Police in Ho Chi Minh City have issued a nationwide wanted notice for a woman accused of leading a violent street brawl outside a karaoke bar, an incident that left multiple people injured and alarmed residents in a busy nightlife area.
Investigators say the suspect, widely known by the nickname “Na Đắc Kỷ,” fled the city after the attack and is now being sought on charges of intentional bodily harm.
What police allege happened
According to the Criminal Investigation Police Department, the suspect is Pham Thuy Trang Dai, born in 1993 and registered in Binh Hung Hoa Ward. On January 9, city police confirmed they had formally issued a wanted order after she failed to appear for questioning.
Investigators say Trang Dai was eating with friends on Ho Van Long Street when a woman identified as V.T.L, born in 2002 and from Ca Mau Province, told the group about an unresolved conflict with a former coworker at a local karaoke bar. L. claimed she had been mistreated while working as a hostess at Victory Karaoke.
The group then went together to the karaoke venue to confront the coworker.
Violence outside the karaoke bar
Police say that when Trang Dai’s group arrived at the entrance of Victory Karaoke, they spotted the woman involved in the dispute standing with friends. The confrontation quickly escalated into a physical attack.
When a man identified as Nguyen Le H. attempted to intervene to protect the woman, he was allegedly surrounded and beaten by Trang Dai and several others. The fight unfolded in front of the karaoke bar, causing panic among bystanders.
Only after residents shouted and threatened to call the police did the group disperse and flee the scene.
Injuries and investigation
The victims were initially taken to a local clinic and later transferred to 175 Military Hospital for further treatment. A forensic assessment found that Nguyen Le H. suffered a 14 percent health impairment. Other victims sustained multiple injuries.
Following the incident, Trang Dai reportedly left her place of residence and went into hiding. After completing initial evidence collection and witness statements, police moved to formally name her as a suspect and issue a wanted notice.
Police appeal
Ho Chi Minh City police are urging Pham Thuy Trang Dai to surrender voluntarily, saying cooperation could be considered a mitigating factor under Vietnamese law. Authorities have also asked anyone with information about her whereabouts to contact the police.
For international readers, the case highlights growing concern over street violence linked to nightlife venues in major Vietnamese cities and the increasingly public role of social media nicknames and notoriety in criminal investigations.
Global manufacturing is entering a new era. What started as a simple contingency plan, the “China+1 strategy”, has evolved into a full blueprint for resilience, diversification, and long-term stability. As the global economy stabilizes but geopolitical tensions, regulatory shifts, and trade frictions persist, companies are no longer asking if they should diversify their supply chains. The real question has become: how fast can they build robust, multi-hub production networks that can withstand shocks and adapt to change.
By 2026, supply-chain strategies are no longer defined by cost efficiency alone. Leading firms are prioritizing resilience, transparency, and diversification, especially across Asia’s fast-growing manufacturing hubs. In this new landscape, Vietnam has emerged as one of the most strategic locations for procurement and production, illustrating how global supply-chain models are being reconfigured.
From Single-Hub Dependence to Multi-Hub Resilience
For decades, China reigned as the world’s factory. Its unmatched infrastructure, integrated supplier base, abundant labor, and economies of scale made it the default production hub for global brands. That model delivered efficiency, but it also concentrated risk.
Over recent years, structural pressures have intensified. Rising labor costs, ongoing trade tensions, stricter environmental and compliance standards, and new export controls on critical components have all exposed the vulnerabilities of relying on a single country for core manufacturing.
As a result, global firms have accelerated away from purely cost-driven, single-hub supply chains. The original “China+1” approach, adding a backup production country to support Chinese output,has now evolved into “China+N”: a distributed network spanning multiple manufacturing hubs across Asia and beyond.
Under this model, companies blend established Chinese operations with capacity in Southeast Asia, South Asia, and even Eastern Europe or Latin America. The logic is straightforward: more nodes mean better risk spreading, greater flexibility when market conditions change, and a more resilient foundation for long-term growth.
This video offers an in-depth look at the 2026 supply chain landscape and how global companies are preparing for a rapidly evolving world. As disruptions grow, geopolitical pressures intensify, and smarter risk management becomes essential, organizations are rethinking their entire global sourcing and manufacturing strategies. The content highlights the key procurement trends shaping 2026 and explains how leading companies are redesigning their operations to remain resilient, competitive, and future-ready.
Why 2025 Became a Turning Point
Several converging trends in 2025 significantly accelerated the move toward diversified manufacturing footprints:
Tightened export regulations in China
New restrictions on critical technologies and components have disrupted value chains and prompted buyers to de-risk their sourcing strategies. This has pushed companies to explore alternative manufacturing bases more proactively.
