Hanoi set to turn sharply colder from December 3 as a powerful northeast monsoon hits, bringing heavy rain, mountain frost risk, and dangerous marine conditions across the region.
Northern Vietnam is preparing for one of the season’s strongest cold-air outbreaks, a weather shift that will send temperatures plunging, intensify monsoon winds, and trigger several days of widespread rainfall. The event underscores how increasingly volatile winter patterns are reshaping climate risks across Southeast Asia — from urban cold stress to agricultural damage and maritime hazards.
According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF), a major cold front is moving rapidly southward from China and is expected to reach Vietnam early December 3. By dawn, the surge will sweep into the Northeast, North Central, and parts of the Northwest, before spreading across the entire northern highlands and parts of Central Vietnam.
From the night of December 3, the North and North Central Coast will turn cold throughout the day, with low temperatures of 15–18°C in lowland areas. Mountain zones will fall to 13–15°C, and high-elevation regions — such as Sa Pa, Mau Son, and Ha Giang’s peaks — may dip below 11°C, marking some of the coldest readings so far this winter. Hanoi will feel a clear temperature drop on the night of December 3, with lows hovering between 15–18°C.
At sea, the northeast monsoon will strengthen significantly. In the Gulf of Tonkin, winds will reach Force 6–7, with gusts up to Force 8, generating waves of 2–4 meters and hazardous conditions for fishing vessels. Northern areas of the East Sea (South China Sea) will see even stronger winds of Force 6–7, gusting 8–9, and waves up to 5 meters. By afternoon, rough seas will extend southward toward waters off Quang Tri–Thua Thien Hue and northern sections of the central East Sea.
The cold surge will also coincide with remnants of Typhoon 15, whose weakened low-pressure system and upper-level easterly disturbances will produce moderate to heavy rainfall from December 2 to 5. Areas most affected include Quang Tri to Da Nang, the eastern districts from Quang Ngai to Dak Lak, and parts of Khanh Hoa.
Forecasters warn that the combination of cold, rain, and strong winds could impact livestock, crops, and transportation, while increasing the risks of flash floods, landslides, and urban inundation in vulnerable mountain and low-lying regions. At sea, large waves and high winds pose significant dangers to nearshore and offshore vessels.
As Vietnam heads deeper into winter, the approaching cold surge is a reminder of the shifting monsoon dynamics affecting the region — and the growing need for climate preparedness across agriculture, infrastructure, and coastal communities.
The emotional reunion, bridging the U.S. and West Africa, shows how social media is reshaping family discovery, diaspora identity, and long-lost connections worldwide.
When 27-year-old American content creator Queen Soulara Kadija Tall opened her birth certificate last July, she expected paperwork — not a revelation that would rewrite her identity. Raised in Atlanta by her mother and two sisters, she never knew her father’s name. Questions about him were always met with silence. For most of her life, “growing up with only a mom” felt normal.
But one entry on that certificate — Mountaga Tall, age 69 — set off a chain of events powered by DNA testing, Facebook communities, and strangers halfway around the world. Her DNA results revealed Guinean ancestry, confirming that the man she had never met was from West Africa. With nothing but his name, Queen Kadija turned to Facebook and posted a plea for help.
A group of volunteer genealogists known as “search angels” quickly mobilized, tracing addresses and digital footprints. One address even matched a neighborhood near her partner’s home in Atlanta, but when she knocked on the door, her father was long gone. Undeterred, she posted again in a women’s Facebook group:
“I am begging from the bottom of my heart — please help me find my father.”
Within 24 hours, two men contacted her claiming to be cousins. They were real — and they connected her to her father.
On July 30, 2025, a WhatsApp call lit up her phone. When she answered, she heard a voice she had only imagined:
“Kadija, thank God. I prayed for this.”
Her father was calling from Guinea, where he had lived since being deported from the U.S. in 2005 — when she was just seven years old. Their separation wasn’t abandonment, but the result of immigration enforcement that abruptly severed ties. For the first time, he told her stories about her childhood, family memories, and the life she never knew she had.
Queen Kadija broke down crying. She had endured a painful childhood marked by depression and thoughts of hopelessness. Hearing her father’s voice, she said, “felt like all the darkness lifted.” The two now speak every day, and Mountaga has stepped into her life as a full, supportive parent from afar.
