Vietnam to confiscate gold bullion traded at unlicensed shops
Gold bullion traded without licenses will be confiscated in Vietnam from February 9, 2026. 340, which takes effect on February 9, stipulates administrative sanctions in the monetary and banking sector and introduces strict measures against the illegal production and trading of gold bullion and raw gold. Apart from monetary penalties, authorities can impose supplementary sanctions, including confiscation of all illegally traded gold, suspension of gold bullion trading activities, suspension of raw gold imports, or revocation of business licenses in cases of serious or repeated violations. For violations involving gold trading transactions, including gold bullion, which are not settled through bank accounts, applicable to transactions of VND20 million ($764) or more per day, fines of VND10-20 million ($382-764) will be imposed. Meanwhile, failure to publicly list buying and selling prices of gold bullion, jewelry, or fine-art gold products, producing gold jewelry, fine-art gold, or gold bullion without disclosing applicable standards, or failing to label goods in accordance with regulations will result in fines of VND30-50 million ($1,150-1,910).
Source:Tuoitre News
January 27, 2026 04:20 UTC
Gold or real estate: where should investors park money now?
According to him, the gold market is undergoing unprecedented fluctuations as global gold prices have surpassed $4,700 per ounce, while domestic gold prices at times touched VND165 million per tael. Regarding the question of whether to sell gold to buy real estate, Hieu said this is a difficult question at the moment. Therefore, if profitability is the main criterion, investors should not sell gold to invest in real estate, he said. Hieu predicted that interest rates will increase this year, and this is one of the factors pushing real estate prices higher. Nevertheless, in the long run, the real estate market, especially the housing segment, still has room for growth because supply has not yet met real demand.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 27, 2026 04:03 UTC
European Council president to visit Vietnam this week
European Council President António Costa. Photo: AFPThe visit will be only the second official trip to Vietnam by the EU’s top leader, following the 2012 visit by then European Council President Herman Van Rompuy. He assumed the post of president of the European Council in December 2024. Vietnam and the EU have steadily deepened their relationship over more than 35 years since formally establishing diplomatic ties on November 28, 1990. For its part, Vietnam is the EU’s 16th-largest trading partner globally and its largest partner within ASEAN.
Source:Tuoitre News
January 27, 2026 03:00 UTC
Why iPhone users are increasingly reluctant to update iOS
Statcounter data shows iPhone users are sticking with iOS 18 over upgrading to iOS 26. With iOS 18 having met those needs well, a new wave of “update hesitation” has emerged. In contrast, the adoption rates for iOS 26 remain modest: iOS 26.1 stands at 10.6%, iOS 26.2 at 4.6%, and iOS 26.0 at only 1.1%. This platform suggests that around 60% of users have already moved to iOS 26, while roughly 37% remain on iOS 18. While iOS 18 introduced many noticeable improvements over iOS 17, subsequent versions have focused more on refinements.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 27, 2026 00:07 UTC
Vietnam Airlines aircraft turns back in emergency to assist passenger
Flight VN31, using a Boeing 787 aircraft, had been airborne for around 37 minutes when a female passenger of Spanish nationality developed severe symptoms, including convulsions and vomiting blood. Upon identifying the situation, the cabin crew immediately made an announcement seeking medical assistance. Two other passengers who are doctors provided first aid, subsequently advising that the aircraft return to Ho Chi Minh City to ensure the passenger’s safety. The passenger was handed over to medical personnel for further monitoring and treatment, accompanied by a family member and a representative of Vietnam Airlines. The diversion resulted in a delay of approximately 2 hours and 55 minutes and affected some passengers’ onward connections.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 26, 2026 16:23 UTC
Top Vietnamese, Lao leaders hold talks in Hanoi
Congratulating Thongloun Sisoulith on his re-election as Party General Secretary, General Secretary Lam appreciated his selection of Vietnam as the first country to visit immediately after the successful conclusion of the new-term Party Congresses of the two Parties. He affirmed that the visit holds historic significance, vividly demonstrating the special importance that the Lao Party, State and the General Secretary personally attach to Vietnam–Laos relations. General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam (R) welcomes General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith. On this occasion, Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith respectfully invited Party General Secretary To Lam to visit Laos again at an early date. At the end of the talks, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents between the two countries./.VNA
Source:VietNamNet News
January 26, 2026 16:13 UTC
State banquet held in honour of top Lao leader
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam and his spouse hosted a state banquet in Hanoi on January 26 evening in honour of General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, his spouse, and a high-ranking delegation of the Lao Party and State, who are on a state visit to Vietnam. In his remark, Party General Secretary Lam highlighted that the first overseas visit on January 26 - 27 by the Lao Party General Secretary and President, taking place shortly after the successful 14th National Congress of the CPV and the 12th National Congress of the LPRP, is a politically significant event of historical importance. The visit, he noted, is also a powerful testament to the deep affection, attention and strong support extended by the Lao Party, State and people, especially by General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith personally, to the Party, State and people of Vietnam in their revolutionary cause and national renewal process. Party General Secretary To Lam and his spouse with Party General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith and his spouse at the banquet (Photo: VNA)The Vietnamese Party chief stressed that in the new phase of development, cooperation between the two Parties, States and people of the two countries holds even greater significance. He expressed confidence that under General Secretary Lam’s leadership, Vietnam will enter a new era, one of strong national advancement and successful achievement of its strategic goals.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 26, 2026 16:03 UTC