Rising FDI into alternative hubs
Manufacturing-focused foreign direct investment has surged in countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, and India. Instead of concentrating new capacity in a single country, global firms are deliberately spreading their infrastructure across multiple locations.
Demand for turnkey and ready-built capacity
Rather than committing to capital-intensive greenfield projects, companies increasingly seek existing factories, industrial parks, and ready-built facilities. This reduces upfront investment, shortens time to market, and allows faster scaling when demand shifts.
Stronger focus on audits, QA, and compliance
As supplier networks become more geographically diverse, buyers place greater emphasis on quality assurance, ethical sourcing, and regulatory compliance. Independent audits, factory assessments, and ESG verification have become indispensable tools when entering new manufacturing ecosystems.
Together, these dynamics have transformed diversification from a cautious strategy into an active investment theme across global supply-chain stakeholders.
Vietnam’s Strategic Role in the New Manufacturing Map
Within this broader transformation, Vietnam has emerged as one of the most important alternative hubs. The country combines competitive labor costs, improving infrastructure, and participation in multiple free-trade agreements, making it highly attractive for companies seeking to diversify out of a China-only model.
By mid-2025, exports of electronics, computers, and components reached around US$82 billion, setting a new record. Overall export turnover after ten months approached US$390 billion, reflecting robust performance across multiple sectors. At the same time, realized foreign direct investment (FDI) in the first eleven months of 2025 was estimated at US$23.6 billion, up nearly 9% year-on-year, with the processing and manufacturing sector remaining a primary destination.
These figures are not just isolated statistics; they signal Vietnam’s integration into multi-node, multi-country supply-chain strategies. Rather than replacing China, Vietnam is becoming a complementary manufacturing base, especially for electronics, consumer products, textiles, and certain industrial goods. For many global buyers, the question is no longer whether Vietnam should be part of their supply chain, but how to structure that presence most effectively.
From “China+1” to “China+N”: How Manufacturing Strategies Are Being Redefined
Manufacturing strategies are being redesigned around three core principles: flexibility, diversification, and resilience.
In the past, many companies concentrated production in a handful of large facilities to maximize economies of scale. Today, the risk profile has changed. Disruptions, whether triggered by trade disputes, logistics bottlenecks, or localized crises, can quickly paralyze a concentrated network.
The new playbook looks different:
Production is distributed across multiple countries and sites.
Established hubs like China remain crucial but are complemented by emerging locations such as Vietnam, Thailand, India, and Indonesia.
Some companies add further geographic balance with capacity in Eastern Europe, Latin America, or North Africa.
This “China+N” architecture allows firms to:
Shift production volumes between countries when disruptions occur.
Serve regional markets more efficiently.
Capture different labor, regulatory, and logistics advantages across locations.
Source : MoveToAsia sourcing agency : a leading agency for sourcing in Asia
Countries like Vietnam benefit directly from this strategy. Its expanding industrial ecosystem : from electronics and consumer goods to textiles, furniture, and light machinery, gives buyers more options for redistributing production while maintaining quality and scalability.
Crucially, manufacturing is no longer viewed solely as a cost center. It is now a strategic asset, tightly linked to risk management, ESG performance, and long-term competitiveness.
Risk Management as the New Cornerstone of Supply Chains
Risk management has moved from the periphery to the center of procurement and manufacturing decisions. Recent years have highlighted how fragile purely cost-optimized, just-in-time networks can be.
Companies are responding by building risk-aware supply-chain architectures that incorporate:
Diversified sourcing strategies to avoid over-reliance on a single country, supplier, or transport route.
Greater transparency and compliance across the value chain, including traceability of inputs and stricter control over subcontracting.
Scenario planning and contingency frameworks to prepare for regulatory changes, trade disruptions, or localized crises.
Digital tools are accelerating this shift. Real-time monitoring platforms, AI-assisted supplier surveillance, and predictive analytics help companies detect emerging issues earlier, whether a potential regulatory shift, raw-material shortage, or geopolitical flare-up.
At the same time, rising expectations around sustainability and social responsibility are reshaping how suppliers are selected and evaluated. Buyers increasingly demand:
Clarity on labor conditions and worker welfare.
Visibility into material origins and environmental impact.
Alignment with ESG and compliance requirements baked into contracts and long-term agreements.
Risk management, in other words, has become inseparable from governance, reputation, and regulatory compliance.
