‘Red Rain’ sweeps 2025 Blue Star Awards with six major wins
Director Dang Thai Huyen and the Red Rain cast celebrate their six-win triumph at the 2025 Blue Star Awards, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Actor recognitions. Director Dang Thai Huyen was named Best Director, while Red Rain won Best Feature Film, as chosen by the professional jury. According to the team behind Red Rain, the film was a monumental effort involving thousands of people over an extended production period. Other notable moments from the Blue Star Awards 2025 included:· Thanh Son won Best Actor for Airborne Battle, and Viet Huong was named Best Actress for her role in The Sister-in-Law. · Phuong Nam continued a strong year, winning Best Supporting Actor for his role in Red Rain.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 11, 2026 14:05 UTC
A Thai ethnic fighter wins Asian MMA title in just 51 seconds
Since shifting to modern MMA rules (which differ in structure and regulations from traditional MMA), Phung has continued to impress with her first-round victories. “Lo Thi Phung has always shown consistency and high-level technique, not only in Ju-jitsu but also with significantly improved striking skills. This result was anticipated even before we formed the national team for the Asian championship,” said Tong Ngoc Hoa, head of the Vietnamese MMA delegation. The 2026 Asian MMA Championship was held from January 9 to 11 in Luzhou, China, under the organization of the Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association. The tournament plays a key role in earning technical ranking points for upcoming events, including the 20th Asian Games in Japan and the 2026 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Saudi Arabia.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 11, 2026 13:45 UTC
VASEP forecasts pangasius exports to hit 2.3 billion USD this year
China continued to serve as the backbone market for the pangasius industry, holding approximately 27% market share. Future outlookLooking ahead to 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius industry is expected to face significant opportunities as global supplies of wild-caught whitefish continue to tighten. In the US market, Vietnamese pangasius exporters continue to face risks associated with anti-dumping policies. VASEP's predicted 2.3 billion USD in Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover this year would represent a 5% increase compared to 2025, according to the association's deputy secretary general. This means that Vietnam’s pangasius industry needs to accelerate digital transformation, apply advanced technologies and improve traceability systems.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 11, 2026 11:09 UTC
Making breakthroughs via policies for older persons
With 16.5 million older persons, accounting for around 16% of the population, Vietnam has made a strong shift from awareness to action, turning the challenges of population ageing into opportunities to improve its healthcare and comprehensive social security systems. Refining policies, expanding social protectionAccording to the latest statistics, the country’s average life expectancy has reached 74.7 years, with healthy life expectancy standing at 65.4 years. Currently, more than 2.4 million older persons nationwide receive monthly social allowances and social pensions, with total State budget spending nearing 7 trillion VND (266.46 million USD). Older persons are no longer viewed as a “burden”; instead, they are increasingly becoming a new driving force for social development through the “silver economy” and community activities. A comprehensive recognition of both challenges and opportunities in this context will provide an important basis for policymaking, while encouraging economic stakeholders to invest in sectors that better meet the needs of older persons and enhance their role in the country’s next stage of development./.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 11, 2026 10:59 UTC
NA Standing Committee to convene 53rd session on January 12
Chairman Tran Thanh Man will deliver the opening remarks and, together with vice chairpersons, will take turns chairing the session’s proceedings. At the half-day session, the NA Standing Committee is set to consider and adopt two resolutions: one regulating the issuance and use of uniforms, insignia and badges for leaders of the People’s Procuracy at all levels, prosecutors, examiners, investigators and prosecutors’ identification cards; and another stipulating the number and proportional structure of prosecutor ranks within the People’s Procuracy and the Military Procuracy. Regarding supervision activities, the NA Standing Committee will also review the legislature’s report on people's aspiration work for December 2025./.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 11, 2026 10:54 UTC
Vietnam looks toward prosperous nation with $38,000 GDP per capita by 2050
Key economic corridors include the north - south corridor, the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong - Quang Ninh corridor, and the Moc Bai - Ho Chi Minh City - Bien Hoa - Vung Tau corridor. These corridors are expected to feature modern, integrated infrastructure, high growth rates, and strong contributions to national growth. Digital infrastructure and data infrastructure will be expanded to underpin national digital transformation, including digital government, digital economy, and digital society development. The digital economy is targeted to contribute around 30 percent of the country’s GDP. – Red River Delta region: Hanoi, Hai Phong City, Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, and Ninh Binh.
Source:Tuoitre News
January 11, 2026 07:22 UTC
UOB raises Vietnam’s 2026 GDP growth forecast to 7.5% on export, FDI strength
Vietnam’s real GDP expanded by 8.02 percent last year, the second-highest growth rate during the 2011–25 period, UOB said, citing data from the National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance. Exports, FDI anchor Vietnam’s 2025 growthUOB said Vietnam’s strong economic performance in 2025 was largely underpinned by resilient exports and steady manufacturing, despite headwinds from U.S. tariff policies. Exports remained the primary growth engine, with export turnover rising by 19 percent year on year in the final quarter of 2025 and full-year export growth reaching 17 percent compared with 2024. Against this backdrop, the bank has raised its 2026 GDP growth forecast to 7.5 percent, up from an earlier projection of seven percent, with exports and FDI expected to remain key drivers. Tariff uncertainty, potential export slowdown pose risks“With growth exceeding eight percent last year, Vietnam enters 2026 with a solid foundation,” the UOB report said.
