Air quality in some areas of Hanoi on January 8 was at unhealthy levels, prompting warnings for residents, especially the elderly, children, and those with underlying conditions such as cardiovascular or respiratory diseases, to limit outdoor activities, according to readings from Hanoi’s early air quality forecasting system (HanoiAir). HanoiAir is an early air quality forecasting system developed experimentally by the municipal Department of Agriculture and Environment in collaboration with the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting and the University of Engineering and Technology under the Vietnam National University – Hanoi (VNU-Hanoi). The system can forecast air quality trends over time and across locations, helping authorities guide and implement pollution control measures. In early January, Hanoi’s air quality has been deteriorating. Apart from providing information, Hanoi’s early air quality forecasting system serves as a tool to trigger concrete management actions.

The performance by Vietnam’s Fireworks Team 1 at the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) 2025. Photo: Truong Trung / Tuoi TreDIFF 2026 plans were presented on Wednesday at a meeting of the Da Nang People's Committee. The proposal outlines a six-night festival scheduled to run from May 30 to July 11 under the theme 'Da Nang - United Horizons.' As such, two Vietnamese teams, the Da Nang Fireworks Team and Z21 Vina Pyrotech, will compete alongside international teams from China, Italy, Germany, Portugal, France, Japan, Macau (China), and Australia, underscoring the festival's growing international profile. Under the current plan for DIFF 2026, however, no change of location has been proposed.

The total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue in 2025 exceeded 7 quadrillion VND (262.7 billion USD), up 9.2% compared to 2024, reflecting stronger purchasing power and underscoring the continued role of domestic consumption as a major growth driver, said Nguyen Thi Huong, Director General of the National Statistics Office (NSO). The total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue at current prices were estimated at 627.8 trillion VND (nearly 23.9 billion USD) last December, up 3.9% from the previous month and 9.8% year on year. Of the total, revenue from garments rose 13.8% year on year, while sales of household goods, utensils and equipment surged by 13.4%. The total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue in the fourth quarter of 2025 were estimated to increase by 8.4% compared to the same period last year, exceeding 1.833 trillion VND at current prices. The NSO reported that the total retail sales of goods revenue were estimated at 5.33 quadrillion VND in 2025, accounting for 76.1% of total consumer revenue and up 8.0% from the previous year.

Panelists discuss Vietnamese firms’ global expansion potential at the Vietnam Vanguard Summit 2026, held in Ho Chi Minh City, January 8, 2026. “We really treasure human capital and young people in Vietnam do have ambition, creativity, and energy,” he said. Besides, Nguyen Lam Thanh, general director at TikTok Technologies Vietnam, appreciated Vietnamese young people, emphasizing that various games on the mobile phone come from Vietnam. Mastering home market before conquering the worldChoi from Sunwah suggested that to succeed in the global arena, Vietnamese firms should first strengthen their position in the local market. He also highlighted two key factors that help Vietnamese firms strengthen their positions in the local market: consistency in production and compliance in relationships.

The IFC is located within the Saigon – Ben Thanh – Thu Thiem area, covering a total area of 898 hectares. Resolution 66 defines lawmaking and law enforcement as the “breakthrough of breakthroughs” in completing development institutions. At the closing session of the 10th session, he added that in this sitting alone, the National Assembly reviewed, debated, and passed 51 laws and 39 resolutions, including eight normative legal resolutions. These laws and resolutions both met urgent practical needs and established a legal framework for a new phase. During the entire term, National Assembly passed 150 laws and 49 normative legal resolutions, while organizing 19 sessions, the highest numbers among National Assembly terms.

When entering secondary school, Ni had to leave home to attend a boarding school. “I truly cherish the chance to go to school, so I always remind myself to study hard to change my life,” Ni said. In high school, studying at Nghe An Ethnic Minority Boarding High School, Ni experienced a clear shift in mindset and study methods. In the 2025 national high school graduation exam, she scored 29.5 points, becoming the runner up among exam group C00 (literature, history, geography) students. To me, studying and growing are not about surpassing others, but about becoming a better version of myself and living a more meaningful life,” Ni said.

The Tara Bodhisattva statue-a national treasure over 1,200 years old-was recently reunited with its sacred relics: a lotus and a conch, after nearly five decades. The Tara Bodhisattva statue. The story of the Tara Bodhisattva statue-or, by its formal epigraphic name, Laksmindra Lokesvara-being reunited with its lotus and conch after nearly 50 years is more than a recovery. Inscriptions from Dong Duong record that he built a temple to Laksmindra Lokesvara Svabhayada, a form of Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. On November 19, 2025, the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture unveiled the Tara Bodhisattva statue in its most complete form to date.