How Companies Should Prepare for 2026
The most forward-looking organizations are not waiting for 2026 to arrive; they are already adapting their operating models. Several concrete priorities are emerging:
Make diversification non-negotiable
Instead of concentrating production in a single country, companies are designing multi-country manufacturing ecosystems that integrate both established hubs and emerging locations like Vietnam. This reduces exposure to geopolitical tensions, regulatory shocks, and localized disruptions.
Upgrade supplier evaluation criteria
Purely price-based sourcing decisions are increasingly seen as risky and outdated. Leading firms now weigh:
Compliance and audit history
Material traceability
Production capacity and scalability
ESG performance
Operational transparency
This more holistic view helps avoid hidden risks such as unauthorized subcontracting, inconsistent quality, or non-compliance with destination-market regulations.
Adopt real-time monitoring and risk tools
Digital platforms are being rolled out to:
Track supplier performance and lead times
Forecast logistics constraints and capacity bottlenecks
Monitor geopolitical and regulatory developments that may affect production
These systems transform supply chains from reactive to proactive, enabling earlier intervention and better contingency planning.
Build structural flexibility into operations
Companies are redesigning contracts, logistics workflows, and production allocations to allow:
Rapid volume shifts between plants or countries
Alternate transport routes and carriers
Faster onboarding of backup suppliers
Operational agility becomes a critical buffer when disruptions hit.
Invest in long-term supplier relationships
Rather than short-term, transactional sourcing, firms are building partnership-based relationships that support:
Continuous improvement and process optimization
Joint investments in technology, automation, or sustainability
Long-term compliance and quality stability
In a world where reliability and transparency are vital, strong relationships are themselves a strategic asset.
The single-country, single-hub model is being replaced by multi-country, multi-node supply networks.
“China+1” has matured into a “China+N” strategy, combining Chinese capabilities with emerging hubs such as Vietnam, India, Thailand, and others.
Vietnam is becoming a key manufacturing node, with strong export growth and rising FDI across sectors like electronics, consumer goods, and textiles.
Risk management, compliance, ESG, and transparency now rank alongside cost and speed in supplier selection.
Companies that invest early in diversification, real-time monitoring, and long-term supplier relationships will be best positioned by 2026.
Conclusion: A New Baseline for Global Supply-Chain Strategy
By 2026, the global supply chain will look fundamentally different from the model that dominated a decade ago. What was once optimized almost exclusively for cost and speed is being rebuilt around resilience, transparency, and strategic risk management.
Disruptions are now more frequent, and geopolitical fault lines are more visible. Companies that persist with narrow supplier networks and outdated, cost-only procurement playbooks are likely to face avoidable vulnerabilities. In contrast, those that embrace multi-country production systems, invest in real-time supply-chain intelligence, and prioritize compliance and ESG will be far better equipped for an uncertain future.
Vietnam is poised to play a central role in this new era. Its expanding industrial capacity, improving infrastructure, and integration into key trade agreements position it as a cornerstone in diversified, Asia-focused manufacturing strategies. As global brands deepen their “China+N” approaches, Vietnam’s importance is set to grow even further.
Ultimately, the future of global procurement is not about chasing the lowest bid. It is about building supply chains that can withstand uncertainty while enabling growth and innovation. As 2026 approaches, one thing is clear: resilience is no longer a competitive differentiator. It is the new baseline.
Hanoi pushes for a Russia deal by January as energy security risks grow amid surging industrial demand.
Vietnam has warned of mounting delays in its long-revived nuclear power program and is now racing to finalize negotiations with Russia after Japan officially withdrew from one of two planned nuclear projects. The development highlights the growing strain on Vietnam’s energy system—and the geopolitical and execution risks behind its long-term power strategy.
According to the government’s official news portal, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has instructed relevant ministries to complete talks with Russia within January, while urgently seeking a new partner to replace Japan for the second nuclear plant. The goal is to bring both facilities online after 2031, later than originally planned.
Vietnam restarted its nuclear power ambitions in 2024 after shelving the program in 2016, citing cost and safety concerns. The renewed plan envisioned two plants with a combined capacity of 4–6.4 gigawatts, negotiated separately with Russia and Japan. Hanoi had aimed to sign agreements with Russia by September 2025 and with Japan by year-end—but progress has fallen short.
“Negotiations have been slower than expected and remain heavily dependent on foreign partners,” the Prime Minister told officials, underscoring structural challenges in Vietnam’s energy diplomacy and project execution.
Japan’s withdrawal crystallized those risks. In December, Tokyo’s ambassador confirmed to Reuters that Japan had exited the project, citing Vietnam’s ambitious timeline to have the plant operational by 2035 as unrealistic. The exit forces Hanoi to reassess not only partners, but also timelines and financing models.
