Vietnam

In his latest book, Sebastian Strangio illuminates the unique challenges facing the countries that are close to China, and exactly what is at stake for each. (Courtesy of Sebastian Strangio)
Arts

BOOKS: 'In the Dragon's Shadow,' by Sebastian Strangio

Southeast Asia's foreign policy challenges in the 'Chinese Century'

16 December 2020
A woman in Vietnam's Quang Ngai Province walks on a road inundated by floodwater caused by an October typhoon.
Agriculture

Vietnam crop prices spike in a stormy autumn

Typhoons hit supplies of pepper, coffee beans and rubber

12 December 2020
Nipro will spend 36 billion yen to expand dialyzer capacity at this factory in Vietnam. (Photo courtesy of Nipro)
Health Care

Japan's Nipro pumps $1bn into doubling output of artificial kidneys

Medical device maker aims to capture emerging-market demand

12 December 2020
Vietnam is racing to produce its own COVID-19 vaccine, which could provide it with health security and export opportunities.
Coronavirus

Vietnam eyes launch of homemade COVID vaccine in 2nd half of 2021

Nanogen Pharmaceutical receives go-ahead to start clinical trials of Nanocovax

11 December 2020
Biden has suggested three agenda items for his summit: fighting corruption, anti-authoritarianism, and human rights.
Opinion

Asia's wise heads are wrong to dismiss Biden's big idea

President-elect's democracy push is worth considering

9 December 2020
Topica attracted funding from various investors such as Northstar and Cyberagent Capital, fueled by the growth of the education industry due to COVID.
DealStreetAsia

Vietnamese edtech Topica CEO departs for 'personal' reasons

Investors to launch new online learning platform in restructuring effort

5 December 2020
The Osaka International House Foundation in the city of Osaka is finding it difficult to keep up with the demand for Vietnamese-Japanese translators.
Japan immigration

Help wanted: Japan creates need for Vietnamese interpreters

Bringing in foreigners to solve labor crunch opens another void

5 December 2020
Stream article image
Transportation

Vietnam budget airlines Vietjet and Bamboo call for government aid

Struggling private sector seeks same treatment as state-run flag carrier

5 December 2020
Three powerful women in Vietnam, from left: Vice-President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and State Bank of Vietnam Gov. Nguyen Thi Hong
Politics

Vietnam women break glass ceiling as central bank chief appointed

More take posts at top of government in still male-dominated society

4 December 2020
 A liquefied natural gas tanker docks near the Futtsu power plant in Japan: LNG produces less carbon emissions than many other types of fossil fuels. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Energy

Vietnam teams with Japan and US for low-carbon electricity

LNG-fired power plants seen as part of plan to offset Chinese influence

4 December 2020
Delegates sing "The Internationale" at the closing ceremony of the Vietnamese Communist Party's National Congress in Hanoi on Jan. 28, 2016.
Politics

Vietnam races to protect Communist congress as COVID reemerges

Foreigners may face ban on entering nation ahead of crucial political event

3 December 2020
Twenty-one investors have demanded companies such as Mitsubishi Corp. withdraw from the Vung Ang 2 coal-fired power plant project in central Vietnam.
Climate Change

Ditch Vietnam coal-fired plant, investors tell Mitsubishi and banks

European asset managers note project counters Paris Agreement

29 November 2020
A rendering of a new commercial complex in Hanoi: Takashimaya is taking part in several large-scale projects in Vietnam as the company pushes into the real estate sector.
Companies

Takashimaya chases new identity as developer, starting in Vietnam

Department store operator shifts focus to real estate in coronavirus era

27 November 2020
India's Red Fort prepares for Independence Day celebrations. The country is considering legislation to strengthen control over data collected within its borders.
Century of Data

Asian countries build data fortresses to protect new national assets

Limits on cross-border flows hurt business and risk leaving countries poorer

26 November 2020
Nguyen Phan Que Mai’s first novel in English is a multi-generational saga charting the ups and downs of a Vietnamese family in a country riven by conflict. (Photo courtesy of Dreamscape Media)
Arts

BOOKS: 'The Mountains Sing,' by Nguyen Phan Que Mai

A daughter of Vietnam marks the country's literary breakout

26 November 2020
Foxconn will soon establish a new local company in Vietnam, where it already makes TVs, telecom equipment and computer-related products.
Electronics

Foxconn to expand production in Vietnam with $270m investment

Taiwan company, seeking bases outside China, aims to take advantage of RCEP pact

25 November 2020
Vietnamese users of the Grab ride-hailing app now see referrals to the e-retailer Lazada when they log in, and vice versa, under a new cross-marketing deal. 
Technology

Lazada and Grab swap referrals for Vietnam's growing consumers

E-commerce and ride-hailing apps eye COVID-fueled market expansion

19 November 2020
An artist's rendering of an LNG plant under development in Indonesia by Marubeni and Sojitz.
Energy

Vietnam picks Tokyo Gas and Marubeni for $2bn LNG power plant

Deal covers everything from procurement to generation

19 November 2020
Rising exports and effective control of the coronavirus have kept Vietnam's economy growing despite the pandemic.
Economy

Vietnam emerges as sole economic winner in Southeast Asia

GDP to surge past virus-hit Singapore and Malaysia on China manufacturing exodus

19 November 2020
A worker disinfects a Vietnam Airlines plane. Lawmakers have passed a 12 trillion dong package to rescue the airline which has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. 
Transportation

Hanoi lawmakers approve $520m rescue of Vietnam Airlines

Carrier 'is working on restructuring plan,' National Assembly chairman says

17 November 2020
Pharmacity has approximately 500 drugstores, making the company the biggest of its kind in Vietnam. (Photo by Lien Hoang)
Health Care

Vietnam's biggest pharmacy to double stores to 1,000 by 2021

Pharmacity founder reveals aggressive plan to fend off rivals Vingroup and FPT

16 November 2020
China is expanding its sway over Southeast Asia during the latest ASEAN summit, seeing an opening in U.S. absence. (Photo courtesy of the ASEAN Secretariat/Kusuma Pandu WIjay)
International relations

China tightens ASEAN grip while US looks inward

Beijing fills diplomatic void left by America's chaotic presidential transition

14 November 2020
Vietnam's National Assembly has two days left in which to work out details of a half-billion-dollar rescue of cash-strapped flag carrier Vietnam Airlines.
Economy

Vietnam Airlines awaits rescue package from National Assembly

Lawmakers consider capital increase and loans worth $520mn

13 November 2020
Employees load cargo onto a plane belonging to Vietjet, which is partnering with UPS to export goods from Asia. (Photo courtesy of Vietjet)
Transportation

Vietjet and UPS start joint cargo service between Asia and US

Tie-up marks budget airline's shift to trade as COVID grounds tourism

13 November 2020
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, center, speaking during a virtual summit with ASEAN leaders on Thursday. (VNA via AP)
International relations

ASEAN discusses regional travel corridor for faster COVID recovery

Indonesia president hopes new plan will be in operation in by early 2021

12 November 2020