provision of corn as feedstock for ethanol production in Vietnam. The deals are viewed as a significant milestone, underscoring the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s role in facilitating connections between Vietnamese enterprises and major US corporations while translating strategic energy cooperation commitments into concrete projects.

The Jordanian House Speaker and his entourage first laid a wreath and paid tribute at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, before offering flowers in remembrance of national heroes and martyrs. Later, El Qadi and the high-level delegation visited the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, whose central sector represents a vital remnant of the Forbidden City and Royal Citadel of ancient Thang Long. Representatives of the Thang Long – Hanoi Heritage Conservation Centre briefed the Jordanian Speaker and his delegation on Vietnam’s millennia-old history through artefacts preserved at the heritage site, which bears the deep imprint of Hanoi’s thousand-year-old civilisation. The ancient architectural works, archaeological remains and relics on display are regarded as invaluable treasures of Thang Long – Hanoi and of Vietnam as a whole. Leaders of the Thang Long – Hanoi Heritage Conservation Centre present a book to Jordanian House of Representatives Speaker Mazen Turki El Qadi at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel.

At the meeting, Trung briefed the top Chinese leader on the outcomes of the 14th National Congress of the CPV. He also expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of his telephone talks with the Vietnamese Party chief shortly after the congress. Trung conveyed the cordial regards and a letter of appreciation from General Secretary Lam to the Chinese leader for his congratulations. Highly valuing Trung’s views, General Secretary and President Xi emphasised the China–Vietnam long-standing friendship, saying the relations align with the fundamental interests of both countries. On the occasion of the Lunar New Year of the Horse, the Chinese leader extended his best wishes for health and prosperity to the Party, State and people of Vietnam, as well as to General Secretary Lam./.

A fireworks display in Da Nang City, central Vietnam. Photo: Truong Trung / Tuoi TreThe Da Nang People’s Committee has announced that the shows will last 15 minutes, starting at 12:00 am on February 17. The displays will take place simultaneously at six locations across the expanded city area, covering both former Da Nang and former Quang Nam Province. This year’s shows will feature artistic fireworks without background music, using FireOne automatic and L100S semi-automatic systems. Both high-altitude and low-altitude fireworks will be supplied by Chemical Company 21 under the General Department of Defense Industry.

Foreign tourists take part in island-hopping tours in Nha Trang Bay, Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam. A similar assault at a bar in Nha Trang took place just a month earlier. Looking at neighboring countries such as Thailand or Indonesia, violence against tourists is not treated as a routine public order offense. If violence against tourists is not decisively eliminated, especially as the Lunar New Year peak season approaches, Nha Trang’s famous beauty and appeal will inevitably fade. It is time for authorities in Khanh Hoa to act firmly.

Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) shakes hands with Speaker of the Jordanian House of Representatives Mazen Turki El Qadi in Hanoi, February 3, 2026. Looking ahead, the two sides agreed to work toward raising bilateral trade to $500 million by 2030 and $1 billion by 2035. El Qadi proposed establishing a free trade zone dedicated to Vietnamese goods in Jordan to facilitate exports to the wider Middle East, alongside the creation of joint ventures in promising sectors. Chinh said Vietnam is ready to ensure a stable and high-quality supply of agricultural and aquatic products for Jordan, while welcoming Jordanian businesses to explore investment and business opportunities in Vietnam. Vietnam and Jordan established diplomatic relations in 1980, and their multifaceted cooperation has continued to develop steadily in recent years.

But its liveliest hours fall between 6 and 9 AM, when the food stalls fill the air with inviting aromas. The golden sponge of the Mekong: palm sugar cakesNo food tour of Chau Doc would be complete without bánh bò thốt nốt - steamed sponge cakes made with palm sugar, a specialty from the nearby Bay Nui region. The cakes are small and bright yellow, releasing a warm, caramel aroma from the palm sugar, balanced by the richness of coconut. Chau Doc’s version stands out with its generous toppings: deboned snakehead fish, fish cake, roasted pork, pork sausage, and a heap of local vegetables like water spinach, banana blossoms, and sesbania flowers. A tiny food paradise in the Mekong DeltaIn Chau Doc Market, every dish is a sensory celebration of Southern Vietnamese culture - colorful, flavorful, and deeply local.

