Vietnam Insider

On September 7, tens of thousands of worshippers filled St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City to witness a historic moment: Pope Leo XIV officially canonized Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old Italian teenager who died of leukemia in 2006, as the first saint of Generation Y.

Born in London in 1991 and raised in Milan, Acutis was celebrated as the “Apostle of the Internet” or “God’s Influencer” for using technology and his self-taught programming skills to spread the Catholic faith online. Despite his short life, his impact has reached far beyond traditional images of sainthood.

An estimated 80,000 young people attended the canonization Mass, many viewing Carlo as a modern and relatable role model. Unlike the traditional depictions of Catholic saints, Acutis’s preserved body rests in a glass tomb in Assisi, Italy—dressed in jeans and Nike sneakers, his usual attire.

“Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati and Saint Carlo Acutis are a call to all of us, especially the young, not to waste our lives but to lift them higher and make them a masterpiece,” Pope Leo XIV said in his homily.

Carlo’s mother, Antonia Salzano, who attended the ceremony with her family, movingly shared: “My son is proof that we are all called to be saints—each of us in our own unique way.”

Acutis was known for his daily devotion to the Mass and acts of kindness—defending bullied classmates, bringing food and sleeping bags to the homeless, and sharing warmth with those in need. At the same time, his passion for video games and technology inspired him to create an online archive documenting Eucharistic miracles, a project that continues to inspire young Catholics worldwide.

The canonization of Carlo Acutis marks not only a milestone for the Catholic Church but also a powerful reminder of how a teenage programmer became a saint for the digital age.

A Shenzhen-based tech company has gone viral in China after launching a wellness initiative that pays employees up to 1 million yuan (US$137,000 / 3.7 billion VND) for losing weight.

According to the South China Morning Post (Sept 6), Arashi Vision, best known globally as Insta360, rolled out its annual “Million-Yuan Weight Loss Challenge” on August 12.

Shedding Kilos, Earning Cash

The rules are simple: every 0.5 kg an employee loses equals 500 yuan (1.85 million VND) in cash. Over the past year, 99 employees collectively shed 950 kg, sharing a prize pool of 1 million yuan.

Among this year’s standout participants was Xie Yaqi, a Gen Z employee, who dropped 20 kg in just three months. Her discipline — daily 90-minute workouts and strict diet control — earned her 20,000 yuan (74 million VND) and the title of “Weight Loss Champion.”

“I believe this is the best time in my life to become the best version of myself — not just for looks, but for health,” Xie said.

Inspiration and Accountability

Xie also motivated colleagues by sharing the “Qin Hao Diet” — named after actor Qin Hao, who famously lost 10 kg in 15 days with a rotation of soy milk, corn, fruit, and alternating protein/vegetable days.

Since its launch in 2022, Arashi Vision has held seven rounds of the challenge, distributing nearly 2 million yuan in total prizes.

Interestingly, the program includes a penalty clause: employees who regain weight must pay back 800 yuan for every 0.5 kg gained. To date, no one has triggered the fine.

Beyond the Office Walls

A company representative said:

“Through this challenge, we want to encourage a healthy lifestyle and remind employees to prioritize well-being alongside work. It’s a positive motivation that fuels both life and career.”

The initiative has sparked buzz online, with many praising it as both creative and effective. “What’s the hiring requirement?” one netizen joked, while another quipped: “I’d bankrupt the company — I’ll run 10 km every day!”

The trend also aligns with China’s national health policy. In June 2024, the government launched a three-year plan called “Weight Management Year” (2024–2026), aimed at combating rising obesity through scientific fitness and public awareness campaigns.

Ho Chi Minh City has been named the world’s second-best city for retaining residents, thanks to affordable living costs, job opportunities, cultural vibrancy, and a unique spirit of generosity and inclusiveness.

A City of Warmth and Resilience

Often described with the word bao dung (tolerance), Ho Chi Minh City has shaped a distinct identity over its three centuries: youthful yet rooted, bustling yet generous. It’s a place where creativity and adaptability thrive alongside compassion and solidarity.

