With just a few days to go before the official election day, even in border areas, the preparation is basically completed. Now, border areas are more commonly crowded as many residents frequently cross the border for trade and travel. And proactive efforts from local authorities, strong public support have allowed all conditions for election day to quickly be in place and in an organised and efficient manner.
With just a few days to go before the official election day, even in border areas, the preparation is basically completed. Now, border areas are more commonly crowded as many residents frequently cross the border for trade and travel. And proactive efforts from local authorities, strong public support have allowed all conditions for election day to quickly be in place and in an organised and efficient manner.
Amid complications in global fuel supplies, officials in Việt Nam warn of potential hoarding, restricted sales, and measurement violations. Consequently, fuel station inspections are increasing to quickly detect and halt profiteering. These efforts aim to maintain market transparency and ensure compliance with regulations.
Intenational updates on Middle East tension
As Việt Nam prepares for the 2026 – 2031 National Assembly and People’s Council elections, localities are stepping up preparations across the country. In Quảng Ninh Province, authorities are carefully reviewing every stage of the process and applying a thorough candidate selection system to ensure voters can choose representatives who truly reflect the voices and aspirations of this historic mining region.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivered key foreign policy messages at a press conference during the fourth session of the 14th National People’s Congress in Beijing. His remarks addressed several major international issues currently drawing global attention.
8 March marks just over a week since the first coordinated strike on Iran by the US and Israel on 28 February. Vietnam Today looks at the ramifications this first week has had on regional stability and global supply chains.
Preparations are accelerating nationwide for the election of the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026 – 2031 term. With more than 73 million voters across over 72,000 polling stations, authorities are working to ensure citizens, from major cities to border and ethnic communities, are fully informed and ready to cast their ballots.
The conflict between Iran and the US and Israel has entered its fifth day. Both Israel and Iran say their recent attacks have inflicted significant damage on the other side. And on 4 March, many Vietnamese tourists travelling in the Middle East have safely returned home after several days of disruption to air travel.
It has been one week since this latest round of hostilities began, and the situation between Iran and the U.S. - Israeli alliance is only growing more volatile. The fighting has spread across the Middle East, drawing more countries in the region into growing instability.
Efforts by the United States Congress to limit U.S President Donald Trump’s authority to use military force in the conflict with Iran have failed. On 5 March, the United States House of Representatives rejected a resolution that would have required the White House to seek congressional approval before expanding military operations.
At the FOODEX Japan 2026 International Food and Beverage Exhibition currently taking place in Tokyo, Vietnamese agricultural products that are green, clean and low in carbon emissions are making a strong impression. Several Vietnamese organic agricultural products are also being exported to the Japanese market for the first time, as Japan faces a shortage of domestic supply.
Following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is set to refund approximately 166 billion USD in import taxes to over 330,000 importers. While large corporations may benefit from the 45-day refund window, experts and small business owners warn that individual consumers and retail sectors are unlikely to see the financial relief passed down to them.
Within the framework of the 2026 Nuclear Energy Summit held in France yesterday, the energy ministers of the Group of 7 (G7) major developed economies held an emergency meeting in Paris. The meeting focused on responses to sharp fluctuations in the global energy market amid Middle East tensions threatening oil and gas supply routes.
Driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East, China has raised its retail gasoline and diesel prices for the fourth consecutive time this year, marking the highest increase in nearly four years. As the world's largest crude oil importer, the government has instructed major oil and gas companies to maintain production and ensure a stable fuel supply across the country.
This year marks a decade since Việt Nam and India elevated ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and 54 years since establishing diplomatic relations. As both nations look ahead, the focus is shifting toward building economic cooperation that matches the strength of their political ties.
Rising tensions surrounding Iran and fears of oil supply disruptions triggered sharp swings on Wall Street. Investors are growing increasingly cautious as they reassess market risks and the global economic outlook.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is beginning to affect global trade flows, including Việt Nam’s trade with Israel. Under the VIFTA free trade agreement, 92% of tariffs on Vietnamese goods were removed, helping push bilateral trade to 3.65 billion USD in 2025. However, disruptions to shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz are now placing additional pressure on supply chains and trade between the two countries.
