As Việt Nam marks National Election Day and voters await the results, it's also a moment to reflect on the country's progress during this term. In recent years, Việt Nam has frequently made headlines as one of Southeast Asia's top destinations for foreign investment. This success has been driven by factors such as reduced administrative procedures and more attractive policies for investors.
Việt Nam has long relied on self-employment, with more than five million household businesses nationwide. Now, as the country pushes for a digital economy worth 20 per cent of GDP in 2026, AI tools and social platforms are opening up even more opportunities for independent workers.
Artificial intelligence is making cyberattacks in the financial sector faster and more unpredictable. In response to this threat, the European Central Bank (ECB) is requiring major banks in the region to strengthen their defenses, viewing this as a risk to financial stability.
Đà Nẵng is positioning itself as a testing ground for new growth models. A key focus of the Da Nang Business, Finance and Technology Week 2026 is the development of an international financial centre. Government officials, business leaders and international partners came together to discuss the project's vision, implementation roadmap and its role in driving the city's next phase of growth.
Việt Nam's mother and childcare market is booming, driven by an annual growth rate of 7.2% and rising worker incomes in 2026. Local brands are successfully competing with international rivals by diversifying into smart, high-quality portfolios and prioritizing parental trust, safety, and personalization over deep discounts.
Japan's Hayabusa 2 probe has successfully flown past an asteroid in a test aimed at assessing whether a spacecraft could one day be used to alter the course of an asteroid threatening Earth. It is the second successful experiment of its kind, following NASA's DART mission in 2022.
The circular economy has become a key pillar of China's strategy for sustainable development. As the country seeks to make better use of resources while supporting high-quality growth, it is stepping up efforts to accelerate the transition to a more circular economy.