Police in Ho Chi Minh City are searching for the identity of a man whose body was found decomposing in the Tiêu Canal, located in Bình Hòa Ward, Thuận An City.
At around 10:30 a.m. on November 15, locals noticed a foul smell near the canal and discovered a male body floating face-up close to nearby homes. Officers from the city’s investigative police unit and Bình Hòa Ward police arrived to recover the body and conduct a forensic examination.
The victim carried no identification. Police estimate he was 30 to 35 years old, wearing a black T-shirt, black trousers, black socks, and black dress shoes. They believe he died several days before being found.
Authorities are calling for anyone who recognizes the victim or has information related to the case to contact the Ho Chi Minh City Police at 618 Cach Mang Thang Tam Street, Thanh Cong Ward, Thu Dau Mot City, or reach investigator Nguyen Tuan Hiep at 0987 094 952.
Residents of Ho Chi Minh City are expected to face a combination of hazardous weather conditions next week, including widespread thunderstorms, localized heavy rain, elevated tidal peaks, and rising air pollution linked to a surge of cold air from the north.
According to the Southern Regional Hydro-Meteorological Center, thunderstorms and heavy rain may occur from now until November 19, mainly in the late afternoon and at night. High humidity is expected across many districts.
The unstable weather comes from disturbances over the sea carried inland by strong northeast winds. A strengthening cold-air surge will push deeper into southern Vietnam, lowering temperatures across the region. In Ho Chi Minh City, daytime temperatures may range from 24 to 32 degrees Celsius, with cooler nights and high humidity. Combined with fine dust from traffic and economic activity, air pollution levels are expected to worsen. In recent days, the city has experienced hazy skies and several monitoring stations have reported red-level pollution alerts.
Rising tides will add further pressure. A new tidal cycle will peak between November 19 and 21, with water levels at Phú An and Nhà Bè stations forecast to reach 1.65 to 1.7 meters, about 5 to 10 centimeters above the highest warning level. At Thủ Dầu Một, tides may reach 1.75 to 1.8 meters, up to 20 centimeters above the threshold.
Authorities warn of flooding in low-lying areas, riverbank neighborhoods, and several urban streets, especially if high tides coincide with heavy rain or water releases from Dầu Tiếng Reservoir. The disaster risk level for tidal flooding in the lower Saigon River is set at Level 2.
Từ hôm nay đến hết ngày 23/11/2025, giải thưởng “Vinh Danh Người Truyền Lửa”, do Tổng Công ty Cổ phần Bia – Rượu – Nước Giải Khát Sài Gòn (SABECO) phối hợp triển khai cùng Báo Đại Đoàn Kết dưới sự đồng hành và chỉ đạo của Ủy ban Trung ương Mặt trận Tổ quốc Việt Nam (UB TW MTTQ Việt Nam), chính thức mở cổng bình chọn trực tuyến nhằm tìm ra 15 gương mặt truyền lửa xuất sắc nhất trong tổng số 150 đề cử khắp cả nước.
Tại đây, độc giả có thể tìm hiểu những câu chuyện truyền cảm hứng của các cá nhân được đề cử, và tự do bình chọn cho những gương mặt tiêu biểu nhất. Mỗi người tham gia, sau khi đăng ký bằng địa chỉ email, được quyền bình chọn một lần cho mỗi ứng viên và có thể bình chọn cho nhiều ứng viên khác nhau trong suốt thời gian diễn ra chương trình.
Giải thưởng “Vinh Danh Người Truyền Lửa” được tổ chức nhằm tôn vinh 150 gương mặt tiêu biểu trên khắp cả nước – những con người bình dị nhưng đã và đang có những đóng góp tích cực cho sự phát triển của Việt Nam, đồng thời thể hiện rõ tinh thần kiên cường, đoàn kết, và khát vọng tiến bộ mà SABECO luôn theo đuổi trong suốt 150 năm hình thành và phát triển.
