Vietnam targets 23 billion USD trade surplus in 2026
The Agency of Foreign Trade (AFT) under the Ministry of Industry and Trade aims to increase total export turnover by more than 8% in 2026 compared with 2025, while maintaining a trade surplus of over 23 billion USD, up 15% year on year. It will continue working with relevant bodies to urge Mexico to add Vietnamese steel producers to its list of eligible mills permitted to export steel to the country. According to the 2025 import-export report, Vietnam’s merchandise trade reached a new record, with total turnover hitting 930 billion USD, up 18.2% year on year. New-generation FTAs delivered clear benefits, with exports rising to high-standard markets including the EU, Canada and Japan. Vietnam recorded its tenth consecutive trade surplus, estimated at around 20 billion USD, contributing to macroeconomic stability and investor confidence, though trade remains concentrated in a limited number of major markets./.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 09, 2026 04:30 UTC
Bao Ninh’s novel removed from list of outstanding Vietnamese arts
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on January 9 that it has issued Decision No. 14/QD-BVHTTDL on removing “The Sorrow of War” novel by Bao Ninh, from the list of 50 outstanding Vietnamese literary and performing arts works created since national reunification (April 30, 1975). Previously, on November 13, 2025, the ministry issued Decision No. The list included “The Sorrow of War”, one of the most widely known novels by writer Bao Ninh. The ministry expressed its appreciation for the attention and feedback from agencies, organisations, individuals and the public regarding the selection.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 09, 2026 04:30 UTC
Hanoi pilots early air quality forecasting system
Air quality in some areas of Hanoi on January 8 was at unhealthy levels, prompting warnings for residents, especially the elderly, children, and those with underlying conditions such as cardiovascular or respiratory diseases, to limit outdoor activities, according to readings from Hanoi’s early air quality forecasting system (HanoiAir). HanoiAir is an early air quality forecasting system developed experimentally by the municipal Department of Agriculture and Environment in collaboration with the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting and the University of Engineering and Technology under the Vietnam National University – Hanoi (VNU-Hanoi). The system can forecast air quality trends over time and across locations, helping authorities guide and implement pollution control measures. In early January, Hanoi’s air quality has been deteriorating. Apart from providing information, Hanoi’s early air quality forecasting system serves as a tool to trigger concrete management actions.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 09, 2026 04:30 UTC
Da Nang International Fireworks Festival 2026 to return to Han River
The performance by Vietnam’s Fireworks Team 1 at the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) 2025. Photo: Truong Trung / Tuoi TreDIFF 2026 plans were presented on Wednesday at a meeting of the Da Nang People's Committee. The proposal outlines a six-night festival scheduled to run from May 30 to July 11 under the theme 'Da Nang - United Horizons.' As such, two Vietnamese teams, the Da Nang Fireworks Team and Z21 Vina Pyrotech, will compete alongside international teams from China, Italy, Germany, Portugal, France, Japan, Macau (China), and Australia, underscoring the festival's growing international profile. Under the current plan for DIFF 2026, however, no change of location has been proposed.
Source:Tuoitre News
January 09, 2026 04:08 UTC
Vietnam's retail sales, service revenue up 9.2% in 2025
The total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue in 2025 exceeded 7 quadrillion VND (262.7 billion USD), up 9.2% compared to 2024, reflecting stronger purchasing power and underscoring the continued role of domestic consumption as a major growth driver, said Nguyen Thi Huong, Director General of the National Statistics Office (NSO). The total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue at current prices were estimated at 627.8 trillion VND (nearly 23.9 billion USD) last December, up 3.9% from the previous month and 9.8% year on year. Of the total, revenue from garments rose 13.8% year on year, while sales of household goods, utensils and equipment surged by 13.4%. The total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue in the fourth quarter of 2025 were estimated to increase by 8.4% compared to the same period last year, exceeding 1.833 trillion VND at current prices. The NSO reported that the total retail sales of goods revenue were estimated at 5.33 quadrillion VND in 2025, accounting for 76.1% of total consumer revenue and up 8.0% from the previous year.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 09, 2026 03:15 UTC
Young Vietnamese talent fuels crypto, blockchain growth: panelists
Panelists discuss Vietnamese firms’ global expansion potential at the Vietnam Vanguard Summit 2026, held in Ho Chi Minh City, January 8, 2026. “We really treasure human capital and young people in Vietnam do have ambition, creativity, and energy,” he said. Besides, Nguyen Lam Thanh, general director at TikTok Technologies Vietnam, appreciated Vietnamese young people, emphasizing that various games on the mobile phone come from Vietnam. Mastering home market before conquering the worldChoi from Sunwah suggested that to succeed in the global arena, Vietnamese firms should first strengthen their position in the local market. He also highlighted two key factors that help Vietnamese firms strengthen their positions in the local market: consistency in production and compliance in relationships.
