Vietnam Insider

One of the world’s most exclusive adventure tours is now unavailable for more than two years. The Son Doong expedition in central Vietnam, often described as one of the most challenging and expensive tours in Asia, is completely booked until late 2027. Each participant pays more than seventy million Vietnamese dong, which is roughly equivalent to nearly three thousand United States dollars.

According to Nguyen Chau A, Chief Executive of Oxalis, the only company licensed to operate tours inside Son Doong, demand has surged to unprecedented levels. Since 2013, a total of eight thousand five hundred fifty two travelers have successfully completed the expedition. Vietnamese explorers form the largest group with more than three thousand two hundred participants, followed by travelers from the United States.

High demand turns Vietnam into a global center for cave exploration

The long waiting list has created a sense of scarcity among adventure travelers worldwide and has helped boost interest in lighter exploration packages within the same region. Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park now welcomes close to fifty thousand adventure tourists each year, solidifying its position as the world’s leading destination for cave based tourism.

A demanding expedition built for only the most capable travelers

The Son Doong tour accepts fewer than ten people per trip and a maximum of one thousand people per year. Participants must complete a six day program that includes jungle trekking, river crossing and navigating through massive underground chambers. Physical fitness requirements are strict, and the combination of difficulty and price has made the tour one of the most selective in Vietnam.

The cost includes several mandatory fees per traveler. These cover national park entry, forest environment services, wildlife rescue support and administrative charges.

Travelers seeking similar experiences without multi year waiting times can book two alternative adventures. These are the Deep Forest Jungle Exploration of Hang Ba and the Tu Lan Expedition. Both are considered world class but more accessible in terms of availability.

Global recognition continues to elevate Son Doong

International media outlets frequently praise Son Doong. Time Out magazine in the United Kingdom recently named it among the ten most beautiful caves on Earth. The publication notes that the cave is so large in cross section that a Boeing 747 aircraft could theoretically pass through without touching the walls.

Son Doong extends nearly nine kilometres. In some areas its ceiling reaches two hundred metres in height and the width approaches one hundred sixty metres. The total volume has been measured at approximately thirty eight point five million cubic metres, making it the largest known cave on the planet.

Vietnam’s adventure tourism sector is projected to grow rapidly as global interest continues to rise. Son Doong’s sold out status through 2027 signals a strong future for the country’s high value nature based travel segment.

Officials in Lang Son Province have confirmed that the driver of a seven seat vehicle involved in a fatal collision that killed four people tested positive for amphetamine. The provincial government held an emergency meeting on December 11 to review the causes of the incident and to propose corrective measures for road safety along National Highway 1.

The crash occurred on November 26 at the forty two kilometre six hundred meter point of the highway in Nhan Ly Commune. Two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collided with high force, leaving four victims dead at the scene and two others injured.

Initial investigation points to drug use, lane violations and failure to obey road signals

Police say the primary cause was the conduct of Lai Quang Nhan, the driver of the seven seat vehicle with license plate 19A 48313. According to investigators, Nhan failed to comply with traffic signals, did not maintain the correct lane and had amphetamine detected in his system at the time of the crash.

His vehicle collided with a tractor trailer operated by Pham Van Dung, who was driving in the opposite direction. The impact destroyed the front sections of both vehicles and caused instant fatalities among passengers.

Based on the findings, Lang Son Police have opened a criminal case for violation of road traffic regulations. They have also placed Nhan in temporary detention for further investigation.

Investigators are examining potential responsibility from the freight company connected to the tractor trailer. Early reports show that the trailer was carrying goods that exceeded legal weight limits by more than thirty five percent. This factor may not have caused the crash directly, but it raises concerns about industry wide safety compliance and enforcement.

Provincial government responds with safety upgrades and support for families

Following the accident, Lang Son Province mobilized emergency services to transport victims, provide medical care and offer initial financial support to affected families. The province has also surveyed the crash site and implemented immediate improvements. These include repainting lane markings, adding speed bumps, clearing roadside vegetation to improve visibility and installing new speed limit signs set at fifty kilometres per hour.