“When I saw her picture, I knew immediately — that’s my daughter,” he said. “I prayed every day she would find me.”
Now, nearly 20 years after they were torn apart, Queen Kadija is planning a trip to Guinea to meet her father for the first time. What began as a simple Facebook post has become a story of diaspora reconnection, digital-age kinship, and the power of community-driven searches.
For the young woman who once thought she had no father, the discovery has filled a lifetime void.
“Now that he is in my life, I feel whole. Thank God,” she said.
Her journey — from unanswered questions to an international reunion — is a reminder of how technology is transforming not just how we communicate, but how families find their way back to one another across continents and decades.
Vingroup-led surge lifts the benchmark above a key psychological level, while global funds cite earnings momentum and an imminent market upgrade as catalysts for a multi-year bull cycle.
Vietnam’s stock market kicked off December with a decisive move: the VN-Index climbed nearly 11 points to 1,701.67, reclaiming the 1,700 threshold for the first time in more than a month. The breakout comes after a turbulent November and lands at a moment when global investors are reassessing emerging-market allocations amid cooling inflation and the prospect of lower U.S. interest rates.
The index stayed in the green from the opening bell, powered overwhelmingly by large-cap stocks — especially those tied to Vingroup, Vietnam’s largest private conglomerate. Liquidity, however, remained modest at 18.5 trillion VND, reflecting a cautious tone among domestic traders and a market still dependent on a narrow set of leaders.
VIC, the flagship Vingroup stock, was the day’s dominant driver, contributing 8.25 index points on its own. VPL and VHM, two additional Vingroup affiliates, added another 2.67 and 2.59 points respectively, with VPL hitting its ceiling price and VHM rising 2.7%. The rally was reinforced by strong performances in GEE and GAS, while other blue chips such as SAB, MSN, VNM, VRE, and SHB also provided upward momentum.
Not all sectors participated. KSV exerted the strongest downward drag, subtracting 1.54 points, and banks like TCB and CTG alongside HVN and GVR posted mild declines — though none were enough to offset the index’s overall surge.
Analysts say it is too early to declare the start of a new bull run given subdued liquidity, but the broad participation across sectors marks an encouraging shift after weeks of choppy, low-conviction trading. And optimism is building: in a recent outlook, Dragon Capital said Vietnam’s corporate earnings are on track for 21.3% growth in 2025 and 16.2% in 2026, with valuations still compelling at 12.5–13x forward P/E for 2025 — cheaper than many regional peers.
Longer term, Vietnam’s expected upgrade from frontier to emerging market status could unleash a wave of international capital, triggering a valuation re-rating and deepening liquidity. In a bold call, PYN Elite Fund manager Petri Deryng recently lifted his VN-Index target to 3,200 by 2028, assuming earnings growth of 18–20% annually and a supportive macro policy environment.
For now, investors will watch whether the VN-Index can hold above 1,700 — a level that has repeatedly acted as both a ceiling and a sentiment barometer. The next sessions will test whether Vietnam’s rally can broaden beyond Vingroup’s magnetic pull and evolve into a market-wide upswing.
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Sự kiện được phát động không chỉ để tuyên truyền, tôn vinh những thành tựu của ngành Giáo dục & Đào tạo TP.HCM trong 50 năm, mà còn đánh dấu cột mốc quan trọng trên hành trình đổi mới giáo dục TP.HCM nói riêng và cả nước nói chung, khi những giá trị của thể dục, thể thao được nâng cao trong giáo dục học đường.
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Ông Nguyễn Văn Hiếu, Giám đốc Sở Giáo dục và Đào tạo TP.HCM phát biểu khai mạcTiết mục Tinh Hoa Võ Việt do các vận động viên chuyên nghiệp thực hiện.Màn xếp thành hình Quốc kỳ Việt Nam trên nền nhạc Giai Điệu Tự Hào.