Who owns the curb? Vietnam’s parking disputes expose an urban policy vacuum
These confrontations pose critical questions about how cities define ownership and regulate shared urban space. As sidewalks - once integral to the vibrant culture of street-facing homes - clash with accelerating motorization, parking disputes have evolved far beyond petty neighborhood quarrels. Advertisement in Japan guiding customers on how to obtain proof of legal parking. In China, neighborhood committees play a key role in mediating parking disputes based on community rules. Conversely, Brazil illustrates what happens when public space management fails: “parking mafias” (Flanelinhas) have monopolized urban curbs and demand illegal fees from drivers.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 26, 2026 15:05 UTC
From dating app to Islamic wedding: A Hanoi woman’s journey to love
Sam experienced what he calls “love at first sight” the moment he met a woman from Hanoi. At 37, with their hearts marked by past love and loss, both were hoping for something real - a partner with shared intentions and emotional maturity. “I met Sam on an extremely hot day in Hanoi,” Linh recalled with a laugh. The couple held an Islamic wedding ceremony in Hanoi in November 2025. A wedding of traditionsIn November 2025, the couple held a Nikah ceremony - an Islamic wedding - in Hanoi.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 26, 2026 11:10 UTC
Coach Kim Sang Sik signals promotion for U23 stars to senior squad
I’m truly proud of them.”Coach Kim also acknowledged the team’s shortcomings in the loss to U23 China, where the injury to key player Hieu Minh disrupted their rhythm. “We prepared thoroughly, but the match shifted when Hieu Minh had to leave. Still, he sees clear growth in the squad - highlighting players like Trung Kien, Hieu Minh, Van Khang, Thanh Nhan, and Dinh Bac as strong candidates for the senior team. He hopes to see Vietnamese players competing abroad in stronger leagues - a move he believes will elevate the country’s footballing ambitions. Hopefully, a few of them will secure overseas opportunities, which would be a great stepping stone for Vietnamese football,” Kim concluded.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 26, 2026 09:26 UTC
Vietnam's billionaires see sharp losses as VN-Index retreats from 1,900 peak
Vietnam’s stock market sees a deep correction after recent highs. Vinhomes (VHM) dropped VND 3,600 to VND 118,900. Mobile World (MWG) fell VND 1,700 to VND 84,100, while Masan (MSN) also dropped VND 1,700 to VND 77,300. Despite the current downturn, Vietnam’s stock market continues to attract capital, especially as other investment channels lose appeal. In a recent report, VinaCapital projected that Vietnam’s stock market will remain a regional investment hotspot in 2026.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 26, 2026 09:16 UTC
The youngest faces in Party Central Committee’s 14th term revealed
Ton Ngoc Hanh, 46, is the youngest full member of the 14th Party Central Committee. Nguyen Minh Triet, born in 1988 in Ca Mau province, is the youngest alternate member of the 14th Party Central Committee. Nguyen Minh Triet, 38, is the youngest alternate member of the Central Committee. By August 2025, he was appointed Standing Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Central Youth Union. Among the 16 alternate members newly elected to the 14th Party Central Committee, several others were born in the 1980s.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 26, 2026 08:06 UTC
Learner Tien stuns Medvedev, makes historic Grand Slam quarterfinal
The 2026 Australian Open witnessed one of the most stunning breakthroughs of the 21st century as 20-year-old Learner Tien defeated former Grand Slam champion Daniil Medvedev in straight sets to book his place in the quarterfinals. It marked the first time in Medvedev’s 451 Grand Slam matches that he had lost a set to love. Medvedev, a three-time Australian Open finalist, is known for his defensive mastery and deep-court resilience. The young American served with precision, returned with depth, and consistently forced Medvedev into passive positions. Historic milestoneThe victory sends Tien into his first-ever Grand Slam quarterfinal and etches his name into the history books.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 26, 2026 06:40 UTC
A bumper Tet harvest: Flower farmers in Quang Ninh earn over $20,000
As Tet draws near, flower gardens in Binh Khe ward (Quang Ninh) are awash with color and alive with activity. Binh Khe is the key flower and ornamental plant production area in western Quang Ninh, spanning around 250 hectares. Orchids, considered a premium flower, are also a popular choice among Binh Khe farmers looking to cater to high-end customers. On average, Binh Khe’s flower growers earn between $6,000 and $8,000 per hectare per crop. Photo: Pham CongOrchids, a high-end flower, are favored by many Binh Khe growers.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 26, 2026 06:40 UTC
Vietnam’s Tet scallion capital enters bustling harvest season
In the final days of the lunar year, sandy coastal fields in Thang Binh, Da Nang are buzzing with activity. Thang Binh has long been known as Da Nang’s "Tet scallion capital," with more than 200 hectares of cultivation. A double win for farmers: good harvest, good priceWith large growing areas and stable yields, Thang Binh is seen as Da Nang’s scallion capital. Tran Thi Hoanh, 53, who farms about five sao, said her family typically earns around $1,600 each Tet season. A Tet staple with growing reachFarmers harvest scallions in Thang Binh for the Tet market.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 26, 2026 04:00 UTC