HDBank on Thursday signed an agreement for a US$721 million international syndicated social loan, the largest such loan ever successfully raised by a Vietnamese organization.

India has officially approved the import of fresh Vietnamese durians, opening a gateway to a market of over 1.4 billion people and providing a major boost to Vietnam’s export diversification efforts, agricultural authorities announced Thursday.

More than 8 in 10 Australian teenagers were still using social media three months after the government's landmark ban on the platforms for under-16s took effect because the tech firms failed to implement effective age checks, the country's internet regulator has found.

Decree 283/2026/ND-CP, which takes effect on September 10, raises fines for overtime violations to as much as VND75 million (US$2,830), prompting foreign-invested (FDI) enterprises to reassess shift scheduling, workforce planning, and employee consultation procedures to avoid higher compliance costs.

As algorithmic feeds and global platforms dictate what gets seen, Vietnam faces a critical soft-power challenge: it must shift from being a passive consumer of international trends to building a coordinated, tech-driven ecosystem capable of turning its cultural heritage into sustainable global influence.

After a six-month closure for a runway upgrade, the only international airport in Vietnam’s Central Highlands is set to resume operations on August 19, with both capacity and flight frequency expected to increase significantly. But will improved infrastructure be enough to transform Da Lat, the “City of a Thousand Flowers,” into a regional tourism hub?

Good morning from Vietnam!

Individual customer deposits at Vietnamese credit institutions totaled more than VND10.8 quadrillion (US$411 billion) as of the end of May, up 4.76 percent from the end of 2025 to the highest level on record, according to the State Bank of Vietnam.

The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) will invest more than VND11.28 trillion (US$428.6 million) in renovating and expanding Terminal T1 at Da Nang International Airport in central Vietnam.

The opening matches of Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia, three leading contenders for the 2026 ASEAN Cup title, all ended with big wins, but their performances also exposed weaknesses that could be tested when they face stronger opponents in the next stage.

Vietnamese tilapia, long regarded as a mainstream whitefish exported primarily in whole or frozen form, is making a significant leap into the premium seafood segment after being selected as an ingredient for sushi and sashimi in Japan.

The scent of the sea is being overtaken by the smell of squid processing along a scenic coastal road in central Vietnam, where residents blame inadequate wastewater infrastructure for polluting the shoreline.

Honda Vietnam has launched a recall for 6,426 imported motorcycles following safety concerns over defects that could cause steering failure, engine damage, or fuel leaks.

YATSUSHIRO, Japan - The 7.1-magnitude earthquake that struck southern Japan toppled houses and split open streets in the small city of Yatsushiro, but town official Akio Matsushita is most worried about the invisible threats from the lack of water and power amid the punishing summer heat.

Good morning from Vietnam!

Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports ,and Tourism is seeking public feedback on a draft amendment to a government decree that would cap the total time children under 16 can spend playing online games at 60 minutes a day.

To escape the trap of high volume and paper-thin margins, Vietnam must stop selling raw harvests and master deep processing, leading agricultural experts and industry leaders urge.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is opening up new ways to simulate complex economic problems that traditional models struggle to handle, potentially helping economists and policymakers develop policies that better reflect real-world conditions, said Professor Serguei Maliar of Santa Clara University, who is also a visiting researcher at Stanford University in the U.S..

Employers in Vietnam that require employees to work overtime beyond legal limits can be fined up to VND75 million (US$2,850) under a new government decree aimed at strengthening labor protections and improving compliance with working-hour regulations.

An Australia Corner opened at Vietnam’s Can Tho University on Wednesday as part of the Aus4Adaptation program to help the Mekong Delta strengthen its resilience to climate change.

Authorities in Thoi Lai Commune, Can Tho City, southern Vietnam have ordered the temporary suspension of a tourist service featuring high-speed ‘flying’ boats known as ‘vo lai.’

From «heatwave simulators» to ecological bootcamps, scientists and conservationists are trying ways to revive and reinforce the famous coral reefs off Japan's Okinawa, decimated by climate-driven bleaching two summers ago.

Da Nang authorities have launched a major cleanup on the Son Tra Peninsula, targeting illegal vendors, littering, and visitors feeding wild monkeys to improve safety and protect the city’s image.

The southern Vietnamese hub and Spanish autonomous region are seeking to deepen investment and business ties by turning their cooperation potential into specific projects and long-term partnerships, while strengthening connectivity between the two sides.

TOKYO -- Seismic activity remains active around the epicenter of Tuesday's 7.1-magnitude earthquake in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto, with a total of 169 tangible tremors having been observed by 9:00 am Wednesday.

Bamboo Airways on Tuesday night apologized to passengers after repeated flight cancellations and schedule changes disrupted travel plans, including international services between Da Nang and Macau, and said it would refund tickets for affected passengers.

TOKYO -- Japan's Immigration Services Agency will hire 226 more employees to bolster its operations amid an increase in foreign residents in the country, Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi said Tuesday.

Few countries have carried out reforms on the scale of Vietnam in recent years, while the Southeast Asian nation’s economy has shown impressive growth and resilience in the face of external shocks, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) official said on Tuesday.

Vietnam has emerged as the fastest-growing destination for Saudi Arabian travelers this summer, according to new travel insights from Wego.

Da Nang City in central Vietnam has bid farewell to one of its most influential coffee pioneers with the passing of Do Long, the founder of the city's iconic Long Coffee brand, whose legacy helped shape its coffee culture.

Vietnam has developed a growing number of large-scale running events that draw domestic and international athletes and visitors, but the country still lacks a globally recognized race brand.

KUMAMOTO, Japan - A 7.1-magnitude earthquake killed at least 13 people near the southern Japanese city of Kumamoto and rescuers are frantically searching for survivors trapped beneath the rubble, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Wednesday.

Good morning from Vietnam!

Ho Chi Minh City is shaking up its public transit system, with a view to putting bus stops and metro stations within a quick 300- to 500-meter walk, which takes roughly 5-7 minutes, for all residents.

International visitors will soon be exempt from border declaration procedures when visiting tourist attractions in Phong Nha-Ke Bang in Quang Tri Province, central Vietnam, following the site's recognition as a provincial-level tourist area.