Ông Nguyễn Văn Hiếu, Giám đốc Sở Giáo dục & Đào tạo TP.HCM chia sẻ: “Nhân dịp chào mừng 50 năm đổi mới giáo dục TP.HCM, Sở Giáo dục & Đào tạo phối hợp cùng các đơn vị và nhà trường triển khai chương trình đồng diễn võ nhạc Vovinam, với mong muốn các em học sinh được trở thành một phần ý nghĩa trong hành trình xác lập kỷ lục kép Việt Nam và thế giới. Thời gian qua, tập luyện cùng nhau đã giúp các em thêm gắn kết, hình thành thói quen rèn luyện thể chất thường xuyên và nuôi dưỡng lòng tự hào dân tộc. Trên hành trình này, chúng tôi đánh giá cao sự chung tay của nhãn hàng Nestlé MILO, không chỉ với vai trò nhà tài trợ và đối tác đồng hành chiến lược của chương trình lần này, mà còn cho phong trào thể thao học đường của TP.HCM suốt nhiều năm qua.”
Đồng diễn Vovinam 60.000 học sinh chính thức xác lập kỷ lục kép Việt Nam và thế giới.Đồng diễn Vovinam 60.000 học sinh chính thức xác lập kỷ lục kép Việt Nam và thế giới.
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Kết thúc chương trình đồng diễn võ nhạc Vovinam, 2.000 học sinh TP.HCM tham gia giải chạy EduRun.
As global manufacturers continue to diversify supply chains beyond China, Southeast Asia has emerged as a central pillar of industrial relocation. Within the region, Vietnam and Malaysia are often compared as alternative manufacturing destinations. However, such comparisons can be misleading. While both countries are deeply integrated into global trade, they represent two structurally different manufacturing models, each optimized for distinct production requirements.
By 2025, Vietnam and Malaysia play complementary, rather than competing, roles in regional supply chains. Understanding these differences is increasingly important for industrial buyers and sourcing professionals designing long-term, resilient manufacturing strategies.
Trade Scale: Volume versus Density
Vietnam’s manufacturing model is anchored in scale. In 2025, the country’s total import–export turnover surpassed USD 900 billion for the first time, with full-year projections approaching USD 920 billion, according to Vietnam Customs under the Ministry of Finance. This milestone places Vietnam among the world’s top 25 economies by trade value, reflecting nearly two decades of export-led industrial growth since joining the World Trade Organization in 2007.
Malaysia operates at a smaller absolute scale but with higher trade density relative to its population. On a year-to-date basis in 2025, Malaysia’s total trade reached approximately RM2.77 trillion, equivalent to USD 590–600 billion, according to Malaysia’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) and the Department of Statistics Malaysia.
To ground these trade figures in operational reality, the accompanying factory tour video offers a visual reference of how Malaysia’s capital-intensive manufacturing model translates onto the shop floor, particularly in precision-driven and technology-led production environments.
Measured purely by headline trade volume, Vietnam is now significantly larger. However, Malaysia’s trade profile is more concentrated in capital-intensive and technology-driven manufacturing.
Manufacturing Structure: Labor-Led vs. Capital-Intensive
Manufacturing contributes roughly 25 percent of Vietnam’s GDP, supported by sustained foreign direct investment and rapid industrial park expansion across northern, southern, and central regions (World Bank). Manufactured goods account for over 85 percent of Vietnam’s exports, led by electronics, furniture, textiles, footwear, machinery, and consumer products (General Statistics Office of Vietnam; UN Comtrade).
Vietnam’s competitive advantages lie in labor availability, cost efficiency, and production scalability. These factors enable high-volume manufacturing with relatively flexible minimum order quantities, making the country particularly attractive for export-oriented production serving the U.S. and European markets.
Malaysia’s manufacturing sector contributes approximately 23 percent of GDP, a share that has remained stable over the past decade (World Bank). More than 85 percent of Malaysia’s exports are manufactured goods, with electrical and electronics (E&E) products accounting for around 40 percent of export value (UN Comtrade; Malaysian Investment Development Authority – MIDA).
Rather than expanding through labor growth, Malaysia’s manufacturing base has evolved through automation, engineering capability, and process optimization, particularly in semiconductor, medical device, and automotive supply chains concentrated in Penang, Selangor, and Johor.
Factory Capability: Scale Efficiency vs. Process Discipline
At the factory level, the structural differences become more pronounced.
Vietnamese manufacturing excels in high-volume production, particularly for labor-intensive and mid-complexity products. Over the past decade, quality systems and export compliance have improved significantly, driven by multinational investment and exposure to global buyers. However, advanced engineering capabilities and capital intensity remain uneven across sectors.