Source:Tuoitre News
January 09, 2026 02:18 UTC
From paper to reality: the institutional experiment in Hanoi and HCMC
The IFC is located within the Saigon – Ben Thanh – Thu Thiem area, covering a total area of 898 hectares. Resolution 66 defines lawmaking and law enforcement as the “breakthrough of breakthroughs” in completing development institutions. At the closing session of the 10th session, he added that in this sitting alone, the National Assembly reviewed, debated, and passed 51 laws and 39 resolutions, including eight normative legal resolutions. These laws and resolutions both met urgent practical needs and established a legal framework for a new phase. During the entire term, National Assembly passed 150 laws and 49 normative legal resolutions, while organizing 19 sessions, the highest numbers among National Assembly terms.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 09, 2026 00:34 UTC
Ethnic minority student rises from border village to national runner-up
When entering secondary school, Ni had to leave home to attend a boarding school. “I truly cherish the chance to go to school, so I always remind myself to study hard to change my life,” Ni said. In high school, studying at Nghe An Ethnic Minority Boarding High School, Ni experienced a clear shift in mindset and study methods. In the 2025 national high school graduation exam, she scored 29.5 points, becoming the runner up among exam group C00 (literature, history, geography) students. To me, studying and growing are not about surpassing others, but about becoming a better version of myself and living a more meaningful life,” Ni said.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 08, 2026 23:34 UTC
A thousand-year return: The spiritual homecoming of Tara Bodhisattva
The Tara Bodhisattva statue-a national treasure over 1,200 years old-was recently reunited with its sacred relics: a lotus and a conch, after nearly five decades. The Tara Bodhisattva statue. The story of the Tara Bodhisattva statue-or, by its formal epigraphic name, Laksmindra Lokesvara-being reunited with its lotus and conch after nearly 50 years is more than a recovery. Inscriptions from Dong Duong record that he built a temple to Laksmindra Lokesvara Svabhayada, a form of Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. On November 19, 2025, the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture unveiled the Tara Bodhisattva statue in its most complete form to date.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 08, 2026 11:05 UTC
Vietnam briefs diplomats on 14th National Party Congress preparations
National defence and security, foreign relations, and international integration were reinforced, while Party building and political system reforms achieved significant and breakthrough results. He cordially invited representatives of foreign diplomatic missions and international organisations in Vietnam to the opening and closing sessions. She expressed confidence that, with a spirit of solidarity, democracy, discipline, innovation, and development, the 14th National Party Congress will set comprehensive directions, laying a foundation for a more sustainable and successful development phase. Palestinian Ambassador to Vietnam and head of the diplomatic corps in Vietnam, Saadi Salama, showed the belief that the 14th National Party Congress would adopt major decisions that prioritise the interests of Vietnamese people and foster cooperation for lasting peace both regionally and globally. Ambassadors and representatives of foreign missions in Vietnam said they believe that the 14th National Congress of the CPV will be successfully held.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 08, 2026 08:25 UTC
HCM City’s 2025 growth data revised after merger, oil sector excluded
In 2025, oil and gas activities declined by 2.54%, pulling the city’s overall GRDP down by 0.5 percentage points. “Including oil and gas in HCMC’s GRDP would misrepresent the effectiveness of the city’s governance,” Hoang explained. For example, Cao Bang’s GRDP is about 14 trillion VND (~571 million USD), Dien Bien’s is around 17 trillion VND (~694 million USD), and Lai Chau’s is about 16 trillion VND (~653 million USD). In addition, total social investment is expected to reach about 880 trillion VND (approximately 35.9 billion USD) in 2026, up from 705 trillion VND (~28.8 billion USD) in 2025. In 2021, its average GRDP per capita reached 12,154 USD (including oil) and about 7,141 USD (excluding oil).
Source:VietNamNet News
January 08, 2026 08:20 UTC
PM Pham Minh Chinh: Vietnam enters a new era with strength and unity
On the occasion of the New Year 2026, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh granted an exclusive interview to the Vietnam News Agency. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh: Since the start of this term, the global landscape has evolved rapidly, complexly, and unpredictably. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh: The Government of the 2021–2025 term has continued the 80-year tradition of action, innovation, and service to the nation and people. Total FDI for the term surpassed USD 184 billion, ranking Vietnam among the top 15 FDI destinations in the developing world. Foreign trade volume hit a record USD 930 billion in 2025, with agricultural exports exceeding USD 70 billion for the first time.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 08, 2026 07:19 UTC
An unprecedented art festival in VN gathers 15 artists across Southeast Asia
From January 9 to 11, 2026, in Hanoi, and January 16 to 18 in Ho Chi Minh City, a mobile Southeast Asian art festival titled "Dealing in Distance" will take place, featuring 15 artists currently living and working in Southeast Asia and Germany. The "Dealing in Distance" art festival gathers artists from various disciplines. "Dealing in Distance", a nomadic art festival across Southeast Asia, delves into themes of displacement and identity-shaped by migration and separation-through a curated selection of visual art, performance, dance, poetry, and diverse community-based programs. These works come from artists rooted in Southeast Asia and Germany. Audiences will experience unique and thought-provoking artistic projects.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 08, 2026 06:49 UTC
A spring of unity and victory: Over 150 rare artifacts on display
The display, titled Spring – The origin of victory, presents more than 150 historical images and artifacts that celebrate foundational elements in the success of Vietnam’s revolutionary movement throughout the 20th century and into the 21st: the Party's leadership, Ho Chi Minh's ideology, and the strength of a united people. Structured in three sections-Revolutionary Spring, Independent Spring, and Aspiring Spring-the exhibition guides visitors through transformational springtime events in the nation’s history. Artifacts such as ballot boxes, voter cards, election decrees, and a collection of Ho Chi Minh’s banknotes vividly depict the process of building a government by the people and for the people. The exhibition Spring – The origin of victory is open to the public from January 6 through July 2026. It aims to foster national pride, reinforce public trust, and inspire the spirit of contribution in this new spring of the nation.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 08, 2026 05:54 UTC
Hai Phong company indicted for using diseased pork in canned food
On the morning of January 8, Colonel Bui Trung Thanh, Deputy Director of the Hai Phong Police Department, confirmed to VietNamNet that nine individuals have been formally charged in connection with the use of diseased pork at Ha Long Canned Food Company (Ha Long Canfoco). Ha Long Canned Foods Joint Stock Company is based in Hai Phong. Evidence seized at Ha Long Canned Food Company. A portion of the diseased pork was used to produce canned food, including paté. However, using “Ha Long” in a brand name does not automatically imply the enterprise is located in, or affiliated with, Ha Long or Quang Ninh.
Source:VietNamNet News
January 08, 2026 05:39 UTC