A VND220 trillion (USD$8.4 billion) preferential lending scheme may ease one of the most persistent constraints facing Vietnam’s small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Yet cheaper money alone will not solve the deeper problems preventing smaller firms from scaling.

Authorities in Phu Quoc have launched a new initiative to safeguard natural resources, the environment, and food safety as the Vietnamese island prepares to host the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in 2027 (APEC 2027).

Vietnam plans to pilot the use of the far-left lane exclusively for overtaking on two major expressways in the north, while using AI-powered cameras to enforce the new rules, according to the Traffic Police Department.

Standing on the ferry as it waits to dock on the Greek island of Ithaca, Giorgia Ongarato is only too keen to talk about the «Odyssey» -- the epic poem that inspired Christopher Nolan's blockbuster film.

YATSUSHIRO, KUMAMOTO PREF. -- Police are increasing vigilance in Kumamoto Prefecture, following reports of scam attempts targeting local residents affected by a major earthquake that jolted the southwestern Japan prefecture last month.

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is undergoing medical tests and procedures and was expected to be under observation for two days, his aide said on Monday.

Western Europe has endured its hottest June and July on record, with prolonged heat and drought fuelling severe wildfires and putting pressure on rivers, agriculture and energy supplies.

Sun PhuQuoc Airways, a newcomer to Vietnam's aviation industry, has launched a direct route between Phu Quoc and Bangkok, making Bangkok its sixth international destination as the airline continues expanding its international network and strengthening the island’s connections with major regional tourism and aviation hubs.

The VN-Index posted a second straight weekly gain amid improving liquidity and broader capital flows, but analysts say the market faces a critical test as it nears the 1,780-point resistance level.

The number of Vietnamese students studying in Australia rose from nearly 25,000 in 2021 to more than 36,800 in 2025, highlighting the growing depth of Vietnam-Australia education ties, with science and technology emerging as a new focus.

Good morning from Vietnam!

Can Tho City in southern Vietnam has rolled out 27 public Wi-Fi hotspots across key tourist and cultural sites as part of its digital infrastructure plan to expand 5G and pilot 6G networks.

A pagoda in Vietnam stands out for its distinctive sea-inspired architecture, with a tower built mainly from coral and cement and decorated with seashells.

A 24-year-old woman who cannot swim has recounted how she spent eight hours drifting at sea after being swept away by powerful waves while trekking at Nghe Cape in Da Nang City, central Vietnam, saying a makeshift float that drifted toward her helped keep her alive until rescuers reached her.

The President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Command has announced that the mausoleum will undergo its scheduled periodic maintenance from September 4 to November 2.

A Jetstar A320 and a Qatar Airways Boeing 777 narrowly avoided colliding on the tarmac at Sydney airport on Sunday, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau was told, it said, as it began an investigation into the incident.

The Thai teen behind a deadly school shooting outside Bangkok had an air gun confiscated by a teacher last year and had watched violent content online, police said on Sunday, as the government promised new safety protocols for schools.

BlaBlaCar, a French carpooling platform that connects private car owners with people traveling in the same direction, has launched in Vietnam, allowing users to share rides and split fuel and toll costs through its website and Vietnamese-language app.

Young Vietnamese badminton player Nguyen Tat Duy Loi claimed the men’s U19 singles title at the Philippines Junior International Series 2026 on Sunday.

Typhoon Dolphin is set to make landfall on China's east coast overnight Sunday, bringing torrential rain and powerful winds, as authorities brace for flooding and landslides across a broad swathe of eastern China.

A Vietnamese diver with more than 10 years of experience warns of safety and environmental risks as freediving gains popularity in Vietnam.

Cargo throughput at Vietnam’s airports has reached record highs amid booming exports and rising demand for air freight. Yet foreign airlines still control more than 80 percent of the country’s international air cargo market, raising questions over how far Vietnam can climb the regional logistics value chain as Vietnam Airlines prepares to launch its first dedicated freighter in the third quarter of 2026.

President of the Lao National Assembly Xaysomphone Phomvihane passed away on Saturday, at the age of 70 due to vasculitis, according to an official announcement from the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and State President To Lam, along with a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, on Sunday departed Hanoi for state visits to Australia and New Zealand, which will run through Friday next week.

About 50 farming households involved in community-based tourism in Dong Thap Province, southern Vietnam joined a hands-on fishing activity on Saturday, while learning photography and video skills to promote local tourism on social media.

Avoiding each other in the semifinals, Vietnam and Thailand are widely expected to clash in the 2026 ASEAN Championship final.

Vietnam’s Nguyen Minh Nhat Quang made a major impression by defeating three strong Chinese players on the opening day of the prestigious Shanghai Cup Xiangqi tournament held in China on Saturday.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who has endured a week of scathing criticism revolving around the now shelved private investment plan, has been accused by a British newspaper of paying off an alleged lover while at UEFA.

Good morning from Vietnam!

Foreign executives often struggle to lead local teams in Vietnam—not just because of cultural differences, but because of deep-seated economic history.

Authorities of Ca Mau Province in southern Vietnam have greenlit a VND25-billion (US$951,000) cargo and tourism port project in Song Doc Commune.

The Ho Chi Minh City Tax Department has launched an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered call center to remind taxpayers about outstanding debts and notify them of temporary exit bans, aiming to prevent residents from discovering such restrictions only upon arriving at airports.

The Vietnam Competition Commission has fined Grab Vietnam VND1.36 billion (US$51,800) for six violations of consumer protection regulations, including rules on personal data, transaction terms, and information transparency.

Vietnam Scooters Fest 2026 kicked off on Saturday for a two-day run in Ho Chi Minh City, bringing together hundreds of rare classic vehicles, international collectors, and a series of charity fundraising activities.

From the killer shark of «Jaws» to the tornado-tossed predators of the «Sharknado» movies, films long have portrayed sharks as objects of summer fear.