Vietnam Insider

In a city where diners can get almost anything on demand, one small Vietnamese sandwich shop in New York City is asking customers to wait. And they are happy to do it.

Bánh Anh Em, a Vietnamese bakery and eatery that opened less than a year ago, has become one of New York’s most talked about food destinations. Long lines form before opening time, waits often exceed an hour, and the shop has already earned a place on the Michelin Guide 2025 Bib Gourmand list, an honor reserved for restaurants offering high quality food at reasonable prices.

A line that keeps growing

Danielle, a tourist visiting New York, wrote on Google Reviews that she once gave up after seeing a line stretching more than an hour. When she returned weeks later and arrived 20 minutes before opening, she still waited over an hour to be seated.

Scenes like this have become routine. Photos of customers lining up outside the shop circulate widely on social media, turning Bánh Anh Em into a viral food stop in a city already saturated with culinary stars.

The woman behind the counter

Bánh Anh Em was founded in April by Ton Thi Hong Nhu, born in 1990 in Buon Ma Thuot in Vietnam’s Central Highlands. She arrived in the United States 13 years ago with just US$100 after graduating in hospitality management in Vietnam.

Her early years in New York were difficult. She worked every position imaginable in restaurants, from dishwasher to bartender, often alone and struggling to adapt. Cooking Vietnamese food at home became a way to cope, and eventually a calling.

After buying into a small Vietnamese restaurant in the Bronx and later opening Vietnamese Shop House on Manhattan’s Upper West Side during the pandemic, Như built a following through pop up sales that drew socially distanced lines down the block. Bánh Anh Em is the culmination of more than a decade in New York’s food scene.

Reinventing bánh mì for a global audience

Vietnamese bánh mì is widely known in the US as cheap street food. Như wanted to challenge that perception.

At Bánh Anh Em, everything is made by hand. Dough is fermented overnight. Bread is baked in small batches on site just minutes before service. Pâté, pickles, chili sauce, and fillings such as charcoal grilled beef, roast pork, and beef wrapped in betel leaves are prepared in house.

Như spent more than two years studying bread making techniques in Vietnam, France, Denmark, and Japan before finalizing her recipe. She credits New York’s hard water, prized by pizza and bagel makers, as a key factor in achieving the thin, crackling crust and airy interior that define Vietnamese bánh mì.

Michelin praised the shop’s constant lines, balanced seasoning, and standout bread, noting that Bánh Anh Em does not accept reservations and relies purely on walk in demand.

The price of craftsmanship

The shop serves around 200 sandwiches a day at an average price of US$15, nearly double the usual cost of bánh mì in the US. Như says the price reflects New York labor costs and a production process that takes more than a full day per batch.

By comparison, industrial baking could cut the process to a few hours, but she has refused to automate. For her, handmade food is both craft and culture.

A broader moment for Vietnamese cuisine

Bánh Anh Em serves 2,000 to 2,700 sandwiches a week and regularly sells out. Weekend waits can stretch to two or three hours. Delivery experiments were quickly abandoned because the kitchen could not keep up with dine in demand.

The customer base is mixed. Many are Asian Americans, Vietnamese expatriates, and international students. Since coverage in major US food media, more local New Yorkers have joined the line.

For international readers, the story of Bánh Anh Em reflects a larger shift. Vietnamese cuisine is moving beyond the street food label and entering the global fine casual conversation. In one of the world’s most competitive food cities, a carefully made Vietnamese sandwich is no longer a budget option. It is a destination.

An intense cold wave is gripping northern and central Vietnam, pushing temperatures below 10°C across 17 provinces and cities and disrupting daily life in a region better known internationally for tropical heat.

According to Vietnam’s National Center for Hydro Meteorological Forecasting, the cold snap entered its fourth day with all northern provinces, along with Thanh Hoa and Nghe An, recording sub 10°C conditions. The lowest temperature, just 3°C, was measured in Dinh Lap District of Lang Son Province.

