European Council president begins Vietnam visit
President of the European Council Antonio Costa arrived in Hanoi on January 28, beginning his official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of President Luong Cuong. The two-day visit, from January 28 to 29, is set to reinforce the growing strategic partnership between Vietnam and the European Union. European Council President Antonio Costa arrives in Hanoi, beginning an official visit to Vietnam. EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier noted that the timing of the visit - immediately following Vietnam’s 14th Party Congress - demonstrates how highly the EU values its relationship with Hanoi. The EU is eager to build on that success, especially at a time when global trade is facing headwinds.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 28, 2026 16:17 UTC
APEC 2027: Vietnam aims to deliver a world-class, high-impact summit
The session reviewed the country’s preparations for the APEC 2027 Leaders’ Week and outlined key tasks for the coming period. The committee noted that preparations for APEC 2027 have been proactive, coordinated, and rapidly implemented by relevant bodies at all levels. The committee’s organizational structure is now in place and functioning steadily, with five sub-committees covering Content, Logistics, Security–Health, Communications–Culture, and Protocol, alongside the APEC 2027 Secretariat. A comprehensive master plan for APEC 2027 must be submitted for approval as the foundation for sub-committees to begin operational work. He ordered the development of a distinctive logo, cohesive branding, and an official website for APEC 2027.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 28, 2026 15:57 UTC
Breakfast @ Tuoi Tre News — January 28
A man transports two bougainvillea planters on a motorbike along a street in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City-- Ho Chi Minh City’s health department said on Wednesday it had stepped up surveillance and isolation measures for travelers from affected areas after cases of the Nipah virus were reported in India’s West Bengal State. -- Japan’s Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Masuo Ono, said on Tuesday that Vietnam has developed rapidly and become an indispensable partner for Japan, as he was speaking at an event marking Emperor Naruhito’s 66th birthday that was attended by Ho Chi Minh City deputy chairman Nguyen Cong Vinh. -- Cuba’s consulate in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday unveiled a bust of national hero José Martí at its premises, the first such monument in the city, to honor the leader of Cuba’s revolutionary movement. -- Police in Dong Thanh Commune, Ho Chi Minh City have uncovered a woman suspected of trading in illegal fireworks and seized 67.2 kg of explosive fireworks, a banned commodity in Vietnam.
Source:Tuoitre News
January 28, 2026 13:37 UTC
Two golden imperial seals return to the spotlight in Hanoi
The newly opened center is expected to become a cultural destination in Hanoi, where visitors can engage directly with historical artifacts such as the Chế Cáo Chi Bảo seal cast under Emperor Gia Long (1802–1820) and the Sắc Mệnh Chi Bảo seal issued in the 8th year of Emperor Minh Mang’s reign (1827). The Chế Cáo Chi Bảo seal was used on official documents conferring titles and duties upon civil and military officials, while the Sắc Mệnh Chi Bảo seal was used for royal edicts and honors bestowed upon officials and deities. The launch of this archival space also coincides with the implementation of the 2024 Archives Law, which guarantees the public’s right to access historical information. The Sắc Mệnh Chi Bảo seal from 1827 was used to issue imperial honors and decrees. The Chế Cáo Chi Bảo seal cast under Emperor Gia Long symbolized royal authority over civil and military appointments.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 28, 2026 11:34 UTC
Paris, 1973: Nguyen Thi Binh’s legacy honored in powerful new exhibit
Unable to attend in person, former Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh shared her reflections through a recorded message. She expressed deep emotion as the event coincided with the 53rd anniversary of the signing of the Paris Peace Accords, which took place on January 27, 1973. Madam Nguyen Thi Binh with President Ho Chi Minh and other revolutionary leaders. Madam Nguyen Thi Binh attending the World Congress of Democratic Youth in the Soviet Union, July 1962. A wartime visa application by Madam Nguyen Thi Binh, highlighting diplomatic travel under conflict.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 28, 2026 10:29 UTC
Vietnam halts sales of certain infant formula from France, Australia over cereulide toxin concerns
In urgent notices issued on Tuesday, the Vietnam Food Safety Authority under the Ministry of Health said it had received warnings from the Hong Kong Center for Food Safety and the Food Standards Australia New Zealand. 894408, 800 grams, expiring on July 9, 2027; batch No. 900035, 800 grams, expiring on August 12, 2027; and batch No. 900932, 400 grams, expiring on August 18, 2027. Provincial health departments and food safety agencies have been instructed to urgently review product registration and self-declaration dossiers for the named formulas.
