A view of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee building. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi TreRead what is in the news in Vietnam today:Society-- Vietnam ranked eighth globally in beer consumption in 2024 with 4.6 billion liters, while China remained the world’s largest market, according to data from Japan’s Kirin Holdings. Ho Chi Minh City-- A car driven by a man struck five motorcycles stopped at a red light at an intersection in Thu Duc Ward, Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday afternoon, injuring several people, local authorities said. -- Ho Chi Minh City authorities have approved plans to invest more than VND5.5 trillion (US$209.4 million) to upgrade and widen Ton That Thuyet Street and develop a green park along the Te Canal, according to a city government directive. Sports-- The Ho Chi Minh City Marathon ended on Sunday with nearly 11,000 runners from 75 countries and territories, including about 2,800 foreign participants who made up 26 percent of the field, organizers said.

Blood Paradise, Vietnam’s first major film centered on international scam operations involving Vietnamese citizens, has emerged as a box office sensation. In its second week, the film surpassed the VND 100 billion ($4.1 million) milestone, continuing its dominance of Vietnam’s weekend box office. This relevance has been a key factor in sustaining its box office momentum. Thanh Huong draws attention in the Vietnamese true crime film Blood Paradise. The rise and fall of familiar namesLove In Vietnam, featuring Kha Ngan, saw a disappointing box office debut with only $2,100 in ticket sales.

Photo: PhoneArenaLast year, Apple officially ended the iPhone SE line and introduced the iPhone 16e as its new budget offering. They use the iPhone 16e almost the same way they would a flagship iPhone 17 Pro - and they’re satisfied. iPhone 17e: Cheap, but not outdatedThe iPhone 17e is expected to fix the two biggest criticisms of its predecessor. Meanwhile, Dynamic Island gives the iPhone 17e a fresher, more contemporary appearance compared to the dated notch. Many of them don’t live in the U.S.For this group, the iPhone 17e could be Apple’s best release in years.

Nghia Hiep is Central Vietnam’s largest chrysanthemum cultivation zone, with over 30 hectares under flower. More than 500 households grow Tet flowers here, supplying hundreds of thousands of pots to local and regional markets each year. Chrysanthemum farming in Nghia Hiep began roughly 50 years ago, when a few households brought seeds from Da Lat to trial. Nghia Hiep flower village, the chrysanthemum capital of Central Vietnam, glows under electric light as cold weather sets in. Chrysanthemums in Nghia Hiep are nurtured night and day - each pot a family’s bet on a fruitful Tet season.

Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chairs a conference of the government's Party Committee in Hanoi on January 11, 2026 to review performance in 2025 and outline tasks for 2026. Participants at the conference agreed that the Party Committee had adopted a leadership approach described as a 'shift in mindset and turnaround in execution,' helping to enhance overall governance effectiveness. Determination to meet 2026 targetsUnder this leadership, Vietnam met and exceeded all 15 major socio-economic development targets in 2025, with GDP growth reaching 8.02 percent, among the fastest in the region and globally. Key goals include GDP growth of 10 percent or higher, about two percentage points above the 2025 level; per capita GDP of $5,400–5,500, up 7.4–9.4 percent year on year; and an average consumer price index of around 4.5 percent. Cultural and social development will be promoted alongside economic growth, with social welfare and living standards remaining among priorities.

Nguyen Huyen Linh sells sticky rice and breakfast foods to early-morning workers in cold weather in Khanh Hoi Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, January 10, 2026. A parent buys breakfast for her child in temperatures of around 19 degrees Celsius in Dien Hong Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, January 10, 2026. After nearly 30 years in Ho Chi Minh City, she was not used to the cold and had little choice but to adapt. / Tuoi Tre"Every once in a while, it's fun to feel Ho Chi Minh City as cold as Da Lat," said a resident. Hoa (L) and Dai collect recyclable waste from roadside eateries after midnight in Ho Chi Minh City, January 9, 2026.

Ha Long Canned Food JSC headquarters in Hai Phong City, northern Vietnam. The term of temporary management will remain in effect until the management board issues a subsequent decision. For matters exceeding ordinary operational authority or having significant financial, personnel or legal implications, Huy must seek approval from the management board before taking action. The move follows the emergency arrest last Saturday by Hai Phong police of Truong Sy Toan, CEO at Halong Canfoco. Founded in 1957 in Hai Phong under its original name ‘Halong Canned Food Factory,’ Halong Canfoco was once a pioneer and leading enterprise in Vietnam’s processed food industry.