Local leaders say additional reviews will be conducted to evaluate broader risks on this section of National Highway 1, which handles heavy traffic between Hanoi and the northern border region.

A civil lawsuit brought by a former student against the National Economics University in Hanoi has ended with the court ordering the school to pay a modest compensation of 87 million Vietnamese dong. The plaintiff had originally demanded more than 45 billion, an amount the court described as unsubstantiated.

The Hanoi People’s Court issued the appellate ruling on December 11 after reviewing the complaint filed by Dương Thế Hảo, a former student born in 1959. The court accepted part of his appeal and adjusted the lower court’s earlier judgment.

Court finds the university at fault for delayed and inaccurate information

According to the panel of judges, the university provided information that did not reflect the actual situation and acted slowly in issuing Hảo’s graduation certificate. For this reason, the court recognized partial wrongdoing by the university and approved compensation equivalent to more than twenty two months of basic salary.

The total amount equals approximately 87 million Vietnamese dong.

However, the court rejected the plaintiff’s request for more than 45 billion, noting that he did not demonstrate any measurable financial loss. Judges said many of his claims were hypothetical rather than supported by evidence.

Plaintiff claimed massive losses, including business and family rights

He estimated emotional and reputational damages in addition to economic losses, reaching a total of more than 45 billion. At the hearing, he stated that his personal monthly income had been between 150 million and 200 million, although he could not provide documentation to verify this figure. He also could not show proof that he had submitted his household registration book to the university for storage.

A dispute decades in the making

Hảo graduated in 1989 but never collected his diploma. The university explained that students were required to collect their certificates in person and stated that Hảo made no request between 1994 and 2017. From the university’s perspective, this gap in communication was his responsibility.

In 2017, when he finally contacted the school, administrators reported that they could not locate his records. Two years later, in 2019, the university found the original file and issued his diploma.

The appellate ruling confirms that the university bears limited responsibility for the delay but is not liable for the vast financial and emotional damages the plaintiff claimed.

Vietnam Insider will continue to monitor related legal developments if they arise.

Long Thanh International Airport is approaching its first operational phase, and Vietnam’s aviation authority has confirmed that the air traffic controllers assigned to the new facility are fully prepared for the initial flights. The Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation reports that final preparations are moving at an accelerated pace, with controller readiness treated as the most important milestone.

High intensity simulations used to train controllers for real emergencies

A delegation from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam recently inspected the Southern Air Traffic Management Center. The visit focused on simulator training for controllers who will staff the Long Thanh control tower.

During the sessions, controllers practiced handling multiple complex scenarios at once, including sudden weather changes, navigation equipment malfunctions, communication failures and aircraft emergencies. The exercises were designed to test composure, situational judgment and procedural accuracy under heavy pressure.

Authorities noted that the controllers demonstrated strong coordination, precise execution and confident responses in all abnormal situations. Electronic reference tools used during simulations also helped improve decision speed and accuracy.

Why this training matters for Long Thanh’s opening

Long Thanh International Airport is the largest aviation project ever built in Vietnam. It is expected to become the country’s primary international gateway once operations expand. The readiness of its controller team is therefore considered a foundation for safe and efficient early operations.

Air traffic controllers oversee every movement of aircraft in the air and on the ground. They monitor weather conditions, guide aircraft during takeoff and landing and maintain safe separation between flights. They also react immediately to any irregularity that occurs. Many in the aviation industry describe them as the traffic police of the sky because their decisions directly influence the safety of every journey.

A key milestone for Vietnam’s next phase of aviation growth

The strong performance of the controller team marks a significant step forward for Vietnam’s aviation sector at a time when regional travel demand continues to rise. Once Long Thanh begins service, it is expected to ease congestion at Tan Son Nhat Airport and position Vietnam as a more competitive hub in Southeast Asia.

Vietnam Insider will continue to follow developments as the airport moves closer to receiving its first aircraft.