The urgency is driven by fundamentals. Vietnam—now a major manufacturing base for global giants such as Samsungand Apple—has suffered repeated power shortages and blackouts as electricity demand from factories and a growing middle class outpaces supply. Climate stress, including droughts and typhoons, has further strained hydropower and grid reliability.
While Vietnam is expanding renewables and gas-fired generation, many projects face regulatory bottlenecks, pricing uncertainty, and construction delays. Nuclear power—once abandoned—has returned to the agenda as a baseload solution to support long-term industrial growth and energy security.
For global investors and policymakers, Vietnam’s nuclear pivot raises a broader question: can the country balance speed, safety, and geopolitics to secure reliable power—without repeating the delays that have plagued its broader energy transition?
The 14th National Congress of the Communist Party will shape Vietnam’s political, economic, and foreign-policy path for the next decade.
Vietnam has formally briefed the international community on the upcoming 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, framing it as a defining political milestone with long-term implications for governance, economic reform, and global engagement. The announcement signals continuity and recalibration at a moment when Vietnam’s global profile is rising across diplomacy, trade, and development.
Speaking at a January 7 press briefing in Hanoi, Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung said the Congress—scheduled for January 19–25—will assess 40 years of Đổi Mới (Renovation) and the outcomes of the 13th Party Congress (2021–2026), while setting comprehensive goals for Vietnam’s next development phase.
A notable innovation is the Congress’s core documentation. For the first time, the Political Report integrates three pillars—political direction, socio-economic strategy, and Party-building review—reflecting a more holistic approach to policy formulation. Officials emphasized that preparations were extensive and consultative, incorporating feedback from across the Party, the public, and the Vietnamese diaspora.
Personnel planning, a critical component of the Congress, is being conducted with what the Foreign Minister described as a “thorough, cautious, and precise” process—underscoring leadership continuity as a prerequisite for translating long-term vision into execution.
On foreign policy, the Congress documents reaffirm Vietnam’s Đổi Mới-era principles while strengthening the emphasis on national defense, security, and proactive international integration. Vietnam reiterates its stance of independence and self-reliance, multilateralism and diversification, and cooperation based on the UN Charter—positioning itself as a reliable partner and a responsible contributor to regional and global problem-solving.
International partners welcomed the clarity. The Lao Ambassador to Vietnam called the Congress a new milestone not only for Vietnam but for its neighbors and strategic partners. The Palestinian Ambassador, speaking as head of the diplomatic corps, expressed confidence that the Congress will prioritize self-reliance, independence, and peace-oriented cooperation. The United Nations Resident Coordinator highlighted Vietnam’s transition to upper-middle-income status and its people-centered development model as a source of global inspiration.
Vietnam has invited foreign diplomatic missions and international organizations to attend the Congress’s opening and closing sessions—an unusual degree of openness that reflects confidence in its reform narrative and global role.
As Vietnam enters its fifth decade of Đổi Mới, the central question for international observers is how decisively the 14th Congress will translate stability and reform into faster productivity growth, deeper integration, and a more influential voice in an increasingly fragmented world order.
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.
For more than two decades, millions of Vietnamese families welcomed the Lunar New Year with the same ritual. Gather around the television on New Year’s Eve and watch Táo quân Gặp nhau cuối năm, the satirical comedy show that reviewed the nation’s highs and lows with humor, music, and political wit. In 2026, that tradition will come to an end.
Vietnam Television has confirmed that Táo quân will no longer air on Lunar New Year’s Eve, closing the curtain on one of the country’s most influential and recognizable television formats.
Why the show is ending
A representative from Vietnam Television said the broadcaster plans to replace Táo quân with a new New Year program aimed at a younger audience. The new show, tentatively titled Quảng trường mùa xuân, is expected to feature a more modern format while still incorporating comedy.
The decision follows weeks of speculation among fans after veteran performers revealed they had not received scripts or rehearsal schedules. Actress Vân Dung publicly shared her disappointment at the absence of Táo quân 2026, while other long time cast members confirmed they were not invited to participate this year.
A cultural staple with growing criticism
First broadcast in 2003, Táo quân became a defining feature of Tet television. Drawing on the folk legend of the Kitchen Gods reporting to the Jade Emperor, the show offered sharp satire of Vietnam’s politics, economy, education system, and social issues. Its jokes were often discussed nationwide the following day.
