Vietnam Insider

A 21-year-old woman in Can Tho was rushed to hospital in critical condition after being stabbed in the abdomen while selling bread at a local market. She was 36 weeks pregnant. Doctors performed an emergency cesarean section to save both her and her unborn child.

The attack occurred on the morning of 21 November at Phong Dien Market. Security footage shows a man, later identified as 23-year-old Ngo Hoang Phuong, approaching the vendor and stabbing her before fleeing. The victim’s husband and nearby vendors quickly intervened and helped detain Phuong until police arrived.

Authorities say Phuong has a criminal record, including two previous convictions for intentional injury, and had recently been released from prison in March. During questioning, he admitted that personal family issues motivated him to buy a knife and target the pregnant woman.

The mother was immediately taken to Can Tho Central General Hospital in shock and severe blood loss. Doctors stabilized her condition, performed the cesarean delivery, and treated her abdominal wound. The baby is now in the hospital’s neonatal unit under observation.

Police are holding Phuong for investigation. The case has shocked the local community, raising concerns about public safety in crowded markets.

This incident highlights both the risks faced by women in public spaces and the critical role of rapid medical response in saving lives during violent attacks.

Experts in Vietnam are raising concerns about how hydropower reservoirs are operated after a series of sudden water releases caused severe flooding in downstream communities during recent storms in central Vietnam. They say the problem does not come from extreme weather alone. It also comes from structural conflicts of interest, rigid operating rules, and large legal gaps in dam safety management.

Nguyen Quoc Dung, a leading water resources expert and Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Committee on Large Dams, says many hydropower reservoirs are operated at half full levels during storms. When heavy rain arrives faster than expected, operators are forced to release large volumes of water in a short time. This creates sudden surges that hit downstream areas with little warning.

He notes that many reservoirs have very limited flood control capacity. Some hold up to eight hundred million cubic meters of water but allocate less than ten percent of that volume for flood regulation. Operators want to keep water levels high to ensure power generation. Lowering the reservoir too early risks losing revenue if the expected rain does not arrive.

This creates hesitation. When state agencies issue broad or unclear instructions, such as asking a plant to release between zero and five thousand cubic meters per second, operators may release only a small amount at first. When water rises quickly late in the day, they open the gates all at once. The result is a sudden wall of water that leaves downstream residents with no time to react.

Dung says the government must pair technical requirements with financial compensation. If a reservoir is ordered to release two hundred million cubic meters to prepare for a storm, there should be a clear mechanism to offset the revenue loss. He suggests using the national disaster prevention fund. Without this, private operators will always be reluctant and the system will remain risky.

He adds that hydropower plays a much larger role in flood impacts than irrigation dams in central Vietnam. Many hydropower projects were approved with electricity generation as the top priority and flood control only as a secondary function. Climate change and rising disaster risks mean this approach must be revised. Flood reduction should be a mandatory primary objective.

Dung also says Vietnam can deploy real time flood maps linked to location data. These tools can show exactly which areas will be flooded, how high the water will rise, and how many people are in danger. This would allow faster, more targeted evacuations.

Another issue is the lack of regulation for new types of dams, such as tourist dams and mine tailing ponds. Recent incidents in Lam Dong show that these structures fall outside existing legal frameworks. Dung urges Vietnam to develop a comprehensive Dam Safety Law, similar to India’s model.

Other experts say managing water resources by river basin, not by administrative boundaries, is essential. They also welcome the recent decision to merge Vietnam’s agriculture and environment ministries, a move they believe will help unify data, policies, and dam operations.

For now, the latest floods have revealed a deeper structural problem. As long as hydropower revenues depend on keeping reservoirs high and as long as dam operators face unclear or conflicting instructions, downstream communities will remain vulnerable to sudden floods.

Police in Ho Chi Minh City are investigating a shocking discovery at a high-end residential complex in Binh Thanh District. On the afternoon of 23 November, security staff stopped two men carrying a large blue bag that gave off a strong odor. Moments later, both suspects fled the scene, hijacking a taxi parked nearby.

Authorities quickly sealed off the area and inspected the bag. Inside, they found the body of a man in an advanced stage of decomposition. The victim had been renting an apartment in the same building.