According to the City Pulse 2025 Report by Gensler Institute, cited by The Independent Singapore News, HCMC only trails Taipei and outperforms global hubs like Singapore, Sydney, and Berlin. Survey participants praised its affordable cost of living (83%), safety (81%), healthcare services (80%), job opportunities (74%), and tax system (70%).

A Cultural Crossroads

Since the 19th century, Saigon has been a magnet for migrants — Chinese, Indian, European — and today it continues to embrace new communities. The city’s culinary map reflects this diversity: from local specialties like bún mắm and phở to international flavors like Mongolian lamb, Korean kimchi, and Japanese sushi. Street food, in particular, is a living testament to HCMC’s inclusive spirit.

On a September evening downtown, foreign visitors are often seen clinking beer glasses at sidewalk stalls instead of fine restaurants. As one expatriate quipped: “It’s friendlier, more fun, and cheaper here.”

Stories of Belonging

For Kenji, a 53-year-old Japanese expatriate who has lived in HCMC for nearly two decades, the city has become a second home. “The people are warm and welcoming. I feel safe here, and I can find Japanese food that tastes 80% like back home,” he said.

The city is also home to one of the largest Korean communities in Vietnam — about 178,000 people — with over 2,000 Korean businesses operating locally. From Tiểu Seoul in Tân Bình to the thriving expat enclave in Phú Mỹ Hưng, these communities contribute to the city’s economic and cultural fabric.

A Magnet for Opportunity

Beyond foreigners, HCMC attracts people from across Vietnam. The city expects to need 85,000–90,000 workers in the third quarter of 2025, with 58% being unskilled labor.

Trần Minh Thuận, 23, from Quảng Trị, said: “If I had to choose again, I’d still come to HCMC. The people are open, the food is diverse, and the weather is easier to live with compared to the extremes back home.”

A City That Gives Back

HCMC’s appeal lies not just in its skyscrapers or modern infrastructure, but in how it makes people feel connected. From free roadside water stations and 2,000 VND charity meals to strangers turning into friends over a cup of street coffee, the city embodies generosity in daily life.

Despite challenges like traffic congestion, flooding, and uneven infrastructure, HCMC continues to show resilience and inclusivity — qualities that keep both locals and foreigners rooted here for the long term.

Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City are investigating a viral video allegedly showing a dental clinic owner in Gò Vấp assaulting clients with threats and violence.

On the evening of September 7, several clips spread across social media, capturing a woman in a white medical coat — identified as the clinic’s dentist-owner — aggressively confronting customers. The footage shows her shoving, choking, and striking a female client before seizing and smashing her phone. She also attacked a man who tried to intervene and hurled objects, including fruit, at the victim.

The incident occurred at T.T. Dental Clinic on Trần Thị Nghỉ Street, Hạnh Thông Ward. Local police have summoned involved parties for questioning and are compiling case records. Initial reports suggest the dispute arose over dental treatment.

The HCMC Department of Health confirmed the clinic, licensed since 2019, is operated by Dr. N.T.T.C., 40, with a valid practice certificate. The department said it is working with police to investigate and ensure appropriate action.

Authorities stressed the case remains under review and pledged strict handling if violations are confirmed.

Tây Ninh police have arrested Nguyen Thanh Nha (51), accused of killing a woman and transporting her body more than 70 km to conceal the crime.

According to investigators, Nha had been living with T.T.D. (32) in a rented room near An Ha Bridge, Đức Hòa commune, Tây Ninh, since January 2025. The two cohabited as husband and wife.

Nha told police that he became jealous after learning that D. was romantically involved with other men. On the evening of August 29, he saw her leaving a guesthouse with another man. Later that night, the two argued in his rented room.

At around 11 p.m., Nha said D. attacked him with a knife. He blocked the strike, grabbed the weapon, and struck her on the back of the head, rendering her unconscious. When he checked, he realized she was dead.

Shortly after midnight on August 30, Nha placed her body in a red plastic bag, tied it shut, and used his motorbike to transport it to a remote area.