The number of locations where smoking is completely prohibited would be expanded, while spaces permitted to set up designated smoking areas would be gradually reduced. Other sites, such as workplaces and higher education institutions, are only subject to indoor smoking bans, with outdoor areas not fully restricted. Currently, a total indoor smoking proscription applies to workplaces, higher education institutions, public places, and public transport. Strict standards for designated smoking areasAlongside the expanded forbiddance, the ministry proposed allowing designated indoor smoking areas only in a limited number of special locations. In response, the ministry has put forward a ban on next-generation tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and other new forms of tobacco.

On February 3, a working group from Buon Don Commune joined national park rangers to inspect the site, located atop a remote hill deep within the forest. The carvings include spirals, undulating lines, leaf-like forms and water-wave motifs - all deeply incised into the stone. Officials on site agreed the patterns bore clear signs of human intervention, rather than being the result of natural erosion or weathering. Pham Trung Kien, head of the Yok Don ranger station, first encountered the site during a patrol in February 2022. Pham Tuan Linh, director of Yok Don National Park, confirmed the park is taking immediate measures to protect the area while awaiting further investigation by relevant cultural and archaeological authorities.

An old motorcycle emits smoke into the environment in Ho Chi Minh City. Residents hope the process will be implemented methodically, based on scientific standards, and with maximum convenience for motorcycle owners. The addition of motorcycle emissions testing, while not technically complex, will involve a far larger volume of vehicles. Once motorcycle emissions testing is introduced, there may be cases of delay, avoidance or non-compliance. Such initiatives are not only necessary support measures but also a way for businesses to share responsibility with the community as the electric vehicle market continues to expand.

These atmospheric conditions will trigger light rain and mist, particularly in northern and central regions. In northern Vietnam and the north-central region, light rain and widespread fog will dominate early mornings. More significant rain events are expected on two occasions - February 6–7 and again on February 11–12 - as the new cold front strengthens. Cold nights and mornings will persist, especially in northern parts of central Vietnam. Nonetheless, short-lived cold spells may still occur in northern provinces and in areas such as Thanh Hoa and Nghe An.

Traffic police will deploy motorbikes and cars to escort people returning home for Tet. To ease these risks, the department has instructed traffic police units across 34 provinces and cities to mobilize officers and vehicles to assist citizens. This includes stationing officers at major city gateways, national highways, and industrial zones to control traffic flow and provide guidance. This initiative is part of the broader Tet traffic safety campaign launched by the Traffic Police Department. Authorities have reiterated that while drinking during Tet celebrations is not prohibited, driving under the influence will be strictly penalized.

UN Under-Secretary-General Amandeep Singh GillAt the 6th ASEAN Digital Ministers' Meeting (ADGMIN) held in Hanoi, he provided insights into Vietnam's position on the world digital map. Vietnam is one of the leading countries in digital transformation, not only within the ASEAN region but also on a global scale. However, I am very pleased to see these issues being prioritized by ASEAN Digital Ministers through the ASEAN Master Plan. I have also said that wherever leaders pay close attention to digital transformation, progress happens much faster. The United Nations has established new global mechanisms for AI governance, and all member states, including Vietnam, have made commitments under the Global Digital Compact and are participating in the global AI governance process.

The center of Da Nang City in central Vietnam. -- Vietnam’s Ministry of Health is seeking public feedback on draft legal amendments that would ban smoking indoors, in public places, and at educational institutions, allowing it only in clearly designated areas to strengthen public health protection. Ho Chi Minh City-- Forty-six people in Ho Chi Minh City were hospitalized with suspected food poisoning after a year-end company party, Ba Ria General Hospital said late on Tuesday. -- Ho Chi Minh City police said on Tuesday they had detained eight suspects after dismantling a ring accused of producing counterfeit RON 95 gasoline by blending legitimate fuel with solvents and colorants in Chanh Hung and Long Truong Wards. Sports-- Vietnam were eliminated from the 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup on Tuesday night after losing 2-3 to Indonesia in the quarterfinals.

A giant mackerel is tied to a wooden pole as it is carried ashore in Da Nang City, central Vietnam, February 1, 2026. “The mackerel was nearly two meters long and weighed 63 kilograms,” he said. Hai said he had previously caught large fish, including sharks weighing dozens of kilograms, but this was the first time he had landed such a big mackerel. Realizing a large fish was hooked, Hai called his friends for help. In recent days, video clips of Hai’s catch have circulated widely on social media, attracting significant attention from fishing enthusiasts in Da Nang and beyond.