Breakfast @ Tuoi Tre News — February 2
A visitor rides a duck-catching boat at a craft village in Nam Nha Trang Ward, Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam. Photo: T. Hoai / Tuoi TreRead what is in the news in Vietnam today:Politics-- Jordan’s House Speaker Mazen Turki El Qadi is due to arrive in Vietnam on Monday for a four-day official visit at the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man. Society-- Weather conditions in north Vietnam turn cooler on Monday, while rainfall eases in the central region and the south remains sunny and hot in typical dry-season conditions, according to the national weather agency. -- Saltwater intrusion in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta is forecast to extend 40-60 km inland during early and mid February, depending on river mouths, authorities said. -- Ho Chi Minh City Power Corporation on Sunday inaugurated a smart power grid in the Con Dao special zone after more than three months of construction, enabling real-time remote monitoring and operation of the island’s electricity system from the mainland.
Source:Tuoitre News
February 02, 2026 13:34 UTC
Vietnam’s Quang Ngai to open seaside pedestrian street
The road next to My Khe Beach in Quang Ngai Province, central Vietnam, is set to become a night-time pedestrian street. The third area consists of 20 food stalls offering street food, fast food, and non-alcoholic beverages. The planned pedestrian street is far from residential areas, making it suitable for night-time economic activities. Pham Quoc Vuong, chairman of Tinh Khe Commune People’s Committee, said about 20 households have registered to operate businesses at the site. This is the second pedestrian street project launched in Quang Ngai in early 2026, following the Tra River night street along the southern bank of the Tra Khuc River, as the province pushes to expand services and tourism.
Source:Tuoitre News
February 02, 2026 12:35 UTC
Ben Thanh Market and Turtle Lake transform for Tet 2026
Ben Thanh Market and Turtle Lake, two familiar symbols of the city, are now nearly unrecognizable - with bold new colors and striking decorative motifs that blend heritage with celebration. Ben Thanh Market: Waves of history and vibrant huesAfter nearly two weeks of restoration, Ben Thanh Market and the plaza in front of it have taken on a dramatically new appearance. Turtle Lake: Soft colors and spiral pathsJust 1.6 kilometers away, Turtle Lake in Xuan Hoa ward has also received a colorful new look. “But this is the first time I’ve seen it renovated so thoroughly and beautifully.”Ben Thanh Market glows in red with water-themed motifs for Tet. A resident admires the transformed Turtle Lake, calling it the most beautiful he’s ever seen.
Source:VietNamNet News
February 02, 2026 12:30 UTC
Tearing down barriers: Institutional reform as the key to 10% growth
It must rest on productivity, innovation, and the competitiveness of domestic enterprises - coupled with improved income levels and greater consumer purchasing power. Consumption accounts for about two-thirds of GDP, and the domestic market remains the primary playing field for most Vietnamese businesses. How would you assess the competitiveness and productivity of Vietnam’s private enterprises as we pursue this high-growth goal? Among the current growth drivers - public investment, FDI, and domestic private enterprises - which do you see as the decisive long-term engine? But no sector can replace the internal strength of Vietnamese businesses - where knowledge, competitive capacity, and the country’s spirit of innovation are concentrated.
Source:VietNamNet News
February 02, 2026 11:04 UTC
Sacred fire and steel: San Diu community celebrates Dai Phan festival
Rooted in the San Diu people's deep reverence for nature and ancestral spirits, the festival is held to pray for favorable weather, abundant harvests, and peaceful livelihoods. Accompanied by rhythmic “Hanh quang” dancing and chanting, these rituals brought a sense of awe and unity to the occasion. The San Diu festival draws enthusiastic participation from locals and tourists alike. The Hanh Quang dance is reenacted at the San Diu festival. San Diu shamans prepare ritual prayers.
Source:VietNamNet News
February 02, 2026 10:32 UTC
Party Chief & President inaugurate new Office of the President headquarters
General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, and current and former leaders of the Party and State cut the ribbon at the inauguration ceremony. Photo: VNAGeneral Secretary To Lam and President Luong Cuong this morning attended the inauguration ceremony of the newly renovated and expanded headquarters of the Office of the President, located at No. He praised the Central Office of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Office of the President, as well as the unwavering efforts of contractors, engineers, workers, and staff involved in the project’s execution. Vo Thanh Hung, Deputy Chief of the Central Office of the Party, shared that the project encountered and overcame many challenges during its implementation. In the coming period, the Central Office of the Party will coordinate with contractors to review, hand over, and provide training for the units now responsible for managing the site.
Source:VietNamNet News
February 02, 2026 10:27 UTC
VN expresses deep concern over new US tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba
Responding to a reporter’s question at a press briefing this morning, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang stated:“Vietnam is deeply concerned about the new US measure to impose additional tariffs on goods from countries supplying oil to Cuba. “Once again, Vietnam strongly reaffirms its traditional solidarity and friendship with the Cuban people,” she emphasized. The move has drawn criticism from various countries, who argue that it violates international law and risks triggering a humanitarian crisis on the Caribbean island. On Cuba’s side, First Secretary and President Miguel Díaz-Canel affirmed the country’s willingness to engage in dialogue with the US, but firmly rejected negotiations conducted under pressure. Cuba is currently facing prolonged fuel shortages and electricity blackouts, adding to the population’s hardships.
Source:VietNamNet News
February 02, 2026 10:22 UTC
Hanoi investigates symbolic graves built without remains
To address the issue and prevent further violations, local residents and officials from Trieu Khuc had proposed allowing the construction of “waiting graves” on the vacant land. Following this decision, the Trieu Khuc community built 367 symbolic graves - 243 double and 124 single tombs - using funds entirely contributed through social donations. According to Thanh Liet ward authorities, only 36 of the 367 symbolic graves have so far been used for actual burials, all by residents from Trieu Khuc. The ward also confirmed that six newly constructed graves were recently identified as illegal encroachments by individuals who built on vacant land without authorization. The Thanh Liet Ward Police have opened an investigation into the case and pledged to strictly enforce the law if any violations are confirmed.