On the morning of September 7, local farmers in Bình Hiệp commune discovered decomposing body parts and alerted authorities.

Tây Ninh police are continuing their investigation and have confirmed that Nha faces charges of murder and disposal of a corpse under Vietnamese law.

Singer Dam Vinh Hung’s legal team has filed a motion to remand with the U.S. Federal Court, requesting that his lawsuit against businessman Gerard Williams be returned to the California Superior Court in Orange County. The filing, submitted on September 4 (U.S. time), also seeks reimbursement of $14,994 (approx. VND 395 million) in attorney’s fees and related costs.

Why Dam Vinh Hung Wants the Case Sent Back

According to Hung’s lawyers, the removal request filed by Gerard Williams violated federal rules for two main reasons:

1. Late filing – Williams submitted his notice more than 30 days after receiving the lawsuit and summons in November 2024, missing the statutory deadline.

2. Forum Defendant Rule – This rule prevents removal if the defendant is a citizen of the state where the case was originally filed. Hung’s legal team argues Williams is a California resident but misrepresented himself as a Missouri resident to bypass the rule.

They also cited Williams’ past legal filings in which he declared California residency, contradicting his current claim.

Fee Reimbursement Request

Invoking Section 28 U.S.C. 1447(c), Hung’s side asked the court to order Williams to cover their legal expenses. They noted that despite repeated attempts to arrange a case conference with Williams’ attorneys throughout August and early September, none of the eight law firms representing Williams responded.

Strategic Moves

Hung’s team accused Williams of trying to delay proceedings by moving the case to federal court. They stressed that the lawsuit—originally filed in Orange County, California—should remain under state jurisdiction, where both parties had previously acknowledged residency.

Williams, however, has argued that Hung’s true residence is in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and that his own is in Missouri—reframing the case as an international dispute suitable for federal court.

The outcome of this jurisdictional battle will determine not only where the case is tried but also which rules and jury pool will govern the proceedings.

In the first eight months of 2025, 409,222 cholera cases were reported across 31 countries, resulting in 4,738 deaths. Vietnam’s Ministry of Health has warned of the risk of cholera entering the country through international trade and travel.

Vietnam cholera-free for 12 years, but threat persists

According to the Ministry, Vietnam has not recorded any cholera cases in the past 12 years. No outbreaks have been detected in Europe or the Western Pacific region either, while most current cases are concentrated in the Eastern Mediterranean and Africa.

However, with Vietnam’s increasing global exchanges, the possibility of cholera spreading into the country and the community cannot be ruled out.

Health authorities step up monitoring

The Ministry has coordinated with the World Health Organization (WHO) to stay updated on global developments and has directed national hygiene and epidemiology institutes, Pasteur institutes, and central hospitals to strengthen surveillance and prevention efforts.

The public is urged to:

• Wash hands with soap before meals and after using the toilet.

• Eat cooked food, drink boiled water, and ensure food safety.

• Use clean water and protect water sources.

• Seek medical care immediately for symptoms such as severe vomiting and diarrhea leading to dehydration.

Global fatalities surge 46%

WHO reported that while cholera cases worldwide fell by 20% compared to the same period in 2024, deaths increased by 46%. Six out of 31 affected countries recorded a fatality rate above 1%. The organization warned that the current global situation is complex, with high risks of further cross-border spread.

Police in Da Nang have arrested a 26-year-old man who threatened a couple with a knife to steal their motorbike before attacking two others, causing panic in Thăng An commune.

On September 7, the city’s investigative police office confirmed the temporary detention of Thái Anh Tuấn (26, residing in Thăng Trường, Da Nang) on charges of robbery and intentional injury.

According to the investigation, around dusk on August 29, Tuấn armed himself with a 31cm knife and walked toward the house of H.Đ. (63) in Hưng Mỹ hamlet, Thăng An commune, intending to confront him over a family dispute.

On the way, Tuấn spotted N.C.K. (22) and his wife riding past on a motorbike. He blocked their path, brandished the knife, and shouted “This is a robbery!” Terrified, the couple abandoned their vehicle and fled.

