US and Vietnamese Foreign Ministers talk by phone

On the evening of May 27, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son held phone talks to discuss bilateral relations, human rights, the East Sea (South China Sea) situation, and other issues, according to…
Numerous foreign giants withdraw from Vietnam’s retail market

Many foreign brands faced difficulties and struggled to compete in the Vietnamese retail market and had to withdraw. The market recorded many retailers closing, returning rent facilities, or downsizing their businesses. In mid-May, The Korea Times reported that the Korean…
Vietnam’s New Parliament: What do voters want?

Confident as a prophet of great deception, on the morning of May 23, right after opening the National Assembly election performance, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong boasted to himself: “I believe, with the important meaning of this election, our country…
Alcohol consumption in Vietnam increases despite the Covid-19 pandemic

According to the results of the 2020 population living standard survey just announced by the General Statistics Office, alcohol consumption increased in 2020, from 0.9 liters/person/month in 2018 to 1.3 liters/person/month last year. Notably, alcohol consumption among the better-off households…
Australia wants to upgrade strategic ties with Vietnam

Australia wishes to elevate its relationship with Vietnam to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a phone call with his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh on May 25. The head of the Australian…
Vietnam election “gives two positive signals”

Elections for the National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels in Vietnam on May 23 took place “seriously” and showed “positive signals,” a sociologist told the BBC from Hanoi. Commenting to BBC News Vietnamese from the Institute for Social…