Privatized data, public concern: The paradox of digital capitalism
Co-organized by the Academy and the Central Theoretical Council, the event examined the emergence of two new paradigms: digital capitalism and technological socialism. The scientific seminar “Digital Capitalism and Technological Socialism – Theoretical and Practical Issues” was held on the afternoon of January 13. A handful of technology firms now dominate not only data flows and consumption behaviors, but also public discourse. He recommended that policy design be grounded in data and evidence, with renewed investment in human capital, cultural readiness, and a legal framework for data governance. This includes mechanisms for digital welfare metrics and legal protections for privacy and citizen data.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 13, 2026 23:35 UTC
US Ambassador Marc Knapper awarded Vietnam’s Friendship Order
On behalf of President Luong Cuong, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung on Tuesday presented the Friendship Order to U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper - one of the highest honors the Vietnamese government bestows on foreign individuals and organizations who make significant contributions to fostering friendship, solidarity, and cooperation with Vietnam. Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung presents the Friendship Order to Ambassador Marc Knapper. Ambassador Knapper expressed pride in having contributed to the remarkable growth in bilateral ties, especially the historic upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man presents a gift to Ambassador Marc Knapper.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 13, 2026 22:35 UTC
Huong Giang to represent Vietnam at Miss Grand International All Stars
Huong Giang performs during the grand finale of Miss Cosmo 2025. On the evening of January 13, Miss Grand International’s official page announced the participation of Nguyen Huong Giang in MGI All Stars Season 1. This marks a significant new chapter in her career, following her appearance at Miss Universe 2025 last year. According to MGI’s introduction, Huong Giang is considered one of the most influential transgender figures in Southeast Asia. MGI’s profile of her reads: “Huong Giang is deeply committed to empowering marginalized communities, particularly women and the LGBTQ+ community.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 13, 2026 22:09 UTC
Vietnam’s stock market hits all-time high as VN-Index tops 1,900
Vin-affiliated stocks remain near their historic peak levels. Vietnam’s stock market kicked off the new year with a historic rally as the benchmark VN-Index surged past the 1,900-point threshold for the first time ever. Despite mixed performances among blue chips, key leading stocks surged, and mid- and small-cap stocks followed suit - contributing to the market’s powerful upward momentum and fresh peak. Vietcombank (VCB) rose by 1,300 VND to 74,000 VND/share, while VPBank (VPB) gained 300 VND, reaching 30,500 VND/share. Investors are also anticipating an official upgrade of Vietnam’s stock market classification in 2026, which could attract tens of billions of dollars in foreign inflows over the next five years.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 13, 2026 17:48 UTC
Investigation: Behind glittering wedding halls in Ho Chi Minh City are lapses in food safety, oversight
Caterers clean plates and bowls showing signs of cockroach and rodent droppings with cloths in a back-of-house area at Adora wedding and conference center in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The findings do not represent all wedding venues in Ho Chi Minh City. Dining utensils belonging to Adora wedding and conference center are stored directly on the floor without raised shelving or barriers separating them from the ground in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. A staff member without gloves handles prepared food while transferring portions onto plates for guests at Adora wedding and conference center in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. A staff member uses a tablecloth to wipe stainless steel spoons inside a banquet hall during an event at Adora wedding and conference center in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Source:Tuoitre News
January 13, 2026 10:14 UTC
2025: A year when policy reforms translate into concrete progress
For the first time, institutional reform could be seen in concrete, steel, and the beat of construction work. By declaring institutional reform the “breakthrough of breakthroughs,” the Government stopped patching scattered rules and instead rebuilt foundations. Why private capital surgedThe 2025 investment structure offers revealing insights. Public investment no longer walks aloneAnother standout feature of 2025 was how public investment stepped into its role as a true enabler. As policy risks declined and the “rules of the game” became clearer, public investment began to activate rather than replace private capital.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 13, 2026 10:07 UTC
A new national holiday to celebrate Vietnamese culture
80 on the development of Vietnamese culture. A national cultural index and cultural industry economic contribution index will be developed in accordance with international standards. In this ecosystem, businesses act as key drivers, and the people are both the center and the agents of cultural development. The sixth task is to accelerate the development of cultural industries and cultural markets, creating globally recognizable Vietnamese cultural brands aligned with cultural tourism. It also calls for building and promoting a national brand on the international stage that authentically reflects the essence of Vietnamese culture and identity.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 13, 2026 08:11 UTC
Hanoi street vendor fined after seeking triple price for 'non la' from foreign tourist
A police officer from Hoan Kiem Ward in Hanoi works with N.T.T., a street vendor, over her attempted overcharging of a foreign tourist in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, January 12, 2026. At the police station, T. initially claimed she had intended to sell a ‘non la’ to a female foreign tourist for VND250,000 ($9.5). Confronted with the footage, T. admitted her misconduct, acknowledging that overcharging foreign tourists damages Vietnam’s image and offering an apology to the visitors involved. (R), a street vendor, and a foreign tourist in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, January 11, 2026. He urged authorities to strictly handle similar violations to help ensure a healthy tourism environment in the Old Quarter.