Where it is coldest

Mountainous and high altitude areas are bearing the brunt. Temperatures of 4 to 5°C were recorded in popular destinations such as Sa Pa, along with Pha Din Pass in Dien Bien, Moc Chau in Son La, Tam Dao near Hanoi, and Mau Son in Lang Son.

Across the wider northern region, overnight lows ranged from 6 to 8°C. In Hanoi, temperatures varied by location. Ba Vi fell to 8°C, while inner city monitoring stations recorded around 10°C. Clear daytime skies brought sunshine, but the gap between day and night temperatures exceeded 10°C in many areas.

Cold spreads south

The chill extended into north central Vietnam, where temperatures dropped a further 1 to 2°C compared with the previous day. Parts of Thanh Hoa saw lows of 8°C, while areas of Nghe An fell to 9°C. Further south, Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, and Hue recorded temperatures between 12 and 13°C.

In the Central Highlands, Da Lat dropped to 10°C. Even southern Vietnam felt a cooler than usual morning, with lows of around 20°C reported in parts of Binh Duong and 22°C in southern districts of Ho Chi Minh City.

What comes next

Forecasts from AccuWeather suggest Hanoi will gradually warm from 11 to 22°C today to around 13 to 24°C by the weekend. High altitude locations such as Sa Pa are expected to rise from 3 to 9°C to about 5 to 12°C in the coming days.

Meteorological authorities warn that the cold spell will persist and could pose health risks, particularly for the elderly and children. Frost and icy conditions in mountainous areas may damage crops, weaken livestock, and increase the risk of disease.

For international readers, the cold wave is a reminder that Vietnam’s climate can be surprisingly extreme. In winter, northern regions can feel closer to East Asia’s temperate zones than Southeast Asia’s tropical image, an important consideration for travelers, investors, and businesses operating across the country.

Vietnam’s U23 football team is no longer being framed as a surprise outsider. Across Asia, major sports outlets are now openly acknowledging that Vietnam U23 has a real chance to lift the AFC U23 Asian Cup trophy.

What began as cautious praise from the Asian Football Confederation has turned into a broader consensus. After two matchdays, regional media are revising earlier skepticism and backing Vietnam as a serious championship contender.

From polite praise to firm belief

South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo wrote that head coach Kim Sang Sik and his players had proven the AFC’s assessment was correct. Notably, the paper waited until other traditional powerhouses had played before reaching that conclusion.

The outlet highlighted that although Vietnam entered Group A as the lowest ranked team on paper, based on FIFA rankings, their performances show they can compete not just for qualification but for the title itself.

Rivals stumble as Vietnam impresses

Vietnam’s rise has been amplified by the underwhelming displays of several established teams. Qatar lost 0 to 2 against the UAE. Uzbekistan narrowly edged Lebanon 3 to 2. South Korea and Iran played out a goalless draw. Hosts Saudi Arabia, despite home advantage, needed a late effort to scrape past Kyrgyzstan.

Against that backdrop, Vietnam’s disciplined, confident showing, especially their convincing win over Jordan, stood out.

AFC backing looks increasingly accurate

Before the tournament, the AFC identified Japan as the defending champion and clear favorite, but named Vietnam as one of the few teams capable of challenging them. The federation repeated that assessment in both its team profile and tournament preview, even describing Vietnam as having an “almost perfect defense.”

At the time, some media outlets dismissed those comments as diplomatic courtesy. Chinese platforms such as QQ and Sina expressed surprise at the AFC’s optimism.

That tone has since shifted. China’s 163 portal now says Vietnam’s place in the knockout stage is effectively secured and that finishing top of the group is a realistic goal.

Strategic edge in the group race

Indonesia’s Bola newspaper has also weighed in, noting that Vietnam may hold an advantage over Saudi Arabia in the race for first place in Group A. Finishing top is crucial, as second place would likely mean an early quarterfinal clash with Japan.

For international readers, the story signals a broader shift in Asian football. Vietnam is no longer a feel good underdog. It is becoming a program that commands respect, built on tactical discipline, defensive solidity, and growing confidence on the continental stage.