Source:VietNamNet News
February 02, 2026 08:31 UTC
Ministry to tighten IELTS bonus points in 2026 university admissions
The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) is proposing new rules that would cap bonus points awarded for international English certificates such as IELTS and require universities to publish standardized conversion tables for 2026 university admissions. One of the key adjustments would reduce the maximum bonus points students can receive for holding certificates like IELTS from 3 to 1.5 points out of a total of 30. However, each bonus category will now be capped at 1.5 points, ensuring no student can receive more than that for an IELTS certificate alone. Under the draft regulation, English certificates may only be used in one of two ways: either converted into scores or used for bonus points - not both. Last year, some universities converted IELTS into very high English scores while also granting an additional 0.5–3 points in bonus, allowing those students to dominate English-heavy admission combinations.
Source:VietNamNet News
February 02, 2026 07:03 UTC
Vietnam premier urges swift action to bolster state sector’s role in economic growth
79-NQ/TW on the Development of the State-owned Economic Sector, held in Hanoi on Sunday. Clarifying state sector’s roleParticipants said the resolution, issued on January 6, for the first time clearly and comprehensively defines the position and role of the state-owned economic sector. In his remarks, PM Chinh, also head of the national steering committee, underscored a reform-oriented, action-driven approach, calling for prompt, effective, and decisive implementation. Public–private cooperation should be expanded without rigid limits, with state resources providing strategic direction, alongside greater decentralization and stronger inspection, supervision, and power-control mechanisms. Investment will be focused on a number of key public service units with strong capacity and competitive potential in basic research and strategic technologies.
Source:Tuoitre News
February 02, 2026 05:39 UTC
Vietnamese police bust drug ring disguised as e-cigarettes targeting students
Nguyen Cong Oanh is caught red-handed delivering cigarettes allegedly containing narcotics. Photo: SuppliedThe Ministry of Public Security's Drug Crime Investigation Department said on Sunday that it had coordinated with multiple units to uncover and break up the ring, arresting 17 suspects. According to the department, officers focused on the illegal trade and transportation of narcotics in cyberspace. The traffickers camouflaged drugs as electronic cigarettes, vaping pods, and CBD liquids to evade detection. Police are continuing to expand the probe into the ring.
Source:Tuoitre News
February 02, 2026 04:54 UTC
Relocating Hanoi's urban population: A solution or new burden?
New urban areas attracting residents relocating from inner-city neighborhoods must offer not just alternative housing, but a genuinely improved quality of life. However, according to Lang, these satellite cities must be equipped in advance with comprehensive services, not simply built as dormitory towns. “New urban areas should not only replace housing, but offer better living conditions, from schools and hospitals to green space and essential public services,” he emphasized. To avoid this, satellite cities must become real economic hubs - home to enterprises, tech zones, commerce and creative industries capable of creating high-quality employment. Laying the foundation for a sustainable urban structureBeyond the question of where people live, Hanoi’s urban restructuring is an opportunity to re-engineer the city’s traffic system in a more sustainable and scientific way.
Source:VietNamNet News
February 02, 2026 03:45 UTC
Vietnam traffic police reject fake news about filming fines
On the morning of February 2, a representative from the Department confirmed that recent viral posts suggesting such a proposal are entirely untrue. The image being circulated online was generated using artificial intelligence and falsely linked to the alleged fine proposal. Photo: CACC“Certain social media accounts have been spreading information claiming that the Department of Traffic Police is proposing a 5 million VND fine for anyone filming officers on duty without prior consent,” the representative said. The Department warned that individuals or organizations involved in spreading or disseminating false information online will be held accountable under Vietnamese law. This incident follows a series of recent false claims on social media related to traffic regulations.
Source:VietNamNet News
February 02, 2026 03:35 UTC
Vietnam’s Dinh Bac sets record with multiple individual awards at AFC U23 Asian Cup
Earlier, his strike against Saudi Arabia earned him the same honor for the group stage. Beyond fan voting, Bac collected three additional individual honors at the U23 Asian Cup. At the conclusion of the tournament, Bac also claimed the Top Scorer award, finishing with four goals and two assists. According to AFC data, this is a record number of individual honors in a single U23 Asian Cup. Indonesia’s Bola newspaper wrote: “Nguyen Dinh Bac’s performance created a sensation at the U23 Asian Cup, delivering brilliance from one match to the next.”
Source:Tuoitre News
February 02, 2026 03:14 UTC
Digitisation breathes new life into Oc Eo cultural heritage in An Giang
Enhancing visitors' experiencesThe Oc Eo Cultural Relic Management Board of An Giang has been implementing a comprehensive digital transformation plan for the Oc Eo Culture Exhibition House and key relic sites within the Oc Eo – Ba The archaeological complex. Since 2016, the Oc Eo Culture Exhibition House has served as a central venue for preserving and displaying thousands of artefacts dating from the 1st to the 7th centuries. With QR code, 3D and VR 360 technologies, visitors can experience and explore the Oc Eo Culture exhibition space by themselves. (Photo: VNA)Japanese tourist Ichira Shimoda said he was impressed by the Oc Eo Culture Exhibition House during his visit to An Giang, noting its long-standing historical value and vivid displays. Nguyen Xuan Bang, Deputy Director of the Oc Eo Cultural Relic Management Board, said digital transformation aims to help visitors better connect with and understand the value of the Oc Eo heritage.
Source:VietNamNet News
February 02, 2026 02:33 UTC