At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona 2026 in Spain, the Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group (Viettel) announced plans to accelerate the research, development and commercialisation of 6G technologies developed and mastered by Viettel. The group has also joined a global strategic alliance initiated by Qualcomm Technologies, aimed at deploying 6G worldwide from 2029.
Starting in March, real estate properties in Việt Nam will be assigned a unique electronic identification code under Government Decree 357, giving each house or property a “digital ID” containing detailed information.
Also in the vein of digitalisation, concerns have been raised about the effectiveness of QR codes in tracing product origins, as not every code leads to reliable information. This is why the Ministry of Industry and Trade has introduced new regulations aimed at strengthening transparency through a fully digital traceability system.
In the strongest move ever to cool down the oil market, the 32-member countries of the International Energy Agency (IEA) on Wednesday agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil from their emergency reserves. The decision comes as conflicts in the Middle East continue to disrupt global energy markets and increase concerns about supply.
March 11 marks exactly 15 years since a magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Japan, resulting in more than 22,200 people dead or missing. While much of the region's infrastructure has been largely rebuilt, the area now faces a new challenge, a serious decline in its labour force.
Police in Hồ Chí Minh City have dismantled a drug ring involving South Korean nationals accused of organising the illegal use of narcotics. Notably, the ringleader was under an Interpol Red Notice.
Throughout these efforts, the Việt Nam Bear Rescue Centre at Tam Đảo National Park has been regarded as a pioneering institution, providing care and rehabilitation for many bears rescued from illegal captivity and poaching.
As Việt Nam prepares for the upcoming elections of the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils for the 2026 - 2031 term, authorities nationwide are taking steps to ensure the process is accessible to all voters, especially those with disabilities.
Authorities have officially drawn between 0.15 and 0.19 USD per litre from the Fuel Price Stabilisation Fund to help manage retail fuel prices. The adjustment was announced late last night by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance, amid volatile global oil prices and fluctuations in the USD–VND exchange rate.
Digital tools are playing a key role in preparations for the election of deputies to the National Assembly and People's Councils for the 2026 to 2031 term. Using the national population database and voter management software, local authorities can review voter information and manage election logistics more efficiently under the new two-tier local administration model.
As more people in Japan choose to live alone, from young adults to the elderly, services tailored to solo living are expanding. From AI companion robots to meal delivery for seniors and restaurants designed for solo diners, businesses are adapting to a growing “single and independent” lifestyle across the country.
A pig race and the “Chicken King – Chicken Queen” contest brought excitement to Trà Vân commune in Đà Nẵng. The festival celebrates indigenous livestock breeds and reflects the Ca Dong community’s efforts to preserve cultural traditions while building sustainable livelihoods in the highlands.
International Women’s Day 2026 (IWD 2026), under the theme “Rights, Justice, Action, for All Women and Girls,” focuses on dismantling the structural barriers to justice that have now extended into the digital world. While technology offers progress, it has also been weaponised, contributing to the rise of technology-facilitated gender-based violence, creating new frontiers for inequality and the infringement of personal boundaries
When mentioning Brussels, many people immediately think of the capital of the European Union. But for many tourists, this city is also another 'universe': the universe of comics. "Right on the walls of houses, on street corners, even in small alleyways, Brussels transforms comics into a part of life.
Domestic cultural highlights for 11 March 1. Hà Nội promotes green travel, digital experiences 2. Exhibition recreates old Hà Nội spaces 3. Hồ Chí Minh City diversifies tourism 4. Mekong Delta's flying motorcycle circus troupe 5. Youth theatre stages series of comedy sketches
Beyond providing shade, flowering trees are transforming Hà Nội’s streets into vibrant, colorful highlights. With thoughtful planning, each season is becoming a memorable experience that keeps visitors returning year after year.
Điện Biên is now in full orchid tree blossom season, as delicate white flowers blanket villages, parks and the roads of Điện Biên Phủ, creating one of the region’s most iconic spring landscapes. The 2026 Orchid Tree Flower Festival, running until 12 March, invites visitors to experience vibrant cultural events and the poetic beauty of this unique bloom.