As the tournament progresses, the question is no longer whether Vietnam U23 belongs among Asia’s elite, but whether this could be the year they go all the way.

One of Vietnam’s most established food processors is at the center of a major food safety investigation after police uncovered more than 120 tonnes of pork infected with African swine fever allegedly destined for canned food production.

The case has sent shockwaves through Vietnam’s consumer market and raised red flags for investors and trade partners, given the company’s long standing reputation and regional accolades.

What authorities uncovered

Police in Hai Phong have launched a criminal investigation into alleged violations of food safety regulations at Ha Long Canfoco, also known as Ha Long Canned Food Joint Stock Company.

Investigators say a network purchased pork infected with African swine fever and attempted to pass it off as safe raw material. More than 120 tonnes of diseased pork were found stored at the company’s warehouse. Around two tonnes had already been processed into canned meat products before authorities intervened.

Nine suspects have been charged as the investigation expands.

A trusted brand with a long history

Founded in 1957 as the Ha Long Fish Cannery, the company has been a pioneer in Vietnam’s processed food industry. Over nearly seven decades, it has built a nationwide distribution network and an export footprint, supplying canned meat, seafood, vegetables, sausages, and frozen foods.

Ha Long Canfoco has marketed itself as a flagship Vietnamese brand and in 2024 received a “Top 50 Strong ASEAN Brands” award, further boosting its regional profile.

At its peak, the company reported annual revenue of up to VND 864 billion, roughly US$34 million, placing it among the country’s top food processors.

Financial performance before the scandal

According to its third quarter 2025 financial statements, Ha Long Canfoco recorded revenue of VND 179.6 billion, down 11 percent year on year. However, sharp cost reductions pushed gross profit up 13 percent to VND 43.3 billion. Net profit reached VND 7.6 billion, nearly four times higher than the same period a year earlier.

For the first nine months of 2025, revenue totaled VND 486.9 billion, down nearly 10 percent. Despite the sales decline, net profit after tax reached VND 11.5 billion, a dramatic turnaround from a VND 5.8 billion loss in the same period of 2024.

Company representatives attributed the profit improvement to lower input costs and reduced management expenses.

Expansion plans now in question

Just weeks before the scandal broke, Ha Long Canfoco announced plans to raise capital through a public share offering. The company aims to raise VND 75 billion to build a new canned food factory and boost working capital. Shareholders had also approved a plan to double charter capital to VND 100 billion through a discounted rights issue scheduled for 2026.

Those plans now face uncertainty as consumer trust and regulatory scrutiny intensify.

Why this matters internationally

For international readers, the case highlights the growing risks facing food supply chains in fast expanding emerging markets. African swine fever poses no direct risk to humans, but strict controls are critical to prevent market contamination and maintain export credibility.

The investigation also underscores Vietnam’s tougher enforcement stance on food safety violations, even when they involve large, well known companies. For investors, importers, and regional trade partners, the Ha Long Canfoco case is a reminder that brand prestige and past awards offer no shield from regulatory action.

As authorities continue to unravel the case, its outcome could have lasting implications for Vietnam’s food processing sector and its reputation in regional and global markets.

A violent assault caught on security cameras inside a Hanoi apartment complex has resulted in a six month prison sentence, underscoring Vietnam’s increasingly tough response to public disorder that spills onto social media.

The case drew national attention after footage circulated online showing a man repeatedly attacking a woman in a residential building lobby, prompting swift police action and a criminal trial.

What happened

On January 7, a court in Hanoi sentenced Dang Chi Thanh, 31, to six months in prison for disturbing public order. He was also ordered to pay VND 51 million, about US$2,000, in compensation to the victim.

Prosecutors said the incident stemmed from a dispute between the children of two families living in the same apartment complex. On the night of August 4, an argument broke out between Thanh’s wife and a female neighbor over childcare responsibilities. The disagreement escalated verbally but ended without physical violence.

