A Vietnamese child poses in ‘ao dai’ (Vietnam’s traditional long gown). -- Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang hosted a reception in Hanoi on Monday for non-resident ambassadors who are in Vietnam to attend the 14th National Congress. -- International journalists and overseas Vietnamese media representatives expressed strong support for the 14th National Party Congress at a meeting in Hanoi on Monday, highlighting Vietnam’s achievements and pledging objective coverage as the landmark political event unfolds in Hanoi through January 25. -- Northern Vietnam will enjoy clear and pleasant daytime weather on Tuesday, but a cold air mass may move in from the evening, bringing rain and colder conditions. Parts of central Vietnam face increasing showers and thunderstorms, while southern Vietnam and other regions will remain sunny during the day, according to the national weather center.

Today, with Samsung, Google and Motorola all selling multiple foldable models, the category is showing strong momentum. Examples include the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Oppo Find N5, and Honor Magic V5. Trifold phonesRepresenting the most flexible form yet, trifolds like the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold and Huawei Mate XT offer even more screen real estate. In contrast, the Galaxy Z TriFold provides a full 10-inch display but only works in fully open or closed modes - no mid-range configurations. ETnews suggests Samsung could unveil this model alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8, potentially in July 2026 - ahead of Apple’s expected fall launch.

In 2017, Phat was awarded the title “Artisan of Hanoi” by the Hanoi People’s Committee in recognition of his mastery in mother-of-pearl inlay and lacquer. Each piece in the collection preserves the essence of lacquer art while presenting a contemporary aesthetic tailored to both domestic and global markets. Creating each lacquer table takes roughly two and a half months from start to finish. Smaller lacquer horse pieces are priced between $120 and $400. Phat spent four months crafting this horse-shaped lacquer cabinet, which is expected to sell for $12,000.

Dak Lak Provincial Fire and Rescue Police successfully rescue a group of foreign tourists stranded on rocks. At around 7:58 a.m. that morning, a group of five - four foreign tourists from the United States, Germany, and Denmark, along with a local tour guide - visited Bai Tien beach in Vung Ro Hamlet, Hoa Xuan Commune. At the time, rough seas and strong waves made the rescue operation particularly difficult, hampering efforts to reach the trapped individuals. With support from Hoa Xuan Commune Police, Mobile Police Forces, and the Vung Ro Port Border Guard Station, the rescue team managed to reach and secure the victims. By 9:30 a.m., after more than an hour of navigating challenging conditions, both tourists were successfully brought to safety.

Vietnamese police have dismantled a large-scale counterfeit food and supplement operation involving Medistar Vietnam Co., Ltd., with estimated illegal revenue close to $72 million. During the operation, police discovered an entire production line manufacturing counterfeit health supplements at a factory belonging to Medistar Vietnam. Doan Trung Duc, 45, General Director of Medistar Vietnam, has been charged along with five others for producing and trading counterfeit food, foodstuffs, and food additives. Over that period, the ring is believed to have sold hundreds of tons of counterfeit supplements across the country. Doan Trung Duc (far left), 45, and five other suspects have been charged with producing and trading counterfeit food and violating accounting regulations.

Leaked renders suggest the Galaxy S26 Ultra will feature softer corners but few bold design changes. Image: TechDroider / YouTubeJust days after leaked renders of the Galaxy S26 and S26 Ultra surfaced online, a community poll on tech site PhoneArena quickly highlighted disappointment among users. Minor changes fail to impressAccording to leaks, the Galaxy S26 Ultra won’t feature a radical redesign. The Galaxy S26 Ultra seems to follow this trend. But with the Galaxy S26 and S26 Ultra, it seems the company is opting for caution.

A programmed drone disperses seeds over Nui Chua National Park in Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam. Combined with steep terrain and sheer rocky faces, these conditions make traditional reforestation methods largely unworkable. The drones are programmed to release seeds based on precise coordinates, allowing targeted restoration across difficult terrain. She noted that 2025 marked a major milestone as the company completed its goal of planting one million trees across Vietnam. Over the past five years, OMO has partnered with national parks across Vietnam to apply seed-ball planting methods, dispersing seeds to support forest restoration in challenging environments.

Vietnam’s economy has entered a period of rapid expansion. In 2024, under the World Bank’s latest income classification (for the fiscal year from July 2023 to July 2024), Vietnam had not yet made it into the upper-middle income group. The World Bank classifies economies based on gross national income (GNI) per capita - not GDP. Assuming exchange rates remain relatively stable, Vietnam is believed to have effectively crossed the World Bank’s upper-middle income threshold. This achievement reflects more than just fast GDP growth.