Qua hơn 1 tháng phối hợp triển khai từ hệ thống MTTQ Việt Nam cấp Trung ương và cấp tỉnh, chương trình đã tổng hợp danh sách đề cử từ khắp các tỉnh thành trên cả nước. Quy trình thẩm định hồ sơ đề cử được thực hiện với sự giám sát chặt chẽ của Ủy ban Trung ương MTTQ Việt Nam, đảm bảo tính đại diện và công bằng xã hội ở các khía cạnh khác nhau từ giới tính, độ tuổi, dân tộc và tôn giáo, vùng miền, cũng như nhóm ngành nghề.
Từ danh sách đề cử trên, Hội đồng Thẩm định Trung ương đã sàng lọc, đánh giá và lựa chọn ra 150 Gương mặt Truyền Lửa tiêu biểu từ khắp các tỉnh thành trên cả nước có đóng góp tích cực ở 06 lĩnh vực trọng tâm gồm:
Giáo dục – Đào tạo nghề: Tôn vinh những cá nhân góp phần nâng cao năng lực cộng đồng qua hoạt động đào tạo nghề, kỹ năng mềm, định hướng nghề nghiệp hoặc tạo điều kiện học tập cho các cộng đồng yếu thế.
Phát triển bền vững môi trường: Tôn vinh những cá nhân có các sáng kiến, hành động vì môi trường, bảo tồn tài nguyên thiên nhiên và thực hành lối sống – sản xuất bền vững.
Lối sống cân bằng và sức khỏe cộng đồng: Tôn vinh những cá nhân có đóng góp vào việc khuyến khích lối sống năng động, cân bằng và nuôi dưỡng văn hóa hướng đến sức khỏe toàn diện và tinh thần trách nhiệm trong cộng đồng.
Phát triển cộng đồng: Tôn vinh những cá nhân đồng hành cùng cộng đồng qua các dự án hoặc sáng kiến tạo ra thay đổi tích cực và giúp phát triển đời sống văn hóa vùng nông thôn.
Văn hóa – nghệ thuật – thể thao vì cộng đồng: Tôn vinh những cá nhân có đóng góp thiết thực trong việc gìn giữ bản sắc dân tộc, văn hóa truyền thống hoặc thúc đẩy sáng tạo nghệ thuật, nghệ nhân dân gian; những cá nhân có các sáng kiến hoặc dự án thể thao góp phần thúc đẩy sự đoàn kết, xây dựng tinh thần, rèn luyện sức khỏe, khuyến khích lối sống tích cực.
Khoa học – công nghệ vì cộng đồng: Tôn vinh các sáng kiến công nghệ và khoa học ứng dụng nhằm hỗ trợ sự phát triển bền vững cho cộng đồng địa phương.
Hội đồng Thẩm định Trung ương đã được thành lập để tham gia vào quá trình sàng lọc, đánh giá và xét duyệt kết quả nhằm đảm bảo độ uy tín và tính tin cậy của giải thưởng. Các thành viên của Hội đồng Thẩm định Trung ương bao gồm đại diện Ủy ban TW MTTQ Việt Nam, đại diện báo Đại Đoàn kết và đại diện các Bộ Ban ngành có liên quan, cùng ban lãnh đạo SABECO và các chuyên gia ở nhiều lĩnh vực.
Bộ tiêu chí bình chọn của chương trình cũng được phát triển một cách phù hợp, công bằng và minh bạch, đồng thời ưu tiên các nhân tố mới từ cộng đồng, những cá nhân có hoạt động thực tiễn nhưng chưa từng được truyền thông rộng rãi hoặc chưa từng nhận các giải thưởng lớn ở cấp trung ương hoặc quốc tế.