Five days later, Thanh encountered the woman again in the building lobby. After demanding an apology and being refused, he followed her toward the elevator area and assaulted her in front of other residents. According to the indictment, he slapped her, kicked her repeatedly, punched her, and shouted threats, including threats to kill her and her child.

Viral video and arrest

The entire assault was recorded by the building’s security cameras. The footage spread rapidly on Vietnamese social media, triggering widespread condemnation. Police arrested Thanh the following day under an emergency detention order.

At trial, Thanh admitted to the assault but said he acted out of anger and family related stress. He claimed the neighbor had insulted his child and that tensions escalated when other people gathered at the scene. The victim’s family rejected his account, stating there had been no prior conflict and denying allegations involving their child.

Court’s reasoning

The court ruled that Thanh’s behavior posed a serious danger to public order and caused strong public anger, warranting a custodial sentence to deter similar conduct. However, judges noted mitigating factors. Thanh had no prior criminal record and had already paid VND 50 million toward compensation before the verdict.

In his final statement, Thanh apologized to the victim and the community, acknowledging that violence was illegal and unacceptable. He asked for leniency, citing family pressures and his wife’s pregnancy and mental health treatment.

Why the case matters

For international readers, the case highlights how everyday disputes in Vietnam’s rapidly urbanizing cities can escalate under social pressure, and how quickly public sentiment can turn when violence is captured on camera. It also reflects the judiciary’s growing emphasis on maintaining public order in shared residential spaces, especially when incidents go viral and threaten social trust.

In a country where apartment living is expanding fast, the message from the court was clear. Personal anger, even when rooted in family conflict, does not justify violence in public spaces.

A case that has shocked Taiwan and sparked outrage across social media is now drawing international attention. A 9 month old girl died after being left alone for hours in an apartment while her parents traveled across the island to adopt a dog, according to police and local media reports.

The incident occurred in Kaohsiung, a major southern port city better known globally for its industry and livability rankings than for crimes of this nature. Authorities say the baby was left unattended for seven hours in a locked apartment, a decision that has raised serious questions about parental responsibility and child protection.

What authorities say happened

Police said the child’s 20 year old mother told investigators she had fed the baby and believed she would sleep for a long time. That morning, she reportedly received a call from an animal rescue center in another province about a dog available for adoption and left immediately with her husband, the baby’s stepfather.

From around 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the infant was alone in the couple’s rented apartment in Gangshan District. When they returned, the baby was unresponsive and had turned blue. Doctors later confirmed she had died before emergency treatment could begin. An initial medical assessment suggested suffocation caused by milk reflux.

Suspicious injuries deepen the case

Hospital staff alerted police after noticing signs that raised red flags. The baby was found naked, loosely wrapped in a bath towel, with multiple unusual injuries. These included a large bruise on her thigh and shoulder and a burn on her chin that medical staff believe may have been caused by a cigarette.

When questioned, the mother claimed the child had injured herself accidentally. An autopsy is underway to determine the exact cause of death and whether abuse played a role.

Public anger and legal consequences

Witnesses at the morgue said the couple showed no visible signs of grief, behavior that further fueled public anger. Neighbors reported that the pair had moved into an upscale apartment complex only a month earlier, paying rent that appeared high relative to their part time income.

Under Taiwanese law, if prosecutors determine the child died as a result of abuse or severe neglect, the parents could face the most serious criminal charges. In extreme cases, child abuse resulting in death carries the possibility of the death penalty.

The couple has been released on bail of 50,000 New Taiwan dollars, about US$1,600, while investigators await autopsy results.

Why this case resonates globally

For international audiences, the case highlights growing concerns around child welfare, mental readiness for parenthood, and the pressures faced by young families. It has also triggered wider debate in Taiwan about social support systems, parenting education, and how warning signs can be missed behind closed apartment doors.

As the investigation continues, the death of a child left alone for convenience rather than necessity has become a stark reminder of the irreversible cost of neglect, one that has resonated far beyond Taiwan’s borders.