In contrast, Malaysian factories are typically more automated, engineering-led, and compliance-oriented. Stronger in-house capabilities in CNC machining, injection molding, mold design, and regulated manufacturing support production for industries where defect tolerance is low and audit readiness is critical.
As a result, Vietnam is optimized for throughput and cost efficiency, while Malaysia is better positioned for low-to-mid volume, high-value manufacturing where technical complexity and consistency outweigh unit cost considerations.
To ground these differences beyond macroeconomic data, factory walkthroughs in Malaysia reveal controlled production environments, process discipline, and technical depth that illustrate how industrial maturity translates into operational reality on the factory floor.
Cost Structure and Workforce Dynamics
Vietnam continues to offer lower average labor costs than Malaysia, supported by a larger and younger workforce. This labor availability underpins Vietnam’s ability to scale production rapidly across multiple industries, even amid rising wages.
Malaysia’s labor costs are higher, and its manufacturing sector relies more heavily on foreign labor, particularly in industrial and precision roles. However, higher wages are partially offset by higher productivity, automation, and lower rework rates, especially in technically demanding sectors.
For buyers, Vietnam offers cost efficiency through scale, while Malaysia offers cost predictability through process stability.
Vietnam vs. Malaysia: Manufacturing Recap 2025
By 2025, Vietnam operates at a substantially larger trade and production scale than Malaysia. At the same time, Malaysia maintains a higher concentration of capital-intensive and technology-driven manufacturing relative to its economic size.
This distinction explains why the two countries are increasingly deployed together rather than positioned as direct substitutes. Multinational manufacturers commonly assign high-volume, cost-sensitive production to Vietnam, while retaining technically complex, compliance-intensive, or precision-driven manufacturing in Malaysia.
Rather than converging, the two manufacturing systems are evolving into complementary roles within Southeast Asia’s industrial landscape.
For industrial buyers evaluating Vietnam and Malaysia in 2026, the decision is less about choosing a location and more about aligning with the right manufacturing structure.
Vietnam is best suited for scale-driven production where volume, cost efficiency, and speed are decisive. Malaysia offers advantages in precision manufacturing, technical depth, and regulatory compliance, making it more appropriate for complex or high-spec products.
Increasingly, leading manufacturers are adopting dual-country sourcing strategies, leveraging Vietnam for scale while assigning high-value or technically demanding components to Malaysia. This approach reflects a broader shift toward supply chain resilience based on structural diversification rather than cost minimization alone.
Police in Tien Hung Commune, Hung Yen Province, are verifying the identity and background of Nguyen Xuan Dat, born in 1989, who is believed to be connected to an online document circulating under the name “88 Page Document.” The file contains instructions encouraging violence and is being widely condemned as extremely dangerous.
On 29 November, Tien Hung Commune Police issued an urgent public warning about harmful materials spreading on social media. Authorities said several documents including the so called “88 Page Document” contain content that promotes violence, provides instructions that could aid criminal acts and incites fear among the public.
Police emphasized that these materials are illegal and pose serious risks. Residents were urged not to share or forward the document under any circumstances. Anyone who receives it should delete it immediately.
Authorities asked the public to report any accounts or individuals distributing such content to local police or relevant agencies. Parents were also advised to closely monitor their children’s social media use and guide them away from harmful information. Officials stressed that possessing, sharing or disseminating violent or criminal content may result in administrative penalties or criminal prosecution.
In a related development, Tien Hung Commune Police are working to verify information regarding Nguyen Xuan Dat, who has been mentioned online as one of the figures referenced in the “88 Page Document.” Local authorities confirmed that Dat has not been present in the area for a long period of time and his current whereabouts are unclear.
The investigation remains ongoing as police work to track the source of the document and prevent further harmful circulation.
In recent days, social media has been filled with videos and photos of flood hit families unboxing relief packages. For many residents in the former Phu Yen area now part of Dak Lak opening the boxes felt both exciting and emotional, almost like opening a “mystery bag.”
These special packages were donated by residents of Hue a city that has itself endured multiple floods this season. Locals call them “compassion boxes” sturdy 90 liter plastic containers praised online for being practical, economical, and thoughtfully prepared.
Communities Delighted as Social Media Floods with Heartwarming Clips
Instead of the usual sacks or thin plastic bags, the donations were neatly arranged in sealed plastic boxes that protected items from moisture while traveling into deeply flooded areas.
