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Vietnam

Latest news, in-depth features and opinion on Vietnam, covering politics, economy, society and the country's relationships with the United States, Australia, China and neighbouring Southeast Asian countries.

Capital

Hanoi

Head of State

President To Lam

Head of Government

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh

last updated:

29 November, 2024

An AI virtual anchor is pictured during the launch of Malaysia’s National AI Office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on December 12. Southeast Asia’s unique combination of adaptability, dynamism and strategic investments is positioning it as a critical player in shaping the AI landscape. Photo: Xinhua

Asean

Opinion | How Southeast Asia can become the next AI powerhouse

Young, dynamic and fast, the region has unique advantages, supported by investment in infrastructure, talent, policy support and collaboration.

22 Dec 2024 - 8:30PMvideocam

Diplomacy

‘Very striking’: China and Vietnam tighten ties in a ‘3+3’ strategic pivot

22 Dec 2024 - 8:00AM

South China Sea

To keep calm in the South China Sea, Beijing reaches for the bilateral playbook

22 Dec 2024 - 6:00AMvideocam

China-Asean relations

Defence minister on first overseas trip since Beijing denied he was investigated

Dong Jun meets the head of the Vietnamese Communist Party in Hanoi on visit to mark military anniversary.

20 Dec 2024 - 6:18PMvideocam

Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun visited Vietnam this week to attend a celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army. Photo: AFP

Crime

Man allegedly sets Hanoi karaoke bar on fire, killing 11 people

Witnesses said the blaze was so large that no one dared to attempt to rescue those trapped inside.

19 Dec 2024 - 11:34AM

Singapore

Singapore, Vietnam eye undersea cable as US flags risks of Chinese contractors

Keppel and Sovico Group in talks to build a new network to meet booming demand for AI services and data centres.

13 Dec 2024 - 2:34PMvideocam

China-Asean relations

China’s Wang Yi calls for progress with Vietnam on South China Sea cooperation

At a meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son, the two sides flagged a dialogue mechanism on diplomacy, defence and security.

11 Dec 2024 - 5:00PMvideocam

Vietnam’s Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (left) and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing on Tuesday. Photo: Xinhua

Asia travel

The Amalfi Coast? Not quite. Phu Quoc in Vietnam’s odd mix of attractions

Vietnam’s biggest island, Phu Quoc offers a blend of natural beauty, beaches and fantastical attractions – there is even a replica Colosseum.

11 Dec 2024 - 7:15AM

South China Sea

South China Sea: Vietnam reef projects may set scene for conflict with Beijing

Satellite images show potential military structures on Vietnamese features in Spratly Islands, which experts say could curb China’s advantage.

10 Dec 2024 - 10:01AMvideocam

China trade

‘Get down to business’: China, Vietnam set aside maritime disputes for trade

Brisker trade and new investments in factories and infrastructure among the fruits of pragmatic approach to relationship.

10 Dec 2024 - 11:11AMvideocam

Asean

Opinion | Why Russia is finding favour in Southeast Asia once again

As Russia seeks Global South partners and the war in Ukraine drags on, Southeast Asian states are rekindling ties with the Kremlin.

9 Dec 2024 - 5:49AM

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Russian President Vladimir Putin sit next to each other at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia, on September 5. Photo: Roscongress Foundation via Reuters

E-commerce

Temu, Shein halt Vietnam operations pending business registration

Two of the world’s most popular budget-shopping platforms have suspended business in the Southeast Asian nation.

6 Dec 2024 - 2:55PM

China trade

Cambodia says Xi supports controversial canal, but China stance is still unclear

Former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen thanked Xi Jinping for backing Funan Techo Canal when they met this week.

5 Dec 2024 - 6:30PMvideocam

Asean

Will Trump’s tariff threat push Southeast Asian nations away from China-led Brics?

Analysts warn nations to consider the risks of joining Brics, which could bring economic gains but may alienate the US and lead to trade barriers.

4 Dec 2024 - 7:44PM

US President-elect Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on Brics nations if they create a rival currency to the US dollar has raised concerns for Southeast Asian countries. Photo: TNS

Malaysia

Malaysia tech firms set to ‘act aggressively’ over Trump’s tariff hikes

Local firms in Malaysia’s crucial tech sector are looking at options ranging from expansion to the US to securing new clients.