Source:Tuoitre News
January 11, 2026 03:36 UTC
Breakfast @ Tuoi Tre News - January 11
Cold weather blankets Vietnam, January 11, 2026. Photo: Tri Duc / Tuoi TreCheck out the latest news in Vietnam today:Politics-- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Saturday received U.S. -- Police in Da Nang City, central Vietnam on Friday uncovered prostitution activities disguised as massage services during inspections at two well-known hotels. Ho Chi Minh City-- The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade has issued a dispatch instructing retailers, supermarkets, and wet markets to adopt measures to ensure supply-demand balance and market stability ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday. 2 in Ho Chi Minh City has admitted a 13-year-old boy from Dong Nai Province with severe injuries caused by a firecracker explosion.
Source:Tuoitre News
January 11, 2026 01:48 UTC
Grab to pilot pet-friendly car service in Ho Chi Minh City with added fee
The service, branded GrabCar Pet, will operate initially in Ho Chi Minh City, excluding areas that were formerly part of old Binh Duong and Ba Ria–Vung Tau Provinces, Grab Vietnam said on its website. GrabCar Pet will use four-seater and six-seater cars. Four-seater vehicles can carry up to two passengers and one pet, while six-seater vehicles can carry up to three passengers and two pets. Base fares start at about VND28,000 ($1) for the first two kilometers for four-seater cars, with prices increasing based on distance and travel time. Grab added that all GrabCar Pet trips will be covered by a compensation policy.
Source:Tuoitre News
January 11, 2026 01:36 UTC
Raising a child while studying, he still graduated top of his class
While still a university student, Nguyen Phuc Son found himself unexpectedly taking on the role of a single “father” to a four-year-old boy. Photo: NVCCWhile still a university student, Nguyen Phuc Son found himself unexpectedly taking on the role of a single “father” to a four-year-old boy. With no other choice, Son helped raise the child while studying for his university entrance exams. In 2021, at 20 years old, Son and his four-year-old nephew left their hometown and moved into a small rented room near the university. On other days, with no options left, he brought the child to class.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 10, 2026 23:36 UTC
Vietnam’s bus driver fined $190 after using phone while driving
A screenshot from a clip circulating on social media shows bus driver V.D.K. using a mobile phone while driving a passenger bus in Dong Thap Province, southern Vietnam. A traffic police officer works with driver V.D.K. after he was caught using a mobile phone while driving, causing a collision with a parked truck on January 5, 2026 in Dong Thap Province, southern Vietnam. According to passengers, after the crash, the driver pulled the bus over, got out to negotiate with the truck driver involved, and then continued the journey as if nothing had happened.
Source:Tuoitre News
January 10, 2026 12:04 UTC
Rare Nguyen Tu Nghiem Kieu series makes public debut
Painter Luong Xuan Doan and Professor Tran Dinh Su at the talk. On January 10 in Hanoi, a talk was held to introduce a special edition of Kim Van Kieu by writer-translator Nguyen Van Vinh, along with an exhibition of 26 previously unpublished Kieu paintings by renowned artist Nguyen Tu Nghiem. According to him, the creator of the series - Nguyen Tu Nghiem - possessed “a slender, delicate soul, choosing joy in his hometown and carrying a special love for Nguyen Du’s work. Luong Xuan Doan noted that Nguyen Tu Nghiem often laid down color first, then released the lines. Luong Xuan Doan said Nguyen Tu Nghiem typically applied color before line, producing a particular emotional depth.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 10, 2026 09:58 UTC
Party chief To Lam hosts farewell meeting for US ambassador
General Secretary To Lam receives US Ambassador Marc Knapper. Photo: VNAThe Party chief congratulated Ambassador Knapper on the successful completion of his tenure and highly valued his important contributions to the positive development of the Vietnam–US comprehensive strategic partnership. The upcoming 14th National Party Congress, he noted, will mark a new stage of development aimed at peace, independence, democracy and national prosperity. Regarding regional and international issues, the Party leader stressed the need to uphold the United Nations Charter and international law, and to resolve disputes through dialogue and other peaceful means. For his part, Ambassador Knapper sincerely thanked the leaders of the Party, the State and the people of Vietnam for their attention and support, which enabled him to fulfil his duties successfully.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 10, 2026 09:13 UTC
Vietnam objects to China’s opening of commercial center in Hoang Sa
Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang. Photo: Ministry of Foreign AffairsThe foreign ministry's spokesperson Pham Thu Hang made the statement at a regular press briefing in Hanoi on Friday in response to reporters’ questions about China’s recent opening of a commercial center on Phu Lam Island in the Hoang Sa archipelago. “Any foreign activities in Vietnam’s Hoang Sa archipelago that are not authorized by Vietnam are illegal and invalid,” Hang stated. She reiterated that the Southeast Asian country possesses full historical evidence and legal grounds to assert its sovereignty over Hoang Sa in accordance with international law. The foreign ministry has repeatedly affirmed Vietnam’s sovereignty over both the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos in the maritime region, based on its sufficient historical and legal evidence.
Source:Tuoitre News
January 10, 2026 09:08 UTC
Vietnam struggles to unlock $100bn trapped in stalled property projects
According to the Ministry of Construction, Vietnam currently has around 2,991 real estate projects that are stalled or facing unresolved difficulties, with a total investment value of nearly $100bn. Official figures show that the 2,991 stalled projects nationwide account for total investment of about $100bn. These include Resolution 201 on special policies for social housing development, and Resolution 171 on piloting commercial housing projects through agreements on land-use rights. “The key solution is to accelerate the development of social housing.”So far, there are 698 social housing projects underway nationwide, with a total scale of about 657,000 apartments. Despite strong growth in social housing supply, it still lags far behind the volume of commercial housing priced at over $3,300 per square metre.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 10, 2026 09:08 UTC