Dựa trên cơ cấu tính điểm trọng số, gồm 70% điểm đến từ kết quả bình chọn trực tuyến và 30% điểm đến từ đánh giá của Hội đồng Thẩm định Trung ương, 15 Gương mặt Người Truyền Lửa sẽ được chốt chọn và vinh danh đặc biệt tại Lễ trao giải tại Hà Nội.
Giải thưởng “Vinh danh Người Truyền Lửa” là một sáng kiến ý nghĩa nằm trong khuôn khổ chiến dịch “150 Năm Di Sản Vươn Cao” do SABECO khởi xướng. Chiến dịch là lời tri ân dành cho chặng đường 150 năm gắn bó với ngành bia Việt Nam và mối gắn kết bền chặt giữa SABECO với con người Việt Nam. Đồng thời, đây cũng là minh chứng cho cam kết lâu dài của thương hiệu trong việc “nấu bia với mục đích tốt đẹp”, không ngừng phát triển và cùng đất nước vươn cao qua từng giai đoạn thịnh vượng.
Để tìm hiểu thêm thông tin và tham gia bình chọn cho giải thưởng “Vinh Danh Người Truyền Lửa”, vui lòng truy cập trang web https://150ydisanvuoncao.sabeco.com.vn/
The quiet final hours of last week’s trading in Vietnam’s stock market delivered a massive, counter-intuitive shock, with domestic securities firms (known locally as “Tự doanh CTCK” or proprietary traders) unleashing a massive VND 1.195 trillion (approx. $1.2 billion) net buying spree on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HOSE).
This aggressive, institution-led accumulation of shares directly challenged a persistent VND 672 billion ($27.5 million) net selling trend from crucial foreign investors, signalling a profound divergence in market sentiment between local “smart money” and international capital that global investors cannot afford to ignore.
This sudden, heavy domestic conviction buying—dubbed an “unexpected force” by local analysts—occurred even as the benchmark VN-Index wrestled with broad selling pressure, particularly across the crucial banking and brokerage sectors. While liquidity remained subdued, the late-day surge, concentrated in blue-chip holdings like the Vingroup conglomerate, alongside key banking and steel stocks, was potent enough to lift the VN-Index to a close of 1,635.46 points. The action underscores a belief among Vietnamese institutions that the recent market pullback represents a prime buying opportunity, not a fundamental decline.
The buying was overwhelmingly focused on a single entity: GEE, which saw an unprecedented net purchase of VND 990 billion. This massive block trade, representing over 80% of the proprietary desks’ total net inflow, suggests a highly strategic, calculated move on a major corporate development or a significant re-rating opportunity known only to this inner circle of local professional traders. Other significant buys included brokerage VIX (VND 115 billion), infrastructure firm CII (VND 83 billion), and energy stock POW (VND 40 billion), highlighting a preference for infrastructure, energy, and financial services that typically underpin an accelerating emerging market economy.
For international fund managers and analysts using Vietnam as a proxy for Southeast Asian growth, this data is critical. The consistent foreign outflow is a clear concern, often driven by global factors like US interest rates and a stronger dollar, but the powerful, concentrated domestic institutional buying acts as a crucial stabilizing force and a vote of confidence in local asset valuations. The market is now a battleground between short-term global liquidity risks and deep-pocketed local conviction, which is often a precursor to a major structural rally once global headwinds abate.
The massive, targeted institutional purchase of GEE and other key shares proves that Vietnam’s market is currently being driven by localized, high-conviction plays, effectively decoupling from the pessimism displayed by foreign funds. The ultimate outcome of this domestic-vs-foreign tussle will determine if the VN-Index is headed for a short-term correction or is merely reloading for a push past the 1,635 level.
Global investors must now decide: Is the record domestic accumulation a leading indicator of an imminent breakout, or is it a classic “dead cat bounce” where locals are simply catching falling knives from departing foreign capital?
Authorities in Lâm Đồng province are investigating after a car struck two elderly women sitting by the roadside. The driver transported both victims to a hospital but did not notify local authorities. One victim later died.