Sources indicate the victim is a foreign national, and the two men who escaped may be from the same country. Police are now tracking the suspects and reviewing surveillance footage from the building and surrounding streets.

Residents described the incident as deeply disturbing. The building, located on Nguyen Huu Canh Street in Binh Thanh District, is known for its upscale apartments and large expatriate community.

Officials have not yet released the victim’s identity or any potential motive. The investigation is ongoing.

Ho Chi Minh City’s new metro stations have become an unexpected symbol of solidarity. By the afternoon of 23 November, residents across the city had delivered more than 180 tons of relief supplies to stations on the Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien line. The volume continues to rise as people arrive through the night with food, blankets, medicine, and clothing for communities hit by severe flooding in central Vietnam.

For many donors, the metro system offers an easy and central drop off point. Staff quickly move each shipment from the platforms to waiting trucks, which then deliver everything to the Vietnam Fatherland Front office, the agency coordinating national relief efforts.

The agency has issued an updated priority list for the night. It is asking donors to focus on essential items that can be used immediately by families in flooded areas. These include instant noodles, milk, packaged cakes, ten kilogram rice bags, blankets, sausages, canned fish, canned meat, and diapers for both children and adults. Other donated goods will still be accepted and repacked for later distribution.

Teams from Ho Chi Minh City’s metro operator and the Vietnam Fatherland Front have been working through the night to sort and load supplies. Some shifts ran until three in the morning to keep up with the pace of incoming donations.

Metro stations will continue receiving contributions until 23:00 tonight. All goods will then be transported to a central warehouse for immediate shipment to provinces in central Vietnam.

This surge of public support reflects a familiar pattern in Vietnam. When disasters strike, communities mobilize fast, and local infrastructure becomes a lifeline. For international readers following Vietnam’s flood response, the scene at the metro stations offers a clear message. The country’s first modern urban rail line is already serving a purpose far bigger than transport. It has become a trusted channel that connects urban residents with families in crisis across the country.

Jason Harrigan, a 57-year-old Australian, became an unexpected social media sensation after sharing his cosmetic surgery journey in Vietnam, with videos reaching over 80 million views. The clips, filmed over seven days, document each procedure on his face, beginning with his signature greeting, “Hello, I’m Jason from Australia.”

What drew attention was the rotating team of doctors performing different steps in his treatment, prompting speculation online. Some viewers jokingly suggested he had been kidnapped, while others raised safety concerns. Jason, however, remained unbothered, explaining that he had struggled with self-image for 20 years and was motivated to improve his appearance affordably.

In Australia, the procedures he sought were quoted at around $59,000 USD, a cost he could not justify. In Hanoi, he completed the same procedures for $4,000 USD. Jason chose to undergo the surgery without general anesthesia. Over the first few days, surgeons removed excess forehead skin, corrected drooping eyelids, and performed other facial refinements. Videos documenting the process were shared on TikTok with his consent. After three months of recovery, Jason reported satisfaction with the results, noting his mother also praised the transformation.

Medical tourism, including cosmetic procedures, is a growing global industry. About 15,000 Australians travel abroad each year for medical treatment, attracted by lower costs. Experts warn of potential risks such as infection and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Vietnam’s medical tourism market alone reached approximately $700 million in 2024 and is projected to approach $4 billion by 2033, growing around 18% annually. Many international visitors cite dramatic cost savings, with dental and cosmetic procedures costing 20 to 40 times less than in the United States. The Jason Harrigan story illustrates both the allure and global attention that affordable, high-quality medical services in Vietnam can generate.

Authorities in Dak Lak province have issued a serious public safety warning after floodwaters swept away approximately 100 drums of concentrated sulfuric acid from Tuy Hoa Sugar Factory. Each 20-liter drum, colored blue or gray, contains H₂SO₄, a highly corrosive industrial chemical.

Sulfuric acid poses extreme risks. Contact with skin can cause severe chemical burns, eye exposure may result in permanent blindness, and inhalation of fumes can damage the respiratory system. Mixing the acid with water generates intense heat and can cause splattering, while ingestion can destroy the digestive tract and be fatal.