Yet in recent years, the program faced mixed reactions. Loyal viewers continued to see it as an essential part of New Year’s Eve. Others argued the content had grown predictable and less daring. The absence of iconic performers such as Công Lý and Xuân Bắc, once central to the show’s appeal, also left a noticeable gap that newer comedians struggled to fill.
The program had already paused once before, in 2020, when a spin off failed to capture public interest. It returned a year later and continued until 2025.
An expensive ticket to nostalgia
Táo quân was traditionally recorded over three days at Hanoi’s Friendship Cultural Palace. Tickets were never sold publicly, with revenue coming instead from television advertising. Demand was so high that unofficial tickets reportedly traded for the equivalent of several hundred US dollars per pair.
What its end signals
For international audiences, the end of Táo quân marks more than the cancellation of a TV show. It reflects a generational shift in Vietnamese media consumption and humor, as broadcasters move away from legacy formats toward content designed for younger, digitally native viewers.
As Vietnam’s society and entertainment landscape evolve, the farewell to Táo quân closes a chapter that shaped how a nation laughed, reflected, and debated on the most important night of the year.
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.
Two South Korean nationals have been sentenced to eight years in prison each in Ho Chi Minh City after a court found they ran a prostitution ring through their restaurant and attempted to bribe officials to avoid inspections. The case has drawn attention to Vietnam’s tougher stance on organized vice crimes linked to foreign owned businesses in prime city locations.
On January 5, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court convicted Kim Tae Hyung, 48, and Cha Jin Young, 50, of brokering prostitution and bribery. Each received five years for arranging sex work and three years for offering bribes, along with a fine of VND 30 million.
A front of fine dining, a back end of illegal services
According to the court, Kim and Cha jointly opened a restaurant on Bui Thi Xuan Street in District 1 in late 2022. To boost revenue, they instructed staff to arrange female employees to provide sexual services to Korean customers dining at the venue.
Payments were disguised on invoices using coded items. The prostitution fee appeared as “Green jacket 17” at VND 3.8 million per person per night. Hotel room charges were listed as “Large seafood combo” at VND 1 million per room. The scheme allowed transactions to pass as legitimate restaurant expenses.
How the operation was exposed
On July 19, 2023, restaurant manager Lee Hyun Jun, also South Korean, asked staff member Nguyen Thi Ngoc Loan to arrange two women for two Korean men, totaling VND 7.6 million. Loan contacted Le Tan Thanh, 44, to book two hotel rooms in Ben Nghe Ward. Investigators said Thanh knew the rooms were for prostitution but agreed to assist.
All four were later charged with brokering prostitution. Lee and Loan received three year prison terms. Thanh was sentenced to two years, five months, and fourteen days, equal to time already served in detention.
Bribery attempt turns into fraud
Cha also told the court that when the restaurant opened it had not completed all legal procedures. He asked Bui Thi Phuong Dung, 36, whose husband is Korean, to help “smooth” the paperwork to avoid inspections. Dung and Bui Duy Ha, 41, claimed they could influence authorities.
Trusting them, Kim and Cha paid a total of VND 840 million. Dung passed VND 441 million to Ha and paid him VND 30 million to handle the supposed arrangements. Investigators later found that neither had any real ability to influence officials. The money was simply taken. Dung was sentenced to seven years in prison. Ha received three years for fraud.
Why this matters for international readers
Ho Chi Minh City is one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic business hubs, attracting large numbers of foreign entrepreneurs, especially in hospitality and nightlife. The case signals that Vietnamese authorities are intensifying scrutiny of illegal activities hidden behind legitimate businesses, including those operated by foreigners.
For investors and expatriates, it is a clear reminder that Vietnam’s enforcement environment is tightening. For the city, it is part of a broader effort to clean up vice activities in central districts that are key to tourism and international image.
Nestlé Việt Nam vừa khởi động chiến dịch Tết 2026 với thông điệp “Cầu Gì Hơn Phút Giây Này Bên Nhau” nhằm lan tỏa tinh thần trân trọng từng phút giây hiện tại cùng những người thân yêu. Thông qua chiến dịch, Nestlé tiếp tục khẳng định cam kết đồng hành lâu dài cùng hàng triệu gia đình Việt bằng những sản phẩm chất lượng, góp phần vun đắp những phút giây ý nghĩa trong dịp Tết.