In the highland villages of Lào Cai, the sound of the khèn remains a vital pulse of Mông cultural life. Breaking traditional gender norms, a young girl born in 2006 has dedicated herself to mastering this demanding instrument to preserve her family’s artistic lineage. Her passion serves as a refreshing highlight at local festivals, proving that the younger generation is committed to keeping ancestral melodies alive.
Hundreds of traditional áo dài designs from across Việt Nam lit up the opening night of the Hồ Chí Minh City Áo Dài Festival at Nguyễn Huệ Walking Street.
Việt Nam has a long tradition of woodblock printing, and to celebrate that heritage, the State Records and Archives Administration of Việt Nam opened a new exhibition on 3 March titled “Admiring Imperial Annotations – Experiencing Woodblock Printing.”
Minh Hằng is a well-known Vietnamese pop singer and actor recognised for her long-standing influence in the country’s entertainment industry. The singer attracts attention when unexpectedly revealing a new MV called "Hoa Hồng Ai Vun Trồng" ("Who cultivated these roses"). The song is scheduled for its official release on 3 March.
About 25 kilometres west of Hà Nội lies a craft village with more than 400 years of rattan and bamboo weaving. Today’s artisans are not only preserving this traditional art, but also reinventing it with creativity and passion, transforming humble materials into distinctive works embraced worldwide. As environmental awareness grows, these natural products are finding themselves in even greater demand than ever.
K-pop girlgroup BLACKPINK is making their comeback on Friday with their third mini album “Deadline.” This marks the group’s first full-group album over three years. The project serves as the concluding chapter of their massive world tour.
Visitors will soon have another way to see Hồ Chí Minh City from above, as helicopter sightseeing tours are set to relaunch after nearly four years of suspension. The move is expected to attract at least 3,000 passengers this year. The first commercial sightseeing flight is scheduled to begin on 11 March, departing from Vũng Tàu Airport.
A growing number of young people are heading outdoors to reconnect with much older traditions. Ho Chi Minh City ranks third in Asia Pacific for nightlife, according to the 2025 Asia-Pacific Best Cities report. But beyond the lively streets and neon lights, a quieter, more intimate city emerges after dark - one that is inspiring photographers in unexpected ways.
Emotions have always influenced how people spend
In Vietnam, the day doesn’t wait for the alarm, at 5 a.m. the streets are already alive with aunties and uncles stretching, dancing, and turning dawn into a daily celebration of community. For many expats, it’s a culture shock at first, but it’s also a beautiful glimpse into the energy, connection, and rhythm that shape life here.
Once a month, a group of young volunteers come together to clean homes, prepare warm meals, and personally deliver financial support to elderly people living alone
In recent years, a growing number of foreigners have chosen Việt Nam as their home in retirement. From the tranquil seaside city of Đà Nẵng and the historic charm of Hội An, to the vibrant yet affordable pace of Hồ Chí Minh City and the year-round sunshine of Nha Trang, the country offers a diverse range of lifestyles for retirees.
Music is a universal language, a gentle yet profound thread that connects people across cultures. For British musician Will Killen, Vietnamese melodies have become the bridge drawing him to the peaceful town of Hội An (Đà Nẵng City).
In January 2026 alone, international arrivals to Phú Quốc soared nearly 123 percent year-on-year. The festive period, coinciding with peak season for overseas travellers, has provided a golden opportunity for Phú Quốc to accelerate growth this year, particularly as it gears up to host APEC 2027. With coordinated efforts from authorities, businesses, and local residents, Phú Quốc is strengthening its appeal, further elevating Vietnam's position on the global tourism map.
It used to be that making a hit record required an expensive studio, a team of engineers, and months of work, but that human-only barrier is officially coming down. Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the music industry, transforming the way songs are composed, produced, and experienced. AI is increasingly central to the modern music ecosystem, influencing both technical workflows and consumer experiences.
Once seen as a classical, niche pastime, horseback riding is now gaining popularity among urban families in Vietnam. Riding clubs across the country report a steady rise in young learners, as the sport becomes not only a form of physical exercise but also a way to build essential life skills.