Police are urging residents to avoid handling the drums, not to attempt opening them, and to immediately report any sightings so authorities can safely collect and dispose of the chemicals.

The warning comes amid severe flooding along the Ba River, where water levels recently surpassed alert level 3 and neared the historical 1993 peak. More than 8,500 homes were submerged, forcing residents to climb onto rooftops for rescue. The province has declared very high-risk alerts for flash floods and landslides in over 22 communes. As of November 20, floods have claimed 11 lives and left four people missing.

Local authorities, including police, military, and volunteer forces, are mobilized to evacuate residents, secure isolated areas, and respond to chemical hazards. The combination of extreme flooding and hazardous materials underscores the urgent challenges facing central Vietnam as it contends with climate-driven disasters.

A luxury Mercedes Maybach collided with a parked passenger vehicle in Ha Long City, Quang Ninh province, early on November 20, resulting in one death and one serious injury. The accident occurred around 1:10 a.m. on Bai Chay Street, near the Thai Ha Hotel, when the 25-year-old driver of the Maybach struck a bus parked along the roadside.

Security camera footage shows the Mercedes spinning before coming to rest in front of the bus. The front and left side of the luxury car were heavily damaged. Both occupants of the Mercedes were seriously injured and taken to hospital, but the passenger in the rear seat later died from injuries sustained in the crash.

Authorities reported that the road was dry and well-lit, with minimal traffic at the time. Police from Bai Chay Ward are investigating the scene, examining the vehicles, and working to determine the cause of the collision.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns about road safety in urban areas popular with tourists and residents alike, as well as the risks posed by high-speed driving on relatively quiet streets.

A group of four foreign tourists surprised locals by swimming in the Nho Que River in northern Vietnam when air temperatures had dropped to just 13 degrees Celsius. The river, now part of Tuyen Quang province after administrative changes, is even colder beneath the surface, yet the visitors appeared unfazed, splashing and playing in the water while their Vietnamese companions shivered on the riverbank.

The scene, captured on video by a local guide, quickly went viral on social media, sparking discussion about the Western tolerance for cold water and the thrill-seeking habits of international travelers. Experts note that swimming in icy, fast-flowing rivers carries serious risks, particularly in areas with deep pools or strong currents. Local authorities strongly advise against swimming in the Nho Que River and nearby waterfalls such as Du Gia, citing past accidents including a drowning in 2023. Safety signs are posted in both Vietnamese and English, but some visitors continue to take risks.

The Nho Que River and Du Gia waterfall are among the most popular natural attractions in northern Vietnam, drawing both domestic and international tourists for scenic views and adventure activities. In the first half of 2025, the region welcomed more than 1.7 million visitors, including 300,000 international tourists, generating over 4,600 billion VND in revenue.

Tourism officials hope that combining natural beauty with strong safety measures will ensure sustainable growth for the newly expanded Tuyen Quang province while maintaining its reputation as a top destination for adventure-seeking travelers.

A 12-year-old girl in Thai Nguyen province has suffered severe physical abuse at the hands of her grandmother and two male relatives, authorities confirmed. The attack lasted four hours and left the child with extensive bruising across her body. The incident reportedly stemmed from suspicions that the girl had taken a small amount of money, though no evidence exists.

The victim, identified as P.A., was raised by her grandmother’s family after her parents’ divorce. She had lived with them for nearly 12 years and had attended school normally, according to her mother, T.Q.T. Recent accounts indicate that the abuse was part of a longer pattern, with the girl allegedly subjected to beatings over similar accusations in the past two years.

According to the mother, the abuse began late on the night of November 16 and continued until P.A. seized a chance to escape. The attackers reportedly used wooden sticks, a hoe, a frying pan, a broom, and other household objects to strike the child. She suffered severe bruising from head to toe but reportedly avoided broken bones.

After fleeing, the girl received treatment at Thai Nguyen Central Hospital. Local police are investigating the case and have pledged to hold the perpetrators accountable under Vietnamese law. The mother plans to take custody of P.A. and her sibling to ensure their safety.

This case highlights ongoing concerns over child protection in family settings in Vietnam and underscores the importance of legal safeguards for vulnerable children.