Tết cổ truyền không chỉ là thời khắc sum vầy, mà còn là dịp để mỗi người thật sự hiện diện, dành trọn sự quan tâm và thời gian cho gia đình. Nhân dịp Tết Nguyên Đán 2026, Nestlé Việt Nam mong muốn gửi gắm sự trân trọng những khoảnh khắc sum vầy bên nhau thông qua những góc nhìn gần gũi hơn về Tết – khi giá trị của ngày Tết không nằm ở những ước mong xa xôi, mà được tạo nên từ chính những khoảnh khắc giản đơn của hiện tại: một buổi cà phê sáng cùng bố, buổi trưa cùng mẹ chuẩn bị những món ăn mang “vị nhà”, hay là thời gian bên nhau một cách trọn vẹn. Từ những điều bình dị ấy, Nestlé Việt Nam triển khai chiến dịch Tết 2026 với thông điệp “Cầu Gì Hơn Phút Giây Này Bên Nhau”.
Chia sẻ về chiến dịch, ông Binu Jacob, Tổng Giám đốc Nestlé Việt Nam, cho biết: “Trong nhịp sống ngày càng bận rộn, Tết là dịp để các gia đình nhìn lại và ưu tiên cho những giá trị bền vững nhất – sự gắn kết và hiện diện bên nhau. Thông qua chiến dịch Tết 2026, Nestlé mong muốn đồng hành và truyền cảm hứng để người Việt sống chậm lại một chút, tận hưởng trọn vẹn những khoảnh khắc ý nghĩa và thân tình bên những người thân yêu. Song song đó, bằng việc không ngừng nâng cao chất lượng và tiêu chuẩn sản phẩm, Nestlé mong muốn được hiện diện một cách ý nghĩa trong những khoảnh khắc sum vầy của mỗi gia đình Việt”.
Cùng với ý nghĩa đó, Nestlé Việt Nam thiết kế với các điểm chạm từ trực tuyến đến trực tiếp, gợi nhắc mọi người trân trọng từng khoảnh khắc hiện tại bên nhau trong dịp này.
Thông điệp của chiến dịch được gửi gắm qua “Lịch Tết Hôm Nay” – một cuốn lịch không chỉ để đếm ngày Tết, mà còn là lời nhắc nhở mỗi người chậm lại và trân trọng những khoảnh khắc hiện tại.
Theo đó, từ ngày 07/01/2026, người tiêu dùng có thể tương tác và gửi lời chúc ý nghĩa đến người thân và bạn bè bằng “Lịch Tết Hôm Nay” tại đường dẫn: .https://tet2026.giadinhnestle.com.vn/.
Thông qua hoạt động này, 25.000 người tiêu dùng tham gia đầu tiên sẽ có cơ hội nhận ngay phiếu mua hàng trị giá 30.000 đồng, như một món quà nhỏ khích lệ mọi người bắt đầu năm mới bằng những phút giây ý nghĩa bên gia đình và người thân.
Chương trình “Cầu Gì Hơn Phút Giây Này Bên Nhau” được triển khai trên trang web Gia Đình Nestlé.
Ngoài ra, người tiêu dùng còn có thể gửi lời chúc cho hiện tại vào “Lịch Tết Hôm Nay” tại các điểm bán trực tiếp của Nestlé như siêu thị hay tiệm tạp hóa và nhận về sản phẩm từ Nestlé thay cho lời chúc Tết ấm áp từ thương hiệu.
Bên cạnh các hoạt động chính, Nestlé Việt Nam cũng phối hợp cùng Kênh14 và aFamily triển khai cuộc thi ảnh “Wishlist Ngay Lúc Này – Cầu Gì Hơn Phút Giây Này Bên Nhau”, tạo không gian để người tiêu dùng cùng tương tác và lan tỏa tinh thần chiến dịch từ nay đến hết ngày 31/01/2026. Tại đây, người tham gia có thể đăng ảnh dự thi lên trang Facebook cá nhân và chia sẻ “wishlist ngay lúc này” để có cơ hội nhận các phần quà giá trị gồm iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB, tai nghe AirPods 4, phiếu mua hàng trị giá 200.000 đồng cùng nhiều phần quà “Lịch Tết Hôm Nay” từ chương trình.
Là một tập đoàn toàn cầu am hiểu sâu sắc văn hóa địa phương, trong 30 năm qua, Nestlé đã luôn kiên định đem đến những mùa Tết đong đầy cho người Việt bằng các sản phẩm chất lượng như MAGGI, MILO, NESCAFÉ, KITKAT, NESTEA, La Vie… đáp ứng nhu cầu dinh dưỡng và vui khỏe cho mọi thành viên trong gia đình trong dịp Tết.
Chiến dịch “Cầu Gì Hơn Phút Giây Này Bên Nhau” là lời gửi gắm của Nestlé với thông điệp trân trọng hiện tại khi những khoảnh khắc đời thường bên gia đình trở thành ý nghĩa lớn nhất của mùa sum vầy.
