TOKYO -- Japan's National Police Agency plans to endorse smartphone applications designed to help combat fraud, featuring functions such as blocking international calls and alerting users to potential scams.

TOKYO -- A Japanese government panel proposed in an opinion statement Wednesday that the government further discuss legislative facts to explain why acquisitions and use of domestic land by foreigners should be regulated in light of national security.

The Department of Employment has proposed supplementing the Labor Code with one official public holiday to institutionalize the Politburo’s decision to designate November 24 each year as Vietnam Culture Day, with full pay for employees.

Residents and workers were confronted with a scene of carnage on Wednesday as they rushed to try and rescue passengers after one of Thailand's worst rail accidents in decades.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called for stronger efforts to accelerate social housing development, cut red tape, and gradually move real estate transactions to a digital platform, as Vietnam seeks to expand affordable housing supply and build a stable, transparent property market.

Police in Hai Phong City, northern Vietnam have pressed charges against Truong Sy Toan, chief executive officer of Halong Canfoco, along with three quality control employees, for their alleged serious violations of food safety regulations.

Good morning from Vietnam!

Foreign visitor demand is accounting for a significant share of usage in Vietnam’s controlled pilot program allowing the conversion of digital assets into local currency, as the country launches its first crypto-to-fiat sandbox in the central city of Da Nang.

VinFast, the electric vehicle arm of Vietnam's largest private conglomerate Vingroup, delivered 175,099 electric vehicles in 2025, setting a new record in the domestic automotive market, the company announced on Tuesday.

TOKYO -- NTT Data Group Corp., Sumitomo Corp. and JA Mitsui Leasing Ltd. said Tuesday they have established a company to construct and operate a submarine communication cable connecting Japan, Malaysia and Singapore.

Vietnam’s economic growth outlook in 2026 will be shaped significantly by the progress and outcomes of tariff negotiations, according to experts from Standard Chartered, who suggest that non-manufacturing sectors could play a larger role in supporting growth amid positive credit conditions.

BANGKOK - A train derailed in northeastern Thailand on Wednesday after a construction crane fell on three of its carriages, killing at least 19 people and injuring about 80, police said.

A quick search for 'classroom livestreaming' on TikTok reveals a range of scenarios in Vietnam: students prop their phone on the tables, reading comments while listening to lectures, and use discussion time to chat with online viewers.

A tropical depression located east of the Philippines is forecast to strengthen into a storm, though it is unlikely to enter the East Vietnam Sea due to the influence of cold air masses, the national weather center said on Wednesday.

Vietnam’s under-23 team have upended expectations at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, turning a cautious pre-tournament outlook into a confident group-stage campaign that suggests the side are capable of going further.

Lang Nho Eco-tourism Village in Dien Tho Commune, Khanh Hoa Province, has become Vietnam’s first destination to receive the Good Travel Seal Level 1 (Bronze), marking a milestone for sustainable tourism in the country.

Google will start developing and manufacturing high-end smartphones in Vietnam this year, Nikkei Asia reported on Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Good morning from Vietnam!

Vietnam's Party General Secretary To Lam has signed Resolution No. 80 of the Politburo on the development of Vietnamese culture, designating November 24 each year as ‘Vietnam Culture Day,’ to be observed as a paid public holiday.

WAKAYAMA -- Two new amphipod species with black-and-white coloring patterns like a giant panda have been found in the town of Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan.

Crystal chandeliers, mirror-polished tables, and uniformed staff project an image of luxury at wedding and banquet halls in Ho Chi Minh City. A Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper exposé, however, found a far less glamorous reality behind the polished façade.

TOKYO -- The Japanese government will step up support for the overseas expansion of content industries such as games and anime, while also investing further in related human resources development.

Natural disaster losses worldwide dropped sharply to $224 billion in 2025, reinsurer Munich Re said Tuesday, but warned of a still “alarming” picture of extreme weather events likely driven by climate change.

The Asian Financial Services Research Council (ASFRC) on Monday presented its policy recommendations on regulating digital assets in Vietnam at a conference in Ho Chi Minh City.

A delegation of 18 travel companies from Malaysia’s Sabah state arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday to explore cooperation opportunities and introduce new tourism products to Vietnamese travelers.

Ho Chi Minh City’s recent launch of a dedicated bicycle lane along Mai Chi Tho Boulevard has drawn significant public attention.

Authorities in Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam have urged residents to temporarily stop using pork-based products made by Ha Long Canned Food JSC, a long-running company, as investigations continue into a major food safety scandal involving diseased pork used at the firm.

The European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) has officially released the latest Business Confidence Index (BCI) report for the fourth quarter of 2025, recording its highest level in seven years and marking a decisive shift in European business sentiment.

The Zeekr 009 is scheduled to enter the Vietnamese market in late 2026 through local distributor Tasco Auto, with the flagship Zeekr 009 Grand drawing particular attention.

Real Madrid said Monday that coach Xabi Alonso has left the Spanish giants by mutual consent, to be replaced by Alvaro Arbeloa.

Riding down Mai Chi Tho Boulevard now means sharing parts of the road with bicycles. Red lanes have been installed – the first of their kind in the city – and they have received a very mixed reaction from commuters and the local community.

Vietnam’s under-23 team drew praise from Asian football officials and regional media after completing a perfect group stage at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, with commentators highlighting the team’s discipline, tactical maturity, and growing competitiveness at continental level.

Police in Ho Chi Minh City have detained and launched criminal proceedings against a married couple for allegedly producing and selling large quantities of fresh noodles containing prohibited chemicals, posing serious risks to public health.

Good morning from Vietnam!

FUNABASHI, CHIBA PREF. -- A record 15 countries took part in a New Year's jump training simulating island defense that was conducted at a Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force facility in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, on Sunday.