Once fiercely opposed, little girl cries as stepfather packs bags for Cuba
He first met Yen Nhi at a hotel in HCMC three years ago. At that time, Yen Nhi was a single mother of a 4-year-old girl. Yet when he first met Yen Nhi’s daughter, he felt something special. I’ve lost Dad.” In that moment, both Yen Nhi and Michael realized how important he had become in her heart. I pray that we can live together every day.”Yen Nhi’s daughter, Phuong Anh, was visibly moved by her stepfather’s heartfelt words.
Source:VietNamNet News
February 19, 2026 22:02 UTC
Children among 2 dead, 2 missing after boat capsizes in north-central Vietnam
A local boat rescues a woman and two children after another boat capsized on the Gianh River in Quang Tri Province, north-central Vietnam on February 19, 2026. The administration in Tuyen Binh Commune confirmed that the accident occurred mid-morning when the boat was traveling from Tuyen Hoa toward Tuyen Binh. Another boat quickly arrived and rescued five people, including a woman and two children who were in stable condition. However, a child around two years old was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead, while an elderly woman also died after being pulled ashore. According to survivors, the boat was carrying seven family members, including two elderly people, one woman, and four children.
Source:Tuoitre News
February 19, 2026 11:12 UTC
Police arrest man for ramming traffic officer at alcohol checkpoint in Vietnam’s Thai Nguyen
Police officers in Thai Nguyen Province, northern Vietnam, carry out procedures to detain 19-year-old motorcyclist N.V.D. (R) for allegedly resisting officers at a breath alcohol checkpoint. When signaled to stop, D. initially slowed down but then suddenly accelerated in an apparent attempt to flee. Police quickly restrained D., seized the vehicle, recorded his arrest for resisting persons performing official duties, and took him to their office for questioning and further investigation. Authorities warned that acts of resistance, such as those committed by D., may lead to criminal prosecution for resisting persons performing official duties under the Vietnamese Penal Code.
Source:Tuoitre News
February 19, 2026 09:22 UTC
Vietnam, US sign $37.2bn in cooperation deals witnessed by Party Chief To Lam
Party General Secretary To Lam witnesses the handover of telecommunications licenses between the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology and Starlink Services Vietnam, Washington D.C., U.S., February 18, 2026. Among the highlights, Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology granted Starlink Services Vietnam Co., Ltd. licenses to provide satellite-based fixed and mobile telecommunications services. Party General Secretary To Lam attends the signing of a contract for 50 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft between Vietnam Airlines and U.S. manufacturer Boeing, Washington D.C., U.S., February 18, 2026. Photo: Thong Nhat/Vietnam News AgencyIn aviation, Vietnam Airlines signed a contract with Boeing to purchase 50 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, its first order of narrow-body planes from the U.S. manufacturer. Party General Secretary To Lam witnesses the handover of a contract for the Mevion S250-FIT proton therapy system between Tam Anh General Hospital and Mevion Medical Systems, Washington D.C., U.S., February 18, 2026.
Source:Tuoitre News
February 19, 2026 09:22 UTC
An election of renewal and the weight of every vote
The National Election Council has issued the official list of candidates for the 16th National Assembly across the country. Ta Thi Yen, Deputy Head of the Committee for Deputy Affairs and Standing Deputy Chief of the Office of the National Election Council. The weight of every ballotNational Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man inspects preparations for the election of 16th National Assembly deputies and People’s Council deputies in Can Tho on February 1. The National Election Council has directed relevant bodies to receive and handle complaints and denunciations regarding candidates and election work promptly, objectively and accurately, ensuring cases are resolved decisively. The National Election Council considers voter education and awareness essential.
Source:VietNamNet News
February 19, 2026 09:13 UTC
Tet in a 119-year-old ancestral home
Preserving a 119-year-old ancestral house, every Lunar New Year (Tet) the family of Tran Thanh Xuan becomes busy cleaning and decorating to welcome relatives from near and far to celebrate the Tet together. A 119-year-old houseThe 119-year-old ancestral house stands quietly among modern townhouses in Ho Chi Minh City. “After 2000, I took on the responsibility of caring for and preserving the ancestral house,” Xuan said. Family members gather from the 27th day of the lunar month to clean and decorate the ancestral house for Tet. Family members gather from the 27th day of the lunar month to clean and decorate the ancestral house for Tet.
Source:VietNamNet News
February 19, 2026 06:07 UTC
Vietnam’s expanding global ties signal rising leadership, partnership opportunities: UN official
Vietnam's development journey is truly remarkable. At a time when the world urgently needs trust and cooperation, Vietnam's journey reminds us that nations can choose dialogue over division and partnership over polarization. Integration enhances Vietnam's international internal strengths, more skilled human capital, more resilient institutions and a more competitive economy. Vietnam's leadership in the Just Energy Transition Partnership, or JETP, exemplifies how developing economies can pursue growth while accelerating decarbonization. National policies are strong, but climate adaptation and energy transition require deeper local capacity, clearer responsibilities, and adequate resources for provinces and communities.
Source:Tuoitre News
February 19, 2026 03:10 UTC
When Tet coincides with Ramadan in a Saigon Muslim enclave
Alley 157 on Duong Ba Trac Street was decorated ahead of Lunar New Year to welcome Ramadan. Fasting throughout TetKim So noted that this year’s Tet is more special than usual for the Muslim community. The second day of the Lunar New Year of Binh Ngo 2026 coincides with the first day of fasting in Ramadan for Cham Muslims. “Outside, people are feasting and celebrating Tet, while inside the alley, parishioners are fasting and abstaining.”Still, the atmosphere during this period is far from somber. Ramadan is also a time for Muslim families in the alley to reunite.