Cùng lời chúc mừng năm mới, Nestlé Việt Nam cam kết tiếp tục đồng hành cùng người tiêu dùng Việt trên hành trình gìn giữ và phát huy những giá trị tốt đẹp của Tết cổ truyền, và hướng đến một năm mới tràn đầy sức khỏe, may mắn, hạnh phúc và thịnh vượng.
Tourism and transport drive export growth as Vietnam’s services economy gains scale despite a persistent trade gap.
Vietnam’s services economy crossed a major threshold in 2025, with total trade in services exceeding USD 70 billionfor the first time—an important signal for investors tracking the country’s shift from manufacturing-led growth toward higher value-added activities. The milestone underscores Vietnam’s deepening integration into global services markets even as it continues to import heavily to support production and logistics.
Data released by the National Statistics Office show service exports reached USD 30.3 billion, while imports totaled USD 40.5 billion, leaving a trade deficit of just over USD 10 billion. While still negative, the gap narrowed compared with 2024, suggesting incremental structural improvement.
Momentum strengthened into the final quarter. In Q4 alone, service exports climbed 17.3% year-on-year to USD 8.26 billion, with transport, tourism, and digital services leading gains. Imports rose more moderately at 10.8%, reflecting easing logistics pressures late in the year.
Tourism and transport power exports
Tourism emerged as the largest contributor to services exports, generating USD 15.22 billion—more than half of the total—and expanding 24.4% year-on-year. The rebound aligns with Vietnam’s record 21.2 million international arrivals in 2025, cementing tourism as a cornerstone of the services economy.
Transport services followed closely, contributing USD 8.8 billion (29% of exports) with robust 23.6% growth, supported by rising cargo volumes, expanding air routes, and port throughput. Together, tourism and transport accounted for nearly four-fifths of services exports, highlighting where Vietnam currently holds competitive advantage.
Imports reflect production needs
On the import side, services linked to goods trade dominated. Transport services reached USD 17.1 billion, accounting for 42.1% of total service imports and rising 19.9% year-on-year, driven by freight, shipping, and logistics for Vietnam’s export-oriented manufacturers. Tourism services imports totaled USD 14.7 billion, reflecting outbound travel demand and cross-border spending.
Insurance and freight-related costs tied to imported goods also rose, a reminder that Vietnam’s manufacturing engine still relies on foreign logistics and specialized services.
A gradual rebalancing
Despite the headline deficit, officials point to a narrowing services trade gap—from an estimated USD 12.34 billion in 2024 to just over USD 10 billion in 2025—as evidence of steady progress. Growth in information technology and digital services, though smaller in absolute terms, is expanding and could diversify exports over time.
For Vietnam, the figures mark a transitional phase: services are growing faster and becoming more sophisticated, yet imports remain elevated as the economy scales.
The strategic question ahead is whether Vietnam can accelerate high-margin service exports—digital, professional, and logistics—fast enough to close the gap, turning services into a durable surplus engine alongside its manufacturing base.
A post-pandemic surge driven by Asia demand and visa reforms propels Vietnam into the top tier of global travel destinations.
Vietnam’s tourism industry reached a historic milestone in 2025, welcoming 21.2 million international visitors, the highest figure ever recorded and a 20.4% increase year-on-year, according to the General Statistics Office. The result marks a decisive moment in Vietnam’s post-pandemic recovery—and a powerful signal to global investors, airlines, and hospitality groups watching Southeast Asia’s travel rebound.
Momentum accelerated through the final quarter, with more than 2 million foreign arrivals in December alone, up 15.7% from the same month in 2024. The surge capped a year defined by restored air connectivity, aggressive destination marketing, and steadily improving service standards across Vietnam’s tourism ecosystem.
Asia leads the comeback
Asia remained the engine of growth. China reclaimed its position as Vietnam’s largest source market, sending 5.28 million visitors, a sharp 41.3% jump from 2024. South Korea followed with 4.33 million arrivals, while Taiwan ranked third with 1.23 million.
India emerged as one of the fastest-growing long-haul Asian markets, with arrivals climbing 48.9% to nearly 750,000, supported by a wave of new direct flights from major Indian cities. Russia posted the most dramatic growth, surging 196.9%, while the Philippines and Cambodia also recorded strong double-digit gains.
Europe responds to visa liberalization
European markets delivered consistent growth after Vietnam expanded visa exemptions and eased entry rules. France, the UK, Italy, and the Netherlands all posted gains near or above 20%, while Poland stood out with a 42.6% increase—a sign that Vietnam’s appeal is spreading beyond traditional Western European hubs.
