Thailand dominates SEA Games 33 as Vietnam finishes third overall
SEA Games 33 Final Medal StandingsSEA Games 33 final medal table reflects Thailand’s dominance and Vietnam’s strong third-place finish. Thailand firmly asserted its status as Southeast Asia’s sports powerhouse with a record-breaking 233 gold medals, outpacing all rivals both in golds and overall count. With 87 gold medals, Vietnam ended in third place overall. With strategic investment and continued focus on athlete development, Vietnam is well-positioned to challenge for higher standings in future SEA Games. SEA Games 32 Final Medal Standings
Source:VietNamNet News
December 20, 2025 17:28 UTC
Vietnam forms executive council for international financial centers
According to the decision, Nguyen Hoa Binh, Standing Deputy Prime Minister, will serve as Chairman of the Executive Council. Other members include high-ranking officials from key ministries: Nguyen Thanh Tinh, Deputy Minister of Justice; Nguyen Manh Khuong, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs; Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade; and Nguyen Hoang Hiep, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment. Strategic coordination between HCMC and Da NangDa Nang has been selected as one of two cities to host Vietnam’s international financial centers. Advisory council of domestic and international expertsTo strengthen its capacity, the Executive Council will establish an Advisory Council composed of highly regarded financial and legal experts from both Vietnam and abroad. The Executive Council is expected to regularly monitor, direct, and ensure effective construction, operation, and growth of the international financial centers.
Source:VietNamNet News
December 20, 2025 16:53 UTC
Breakfast @ Tuoi Tre News - December 20
Passengers will be able to ride Ho Chi Minh City’s Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro line for free on January 1, 2026. Photo: Tuoi TreCheck out the latest news from Vietnam today:Politics-- The 14th Vietnam-U.S. Political, Security, and Defense Dialogue was held in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang and Senior Bureau Official for Political-Military Affairs Fleet White, Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Society-- Passengers will be able to ride Ho Chi Minh City’s Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro line for free on January 1, 2026, as part of a New Year celebration approved by the city authorities. -- Police in Ho Chi Minh City are investigating after a headless male body was found floating on the Saigon River on Friday afternoon.
Source:Tuoitre News
December 20, 2025 13:57 UTC
School leaders dismissed after food poisoning sends 40 students to hospital in central Vietnam
According to the commune administration, the two school leaders were found to have failed in their management and supervision duties, allowing prolonged shortcomings that affected school operations and damaged the reputation of the local education sector. The commune administration decided to dismiss them from their leadership positions. The incident occurred on the morning of September 26, when 40 students developed symptoms consistent with food poisoning shortly after eating breakfast provided by the school’s boarding kitchen. Investigators determined that vice-principal Hue obstructed efforts to immediately transfer the affected students to hospital for emergency treatment. Subsequent investigations by local authorities concluded that the students were poisoned due to bacterial contamination in food prepared at the school’s boarding kitchen.
Source:Tuoitre News
December 20, 2025 11:34 UTC
Police probe dam releases in Vietnam’s Dak Lak, where historic floods killed 113
Water is released from the Song Ba Ha hydropower plant in Dak Lak Province, south-central Vietnam on the afternoon of November 20, 2025. Photo: Minh Phuong / Tuoi TreAddressing a regular press briefing on Friday, Truong Cong Thai, vice-chairman of the Dak Lak People’s Committee, described the floods as the most destructive ever recorded in the area. Truong Cong Thai, vice-chairman of the Dak Lak People’s Committee, briefs reporters on flood damage at a regular press briefing on December 19, 2025. Photo: Minh Phuong / Tuoi TreAside from the heavy human toll, infrastructure and livelihoods suffered extensive damage. A house collapses in Hoa Thinh commune, Dak Lak Province, south-central Vietnam after severe November 2025 flooding.
Source:Tuoitre News
December 20, 2025 11:34 UTC
Russian cancer drugs are cheaper, just as effective: K hospital director
Russian cancer drugs have similar treatment effectiveness but are much cheaper than comparable drugs. K Hospital, a leader in cancer treatment, is planning to purchase drugs from Russia to soon include them in treatment protocols, said Professor Dr Le Van Quang, Director of K Hospital (Hanoi), at a seminar on cancer treatment held on December 18–19. According to Quang, in recent years cancer diagnosis and treatment has seen strong development, in which cancer drugs play a key role. Today, new-generation cancer drugs have significantly improved both effectiveness and safety, especially targeted therapies. Among the new drugs, Quang highlighted Pembroria from Russia, a biosimilar to immunotherapy drugs widely used in Western countries.
Source:VietNamNet News
December 20, 2025 08:26 UTC
Dollar momentum eases, but gold faces continued downward pressure
A stronger VND has put heavy downward pressure on domestic gold prices, even though the world’s gold prices remain high. Dollar declines consecutivelyThe opening dong/dollar exchange rate on December 17 on the free market fell another VND50 to VND26,950 per dollar (selling price). USD supply in Vietnam is expected to be more abundant toward year-end thanks to exports and remittances, helping ease exchange rate pressure. SJC gold bars and SJC gold rings also fell sharply when converted according to the USD/VND exchange rate. The first is the conversion channel: at the same world gold price, a lower USD/VND rate will pull the VND-converted gold price down.
Source:VietNamNet News
December 20, 2025 07:56 UTC
From cigarette butts to illegal trash dumping: How much are the environmental fines in Vietnam?