Videos showing families unsealing the boxes have gone viral. People opened them with anticipation revealing tightly packed essentials. One flood victim captured her moment of surprise and gratitude as she lifted items from the box which included rice, cooking oil, a flashlight and even a container of seasoned dried fish. “This box could feed a person for 3 months,” she exclaimed.
Social media users showered Hue residents with compliments. One recipient wrote “This is the most complete and warm hearted gift I have ever received. I bow my head in thanks to everyone who cared for my hometown.”
Hundreds of comments echoed the appreciation “Hue has just survived heavy flooding yet they still share what they have. The packing is so thoughtful waterproof neat and reusable. Only someone who has lived through floods could understand what people really need.”
Each box contains slightly different items but most hold essential supplies. Many commenters noted that the box itself could serve as a “lifesaver” during future floods.
A Practical Idea Born from Lived Experience
According to Nhat Hoang leader of the Hue based SOS 75 volunteer team thousands of these plastic relief boxes were sent out during the latest flooding carrying more than 250 tons of essential goods. Additionally about 1.3 billion dong in cash donations is being delivered directly to affected families.
Each relief box weighs about 20 kilograms and typically includes rice instant noodles medicine flashlights cooking oil fish sauce and other essential items.
The idea emerged from observing that many flood affected households lack elevated dry space to store food. A waterproof plastic box helps protect supplies during days of isolation. When the flood recedes and families face severe losses the durable 90 liter box becomes valuable for storing clean water or daily essentials.
SOS 75 has maintained this method since 2022. “People are genuinely happy to receive these boxes,” Hoang said. “They may seem small but they are useful and will stay with families for years. When Hue suffered the whole country helped. Now when others face flooding we share what we can.”
A 60 year old Russian visitor died after being pulled out by strong rip currents while swimming off Mui Ne Beach on 29 November, despite rapid rescue efforts by lifeguards and watercraft operators.
According to initial reports, three tourists entered the water along the resort strip in Mui Ne in the morning. They were suddenly caught by strong currents that dragged them away from shore. Rescue staff and jet ski operators noticed the emergency and rushed to the scene using rescue boards and watercraft.
Two Vietnamese tourists were brought safely back to shore. The Russian man, identified as C.A., was carried farther out by the current and submerged before rescuers could reach him. He was eventually pulled from the water, given immediate first aid on the beach, and transported to a hospital but did not survive.
Local authorities said the weather at the time was sunny and waves were moderate, but strong rip currents were present, likely intensified by Storm 15 passing through the region. These invisible channels of fast moving water can quickly sweep swimmers outside safe zones even when the surface conditions appear calm.
Lifeguards and beach operators said they had repeatedly blown whistles and used loudspeakers to warn swimmers who ventured too far, but some visitors continued to ignore the warnings.
Authorities have secured the scene, interviewed rescuers and witnesses, and are coordinating with Russian consular officials and the victim’s family on post incident procedures and repatriation.
Mui Ne, a major beach destination in southern Vietnam, draws thousands of international tourists each year. Officials are urging visitors to follow safety instructions closely during the storm season when rip currents become more unpredictable.
Ho Chi Minh City recorded a surprisingly cool 19°C on the morning of 28 November, marking the lowest temperature of the current cool season and an unusually early cold spell for southern Vietnam. Meteorologists expect the cold conditions to continue until at least 3 December, although temperatures may increase slightly as the current surge of cold air weakens.
Across the southern region, the lowest readings reached 16.6°C at Phuoc Long in Binh Phuoc and 17.5°C at Ta Lai in Dong Nai. In the Mekong Delta, the lowest values stayed above 20°C, with stations in Can Long and Cao Lanh both recording 20.7°C.
Meteorologist Le Thi Xuan Lan noted that temperatures of 19°C or 20°C do appear in Ho Chi Minh City but usually in late December. Experiencing this level of cold in November is rare. She explained that the city is seeing an early winter by about 1 month, and the number of consecutive cold days is also unusual.
Experts attribute the early chill to the current La Nina phase, which strengthens cold air surges from the north and pushes them deeper into southern Vietnam. Climate change is also increasing the unpredictability of seasonal weather. Since early November, 4 separate cold fronts have reached southern Vietnam, a pattern seldom observed.