Source:Tuoitre News
January 28, 2026 09:48 UTC
Military aircraft crashes in Dak Lak, pilot ejects safely
The incident involved a YAK-130 jet piloted by Second Lieutenant Dinh Thanh Trung of Air Regiment 940 under the Air Force Officer Training School, Air Defense–Air Force Service. According to official reports, Trung was conducting a standard training exercise (lesson 5+3) and was cleared for takeoff at 7:27 AM. He landed in Hoa Hiep Ward, where local residents helped transport him to Phu Yen General Hospital. The YAK-130 crashed into Hon Vinh mountain, located in Dong Hoa Ward, Dak Lak. Military units, along with local authorities and search-and-rescue forces, are working together to secure the site and investigate the cause of the accident.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 28, 2026 08:29 UTC
Vietnam ramps up defense against Nipah virus amid outbreak in India
Health authorities in Hanoi and across Vietnam have launched urgent measures to prevent the entry and spread of the Nipah virus, a highly fatal infectious disease currently affecting parts of India. Fruit bats are natural carriers of the Nipah virus, which can be transmitted to humans. Vietnam has not recorded any Nipah virus cases to date. Given the severity of the disease, Nipah virus is categorized as a Class A infectious disease in Vietnam, warranting the highest level of alert and containment efforts. Currently, there is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment available for Nipah virus.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 28, 2026 08:29 UTC
Secret caregiver: the stories of a man who serves the needs of patients
S. spent 20 years caring for them, both in hospital and at home, and became familiar with patient care. From empathy for patients’ pain and hardship, a love for the job gradually took root. Unexpectedly, I actually stuck with this job," S. recalled. She wanted to ask him to go to the hospital to help care for him. Sometimes caring for demanding patients is not physically exhausting as much as it is mentally stressful,” he said.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 28, 2026 06:09 UTC
British tourists amazed by $5.80 dessert platter in Saigon
The couple ordered a full dessert platter with 16 varieties of chè, priced at just 142,000 VND. Kieran noted that although the platter was meant for two people, it included a staggering 16 different kinds of chè (Vietnamese sweet soup). They did their best to finish the tray, managing to eat 10 out of the 16 bowls before giving up. Among the options: che dau trang, che troi nuoc, che khoai mon, che chuoi, che me den, che bap, che ba ba, che y, and more. The full 16-bowl platter is priced at 142,000 VND, though customers can mix and match as they wish.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 28, 2026 05:09 UTC
Hanoi unveils five mega urban zones worth over $160 billion
A corner of Dong Anh district, part of the planned northern urban zone in Hanoi. The second urban zone will rise along the western section of Ring Road 4, also measuring 10,000 hectares with a similar $40 billion investment. To the east, Gia Lam will host the fourth urban zone, occupying 8,000 hectares and attracting an estimated $32 billion in investment. Like the northern and western areas, this development will include 40% high-rise and 60% low-rise housing. It is projected to cost $18.8 billion and will also maintain a 40-60 ratio between high-rise and low-rise housing.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 28, 2026 04:28 UTC
Facebook dominates Vietnam's digital space with 94% user penetration
It reaffirms that Vietnam remains one of the most active social media markets in the Asia-Pacific region. Facebook ranks as the dominant social platform, while Instagram is among the top five most-used apps by both Gen Y and Gen Z in Vietnam. Statistics show that 89% of online consumers in Vietnam message businesses at least once a week. Rather than treating AI as an experimental tool, these businesses use it to automate message replies and optimize ad performance. Short-form video shaping buying decisionsThe fact that 94% of Vietnamese internet users are on Facebook also means content competition is fierce.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 28, 2026 04:08 UTC
New elder-care model of “morning in, afternoon out” a good solution for VN
Women account for as much as 57.82 percent of the total elderly population. Less than 40 percent of older people receive pensions, social insurance, social allowances, or benefits for people with meritorious service. They agreed that, with current socio-economic conditions, Vietnam needs a flexible, reasonably priced, community-based care model on a large scale and maintained sustainably in the long term. Compared with nursing homes, the day care model has many outstanding advantages: strong preventive value, helping reduce the burden on the healthcare system. In late December 2025, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long signed Prime Minister’s Directive No35 on strengthening elderly care work in response to population aging.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 28, 2026 03:08 UTC
From Russian vodka to Vietnamese kombucha: Ivan Fomenko’s journey to building life in Vietnam
The Russian then started making kombucha together with his older brother, Udjin. About 90 percent of our customers are foreigners living in Vietnam,” Fomenko said. Ivan Fomenko’s kombucha products feature flavors made from familiar Vietnamese fruits and vegetables. Since I was making kombucha in Vietnam, why not create something truly Vietnamese?" In the warm climate of central Vietnam, kombucha ferments naturally almost year-round, becoming a practical advantage.
Source:Tuoitre News
January 28, 2026 03:07 UTC
Ho Chi Minh City police bust operation soaking 3,000 tonnes of snail meat in chemicals
A Ho Chi Minh City police officer announces decisions to press charges against Huynh Van Truong, 47, from Can Tho City, southern Vietnam, for allegedly violating food safety regulations. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Public SecurityInvestigators on Tuesday announced the arrest and detention of 47-year-old Huynh Van Truong, from Can Tho City, southern Vietnam, who is being prosecuted for violating food safety regulations. Huynh Van Truong and related individuals are caught in the act of soaking snails in industrial chemicals at a food processing facility in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Public SecurityExpanding the inspection, authorities seized an additional 1,575 kilograms of sodium silicate hidden at the site for further use. The Ho Chi Minh City police urged the public to report any suspected food safety violations to local authorities.
Source:Tuoitre News
January 28, 2026 02:42 UTC