National defence and security, foreign relations, and international integration were reinforced, while Party building and political system reforms achieved significant and breakthrough results. He cordially invited representatives of foreign diplomatic missions and international organisations in Vietnam to the opening and closing sessions. She expressed confidence that, with a spirit of solidarity, democracy, discipline, innovation, and development, the 14th National Party Congress will set comprehensive directions, laying a foundation for a more sustainable and successful development phase. Palestinian Ambassador to Vietnam and head of the diplomatic corps in Vietnam, Saadi Salama, showed the belief that the 14th National Party Congress would adopt major decisions that prioritise the interests of Vietnamese people and foster cooperation for lasting peace both regionally and globally. Ambassadors and representatives of foreign missions in Vietnam said they believe that the 14th National Congress of the CPV will be successfully held.

In 2025, oil and gas activities declined by 2.54%, pulling the city’s overall GRDP down by 0.5 percentage points. “Including oil and gas in HCMC’s GRDP would misrepresent the effectiveness of the city’s governance,” Hoang explained. For example, Cao Bang’s GRDP is about 14 trillion VND (~571 million USD), Dien Bien’s is around 17 trillion VND (~694 million USD), and Lai Chau’s is about 16 trillion VND (~653 million USD). In addition, total social investment is expected to reach about 880 trillion VND (approximately 35.9 billion USD) in 2026, up from 705 trillion VND (~28.8 billion USD) in 2025. In 2021, its average GRDP per capita reached 12,154 USD (including oil) and about 7,141 USD (excluding oil).

On the occasion of the New Year 2026, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh granted an exclusive interview to the Vietnam News Agency. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh: Since the start of this term, the global landscape has evolved rapidly, complexly, and unpredictably. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh: The Government of the 2021–2025 term has continued the 80-year tradition of action, innovation, and service to the nation and people. Total FDI for the term surpassed USD 184 billion, ranking Vietnam among the top 15 FDI destinations in the developing world. Foreign trade volume hit a record USD 930 billion in 2025, with agricultural exports exceeding USD 70 billion for the first time.

From January 9 to 11, 2026, in Hanoi, and January 16 to 18 in Ho Chi Minh City, a mobile Southeast Asian art festival titled "Dealing in Distance" will take place, featuring 15 artists currently living and working in Southeast Asia and Germany. The "Dealing in Distance" art festival gathers artists from various disciplines. "Dealing in Distance", a nomadic art festival across Southeast Asia, delves into themes of displacement and identity-shaped by migration and separation-through a curated selection of visual art, performance, dance, poetry, and diverse community-based programs. These works come from artists rooted in Southeast Asia and Germany. Audiences will experience unique and thought-provoking artistic projects.

The display, titled Spring – The origin of victory, presents more than 150 historical images and artifacts that celebrate foundational elements in the success of Vietnam’s revolutionary movement throughout the 20th century and into the 21st: the Party's leadership, Ho Chi Minh's ideology, and the strength of a united people. Structured in three sections-Revolutionary Spring, Independent Spring, and Aspiring Spring-the exhibition guides visitors through transformational springtime events in the nation’s history. Artifacts such as ballot boxes, voter cards, election decrees, and a collection of Ho Chi Minh’s banknotes vividly depict the process of building a government by the people and for the people. The exhibition Spring – The origin of victory is open to the public from January 6 through July 2026. It aims to foster national pride, reinforce public trust, and inspire the spirit of contribution in this new spring of the nation.

On the morning of January 8, Colonel Bui Trung Thanh, Deputy Director of the Hai Phong Police Department, confirmed to VietNamNet that nine individuals have been formally charged in connection with the use of diseased pork at Ha Long Canned Food Company (Ha Long Canfoco). Ha Long Canned Foods Joint Stock Company is based in Hai Phong. Evidence seized at Ha Long Canned Food Company. A portion of the diseased pork was used to produce canned food, including paté. However, using “Ha Long” in a brand name does not automatically imply the enterprise is located in, or affiliated with, Ha Long or Quang Ninh.

The Prix de la Route Mandarine is the first international-level art award exclusively for Vietnamese fine arts students. It aims to encourage a new generation of artists to engage more deeply with the global art world while creating opportunities to connect with international art institutions and markets. The judging panel brought together many respected experts, curators, and artists from Vietnam and France, ensuring both academic integrity and professional evaluation standards. Chair of the jury was Ms. Charlotte Aguttes-Reynier, President of the Asian Artists Association in Paris and Deputy Director cum Head of Asian Art at the Aguttes auction house (France). The two winning artists will have the opportunity to exhibit their works in Neuilly-sur-Seine (Paris, France) in early April 2026, coinciding with Paris’s peak contemporary art season.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has officially appointed the refereeing team for the Group A clash between U23 Vietnam and U23 Kyrgyzstan at the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026. Referee Heidari Payam is known for his strict style and high card count. Referee Heidari Payam has held FIFA accreditation since 2015 and is regularly assigned to major AFC tournaments. Dinh Bac calmly converted from the spot to open the scoring for U23 Vietnam. U23 Vietnam will face U23 Kyrgyzstan at 9:00 PM on January 9, a pivotal match in their bid to reach the quarterfinals.