Hanoi police are investigating a shocking roadside incident in which a motorcyclist allegedly grabbed a traffic officer and pushed him toward an oncoming truck, an act authorities say could have been fatal.

The suspect, Đặng Từ Minh, is now expected to face charges of attempted murder, according to the Hanoi Police Investigation Office.

Stopped for a Helmet Violation, Then Turned Violent

The confrontation occurred at 13:35 in Phượng Dực Commune, when Minh was stopped for riding a motorcycle without a helmet, a routine traffic violation in Vietnam.

Officer Nguyễn Duy Điệp, from Hanoi’s Road Traffic Police Team No. 8, directed Minh to pull over. As Điệp began escorting the motorcycle back to the checkpoint to issue a citation, Minh allegedly attacked.

Security camera footage shows the suspect rushing from behind, wrapping his arms around the officer and forcefully shoving both the officer and his own vehicle toward the front of a passing truck.

In a split second, Officer Điệp managed to twist away, narrowly avoiding the truck’s wheels. The motorcycle, however, was pulled under the vehicle and crushed.

Police described the escape as a “near miss by mere inches,” emphasizing how quickly a standard traffic stop escalated into a life threatening situation.

Suspect May Be Charged With Attempted Murder

Hanoi’s investigative police office is now working with specialized units to finalize the case file. Officials say the severity of the act — intentionally pushing an officer into the path of a heavy truck — qualifies under Vietnam’s criminal code as conduct with the intent to kill.

The case has sparked widespread discussion online in Vietnam, where assaults on traffic police occasionally make headlines and raise concerns about officer safety during roadside enforcement.

Authorities are expected to release additional details once charges are formally issued.

When Australian traveler Alan Hitzroth arrived in Ho Chi Minh City with his 26 year old son Joey, who has Down syndrome, he carried a familiar fear: Would people accept his son — or recoil from him?

Within minutes of a chance encounter on a quiet Saigon street, that fear dissolved.

A now viral one minute video shows Joey shyly exchanging high fives with a group of Vietnamese primary school children who greet him with waves, smiles and spontaneous hugs. The clip has been viewed more than two million times, capturing global attention for its pure display of joy and acceptance.

For most viewers, it is a heartwarming moment.
For Alan, it was something deeper — proof that his son could feel truly welcome in the world.

A Trip Chosen for Care, Not Convenience

Alan and Joey live in Bali and frequently take short overseas trips to renew their visas. Singapore and Malaysia had been their usual choices, but this time Alan chose Vietnam because the flight duration was manageable for Joey, whose sensory sensitivity can make travel overwhelming.

People living with Down syndrome or autism often struggle with unfamiliar environments, noise and unpredictability. According to the World Health Organisation, travel can trigger panic episodes and emotional shutdowns.

And indeed, minutes after arriving at their rented Saigon apartment, Joey experienced a ten minute meltdown — a common response for those with sensory overload.

But outside, the city’s famously chaotic traffic and bustling sidewalks didn’t unsettle him. In some ways, Alan said, it reminded Joey of Bali.

A Greeting That Changed Everything

Instead of the hesitation, staring or avoidance Alan had grown used to in many countries, the children shouted “Hello!” in unison, waved eagerly and then reached out to hug Joey.

“Most people freeze or back away when they see Joey’s differences,” Alan said. “These children didn’t hesitate for a second. They were open, warm, fearless.”

That simple moment — a high five, an unplanned hug — broke through Joey’s shyness and lit up his face.

A Complex Family Story Behind a Simple Smile

Joey’s journey with Alan is intertwined with the deepest loss. Alan and his wife adopted Joey after losing two daughters — one to meningitis and another, Ariel, who also had Down syndrome, at the age of five. Caring for Joey, Alan says, has filled a space that grief once consumed.

Daily life revolves around Joey’s routines: bathing, eating, emotional regulation and constant supervision. He sometimes experiences psychological episodes that cause self harm or sudden aggression, requiring Alan to calm and protect him.