Industry analysts say the data confirms the effectiveness of Vietnam’s visa reforms, combined with targeted promotion and diversified tourism products ranging from beach resorts and heritage travel to wellness and eco-tourism.
A symbolic moment in Phu Quoc
One of 2025’s defining highlights came on December 15, when Vietnam celebrated its 20 millionth international visitorin Phu Quoc. The guest—a traveler from Poland—symbolized the rising importance of European markets and the growing profile of Vietnam’s secondary and island destinations beyond Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Recovery—and reinvention
Although Vietnam narrowly missed its ambitious target of 23–25 million arrivals, surpassing the 21 million mark for the first time represents a structural leap forward. Compared with the depths of the Covid-19 lockdowns, international tourism has now rebounded to more than 110% of pre-pandemic levels, placing Vietnam among the fastest-recovering destinations in Asia.
For global tourism stakeholders, the message is clear: Vietnam is no longer just recovering—it is consolidating its position as a major regional hub.
With infrastructure investment accelerating and air links expanding, the key question for 2026 is not whether Vietnam can attract more visitors—but whether it can scale sustainably while preserving service quality, local culture, and its competitive edge in an increasingly crowded Asia-Pacific tourism market.
“Growing old before getting rich” threatens productivity, social security, and growth—forcing Vietnam to rethink labor, healthcare, and the role of AI.
Vietnam is approaching a demographic turning point that could shape its economy for the next two decades. As the population over 60 grows rapidly, the country faces a complex challenge defined by three overlapping realities: aging before achieving high income levels, insufficient pension coverage, and longer lifespans without corresponding gains in health. Together, these trends are creating structural pressures that extend far beyond demographics—touching productivity, inequality, and long-term growth.
Unlike advanced economies where older citizens often remain economically active, Vietnam’s “silver economy” is constrained. Most people over 66 are unlikely to keep pace with rapid technological change or continue working at scale, limiting income generation in later life. At the same time, aging without good health is pushing up healthcare costs while reducing discretionary spending on travel, leisure, and consumption. As a result, both pillars of a consumption-driven silver economy—work and spending—are structurally weakened.
Yet the shift is also opening new opportunities. Demand is rising for home healthcare services, professional medical facilities, and nursing home models across income segments. These sectors could become growth engines if regulation, investment, and workforce training evolve quickly enough.
The ripple effects are already visible. Insurance and financial planning are seeing renewed demand as the so-called “sandwich generation”—people aged roughly 30 to 50—must simultaneously support aging parents and their own children. However, international experience, particularly from East Asia, suggests that simply importing Western-style financial planning models can backfire, morphing into high-risk investment behavior rather than genuine risk protection.
At the macro level, productivity growth will increasingly rest on a shrinking base of workers. Upskilling is often presented as the solution, but time scarcity makes it unrealistic for many. In practice, automation, bots, and AI systems are likely to substitute for human upskilling—not because they are superior, but because they are cheaper. This cost-driven acceptance of lower-quality AI output is becoming a defining paradox of aging societies.
Vietnam’s large informal economy compounds the risk. With only an estimated 5–10% of informal workers covered by social insurance, a rapidly aging informal sector could create sudden fiscal and social pressure when today’s workers can no longer earn. Family-run businesses, a backbone of employment, may close as there is no successor generation willing or able to take over—leaving workers jobless and accelerating consolidation without job retention.
Meanwhile, sectors long fueled by spending on children—education, childcare, consumer goods—are expected to slow from double-digit growth to single digits as birth rates decline. Forecasts across multiple industries may need downward revision.
The social consequences are equally stark. Some workers may opt out entirely, joining a “lying-flat” generation overwhelmed by financial and emotional burdens. Others will take on multiple side jobs, recreating versions of high-pressure work cultures seen elsewhere in Asia. In parallel, employers—armed with AI alternatives and a backlog of resumes—are becoming more ruthless in performance expectations.
This is the paradox of an aging, automated society: fewer people carry more responsibility, yet receive diminishing rewards. Inequality widens not just between rich and poor, but within ever-narrower elite tiers. Aging societies also tend to see reduced appetite for large-scale disruption, as stability is prized over risk.
Vietnam is not alone. Countries like South Korea and parts of Europe are already grappling with similar dynamics—but they had far higher income levels before aging set in. The difference is timing.
If Vietnam does not address these structural issues within the next decade—through pension reform, healthcare investment, productivity strategy, and smarter use of technology—it risks locking itself into a low-growth, high-pressure equilibrium that will be far harder to escape once the demographic window closes.