Source:VietNamNet News
February 19, 2026 02:31 UTC
Vietnam’s economy nears a pivotal leap past Thailand
Vietnam accelerates on public investment and structural upgradeEstimates show Vietnam’s real GDP growth reached approximately 8 percent in 2025. Thailand confronts economic headwindsIn contrast, Thailand faces significant constraints. With a median age of 40 - compared with 30 in Vietnam - Thailand is aging rapidly, leading to labor shortages and rising healthcare costs. Dr Nonarit Bisonyabut, Senior Research Fellow at the Thailand Development Research Institute, warned that Thailand risks falling behind. The OECD projects Vietnam’s GDP growth in 2026 could reach 6.2 percent, below the government’s target, due to potential export slowdowns.
Source:VietNamNet News
February 19, 2026 02:06 UTC
Breakfast @ Tuoi Tre News - February 19
Farmers pose for a photo in Dong Din Valley, Phu Hoa 2 Commune, Dak Lak Province, central Vietnam. Society-- Hospitals across Vietnam welcomed 2,011 newborns on Wednesday, the second day of the Lunar New Year, according to a Ministry of Health report. -- Southern Vietnam is forecast to experience hot conditions with temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius on Thursday, while the northern region may remain cold and rainy, according to the national weather center. -- Police in Bac Ninh Province fined a bus operator and driver a total of VND217.5 million (US$8,400) on Wednesday after discovering a 21-seat passenger bus carrying 50 people, following a public tip-off and on-site inspection, the Vietnam News Agency reported. -- Police in Tay Ninh Province on Wednesday confirmed they had detained a 29-year-old man for allegedly stabbing his girlfriend’s father to death shortly after midnight on Lunar New Year’s Eve, after the victim reportedly opposed their relationship.
Source:Tuoitre News
February 19, 2026 01:55 UTC
Vietnam U23 and life after the Asian spotlight
Success at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup propelled many of Vietnam’s young players into the spotlight, opening significant opportunities in their careers. In goal, Tran Trung Kien of HAGL and Cao Van Binh of SLNA stand out as positive examples. Dinh Bac became one of the most emotional highlights for Vietnamese fans at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup. After a remarkable AFC U23 Asian Cup campaign marked by symbolic goals and historic individual honors, the forward became a prized acquisition for Hanoi Police FC. After the Asian spotlight, it is composure, discipline and self-control that will ultimately decide who advances and who is left behind in the demanding journey of professional football.
Source:VietNamNet News
February 19, 2026 00:41 UTC
New Year at the nation’s frontline outpost
Amid the vast northeastern sea, Tran Island quietly welcomes Tet at the nation’s frontline. Wrapping chung cakes in salty winds and distant wavesResidents on the island wrap chung cakes for Tet. In the final days of the year, while the mainland bustles with shopping and celebration, Tran Island - a frontline island of Quang Ninh province - maintains its unhurried calm in the middle of the ocean. The national flag flying over vast seasThe national flag flies along roads and rooftops. At the nation’s frontline, Tet becomes a bond uniting the military and civilians, forming a small but resilient community in the open sea.
Source:VietNamNet News
February 19, 2026 00:06 UTC
A new chapter for Vietnamese football in 2026
That was the affirmation from Vietnam Football Federation President Tran Quoc Tuan in an interview with VietNamNet on the first day of 2026. Tran Quoc Tuan: It is clear that the achievements of Vietnamese football have shown stability in recent years. Could you elaborate on the development strategy the Vietnam Football Federation has implemented over the years and in the coming period? Improving the quality of domestic leagues, persisting with youth development and accelerating international integration and cooperation are key pillars of sustainable growth for Vietnamese football. The World Cup serves as a guiding compass for VFF in its commitment to the sustainable development of Vietnamese football.
Source:VietNamNet News
February 18, 2026 15:59 UTC
Vietnam’s AI breakthrough: New ‘golden land’ in global race
In Vietnam, during the first half of 2025, AI Hay surpassed global names such as Google Gemini and DeepSeek in real user numbers, after only ChatGPT. AI Hay is also the country’s first and largest purely Vietnamese AI Q&A social network. Photo: Duc Thien / Tuoi TreSpectacular growth trajectorySeveral international reports show that Vietnam’s AI sector is expanding at one of the fastest rates in the region. The newly enacted AI law includes provisions for a National AI Development Fund, a state financial mechanism operating on a non-profit basis to accelerate innovation. Despite its rapid ascent, Vietnam’s AI journey faces formidable challenges, including a shortage of high-quality AI specialists, gaps in infrastructure and limited investment capital.
Source:Tuoitre News
February 18, 2026 11:32 UTC
The year of action begins
It is a question of national capacity - institutional capacity, implementation capacity and the ability to mobilize and unlock social resources. Interwoven opportunities and challengesIf one had to capture the spirit of action for 2026 in a single sentence, it would be this: do immediately the difficult but necessary things. With a young population, rapid technology adoption and strong entrepreneurial spirit, Vietnam does not lack the potential to participate more deeply in this wave. That message provides an important political anchor for reform: development for stability, real outcomes as the standard of evaluation, and no tolerance for superficial reform. It is not an easy promise but a rigorous test of reform capacity and the system’s will to act.
Source:VietNamNet News
February 18, 2026 10:13 UTC