“He wants so much to connect with people,” Alan said. “That’s why these small interactions matter.”

Traveling With a Gluten Free Diet in Vietnam

Food is one of Joey’s comforts. He loves rice — especially fried rice — which makes most Asian countries more accessible. But keeping him gluten free is challenging, as soy sauce, oyster sauce and soup powders used in Vietnamese cooking often contain wheat.

Still, Alan said most restaurants were accommodating and adaptable when he explained their needs. Joey fell in love with Vietnamese spring rolls.

“Give us rice, and we can survive anywhere,” Alan joked.

A Viral Moment Changing Perceptions of Inclusive Travel

Vietnam has earned repeated recognition from Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler as one of the friendliest countries in the world. The reaction to Joey has reinforced that image and sparked conversation globally.

Parents of children with Down syndrome from Europe, the United States and Asia responded under the viral video, saying the moment inspired them to consider traveling internationally again — and to put Vietnam on their shortlist.

For disability advocates, the video is a reminder that inclusivity is not only about accessibility infrastructure but also about human attitude.

“These children showed empathy without needing a single word,” one social media user wrote.

They Plan to Return — With a Mission

Alan and Joey’s visas are valid until June next year, but they already intend to return sooner.

Most of all, Alan hopes to revisit the school where the children greeted Joey. He wants them to understand just how much their small act meant:

“It wasn’t just a hug. It was a message — that my son belongs. Vietnam showed us compassion without language. We will absolutely come back.”

From 10 December 2025, Australia is the first country that officially bans users aged under 16 from owning a social media account. RMIT experts offer psychological and cyber security insights on the potential implications of a similar ban in Vietnam.

Why ban social media for under-16s?

Social media has been identified as one of the factors contributing to declining youth mental health and wellbeing, disrupted sleep, and reduced attention span. Meanwhile, children are spending less time in free play with friends or exploring nature, limiting their opportunities for real-world learning and development. Because the brain undergoes restructuring during adolescence, excessive and repeated experiences on social media may have lasting effects. 

Ms Vu Bich Phuong, RMIT Psychology Associate Lecturer, acknowledges Australia’s initiative. “This bold move shows Australia’s determination in tackling risks and subtle cyber crimes against children. The social media ban also suggests a share in responsibility that not only parents but tech giants should also be responsible”. 

Ms Phuong suggests that, while traditional forms of media entertainment like film and television are carefully monitored, censored, and age-regulated, social media – which feeds more directly and is freely created by anyone – has not received the same legal oversight. “Australia’s social media ban implies that all forms of media should be treated the same in terms of psychological and legal consequences,” she says.

Banning social media may not solve the root problems

Vietnam can consider this option. However, enforcement of such a ban is not simple, and parental supervision is still crucial. 

“We can look around and see Vietnamese children watching TikTok or Facebook reels from their parents’ or grandparents’ smartphones. They don’t need their own account to use social media,” Ms Phuong stresses. “Owning an account and passively viewing social media contents are different. Many platforms have public content that does not require logging in for viewing.”

Gender equity is another issue. While teenage girls often engage with “classic” social networks like Instagram and TikTok, teenage boys spend more time playing multiplayer games with online friends.

“In a real sense, gaming platforms can function like social networks for boys – they’re just focused on a shared online activity, rather than on the social connection itself,” notes Dr Gordon Ingram, RMIT Senior Lecturer in Psychology. Banning social networks but not online gaming thus creates gender equity issues, which could seem very unfair to girls.

“The ban may also drive teens to migrate to other text messaging and gaming platforms, like WhatsApp, Discord, and Roblox, or use VPNs to mask their location”, says Dr Jeff Nijsse, RMIT Senior Lecturer in Software Engineering. While VPNs can mask IP addresses, they may also break the geo-neighborhood algorithms, isolate users from their local peer groups, and serve them irrelevant content from foreign regions. Free VPN apps may introduce even more risks such as malware.