3 Dec 2024 - 4:00PM

US president-elect Donald Trump views a test flight of a SpaceX Starship rocket on November 19 in Brownsville, Texas. Photo: TNS

Crime

Vietnamese tycoon’s death sentence upheld over US$12 billion fraud

A court on Tuesday upheld the sentence after rejecting Truong My Lan’s appeal against a conviction for embezzlement and bribery.

3 Dec 2024 - 3:00PMvideocam

Malaysia

Malaysia urges Chinese firms to avoid ‘rebadging’ products to dodge US tariffs

Washington is set to restrict exports to Chinese semiconductor manufacturers and certain chipmaking equipment from Malaysia, and Singapore.

2 Dec 2024 - 4:32PMvideocam

Viral stories

Vietnam youth rent partners to please parents, applicants must be fit, good cooks

Rental contracts typically include stringent terms, such as prohibiting emotional involvement, banning sexual harassment.

1 Dec 2024 - 6:00PM

Many young Vietnamese are marrying later due to career goals and difficulty finding the right partner. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock

Infrastructure

Vietnam to build US$67 billion high-speed railway

The railway will run from Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh City in the south, in a boost to infrastructure expected to drive investment.

30 Nov 2024 - 6:30PM

Americas and the Caribbean

Mexico raids stores selling counterfeit Chinese goods, vows national crackdown

The operation comes soon after Trump’s tariff threat, and amid concerns that Chinese goods are flowing through Mexico to flood the US market.

30 Nov 2024 - 4:44AMvideocam

China trade

Chinese firms still eye Vietnam, free of US tariffs for now, as Trump 2.0 looms

Number of Chinese manufacturers shifting production to Vietnam has boomed since Donald Trump’s first term as US president.

29 Nov 2024 - 12:00PMvideocam

A Vinfast electric cehicles factory. Photo: Getty Images

South China Sea

Is Hanoi quietly building Asean alliances on South China Sea code of conduct?

Diplomatic upgrade with Kuala Lumpur could lead to a more united front from claimant countries in their dispute with Beijing, analysts say.

29 Nov 2024 - 10:00AMvideocam

Vietnam’s Communist Party chief To Lam and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during a welcoming ceremony in Kuala Lumpur on November 21. Photo: Reuters

South China Sea

South China Sea: US alliances mar peace and stability, China envoy tells Asean

Beijing’s ambassador to Asean tells forum Western narrative of ‘Ukraine today, East Asia tomorrow’ increases conflict risk in region.

29 Nov 2024 - 1:44PMvideocam

Corruption in Asia

Vietnam tycoon told to repay US$11 billion to avoid lethal injection execution

The 68-year-old is appealing her death sentence after being convicted of embezzling US$12.3 billion from a bank.

27 Nov 2024 - 10:42AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Vietnam’s aircraft deal with US reflects closer ties – is China ‘not happy’?

The appearance of a Chinese boat in Vietnam’s waters following the deal is not a coincidence, an analyst says.

27 Nov 2024 - 10:00AM

US President Joe Biden shakes hands with Vietnam’s President Luong Cuong at the APEC summit in Lima on November 15. Photo: AFP

China trade

Amid mulling of more US-China decoupling, supply-chain expo offers opportunity

An elongation of critical supply chains bringing Chinese goods to the US is expected to be a boon for ‘made by China’ in third countries.

26 Nov 2024 - 9:00AM

Interest in the agriculture supply chain helped drive traffic at last year’s inaugural China International Supply Chain Expo (pictured). This year’s event runs from Tuesday to Saturday. Photo: Xinhua

China-India relations

Hope grows for India-China economic ties amid Trump’s tariff threats

Will the new-found optimism from their border thaw endure escalating trade tensions with the US?

25 Nov 2024 - 8:00AM

Asean

Southeast Asia admits China’s sway, but South China Sea stress sows distrust: study

Southeast Asian elites prefer an Asean-led regional order, despite acknowledging China’s growing influence, but the bloc faces its own challenges.

21 Nov 2024 - 7:30PMvideocam

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