The incident occurred on November 11 at Km 61+300 on QL55, near the Sơn Mỹ commune office. Security camera footage shows a black car turning into the office driveway and hitting the two women. One victim was run over by both the front and rear wheels.
Car runs over two elderly people PHOTO: CUT FROM CLIP
The driver immediately got out and, with the help of locals, loaded the victims into the vehicle and took them to a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. On November 14, one victim, identified as Trần Thị Ch., passed away. Her sister remains in serious condition.
Local officials confirmed they had not received any report of the accident. The women had visited the commune office to collect social assistance and were waiting by the roadside for a bus when the crash occurred.
The case has now been referred to the Lâm Đồng Provincial Police Investigation Department for further investigation.
A group of nine Australian men visiting Ha Giang province spent four days exploring the region and had some unexpected adventures, from moving bricks under the midday sun to helping locals carry motorcycles through flooded roads.
The unusual experience went viral after a video captured the tourists, shirtless and passing bricks by hand, gaining tens of thousands of interactions on social media. Some commenters joked, “They paid to experience manual labor in Vietnam.”
According to Đinh Hùng, tour guide for Jasmine Tours, the group immediately embraced hands-on experiences. On their first day, they joined local farmers to harvest rice. By the third day, while passing through Mậu Duệ commune, they offered to help women working under the hot sun, moving a significant stack of bricks in just 30 minutes.
In a lighthearted moment, Hùng jokingly acted as “foreman,” urging the visitors to work quickly. The tourists were delighted to find themselves gaining fame online in Vietnam.
The adventures continued. On the final day, heavy rain had flooded Thượng Road in Yên Minh commune, leaving the group unable to ride through. Together, they carried each motorcycle across the chest-deep water, using wooden poles and coordinating as a team. After helping their own vehicles, the Australians stayed an extra two hours assisting locals and other tourists stranded by the flood.
Hùng noted that young foreign travelers are often eager to immerse themselves in local life. They are open, adaptable, and willing to step into the daily routines of rural communities. Tour operators in Ha Giang have responded by designing more authentic, hands-on experiences, including farm work, gardening, and living alongside local families, catering to travelers who want to connect with the region beyond traditional sightseeing.
Police in Phu Tho have arrested Tạ Minh Châu, a former healthcare worker accused of running a brutal insurance fraud scheme worth more than 6 billion VND. Investigators say Châu sedated insurance buyers and used a hammer and metal tools to break their bones, then staged fake accident scenes to claim payouts from multiple life insurance companies.
Ta Minh Chau. Photo: Provided by the police
Châu, 30 years old, previously worked at the Cam Khe District Medical Center and had deep knowledge of bone structure and insurance compensation rules. Police say he used this expertise to design a full process that included recruiting buyers, inflicting injuries, and preparing falsified medical documents.
Châu reportedly sedated victims before breaking their bones in ways that closely resembled real accident injuries. His group then staged scenes such as slip and fall incidents or electric shock falls to legitimize the claim files.
The ring targeted several major insurers, including Manulife, AIA, Dai ichi Life, FWD, Sun Life, and Chubb Life. Manulife alone lost about 2.6 billion VND.
Police describe the operation as organized, calculated, and extremely cruel. The group chose fracture points that triggered higher payouts, which made the fraud difficult for insurers to detect.
Châu and four accomplices have been detained on suspicion of property appropriation as the investigation continues.
Vietnamese authorities, in coordination with Philippine police, have arrested Lê Khắc Ngọ, known as “Mr Hunter,” a key suspect in a massive investment fraud case worth over 5,300 billion VND ($225 million USD). Ngọ is set to be extradited back to Vietnam, authorities confirmed on November 14.
The operation, led jointly by Ngọ and Phó Đức Nam (“Mr Pips”), targeted Vietnamese investors through a network of fake foreign exchange and stock trading platforms. Launched in 2021, these websites were designed in English and presented as reputable international trading platforms, but were in fact controlled by the suspects with bank accounts managed by Nam’s team.