Another problem raised by Dr Nijsse is junk SIM cards. Vietnam requires all social media accounts to be verified via a mobile number. However, junk SIMs remain available on the local market, offering a potential workaround for users seeking to bypass verification.

Without government IDs, platforms are turning to facial age estimation, but this technology is still immature. The Australian government’s own trials revealed that their AI models struggle to correctly identify the 13-16 age demographic. 

“Compounding this is a data privacy paradox: privacy laws limit the collection of children’s biometric data, preventing AI models from being trained effectively on adolescent faces,” Dr Nijsse points out. “Relying on facial estimation risks a high rate of false positives or false negatives, potentially blocking adults or wrongly admitting children.”

Are there more sustainable strategies?

Given the problems with implementing a social media ban, many experts consider that a “digital safety” approach can be much more effective. The digital safety approach centres on educating children and parents about online risks, so that kids can be more aware of the dangers, and parents can better understand what their kids are doing with technology. But it is more than just digital literacy education. 

“Digital safety also means advocating for tech companies to build more safety features into their apps and algorithms, and for researchers and designers to take young people’s own perspectives and activities more into account,” explains Dr Ingram. “That can help create a safer, more inclusive internet that better aligns with children’s needs and protects their vulnerabilities.”

The OECD-recommended “four pillars” of the digital safety approach – digital literacy training for both young people and their parents, regulation for safer technology, and child-centred design – could form the basis of an approach to social media in Vietnam that is more effective, equitable and sustainable than an outright ban. 

Important strides have already been made in these areas. The first national program to protect Vietnamese children in cyber environments was approved by the Vietnamese Prime Minister in 2021. In early 2025, an online training program on internet safety was launched for youth, which was well received by more than 11,000 children. For the next period 2026-2030, youth’s feedback and suggestions were recently collected to help refine the program and make it more relevant to their ever-evolving online activities. 

However, more can be done in the future. Digital literacy training for adults (including parents, other caregivers, and teachers) may be an area that is lacking. According to Dr Ingram, “Vietnamese parents need to be more aware of what their children are doing online, have meaningful conversations with them about their activities, and learn about digital safety tools available to block harmful content, limit screen time, and prevent online contact by strangers.” 

Rather than banning social media completely, a better use of regulation is to make tech companies comply with creating a safer online environment for children and young people. For example, they should make reporting functions more visible and easier to use, and provide child-safe settings with active content moderation. “This is particularly important as young people’s use of AI tools will also explode over the next few years,” Ms Phuong stresses.

The world’s first social media ban for children is now enforced, but more actions are needed. Media literacy, parental supervision, big tech compliance, and child-centred design are critical in providing a safe environment for young people. Only then can they sustainably benefit from one of the most influential technologies of the 21st century.

ENDS

A fatal collision on the Đà Nẵng – Quảng Ngãi expressway that left four passengers dead and seven injured has been linked to driver fatigue, non compliance with seatbelt rules and drug use by one of the drivers, according to Vietnam’s Traffic Police Department.

Authorities say the crash, which occurred early on December 9, highlights persistent road safety challenges on Vietnam’s expanding expressway network.

Passenger Van Driver Drove Nonstop for Five Hours

Police have identified Phạm Văn Kiều as the driver of the 16 seat passenger van involved in the collision. Kiều had reportedly been driving continuously for five hours, exceeding Vietnam’s legal driving time limit for commercial operators.

Before the accident, he had driven a long route starting in Lâm Đồng Province, passing through Khánh Hòa and continuing north toward Đà Nẵng.

At 4:12 AM, his vehicle collided with a tractor trailer traveling ahead of it on the same expressway.

Investigators found that neither the driver nor the passengers were wearing seatbelts — a factor that significantly worsened the impact.

Officials say the force of the collision hurled two passengers from the rear seats forward, causing fatal head and neck trauma. Another passenger also suffered multiple critical injuries and later died in hospital.

“The case shows that wearing seatbelts is as essential in cars as helmets are on motorbikes,” a Traffic Police Department spokesperson said.