Despite today’s cool temperatures, the current 19°C reading is far from the city’s coldest on record. In 1999, during a strong La Nina year, Ho Chi Minh City dropped to 14.6°C. The lowest temperature ever measured was 13°C in 1975. Some inland areas such as Phuoc Long often record temperatures 2 to 3 degrees lower than the southern regional average.
Meteorologists say the coming weeks may bring further cooling but are unlikely to break the historical records. Even so, the early cold spell highlights how shifting climate patterns are reshaping the weather of tropical cities across Southeast Asia.
One of Vietnam’s most recognisable beauty clinic chains has been swept into a major criminal investigation, with its husband and wife owners voluntarily handing over three hundred billion dong in compensation along with luxury cars, land titles and gold bars as police uncover a nationwide cosmetics smuggling network.
The Ministry of Public Security confirmed that Phan Thi Mai, director of Mailisa Beauty Clinic, and her husband Hoang Kim Khanh have been arrested along with seven others on charges linked to large scale smuggling and illegal distribution of cosmetic products. Investigators say the couple built a sophisticated shadow supply chain that presented cheap goods from China as premium Hong Kong made skincare, allowing the brand to expand into seventeen branches across the country and sell more than eight million items under the Doctor Magic label.
According to police, three core items alone the M01 pigment removal cream, the M03 brightening cream and the M23 BB Nano sunscreen accounted for more than three million boxes, generating illicit profits worth thousands of billions of dong. The products, manufactured in Guangzhou for as little as thirty thousand to one hundred fifty thousand dong each, were allegedly repackaged with high end branding, promoted through heavy advertising and endorsed by the couple’s lavish public lifestyle.
Authorities say the goods were shipped through Hong Kong using two shell companies controlled by the couple and several Chinese associates. Fake international invoices were used to certify the products as Hong Kong made before they were imported into Vietnam through a company owned by Mr Khanh. Paperwork was then legalised through fraudulent documents submitted to the Drug Administration of Vietnam. In total, one hundred sixty two cosmetic items reached the market at prices many times higher than their production cost.
The Drug Administration has now recalled all one hundred sixty two products and issued a public warning urging consumers to stop using them due to possible risks of allergic reactions and skin infections.
The case has exposed a troubling convergence of aggressive marketing, regulatory loopholes and consumer trust in premium foreign cosmetics. Mailisa’s official Facebook page, with more than two point eight million followers, announced a temporary shutdown and apologised to customers as the investigation intensifies.
Investigators have already seized three billion dong in cash, four hundred thousand US dollars, three hundred taels of SJC gold and one hundred land titles. In addition, the couple voluntarily submitted three hundred billion dong in restitution and handed over registration papers for twelve supercars along with other valuable assets to support the ongoing probe.
The Mailisa scandal has quickly become one of the most high profile consumer product fraud cases in recent years, raising wider concerns about supply chain integrity and oversight in Vietnam’s booming beauty and wellness industry.
Hong Kong has entered a rare three day period of mourning after a high rise fire killed at least one hundred twenty eight residents and left about two hundred others unaccounted for, marking the territory’s deadliest residential blaze in decades. Flags at government offices will remain at half staff until December one, and all non essential public events have been cancelled as the city confronts the scale of the tragedy.
Authorities announced that eight additional people have been arrested as part of the widening investigation. Those detained include two directors of a maintenance consultancy, two project managers responsible for site oversight, three subcontractors involved with scaffolding, and an intermediary. The arrests come on top of three construction company employees who were taken into custody earlier on suspicion of severe negligence resulting in death. All three had been released on bail pending further inquiries.
The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed, but early findings raise serious questions about building safety standards. Officials reported that the fire alarm system across all eight towers of the Hoang Phuc Uyen (Wang Fuk Court) complex did not activate during an inspection. Several survivors told CNN they never heard any alarm during the blaze.
Investigators believe the fire broke out on a lower floor of Tower Six before spreading rapidly. According to Hong Kong Secretary for Security Tang Ping Keung, highly flammable plastic panels placed near windows ignited and caused the glass to shatter, allowing flames to jump inside the building. Bamboo scaffolding and synthetic mesh wrapped around the exterior then fueled an even faster vertical spread.
Emergency teams, wearing protective suits to navigate hazardous conditions, continue to search for the missing. Volunteers and aid groups have set up distribution points to provide water, food, and temporary supplies for evacuated families.