A Vietnam U23 player (in white) challenges a China U23 player during their match at the CFA Team China Panda Cup in China, November 12, 2025. Yet when set against past results in official competitions, the numbers offer a more sobering picture: Vietnam’s U23 side have never beaten China at an AFC-sanctioned tournament. As the teams prepare to meet again, Vietnam have yet to register a single official U23 victory over China in AFC competitions. Vietnam U23 head coach Kim Sang Sik is seen during the AFC U23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia. The 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup is being held in Saudi Arabia from January 6 to 24.

Among them is an average GDP growth target of 10% per year during the 2026–2030 period, and a projected per capita GDP of around USD 8,500 by 2030. The country's economic growth remained relatively strong compared to the global average. Ambitious, strategic economic goalsIn 2025, Vietnam maintained macroeconomic stability and achieved notable outcomes. While the 10% GDP growth and USD 8,500 per capita income targets are highly ambitious, he believes they are grounded in strategic direction. In short, they provide the strategic groundwork for Vietnam to enter a phase of rapid, sustainable, and modern growth.

During their stay, the ship’s commanding officers will pay courtesy visits to leaders of the Da Nang People’s Committee, the Vietnam Coast Guard Region 2, and other relevant agencies and units. Akitsushima (PLH32) is a large patrol vessel measuring approximately 150 meters in length and 17 meters in width, with a displacement of around 6,500 tons. The Japanese Coast Guard’s Akitsushima patrol ship arrives at Da Nang Port. The Akitsushima patrol ship is about 150 meters long and 17 meters wide. Crew members are expected to visit Da Nang’s key cultural and tourist attractions during their stay.

Traffic police officers check violations related to sidewalk and roadway encroachment on Le Van Viet Street in Tang Nhon Phu Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, January 18, 2026. Sidewalks in central areas including Ngo Duc Ke, Ham Nghi, Ton That Thiep, and Nguyen Du Streets became clearer following enforcement actions. Motorbikes are parked neatly along Han Thuyen Street in Saigon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, January 18, 2026, following a citywide crackdown on sidewalk encroachment. Photo: Huu DuyThe crackdown follows a citywide campaign launched earlier this month to curb recurring sidewalk encroachment, which officials say undermines pedestrian safety and urban order. Ho Chi Minh City previously allowed limited, fee-based temporary use of sidewalks for commercial purposes under local regulations, but new national rules effective in 2025 removed provincial and municipal authority to permit sidewalk use for business activities.

On January 16, President Trump sent a letter to General Secretary Lam, inviting the Party chief and Vietnam to participate in the Gaza Peace Council as a founding member state, alongside the international community, to promote a sustainable peaceful solution to the conflict between Israel and Palestine in the Gaza Strip. A scene of devastation caused by conflict in Gaza. Vietnam underscored that the establishment of the Peace Council is a necessary step in implementing the Gaza peace plan adopted by the United Nations Security Council under Resolution No. The resolution welcomes United Nations member states to participate in the Peace Council to advance peacebuilding, humanitarian assistance, and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. In his letter, General Secretary Lam also proposed that Vietnam and the US continue to strengthen cooperation to further develop the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries in a substantive and effective manner.

Photo: Nguyen Minh ChuyenFrom late Tuesday through Thursday, scattered rain is forecast across the north and the north-central provinces of Thanh Hoa and Nghe An. Mountainous and midland areas of the north may experience severe cold from Thursday to Friday, with some locations facing damaging cold. During this cold spell, the lowest temperatures in the north, Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An are forecast to range from 11 to 14 degrees Celsius. In northern mountainous areas, the mercury may fall to 8-11 degrees Celsius, with some high mountain locations dropping below six degrees Celsius. From Wednesday, the Gulf of Tonkin is forecast to experience northeast winds at around 50 kph, gusting to 75 kph, with waves 2-3 meters high.

Banners decorate a street in Hanoi ahead of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, January 2026. Photo: Gia HanThe 14th National Party Congress is scheduled to run from January 19 through 25, about one and a half days shorter than the previous congress in 2021, which lasted eight days. During the preparatory session, delegates observed a minute of silence in memory of former Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and members of the Party Central Committee who passed away during the 13th Congress term, according to the congress agenda. Following the preparatory session, delegates will meet in their respective groups to study draft documents, including reports by the 13th Party Central Committee on congress submissions and its leadership performance during the past term. The opening session of the 14th National Congress is scheduled for Tuesday morning.