Heavy rainfall and landslides in Lam Dong province are threatening the supply of fruits and vegetables to Ho Chi Minh City, raising concerns of local shortages. Lam Dong provides around 60 to 70 percent of the southern metropolis’ fresh produce, including key vegetables, fruits, and herbs, making the disruption significant for both consumers and businesses.

Officials from Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Industry and Trade are monitoring the situation closely and implementing contingency plans. At the city’s three major wholesale markets, daily deliveries typically range from 6,500 to 7,500 tons of agricultural products, with 3,500 to 3,900 tons being vegetables. On the evening of November 19, shipments dropped to 3,700 tons, a seven percent decline from previous days.

Landslides along major routes, including Prenn, Mimosa, and D’ran passes, have slowed transportation from Lam Dong, while only two alternate routes remain open. Authorities warn that clearing the blocked roads may take up to ten days, prolonging delivery delays.

To stabilize the market, Ho Chi Minh City is working with distributors, supermarkets, and wholesale systems to secure alternative sources from less-affected regions, maintain stable prices, and prevent shortages from impacting consumers. Businesses are also being supported with logistical solutions to navigate the disrupted supply chain.

For investors and companies relying on Ho Chi Minh City’s fresh produce network, the floods highlight the vulnerability of regional supply chains to extreme weather events and the importance of diversified sourcing.

Hoi An is facing another round of heavy flooding, yet the ancient town has again turned a natural disruption into a unique draw for visitors. After days of rain and controlled releases from upstream hydropower dams, floodwater has covered key streets by up to one and a half meters. Instead of empty roads and shuttered shops, international tourists are filling the area to experience a rare and striking version of the UNESCO listed town.

Local cafes and restaurants have moved fast. Staff lift furniture to keep it dry and then arrange new seating at the water’s edge so guests can drink coffee while watching floodwater flow through centuries old streets. Some operators also offer small boat rides that take visitors through submerged lanes normally packed with pedestrians and lanterns. The result is an unexpected and highly photogenic setting.

Many travelers say the scene feels surreal. Some rent boats to tour the Hoai River, take photos of ancient houses partly reflected in the rising water, and then sit down for a drink in the middle of the flooded quarter. Visitors from major Vietnamese cities and from overseas say they find the experience unusual but memorable.

French visitor Marine said the floods forced her to change her travel plan, yet the moment became a highlight of her trip. She added that she plans to return when the weather is dry to see the town in a more familiar form.

According to the Central Hydrometeorological Center, central Vietnam recorded up to 300 millimeters of rainfall within twenty four hours. Rapid rises in the Vu Gia and Thu Bon rivers created deep flooding across Hoi An. Authorities are warning of continued high water and advise residents to follow official updates.

For now, the ancient town remains crowded as travelers capture the rare sights and enjoy the calm confidence with which residents adapt to seasonal floods.

The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court on the evening of 19 November sentenced Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien, Pham Quang Linh and Nguyen Thi Thai Hang to two years in prison for misleading customers. The court also handed down three years and three months to Le Tuan Linh and three years to Le Thanh Cong. Each defendant received an additional fine of fifty million dong.

The court said the defendants used their fame and the trust of consumers to promote Kera fiber candy with false claims. They were found to have collected more than seventeen billion dong from sales. The company Chi Em Rot is responsible for compensating customers who request refunds. So far, twenty two buyers have asked for their money back.

According to findings presented in court, Linh handled legal registration of the business and coordinated the Kera candy operation. Thuy Tien invested twenty five percent of the company’s capital, later raised to thirty percent. Cong worked with manufacturers and set up the company’s office and staffing. Thuy Tien, Hang Du Muc and Quang Linh produced promotional videos and livestreamed sales. Thuy Tien also served as the brand’s public representative.

Investigators said the defendants knew the product contained only 0.935 percent fiber, far below what was advertised, and that the manufacturer did not have certified raw material sources. Despite this, they promoted the candy as containing ten vegetable and fruit powders making up more than twenty eight percent of the product.

The court concluded that the group created staged content at rented fields and provided false information about ingredients, production technology and health benefits. The judges noted that the defendants cooperated during the trial and have a record of social work, which served as mitigating factors.