Tuấn then rode to H.Đ.’s house, where he attacked the homeowner and his son H.V.Q. (40), leaving both with arm injuries. Locals quickly intervened, restraining Tuấn and handing him over to police.

The Da Nang police are consolidating case files to proceed with prosecution.

Police in Ho Chi Minh City have arrested a suspect who allegedly staged a fake purchase at a nutrition porridge shop before snatching a mobile phone from a 3-year-old girl.

Security camera footage shows the man, wearing a mask, arriving on a motorbike at a porridge shop on Dong Tam Street, Ba Diem Commune, Hoc Mon District. While the shop owner was preparing an order, he suddenly grabbed the phone from the girl’s hand, slipped it into his pocket, and fled on his bike.

The incident, which took place on September 4, quickly went viral online, sparking public outrage. The stolen phone was reportedly worth over VND 5 million.

Local police launched an immediate investigation, tracking down and arresting the suspect. On September 5, authorities brought him back to the scene to reenact the crime as part of the investigation. The suspect’s identity has not yet been released.

Ho Chi Minh City police are investigating after video clips circulated online showing a man chasing and repeatedly attacking a young motorcyclist in District 1.

On September 5, local authorities confirmed that Tan Dinh Ward Police, in coordination with the Ben Thanh Traffic Police Team, are working to identify the suspect.

At least three videos recorded from different angles by passersby captured the incident. A red scooter was seen lying on the street as the assailant shouted, then used his elbows to strike the head of a young man sitting on a black motorbike. The victim appeared to plead for mercy, shielded himself, and tried to escape.

The attacker continued chasing the victim into a nearby medical center, forcing security guards, medical staff, and bystanders to intervene before he eventually left the scene on his motorbike. The violent episode drew a large crowd.

Authorities later verified the incident occurred on the afternoon of September 4 along Tran Nhat Duat Street, Tan Dinh Ward.

Police also obtained a separate clip the same day showing the same man—riding without a helmet—ramming his motorbike into the rear of a car on Phan Dinh Phung Street, Phu Nhuan District.

Tan Dinh Ward Police are coordinating with relevant units to track down the suspect and clarify the circumstances of both incidents.

The Bac Ninh General Hospital No.1 has dismissed two employees and disciplined another following public outrage over a case in which a patient’s family was charged 21 million VND (around USD 830) for a 200 km ambulance ride.

On September 5, the Bac Ninh Department of Health reported to the provincial authorities that hospital driver Vu Van Giap, 41, and nurse Nguyen Van Thang, 34, were both fired for serious misconduct. Another nurse, Nguyen Thi Thiu, 30, received a formal warning.

The decision came after an investigation into complaints made by the family of a patient from Thai Nguyen. On August 19, the patient’s relatives arranged for an ambulance transfer from Bac Ninh to Thai Nguyen, a journey of roughly 200 km. Upon arrival, they were asked to pay 21 million VND, including 4 million VND for the accompanying doctor.

The incident quickly spread on social media, sparking widespread criticism that the cost was excessive and exploitative. Following public pressure, the driver contacted the family and refunded 16 million VND.

Hospital leaders later met with the patient’s relatives, convened a disciplinary council, and reviewed the responsibilities of involved departments. Authorities said the strict action was necessary to restore public trust and prevent similar violations in the future.

The case highlights growing concerns over healthcare transparency and patient protection in Vietnam, where hospitals are under pressure to ensure ethical conduct and fair treatment for patients.

Relying too much on travel influencers, cramming the whole country into one trip, or skipping street food—these are just some of the common mistakes that can ruin a first visit to Vietnam.

Travel writer Joshua Zukas, who has lived in Hanoi for 12 years and contributed to 10 Vietnam travel guidebooks, says glossy tourism ads often paint an unrealistic picture of Vietnam. The reality is more complex—and first-time visitors often fall into these traps:

1. Trying to See All of Vietnam in One Trip

Vietnam may look small on a map, but its length is comparable to Japan or Italy. Traveling between north, central, and south takes hours. With just 1–2 weeks, it’s better to focus on one region.