Truck Driver Tested Positive for Drugs

The second vehicle involved, a truck and semitrailer driven by Bùi Mạnh Thắng, also contributed to concerns. Thắng tested positive for narcotics, police confirmed, though further investigation is needed to determine his role in the crash and whether impairment was a direct factor.

Both vehicles were severely damaged.

Investigation Underway Into Causes and Liability

Police are now examining:

• driver fatigue

• compliance with rest time regulations

• potential speeding

• lighting and visibility conditions at the time of the crash

• the confirmed drug use by the truck driver

The Đà Nẵng – Quảng Ngãi expressway, part of Vietnam’s national north–south transport corridor, has seen rising traffic volumes as logistics and tourism expand, increasing scrutiny on safety standards.

Authorities say they will release additional findings once the investigation progresses.

Emergency crews in Hanoi rescued an eleven year old boy who fell from a high floor of the Hồ Gươm Plaza apartment complex onto the roof of a supermarket below, authorities confirmed late Monday.

The dramatic rescue operation took place in Hà Đông District on December 9, prompting a large response from the city’s Fire and Rescue Police.

Multiple Fire Units Deployed Within Minutes

At 16:44, Hanoi’s emergency command center received calls from residents reporting that a child had fallen from the building. Police dispatched:

• one rescue truck

• one ladder truck

• two firefighting vehicles

• officers from Rescue Teams 4 and 15

When crews reached the scene, they found the boy conscious but unable to move, suffering fractures to both an arm and a leg.

Rescue teams provided first aid on the supermarket’s metal roof, splinting the injured limbs before using a ladder truck to lower the boy to ground level.

Authorities did not disclose how far the child had fallen or the circumstances leading to the incident, which remain under investigation.

Urban Child Safety Under Spotlight

The case again raises concerns about child safety in high rise residential complexes, which have rapidly proliferated across Hanoi and other Vietnamese cities. Incidents involving unsupervised children and unsecured balcony areas occasionally surface, prompting calls for stricter building safety compliance and parental awareness campaigns.

The boy has been transferred to a nearby hospital for further treatment.

Vietnam Insider will update readers as new details become available.

Hanoi police have arrested a twenty six year old man accused of ordering an assault inside a café in one of the capital’s busiest residential complexes. The case has drawn public attention in Vietnam, where growing concerns over youth violence and organized intimidation have put added pressure on law enforcement.

The suspect, Nguyễn Văn Thiên, has been charged with disturbing public order and was taken into pre trial detention this week, according to the Hanoi Police Department.

Employee Attacked After Asking Customers Not to Smoke Indoors

The incident took place on September 17 at Góc Quán, a café inside the Times City urban development in Vĩnh Tuy Ward.

Police say Nguyễn Long Vũ, age twenty two, assaulted a café employee identified as N.M.Đ., age twenty seven, after the staff member asked the group to stop smoking indoors. Vũ allegedly slapped and punched the employee in the face, knocking him to the floor.

Vũ was arrested two days later on charges of disturbing public order.

Investigation Reveals a Director Level Figure Orchestrated the Attack

During the investigation, police uncovered evidence suggesting that Thiên instructed Vũ to strike the employee, elevating the case from a spontaneous altercation to an organized act of intimidation.

Thiên, who online sources had previously portrayed as a “tổng tài” or self styled young business executive, was formally charged and taken into custody on December 4.

Authorities did not provide details about the nature of Thiên’s business activities or his relationship to Vũ, but noted that the case remains open as investigators continue gathering evidence.

Broader Context: Public Order Crackdowns in Urban Vietnam

The arrest comes as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City step up enforcement against disorderly conduct in nightlife areas, residential complexes and commercial centers. Incidents involving influencers or self proclaimed businessmen have increasingly surfaced on social media, prompting calls for stricter accountability.

Police say they are continuing to review surveillance footage, witness statements and digital communications to determine whether additional individuals will face charges.