Vietnam imported diamonds worth more than US$121.5 million in the first six months of this year, with India being the country’s biggest supplier, according to preliminary data released by the Department of Vietnam Customs on Wednesday.

BEIJING/SUAO, Taiwan/TOKYO - China and Taiwan were bracing for possibly the most destructive tropical storm in years as Typhoon Bavi churned southeast of Taiwan on Thursday, with winds near 200 kph (124 mph), and as parts of China were still reeling from Typhoon Maysak.

BEIJING -- China's Xiaomi on Thursday unveiled an SUV series named Sky Nomad, accelerating the technology company's push into automobiles as growth slows in its mainstay smartphone market.

As airlines expand their fleets and route networks, flight attendants are once again in high demand in Vietnam. Carriers are offering starting salaries of more than VND20 million (US$769) a month, waiving training fees, providing living allowances of up to VND3 million ($115), and promising opportunities to work on international routes to attract and retain recruits.

TOKYO -- Japan's health ministry plans to defer, for the time being, tighter regulations on heated tobacco products that have been under consideration as part of its review of measures against secondhand smoke, informed sources said Wednesday.

Vietnam is stepping up efforts to position itself as an emerging destination for the global halal tourism market, with officials calling for nationwide adoption of halal standards and the development of Muslim-friendly tourism infrastructure to attract one of the world's fastest-growing travel segments.

The investment appetite in Vietnam’s real estate market underwent a major transformation in the first half of 2026, as projects with green certifications and energy-saving features became a prerequisite for securing million-U.S. dollar mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals.

A Bryde's whale mother and calf have delighted residents and wildlife photographers after being spotted feeding close to shore in the waters off Vung Boi, An Luong Commune, Gia Lai Province, south-central Vietnam over the past several days.

Good morning from Vietnam!

SINGAPORE -- Japan and Singapore have signed a memorandum on cooperation to promote the peaceful use of space.

WAJIMA, ISHIKAWA PREF. -- A celebration ceremony for an airport named after blockbuster Japanese animation series Pocket Monster, or Pokemon, was held in the city of Wajima in the central Japan prefecture of Ishikawa on Tuesday.

Vietnam has introduced deadlines for airlines to process ticket refunds for passengers affected by flight delays, cancellations, or denied boarding under new air transport regulations.

Vietnamese authorities have recovered more than 1,300 sets of war martyrs' remains and three mass graves as part of a 500-day nationwide campaign launched in early April to locate and identify war martyrs' remains.

A family in southern Vietnam is waiting for DNA test results after authorities uncovered human remains at a park in Ho Chi Minh City that may belong to a soldier killed during the 1968 Tet General Offensive and Uprising, raising hopes of ending nearly six decades of uncertainty.

The Vietnam Social Security and the Embassy of Denmark in Vietnam on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the 2026-28 period, cementing their commitment to strengthening cooperation in sustainable health insurance and advancing more data-informed healthcare in Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh City is seeking to attract more high-quality investment from Japan, particularly in semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital transformation, as it works with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) to deepen business ties while strengthening its integration into global supply chains.

All forest management units in central Vietnam's Quang Ngai Province have adopted Geographic Information System (GIS), remote sensing, and Global Positioning System (GPS) technologies to monitor forest changes, helping sharply reduce forestry violations.

Two French travelers were pleasantly surprised to receive Vietnamese banknotes while watching a traditional spiritual ritual in Hanoi, a memorable cultural experience they said they would cherish long after returning home.

Vietnam has decided to provide US$300,000 in emergency humanitarian assistance to Venezuela following the devastating double earthquakes that struck the country on June 24, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Wednesday.

Ho Chi Minh City is evolving beyond a traditional tourist destination into a thriving fashion shopping hub, with many local fashion retailers reporting that international visitors now account for 60-70 percent of their revenue.

Early environmental monitoring data have pointed to improving air quality in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City following the nationwide roll-out of E10 biofuel gasoline, but an official cautioned that it is too early to conclude that the improvements are directly attributable to the fuel switch alone, heard a press briefing held in Hanoi on Tuesday.

U.S. diplomats and football fans gathered at a restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 16 match between the U.S. and Belgium.

More than 50 years after the war ended, Vietnam is intensifying efforts to recover and identify the remains of fallen soldiers through expanded field searches, ground-penetrating radar, and DNA analysis, offering renewed hope to thousands of families still seeking their loved ones.

A foreign man with silver-white hair has traveled halfway around the world to Vietnam to help search for the remains of fallen Vietnamese soldiers, driven by a single wish: to reunite them with their families. He is Bob Connor, the familiar name of U.S. veteran Robert A. Connor.

Good morning from Vietnam!

ATLANTA - Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to a remarkable World Cup fightback as they came from two goals down to beat Egypt 3-2 in a dramatic last-16 game on Tuesday before sobbing tears of relief at the final whistle.

VANCOUVER - Switzerland's Ruben Vargas stroked home the decisive penalty to beat Colombia 4-3 in a shootout after a goalless 120 minutes, sending the Swiss into their first World Cup quarter-final since 1954 and a clash with holders Argentina.

Ho Chi Minh City leaders on Monday received the commanders of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy’s 83rd task force during its five-day goodwill visit, saying the exchange would help strengthen defense cooperation, political trust, and broader ties between Vietnam and China.

The Vietnamese government has issued Decree No. 272, providing detailed guidance for the implementation of the National Assembly’s Resolution No. 253 on special mechanisms and policies to support national energy development during the 2026-30 period, introducing financial and ownership requirements to both domestic and foreign investors seeking to develop offshore wind power projects.

Police in Hanoi have arrested two people and filed charges over a book and videos that distorted Vietnam's history, defamed senior state leaders, and violated national security laws, the city's police said on Tuesday.

The Ho Chi Minh City High Command has appealed for witnesses and historical information to help locate the burial sites of soldiers killed during the attack on Tan Son Nhat Airport on the nights of January 30–31, 1968.

The Ho Chi Minh City Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR) has proposed that the municipal People's Committee approve a study on extending the planned metro line No. 3 (Vung Tau–Ba Ria–Phu My) to connect with the Long Thanh International Airport area in neighboring Dong Nai City.

The Ho Chi Minh City High Command said it had recovered nine sets of remains believed to belong to Vietnamese war martyrs on the first day of a search and recovery operation at Le Thi Rieng Park on Monday.

Tax authorities in Ho Chi Minh City will step up inspections of industries considered to pose higher tax compliance risks, including restaurants, retail businesses, dental clinics, healthcare providers, and beauty services, as part of a broader effort to meet the city's ambitious 2026 revenue target.

A series of social housing projects launched in recent months, including several unveiled to mark the 50th anniversary of Saigon-Gia Dinh being renamed after President Ho Chi Minh, underscores the city's determination to surpass its target of 200,000 social housing units by leveraging a streamlined 'green lane' approval mechanism.