Investigators say the scheme exploited social media and phone-based sales teams, promising high returns with zero risk. Early small “wins” were used to build trust before victims were manipulated into transferring significant funds. Authorities expect to charge around 550 sales agents involved in promoting the scam.
So far, law enforcement has recovered over 5,315 billion VND in assets and received 669 complaints, with 601 victims reporting losses totaling more than 1,187 billion VND ($50 million USD).
Ngô Thị Thêu, Ngọ’s wife, had been previously arrested in Thailand and extradited to Vietnam. The case is considered Vietnam’s largest fraud in the foreign exchange and stock sector, with many victims drawn in by the suspects’ ostentatious lifestyle and promises of rapid wealth accumulation.
Authorities caution investors to remain vigilant against high-return schemes and online trading platforms promising risk-free profits.
Japanese authorities have arrested a Vietnamese man and a Brazilian national in connection with an arson attack that destroyed a two-story wooden house and spread to ten neighboring properties.
Gunma Prefectural Police confirmed on November 13 that Pham Tuan Vu, 24, an unemployed Vietnamese man with no fixed address, and Barboza Yasda Marines, 57, a Brazilian national, were taken into custody over the fire in Kiryu City on May 15. The primary target was the residence of a foreign entrepreneur.
The blaze consumed the main house entirely and spread to surrounding homes and storage structures, damaging walls, balconies, and roofs. Firefighters brought the fire under control after five and a half hours. No casualties were reported.
Authorities are investigating the suspects’ motives. Marines is reportedly known to the targeted homeowner, though police have not disclosed further details about their relationship.
The case underscores concerns about property crimes in the region and the need for continued vigilance in residential fire safety.
A 52-year-old German tourist was reportedly defrauded for a staggering 4,000 euros (about 122 million VND) while shopping in central Pattaya, police confirmed. The scam highlights a rising trend of street fraud targeting international visitors in the Thai beach city.
According to local authorities, Nadir Altaf was approached on the street by a foreign vendor selling coconut oil allegedly capable of promoting hair growth and thickness. The vendor quoted a price of “4,000” without specifying the currency. Believing the price was in Thai baht (roughly 3 million VND), Altaf agreed to purchase five bottles.
When the credit card was charged, he discovered the full amount had been billed in euros, roughly thirty times what he expected. Shocked, Altaf reported the incident to Pattaya police on November 12.
Deputy Inspector Phupha Hongyakul of the Pattaya Police noted that scams like this have increased, primarily targeting foreign tourists. He warned that many victims do not report smaller incidents, leaving some offenders at large.
This incident is part of a series of similar scams in the city. Earlier in November, an Australian tourist was overcharged for herbal remedies at a Baywalk Shopping Centre pharmacy, while in September, an Indian visitor was sold overpriced herbal products before being refunded after complaints.
Local residents are calling for stronger enforcement measures to protect tourists and maintain Pattaya’s reputation. Tourism officials note that international visitor numbers have fallen slightly in 2025, with 21.8 million foreign arrivals in the first eight months, down 7.16 percent from last year, reducing revenue by 5.4 percent. Major source markets such as China and Malaysia continue to see weak growth.
Authorities urge travelers to exercise caution when approached by street vendors and verify prices and payment methods before completing purchases.
Vegetable prices in Vietnam’s largest metropolis have spiked by 40 to 50 percent in recent weeks as heavy rains and flooding disrupt supply from major growing regions, experts say. Analysts warn that this is not a temporary fluctuation but the emergence of a new price baseline for fresh produce.
Reporters at Pham Van Bach Market observed that vendors are now selling only 2-3 kilograms of each vegetable type, down from 5-10 kilograms a month ago. Prices for common vegetables have jumped sharply compared to last year: leafy greens at 35,000-40,000 VND per kilogram, green beans 60,000 VND, carrots 25,000 VND, and tomatoes 60,000 VND. Some items, like water spinach, have nearly tripled in price, reaching 40,000-45,000 VND per kilogram.