Source:Tuoitre News
January 13, 2026 06:38 UTC
FIFA social media highlights Vietnam U23 goalkeeper, forward after historic win
A screenshot shows a post from the FIFA World Cup Facebook account praising Vietnam's under-23 players following their Group A victory against Saudi Arabia at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, January 13, 2026. Vietnam sealed the top spot in Group A with nine points from three matches following the win early on Tuesday, advancing to the quarterfinals and eliminating hosts Saudi Arabia, who finished third in the group. Goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien played a key role in preserving the lead, making multiple saves as Saudi Arabia pressed for an equalizer. Vietnam will face either Syria or the United Arab Emirates in the quarterfinals at 10:30 pm (Vietnam time) on Friday. The 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup, held in Saudi Arabia from January 6 to 24, features four groups of four teams, with the top two in each group advancing to the quarterfinals.
Source:Tuoitre News
January 13, 2026 06:23 UTC
Vietnam collects over 16 million USD in music royalties in 2025
The Vietnam Centre for Protection of Music Copyright (VCPMC), under the Vietnam Musicians’ Association, collected more than 424.3 billion VND (16.15 million USD) in music royalties in 2025, marking an 8% increase from 2024. The highest individual payout reached 4 billion VND, while many others earned between 2.5 billion and 3 billion VND. During the year, VCPMC distributed nearly 269 billion VND in royalties to rights holders, up 5% from 2024. Royalties for the fourth-quarter distribution are being finalised and are expected to be paid before the Lunar New Year, with an estimated total of 120 billion VND. According to the office, the VCPMC’s achievements in 2025 show that collective copyright management in Vietnam has become increasingly mature and made significant progress.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 13, 2026 04:35 UTC
Per capita income rises 9.3% in 2025: Statistics office
According to NSO Director Nguyen Thi Huong, the income structure is shifting in a more progressive and sustainable direction, with the proportion of wages and wage-like earnings continuing to rise in total household income. Alongside rising per capita income, survey results indicate that household living standards remained stable throughout 2025. Household income during the year showed a more stable and positive trend than in the same period of 2024. Key measures included continued support and allowances for people who rendered services to the nation, the poor, disadvantaged groups and social protection beneficiaries. Continued support for free health insurance cards and medical examination cards for eligible groups further eased healthcare-related financial burdens.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 13, 2026 04:31 UTC
American International School Vietnam dissolved after prolonged suspension
Ho Chi Minh City has decided to dissolve American International School Vietnam (AISVN). In August last year, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training proposed the municipal administration consider dissolving AISVN, citing the school's prolonged suspension of operations and failure to rectify violations. However, after the suspension period, the school failed to rectify the causes that led to the suspension. Also, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Home Affairs, the Ho Chi Minh City Tax Department, and the Ho Chi Minh City Social Security Agency are responsible for supervising and urging the settlement of outstanding insurance contributions, tax obligations, and severance benefits for employees of American International Education JSC in accordance with regulations. In June last year, the department held another meeting with representatives of American International Education JSC and the school to assess their progress in addressing the causes of the suspension.
Source:Tuoitre News
January 13, 2026 04:03 UTC
Housing prices unlikely to fall in 2026, property investors see rebound
In addition, 679 social housing projects are underway, with a scale of approximately 657,000 units. “2025 was a year that laid an important foundation for the real estate market to enter 2026 with a new growth cycle,” the Deputy Minister noted. Dinh said many real estate projects that had legal obstacles removed over the past year contributed a significant supply to the market. Real estate prices depend on many factors, such as land-use fees, construction costs, infrastructure investment, interest expenses, and selling costs. Low-income earners will also have more opportunities to access housing as more social housing projects are implemented.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 13, 2026 03:40 UTC
Vietnam edge Saudi Arabia to advance as Group A winners at U23 Asian Cup
Vietnam’s Nguyen Dinh Bac celebrates after scoring the winning goal against Saudi Arabia during their Group A match at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, January 13, 2026. Photo: AFCVietnam absorbed sustained pressure for much of the match, with Saudi Arabia registering 26 shots but failing to convert their chances. Saudi Arabia struggled to respond after conceding, with many efforts either blocked or off target despite continued possession. Jordan also advanced as Group A second-finishers, while Saudi Arabia and Kyrgyzstan were eliminated. The 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup, held in Saudi Arabia from January 6 to 24, features four groups of four teams, with the top two in each group advancing to the quarterfinals.
Source:Tuoitre News
January 13, 2026 02:43 UTC
Breakfast @ Tuoi Tre News - January 13
Photo: Phuc TaiCheck out the latest news in Vietnam today:Politics-- State President Luong Cuong on Monday received U.S. -- Police in Ho Chi Minh City have launched a criminal case and detained a married couple accused of producing and distributing large quantities of fresh noodles containing banned and potentially hazardous chemicals, authorities said on Monday. Education-- Ho Chi Minh City authorities have officially dissolved the American International School Vietnam after the institution failed to remedy violations following a prolonged suspension of operations, according to a decision announced on Monday. -- Vietnam Airlines has been ranked among the top 25 safest full-service airlines in the world for 2026 by AirlineRatings, placing 19th globally, up three positions from 2025. The national flag carrier is the only representative from Vietnam to make the list.
Source:Tuoitre News
January 13, 2026 01:43 UTC