Photo: Hong Quang / Tuoi TreThe project got off the ground in 2008 and was originally scheduled for completion in 2014. Photo: Hong Quang / Tuoi TreMeanwhile, more than seven kilometers of the subsequent section, extending to Provincial Road 428, has reached over 90 percent completion. Photo: Hong Quang / Tuoi TreContractors said that asphalt surfacing is underway on the final one-kilometer segment, with completion expected within the next two weeks. Once fully opened, the southern axis road will connect directly with National Highway 1, facilitating the development of urban clusters along the corridor. Photo: Hong Quang / Tuoi Tre

Lo Thi Phung of Vietnam (L) is declared the winner of the women’s 49 kg final at the 2026 Asian MMA Championship in Luzhou, China, January 11, 2026. The tournament, held in Luzhou from January 7 to Sunday, marked the third Asian MMA Championship and featured a 10-member Vietnamese team. Lo Thi Phung of Vietnam poses with her coach after winning gold in the women’s 49 kg category at the 2026 Asian MMA Championship in Luzhou, China, January 11, 2026. Photo: MMAVNPhung reached the final after defeating Thailand's Suksamran Thanyaret by technical knockout in under 90 seconds on Friday. Results from the championship will count toward Asian MMA Federation rankings ahead of the 2026 Asian Games in Japan and the 2026 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Saudi Arabia.

Samsung’s foldable display at CES 2026 shows virtually no crease, sparking speculation that it will be used in Apple’s upcoming iPhone Fold. Tech insiders and analysts have speculated that this breakthrough could be adopted by Apple for the highly anticipated iPhone Fold. iPhone Fold: specs, design, and expected pricingAccording to leaks, the iPhone Fold will feature a main internal screen reminiscent of an iPad mini, measuring 7.8 inches, and a 5.5-inch cover display. However, Apple’s focus on premium materials, refined durability, and a foldable display without a visible crease may justify the high price point among its target users. If this display technology makes its way into the iPhone Fold, it could mark a turning point for the entire foldable segment.

Ho Chi Minh City will break ground on four major infrastructure projects totaling nearly $9.8 billion, starting January 15. Photo by TKStarting mid-January, Ho Chi Minh City will simultaneously launch four strategic infrastructure projects: Metro Line 2, Can Gio Bridge, Phu My 2 Bridge, and the Rach Chiec National Sports Complex. The total investment is estimated at $2.3 billion, fully funded by Ho Chi Minh City’s budget. The 6.3 km bridge will start from Nguyen Huu Tho Street in Ho Chi Minh City and end at Lien Cang Road in Dong Nai. Once in service, Phu My 2 will become a critical traffic corridor for southern Ho Chi Minh City, relieving pressure on the existing Phu My Bridge and forming a key connection route to Long Thanh International Airport.

Among the legislative changes were revisions to the Law on Anti-Corruption, the Law on Reception of Citizens, the Law on Complaints, and the Law on Denunciations. Deputy Government Inspector General Le Tien Dat stated that the amended Anti-Corruption Law introduces updated evaluation criteria for anti-corruption efforts. More significantly, they must submit supplemental declarations if total asset or income changes exceed 1 billion VND in a year. The law also expands the scope of individuals subject to asset and income declarations, particularly within state-owned enterprises (SOEs). The government has been tasked with issuing detailed regulations specifying the scenarios in which SOE personnel must submit asset declarations.

On the afternoon of January 11, Nguyen Thi Thu Ngan officially received the sash to represent Vietnam at the 53rd Miss Intercontinental, to be held in Egypt in 2025. Thu Ngan is the first runner-up of Miss Grand Vietnam 2025 and previously won the title of Western Beauty 2024. At the ceremony, Thu Ngan appeared in an evening gown named Desert Flame by designer Thuong Gia Ky. Inspired by the fierce and eternal beauty of the Egyptian desert, the gown embodies strength and grace - a fitting metaphor for her upcoming journey. Alongside the evening gown, her national costume was also unveiled.

Director Dang Thai Huyen and the Red Rain cast celebrate their six-win triumph at the 2025 Blue Star Awards, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Actor recognitions. Director Dang Thai Huyen was named Best Director, while Red Rain won Best Feature Film, as chosen by the professional jury. According to the team behind Red Rain, the film was a monumental effort involving thousands of people over an extended production period. Other notable moments from the Blue Star Awards 2025 included:· Thanh Son won Best Actor for Airborne Battle, and Viet Huong was named Best Actress for her role in The Sister-in-Law. · Phuong Nam continued a strong year, winning Best Supporting Actor for his role in Red Rain.

Since shifting to modern MMA rules (which differ in structure and regulations from traditional MMA), Phung has continued to impress with her first-round victories. “Lo Thi Phung has always shown consistency and high-level technique, not only in Ju-jitsu but also with significantly improved striking skills. This result was anticipated even before we formed the national team for the Asian championship,” said Tong Ngoc Hoa, head of the Vietnamese MMA delegation. The 2026 Asian MMA Championship was held from January 9 to 11 in Luzhou, China, under the organization of the Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association. The tournament plays a key role in earning technical ranking points for upcoming events, including the 20th Asian Games in Japan and the 2026 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Saudi Arabia.