The spike is affecting both traditional markets and small grocery stores that source produce from surrounding provinces. Shop owners cite storm damage, flooding, and disrupted transport routes as key drivers of reduced supply and higher costs. Some specialty vegetables such as taro shoots and local leafy greens have seen moderate price increases of 10-20 percent.
Vendors report significantly reduced sales due to higher prices, with some returning unsold produce home for personal consumption. “In previous years, prices rose at most 10-15 percent during this season. Now a 50 percent increase is shocking for both sellers and buyers,” said a long-time merchant at Pham Van Bach Market.
At the Thu Duc wholesale vegetable market, supply has fallen by 22 tons compared to earlier levels, pushing prices up by 2,000-10,000 VND per kilogram. Experts note that roughly 60-70 percent of Ho Chi Minh City’s vegetables come from nearby provinces, meaning extreme weather directly affects urban food supply.
Economists warn that the current spike is a signal of a new normal for prices. Dr. Le Ba Chi Nhan, a retail economist, said rising vegetable costs immediately increase household living expenses, particularly for low- and middle-income families. Higher input costs for fertilizers, pesticides, and seeds — up about 20 percent — also force farmers to raise prices to maintain profitability.
“Consumers should expect that higher food prices will persist in the near term,” Dr. Nhan added, noting that this trend could ripple through the broader cost of living and inflation indicators.
The husband and wife team behind Mailisa, one of Vietnam’s most prominent beauty chains, have drawn attention not just for their sprawling cosmetic business but also for a lifestyle marked by luxury estates, rare supercars, and high-profile philanthropy.
Authorities recently conducted inspections across several Mailisa clinics, seizing documents to support an ongoing investigation. During this period, the salons temporarily halted operations, attracting nationwide media coverage.
Founded in 1998 by Phan Thi Mai — widely known as Mailisa — and her husband Hoang Kim Khanh, the brand now employs roughly 2,000 staff across Vietnam. Beyond running one of the country’s largest cosmetic networks, the couple is known for a portfolio of high-value assets.
A Mansion and a Supercar Collection
In September 2024, the Mailisas unveiled a 4,000 square meter villa in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 12, reportedly taking nearly five years to complete. The property reflects the scale of their wealth and taste for luxury.
Khanh is also recognized as one of Vietnam’s leading supercar enthusiasts. His collection includes rare models such as Koenigsegg Regera, McLaren Senna, Lamborghini Aventador S, Ferrari SF90 Stradale, and several high-end Bentleys. In March 2024, dozens of these vehicles made a public appearance in Da Nang, highlighting the rarity and value of their fleet. The couple reportedly owns around 40 cars, supported by 40 to 50 staff including chauffeurs and attendants.
Generous Pay and Employee Perks
Mailisa clinics are known for competitive compensation. Entry-level advisors earn 20 to 40 million VND per month, while branch or department managers can earn 30 to 60 million VND. Receptionists earn 15 to 20 million VND monthly. Social media posts suggest some employees make over 100 million VND per month, with additional bonuses at year-end. Staff also undergo training in communication, body language, and professional presentation to maintain high service standards.
According to the announcement on the website, consultants of the Mailisa Beauty Salon chain are paid a salary of 20-40 million VND/month, no experience required (Photo: Screenshot).
Philanthropy and Public Influence
Beyond business, Mailisa is active in philanthropy, reportedly donating hundreds of billions of VND to support communities in central, northern, and highland regions of Vietnam. Mai has a strong online presence, with millions following her on TikTok and Facebook, where she frequently shares insights into her business, lifestyle, and charitable work.
The Mailisas’ story offers a window into Vietnam’s booming beauty industry and the growing influence of high-profile entrepreneurs who combine luxury, media presence, and philanthropy.