A distribution point for essential goods on November 28 to support residents of a burning apartment building in Hong Kong Photo: REUTERS
The Hong Kong government has announced financial support for victims. Families who lost loved ones will receive about 25.700 US dollars. Other affected households will receive approximately 6.400 US dollars to cover basic living needs while recovery efforts continue.
The fire, which erupted on November twenty six, has become a national moment of reckoning over urban safety, construction oversight, and accountability in one of the world’s most densely populated cities. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and further arrests are possible as they work to determine how a residential block turned into a disaster on such a devastating scale.
Scientists say the H5 avian influenza strain poses a catastrophic global risk if it mutates to spread between humans — but stress that the current probability remains low.
A leading French research institute is warning that the world could face a pandemic more severe than Covid-19 if a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus gains the ability to spread efficiently between people. The alert comes as global health systems remain stretched from years of crisis, and as climate change, wildlife migration, and industrial farming increase opportunities for viral spillover.
Dr. Marie-Anne Rameix-Welti, medical director of the Center for Respiratory Infections at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, said her team is closely monitoring H5 avian flu strains circulating in wild birds, poultry, and mammals. “If a virus adapts to mammals — especially humans — and becomes capable of human-to-human transmission, that virus would be a pandemic virus,” she said.
The Pasteur Institute played a central role in the early Covid-19 response, creating one of the first diagnostic tests and sharing the protocol with the World Health Organization. Its latest warning arrives amid a wave of disruptive bird flu outbreaks that have led to the culling of hundreds of millions of poultry worldwide, distorting food supply chains and pushing up global prices.
While human infections remain rare, the dangers are significant. People typically have antibodies against common seasonal flu strains such as H1 and H3 — but not against H5 viruses, which infect birds and some mammals. Unlike Covid-19, which disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, the flu virus “can harm healthy people, including children,” Rameix-Welti noted.
The concerns follow several recent human cases linked to close contact with infected animals, including H5N1 in U.S. dairy cattle and the first H5N5 human case reported in Washington state this month, in which the patient — who had underlying health conditions — died. From 2003 to 2025, nearly 1,000 human cases of H5 infections have been reported globally, almost half of them fatal.
Even so, global health authorities urge caution, not panic. Dr. Gregorio Torres, chief scientist at the World Organization for Animal Health, said the probability of the virus evolving into a human-transmissible pandemic strain is “still very low.” He added: “You can still walk in the woods, eat chicken and eggs, and enjoy life.”
Researchers emphasize that the world is better positioned than it was in early 2020. Unlike Covid-19, vaccine candidates against H5 viruses already exist, manufacturing processes are well established, and antiviral stockpiles are available.
Still, the Pasteur Institute’s warning underscores a broader reality: as zoonotic risks rise, so must global preparedness. Whether the world can translate hard-won lessons from Covid-19 into faster, more coordinated action may determine how it confronts the next potential pandemic threat.
As historic flooding devastates central Vietnam, a traveler’s quiet act of generosity goes viral — highlighting how tourism can fuel unexpected cross-cultural solidarity.
A simple envelope left at a hotel reception desk has captured the attention of Vietnam’s online community and international travelers alike. Before boarding his flight home, German tourist Andreas Scholz donated VND 10 million (US$380) to support communities in central Vietnam hit by catastrophic floods — a gesture that reflects how deeply foreign visitors can connect with the country, especially during moments of crisis.
Scholz said he had been following news of the severe flooding — which killed at least 98 people and damaged hundreds of thousands of homes across coastal destinations such as Nha Trang, Quy Nhon, and Phu Yen. Seeing images of residents stranded on rooftops waiting for rescue, he felt compelled to act but didn’t know how to directly reach affected communities. In a handwritten letter to the owner of his hotel in Ha Long’s Tuan Chau Island, he wrote: “I felt like I was part of this country. I hope you can help me do something.”
Hotel owner Thanh Hai was surprised; the guest had never mentioned the floods during his three-day stay. After receiving the donation, she proposed using the money to buy rice for relief efforts, and Scholz agreed. Hai purchased 830 kilograms of rice and delivered it to a volunteer team on the tourist’s behalf — a gesture that quickly circulated on Vietnamese social media.