People dispose of trash in a public bin on Nguyen Hue Street, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tu Trung / Tuoi TreSpecifically, individuals who discard cigarette butts improperly in apartment complexes, commercial or service areas, or public places may be fined VND100,000 to VND150,000 (US$3.80 to $5.70). Those who urinate or defecate in areas not designated for personal sanitation in apartment complexes, commercial or service areas, or public places face fines of VND150,000 to VND250,000 ($5.50 to $9.50). Fines of VND500,000 to VND1 million ($19 to $38) apply to acts of dumping garbage or discharging wastewater in unauthorized locations within apartment complexes, commercial, service, or public areas. In addition, households and individuals that fail to classify domestic solid waste or do not use regulated waste bags for domestic solid waste may be fined VND500,000 to VND1 million ($19 to $38).
Source:Tuoitre News
December 20, 2025 06:38 UTC
Vietnamese mother of 2 wins boxing gold at 33rd SEA Games
Vietnamese boxer Ha Thi Linh (in red) wins the gold medal at the 33rd SEA Games, held in Thailand, December 19, 2025. The victory marked her third SEA Games gold medal and stood out as the lone triumph for Vietnam’s boxing team, which contested six finals on the final day of competition. Mother of two, Ha Thi Linh, is declared the winner by the referee at the 33rd SEA Games. In 2013, she won her first gold medal in the women’s 64kg category at the SEA Games, held in Myanmar. At the 2019 SEA Games, competing in the 60kg division, she was eliminated in the quarterfinals.
Source:Tuoitre News
December 20, 2025 06:38 UTC
Vietnam boosts cybersecurity for digital asset exchange operations
Photo: NCAThe event was jointly organized by the National Cybersecurity Association (NCA), Vietnam Television (VTV), and the State Securities Commission of Vietnam, with the participation of global digital asset firms OKX Global and Tether. International experience has shown that even major digital asset exchanges have been vulnerable to cyberattacks, technical loopholes, and operational failures. 05/2025 on piloting the digital asset market over a five-year period has established a controlled testing framework for the development of digital assets. Speakers also discussed training frameworks aimed at enhancing the capacity of organizations to ensure the safety and security of digital asset exchanges. Also, it seeks to support the business community in accessing and applying advanced technologies to develop digital asset exchanges in a manner that is secure, transparent, and compliant with Vietnamese law.
Source:Tuoitre News
December 20, 2025 03:37 UTC
iPhone Fold could introduce a shape the foldable world has never seen
If recent leaks prove true, the iPhone Fold will be markedly different from everything else in the foldable market today. Photo: Technizo ConceptA folding iPhone turning point in 2026According to multiple industry sources, Apple is almost certain to launch the iPhone Fold in 2026. A wider internal screen, as rumored for the iPhone Fold, would be a boon for watching YouTube, streaming movies, or other entertainment. In this way, the iPhone Fold may represent a spiritual reboot of the iPhone mini line - now reimagined as flexible, premium, and ultra-modern. If Apple succeeds with the iPhone Fold, it won’t just enter the foldable race - it may rewrite the rules entirely.
Source:VietNamNet News
December 20, 2025 00:09 UTC
“Golden rain” day closes Vietnam’s resilient journey at SEA Games 33
Thailand led with 232 golds, 153 silvers and 106 bronzes, while Indonesia came second with 91golds, 111 silvers, and 128 bronzes. The gap in gold medals with Indonesia means the overall standings are almost settled. In addition to winning individual gold and breaking the SEA Games record, he joined his teammates to secure the men’s team gold. The third shooting gold came from the men’s 50m rifle three positions team event, where Vietnamese shooters edged past hosts Thailand on countback. Notably, e-sports delivered a gold medal in the men’s Arena of Valor team event after a victory over host Thailand./.
Source:VietNamNet News
December 19, 2025 18:13 UTC
Refereeing controversies deepen chaos at SEA Games in Thailand
Refereeing controversies have added to the chaos surrounding the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. Pencak silat becomes early flashpointFrom the opening days of the 2025 SEA Games, pencak silat drew some of the tournament's most heated disputes. One Thai fighter lost to a Malaysian opponent despite clearly dominating the bout," he said. Football coach criticizes officiatingVietnam women's football coach Mai Duc Chung said Wednesday's final reflected ongoing problems. "Every referee officiating women's football at this SEA Games has been substandard.
Source:Tuoitre News
December 19, 2025 07:29 UTC
VietNamNet at 28: Honoring the past, embracing the future
This anniversary also marks a pivotal milestone: VietNamNet begins a new chapter as the official media agency of the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs. The message “Honoring identity – Leading information” is not just a slogan - it is a long-term commitment. For 28 years, VietNamNet has remained on that path - providing accurate, timely information; embracing innovation in the digital age; and spreading human values and positivity across society. In this new phase, VietNamNet clearly defines its pioneering role in covering ethnic affairs and religious policy. VietNamNet values every ounce of support and every piece of feedback - both praise and critique - from readers across the country.
Source:VietNamNet News
December 19, 2025 06:04 UTC
Vietnam men’s football team showered with bonuses after triumph at 2025 SEA Games
Vietnam’s under-22 team are showered with bonuses after defeating Thailand 3-2, December 18, 2025, winning the men’s football gold medal at the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi TreSpecifically, the VFF announced a bonus of VND1 billion (US$38,000) for the team. In addition, the head coach and the players were awarded VND1 billion by Pham Hoanh Son, chairman of Hong Linh Ha Tinh Football Club. Also, VND500 million ($19,000) from a sponsor was given to the team. The team had previously received VND600 million ($22,800) from the VFF after beating Malaysia’s under-22 team in the final group-stage match, and VND500 million ($19,000) following their semi-final win over the Philippines.
Source:Tuoitre News
December 19, 2025 05:58 UTC