Police in New South Wales have arrested a Vietnamese born woman who allegedly posed as a fortune teller and feng shui master to run a sophisticated seventy million dollar fraud and money laundering scheme targeting members of the local Vietnamese community.
Officers detained Anya Phan, age fifty three, and her daughter Thi Ta, age twenty five, during a raid in the upscale suburb of Dover Heights on November twelve. Investigators say Phan convinced vulnerable people to borrow money based on her claims that a billionaire benefactor would soon appear and repay their debts.
A search of the home uncovered financial documents, electronics, luxury handbags, a forty gram gold bar, and six thousand six hundred dollars in casino chips, according to The Guardian.
Police allege Phan operated a large underground financial network with help from her daughter. The New South Wales Crime Commission has frozen an additional fifteen million dollars in related assets.
Inspector Gordon Arbinja, head of the financial crime unit, told reporters that Phan used her self proclaimed feng shui skills to recruit people struggling with debt to work for her. Each transaction brought her at least one hundred fifty thousand dollars, he said.
Authorities noted that many victims took part in high risk borrowing with little caution, and some have also been arrested for their involvement.
Investigators were struck by Phan’s lifestyle. She migrated to Australia in 2001 and later became a citizen. Despite long term unemployment and more than twenty years on disability benefits, she lived in a property costing fifty six thousand dollars per month and held VIP status at a major casino. Police accuse her of laundering more than five hundred thousand dollars there in just two months.
Phan now faces thirty nine charges, including directing the activities of a criminal group, nineteen counts of financial fraud, and thirteen counts of dealing with the proceeds of crime. Bail was denied and she is scheduled to appear in court on January fifteen 2026. Her daughter faces related fraud and money laundering charges.
The case emerged from Strike Force Myddleton, a broader investigation into a vehicle finance network that used stolen identities to obtain loans for so called ghost cars. A deeper probe revealed extensive fraud schemes tied to personal, business, and housing loans.
Police say half of the criminal network has already been arrested. Remaining suspects, including brokers, lawyers, accountants, and property developers, are expected to face prosecution. In total, sixty million dollars in assets has been frozen.
Police in the outlying district of Hoc Mon have opened an investigation after a sixty eight year old woman was stabbed while exercising near her home. The suspect is the step sibling of her late husband, according to the family.
Authorities in Ba Diem Commune confirmed they are working with related units to clarify the incident. The victim, identified as N T K Kh, was hospitalized with multiple injuries.
The attack took place on November eleven at about six in the evening. Family members told local reporters that Kh was walking in a small alley when a forty eight year old woman, identified only as P, allegedly approached her with a knife. Neighbors who heard the commotion intervened, allowing Kh to escape.
Doctors treated wounds to her back, arm, and palm. The family says she remains in the hospital under observation because she still experiences dizziness and nausea. Physicians warned that a severed tendon in her hand could lead to long term impairment if not treated promptly.
The family has requested an official assessment of her injuries and has filed a complaint with the police.
Relatives say the suspected attacker had ongoing disputes with Kh over family land. Police have taken several people in for questioning and have collected statements from the victim at the hospital. Investigators are also reviewing footage from nearby security cameras to determine the sequence of events and identify any witnesses.
This case highlights the rise in interpersonal disputes linked to property conflicts in parts of Vietnam, an issue that has drawn growing attention from legal experts and community organizations.
Dr Daisy Kanagasapapathy (RMIT Vietnam) explains how recent food-poisoning incidents have placed Vietnam’s iconic banh mi under pressure, prompting fresh conversations about food safety, tourism confidence, and the future of the country’s street food culture.
To many travellers, Vietnam is first discovered through taste rather than landmarks. The country’s culinary icons have become its most powerful ambassadors: the comforting warmth of phở, the sweet bitterness of cà phê sữa đá (Vietnamese cafe with condensed milk), the crisp lightness of nem rán/chả giò (Vietnamese spring rolls), and the smoky aroma of bún chả (Vietnamese grilled pork with rice noodles) grilled over charcoal. Yet no dish represents Vietnam’s cultural identity more globally than the bánh mì.