2. Getting Frustrated by the Weather

From freezing northern winters to Mekong Delta heatwaves and central Vietnam’s autumn typhoons, weather is unpredictable. Instead of stressing, pack accordingly and remember: locals deal with it daily.

3. Fear of Missing Out

There’s no single “must-see” spot in Vietnam. Chasing viral destinations can mean crowds and disappointment. The best trips come from following your own interests.

4. Following Influencers Blindly

TikTok and Instagram clips can mislead. Instead of chasing picture-perfect illusions, look for content creators based in Vietnam who share authentic insights.

5. Skipping Street Food

Vietnam’s best food is often found at tiny shops specializing in one dish. From Hanoi’s bánh cuốn to Saigon’s seafood stalls, street eats are essential.

6. Not Buying a Local SIM

Wi-Fi isn’t enough. For just $10/month, Vietnam’s mobile data is cheap, fast, and reliable. eSIMs and local SIMs make travel smoother.

7. Ignoring Guidebooks

In the age of AI-generated blogs and fake reviews, a well-researched guidebook—print or digital—remains the smartest investment for a real, informed travel experience.

A convicted rapist who faked his own death and fled to Spain was finally caught after his obsession with working out at a local gym gave him away.

On September 3, the High Court in Glasgow found James Clacher, 57, guilty of raping two women he met on dating apps Tinder and Bumble.

• First rape: On August 24, 2019, he violently assaulted a woman just 15 minutes after meeting her at her home following a Tinder match.

• Second rape: On September 4, 2020, he raped another woman at her Glasgow apartment after connecting via Bumble.

Facing rape charges in May 2022, Clacher staged his disappearance by leaving his car near a forest in Argyll and Bute, along with a suicide note blaming one of his victims. Police initially believed he had taken his own life, while in reality he was preparing a carefully planned escape.

The Gym Obsession That Exposed Him

Clacher survived in the woods before secretly making his way to Spain. Under the alias “Johnny Wilson,” he settled in the southern town of Nerja, working as a gardener and teaching yoga classes on the beach. He also started dating a local woman.

But his compulsive visits to Time Sport gym drew attention. In 2023, a public tip-off linked him to the area. Six months later, plainclothes Spanish police arrested him during a yoga session at Costa del Sol.

Authorities revealed that his fitness fixation ultimately betrayed his hiding place.

Clacher admitted to police that he had crossed the UK into France hidden in a truck, then cycled into Spain. He even considered building a kayak to paddle across to Morocco.

After nearly two years on the run, Clacher now faces a lengthy prison sentence for his crimes.

Hanoi – On September 4, the Hanoi People’s Court opened the trial of Bui Trung Duc (33, Ho Chi Minh City) and 19 accomplices, charged with large-scale investment fraud through fake forex platforms.

Prosecutors said Duc was part of a network led by “Mr Pips” Pho Duc Nam and “Mr Hunter” Le Khac Ngo. The group allegedly set up 27 shell companies and cloned international-sounding trading sites like ZenoMarkets, Londonex, CHMarkets, TradeTime, LPLtrade, and DexInvesting. In reality, all trades were rigged against investors, with deposits funneled straight into company-controlled accounts.

More than 1,000 phone numbers and hundreds of staff were used to cold-call victims, promising quick profits. Sales agents, mostly in their 20s, were trained to build trust by first letting clients make small withdrawals before pushing them to invest larger sums. Once hooked, customers were manipulated into escalating trades until their accounts were wiped out.

Police have so far proven 12 cases worth 11 billion VND ($430,000), including one 66-year-old Hanoi woman who lost 6.7 billion VND. Authorities have seized cash, luxury cars, gold, real estate, and designer goods, with total assets recovered in the wider “Mr Pips” case exceeding 5.3 trillion VND ($208 million).

Nam (“Mr Pips”) was arrested in late 2024, accused of defrauding over 2,600 investors. Ngo (“Mr Hunter”) remains on the run, while his wife was arrested in Thailand in July under an Interpol warrant.