Many praised Scholz for caring about a crisis far removed from his own life. “It’s touching when visitors feel responsible for our hardships,” one commenter wrote. Others said his compassion reflected why Vietnam continues to hold a special place in the hearts of international travelers. Scholz, who often volunteers in Germany, simply said: “Many people need that money more than me.”
The German tourist first visited Vietnam in 2024, traveling across Sa Pa, Ninh Binh, Hue, Da Nang, and Hoi An. On his return trip in November 2025, he canceled plans to visit flood-hit Nha Trang and instead rerouted to Da Nang before ending his journey in Ha Long.
As Vietnam’s south-central coast struggles with one of its worst floods in decades, the story offers a rare moment of hope — a reminder that even small acts of kindness by visitors can strengthen the human connections that define global travel.
Vietnam’s state telecom giant accelerates divestment under its restructuring mandate, offering a rare large-scale banking stake to both local and foreign investors.
Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) is preparing to sell its entire shareholding in Maritime Bank (MSB), marking one of Vietnam’s most significant state-led divestments in the banking sector this year. The move reflects Hanoi’s broader push to streamline state-owned enterprises, improve capital efficiency, and attract deeper private and foreign participation in the country’s financial system.
VNPT plans to auction 188.7 million MSB shares — equivalent to just over 6% of the bank’s charter capital — on December 26, in compliance with the Prime Minister’s restructuring directive requiring the group to fully or partially exit 26 subsidiaries by year-end. The starting price is set at 18,239 VND per share, roughly 1.4 times MSB’s current trading price, placing the minimum proceeds at approximately 3,440 billion VND (about US$140 million). Both domestic and international investors will be allowed to participate.
The telecom conglomerate currently holds 157 million MSB shares on its 2024 financial statements, valued at 1,832 billion VND, compared with an original cost of just 580 billion VND — illustrating the substantial capital gains locked in the upcoming sale. VNPT’s stake increased this year due to MSB’s 20% stock dividend, even though the cost basis remained unchanged.
VNPT has been a founding shareholder of MSB — formerly Maritime Bank — since its establishment in 1991 and has attempted several times over the past decade to divest. The upcoming auction is seen as the group’s most decisive step yet toward fulfilling its SOE restructuring obligations.
MSB continues to show strong financial performance, reporting 4,760 billion VND in pre-tax profit in the first nine months of 2025 and expanding total assets to 356 trillion VND, up 11% from last year. The divestment will open the door for strategic investors seeking exposure to Vietnam’s rapidly evolving banking sector, where consolidation, digital transformation, and Basel III adoption are accelerating.
As Vietnam deepens its commitment to SOE reform, the sale raises a broader question for the market: will major divestments like VNPT–MSB unlock fresh liquidity and foreign inflows — or will premium pricing test investor appetite in a turbulent global rate environment?
A flock of 10 ducks appeared on the beach of a well known five star resort in Nha Trang, with residents believing they were swept out to sea by the historic floods earlier this month and managed to swim more than three kilometers before drifting ashore.
On Nov. 26, photos of the ducks strolling along the resort’s beachfront went viral on Facebook alongside the caption “In hardship, miracles happen.” The post said the ducks likely belonged to local households but were carried away as floodwaters rose rapidly and currents strengthened.
The images drew widespread attention and hundreds of comments, with many social media users hoping the animals would be allowed to live freely. “They are adorable. I hope no one catches them and lets them swim naturally,” one user wrote.
A representative for the resort confirmed the ducks’ presence and said staff are currently taking care of them.
Khánh Hòa Province was severely hit by the mid November floods, which left 22 people dead, destroyed or damaged more than 1,000 homes, and caused extensive losses to infrastructure and crops. Nearly 24,500 livestock and poultry were killed or swept away. Total damage is estimated at more than VND5 trillion.
Many households saw floodwaters rise one to three meters inside their homes, destroying valuable belongings and causing losses ranging from tens to hundreds of millions of dong.
The province has approved support packages including VND60 million for households whose homes were completely destroyed, VND30 million for those needing repairs, VND1 million per person for affected families, and VND500,000 per student from primary level onward.
Thousands of tons of essential goods, school supplies and clothing from across Vietnam have also been delivered to assist residents. Military and police units have been deployed to schools, clinics and homes to help clean up and support recovery efforts.