In recent years, bánh mì has transcended borders to become a global emblem of Vietnamese creativity. Ho Chi Minh City proudly hosted the Bánh Mì Festival earlier this year, drawing thousands of visitors, foodies, and international media. This highlights how a humble street sandwich has evolved into a cultural export, connecting Vietnam’s culinary soul to the world.
A crisis for an icon
That is why the recent surge in food-poisoning cases linked to bánh mì in Ho Chi Minh City, with over 300 hospitalisations, has caused deep concern.
Food tourism is central to Vietnam’s visitor economy. Travellers come seeking the sensory authenticity of street-level dining – an experience that transforms eating into cultural discovery. When a flagship dish becomes linked to risk, confidence in the broader food scene wavers. Visitors may avoid street stalls or local food tours, preferring hotels and chain restaurants. This, in turn, reduces earnings for small vendors and weakens the informal but vital food-tourism ecosystem that gives Vietnamese cities their distinctive flavour.
Street vendors are often family-run, women-led enterprises passed down through generations. If travellers begin to associate “street food” with “unsafe food,” the consequences extend beyond economics to identity itself. Cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Hoi An have built global reputations around their vibrant food trails and night markets. Rebuilding tourist confidence will require collaboration across tourism boards, local authorities, and food entrepreneurs to ensure that Vietnam’s most celebrated dishes remain symbols of pride, not caution.
Bánh mì is one of Vietnam’s most iconic foods. (Photo: Freepik)
From crisis to innovation
Vietnam’s growing food-tech sector can play a transformative role in this recovery. Over the past few years, the country has embraced digital delivery, mobile payments, and smart logistics. These same innovations can now enhance transparency and traceability in the food supply chain, making safety a visible, measurable attribute.
Many of Vietnam’s beloved street vendors lack access to advanced tools or digital platforms. For them, small, affordable measures can make an immediate impact.
Some easy practices include:
Visible hygiene commitment: Displaying “Clean Food” or “Safe Vendor” stickers verified by local health units. Even simple signage promoting glove use or handwashing boosts visitor confidence.
Better storage habits: Covering ingredients, separating utensils for raw and cooked items, and using ice boxes or insulated containers for meats and eggs.
Personal cleanliness: Wearing aprons, gloves, and hairnets; washing hands frequently; and using disposable napkins rather than shared cloths.
Safe ingredient rotation: Buying smaller quantities and avoiding overnight storage of sensitive fillings such as pâté or sauces.
Community micro-training: Quick workshops by tourism or hospitality schools to teach hygiene basics using visual, easy-to-follow examples.
Digital storytelling for trust: Vendors can share short videos on Facebook or TikTok showing their clean preparation process, blending authenticity with assurance.
These small steps, when consistently applied, create a powerful visual signal of professionalism and care. They require minimal cost but deliver high returns in trust, complementing digital innovation with human touch.
Repositioning Vietnamese street food for the future
As Ho Chi Minh City and other destinations recover from the bánh mì incident, this moment can become a catalyst for transformation. Imagine future Bánh Mì Festivals that celebrate not only flavour but also hygiene excellence, with vendors proudly showcasing both tradition and technology. Food tours could feature “Verified Safe” street vendors, combining cultural storytelling with transparency.
Vietnam’s culinary identity, from phở to bánh mì, is one of its most valuable tourism assets. Protecting it demands balance: preserving authenticity while embracing safety. By uniting low-cost hygiene practices with food-tech innovation, Vietnam can ensure that its street-food culture remains both world-famous and world-trusted.
Story: Dr Daisy Kanagasapapathy, Associate Program Manager, Tourism and Hospitality Management, RMIT University Vietnam
