Politics

Vietnamese workers stand on a drilling platform in the South China Sea. Vietnam's oil production has declined since peaking in 2004.
8 February 2019
U.S. President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in Washington on Feb. 5.
N Korea at crossroads

Second Trump-Kim summit set for Feb 27-28 in Vietnam

President claims to have prevented a 'major war' with North Korea

6 February 2019
Vietnam wants its auto industry to source 35% to 40% of components domestically by 2020, up from about 10% now.
Economy

Vietnam keeps tough auto import rules despite criticism

Deputy prime minister hints at new incentives to boost domestic production

6 February 2019
A worker assembles parts at BMW Group factory in Jakarta.
Economy

Southeast Asia bucks trend of sinking global foreign investment

Strong markets make region the world's main driver of FDI growth

4 February 2019
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc called China "a friend" at the sidelines of a session of the World Economic Forum in Davos, but also said that Hanoi will "protect our own legitimate interests and sovereignty."
International relations

Vietnam seeks more trade with China but will defend interests: PM

Key state-owned enterprise reform needs to speed up, Phuc says

24 January 2019
Smooth and effective implementation is the key to the success of CPTPP.
Opinion

The Unsexy Challenge of CPTPP

Members must focus on implementing the trade accord, or risk embarrassment

23 January 2019
Women work at a garment factory in Hai Duong province, outside Hanoi. 
Economy

Vietnam privatizations hit wall as TPP arrives

Hanoi poised to miss 2020 goal of easing control of economy

7 January 2019
© Illustration by Eric Chow
Asia Insight

Japan to Asia: Give us your young, your skilled, your eager workers

Abe bets on foreign talent -- blue and white collars alike -- to revitalize the economy

1 January 2019
Cars are seen stuck in a traffic jam on Rama IX Road in Bangkok. Easing traffic congestion is one of the most urgent tasks for Asian cities.
International relations

Southeast Asia 'smart cities' redesign roads and grids with Japan

Tokyo readies aid for ASEAN's 26 pilot regions, taking different approach from Beijing

1 January 2019
Budget airline Vietjet's fleet includes 60 Airbus A320 and A321 craft. (Photo provided by Vietjet)
Companies

Hanoi freezes Vietjet flight expansion after safety incidents

Vietnam probe of faulty and emergency landings comes ahead of busy Tet holiday

27 December 2018
PetroVietnam Oil operates 540 filling stations in the country, with another 3,000 locations run by agents.
Companies

Vietnam state oil retailer tweaks search plans for foreign strategic partner

Amid market slump, PV Oil compromises on 45% divestment plan

20 December 2018
A Rosneft Vietnam worker stands on the Lan Tay gas platform in the South China Sea.
International relations

Vietnam and Russia expand joint South China Sea gas projects

Moves to ease dependence on Beijing threatens to sharpen regional conflict

30 November 2018
The website would allow information about a cyberattack to be quickly shared among the countries.
Politics

Cyberattack response site to be launched by Japan and ASEAN

Clearinghouse will aid officials in confronting transnational threats

11 November 2018
A Formula One race is held in Mexico City on Oct. 27.
Life

Vietnam brings Formula One racing to Hanoi in 2020

City faces steep challenge to raise funds for circuit

3 November 2018
Cambodia's minimum wage, which determines the pay of many garment workers, has risen sharply in recent years.
Economy

Minimum wages surge across Southeast Asia

Favoring protectionism over productivity risks discouraging foreign investment

28 October 2018
Nguyen Phu Trong
Politics

Vietnam party chief Trong formally named president

74-year-old becomes country's first leader to hold both roles since Ho Chi Minh

23 October 2018
Containers are seen at the port of Auckland, New Zealand. The country is preparing to ratify the TPP in the coming weeks.
International relations

TPP-11 on track to take effect in mid-January

New Zealand, Australia, Vietnam and Canada to ratify trade pact this year

23 October 2018
Representatives from Trans-Pacific Partnership members pose for photos in March after the signing ceremony in Chile.
Economy

Australia approves TPP-11, raises chance of pact taking effect in early 2019

New Zealand and Vietnam set to debate ratification of trans-Pacific trade deal

17 October 2018
U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis makes an "unusual" second trip to Vietnam this year. 
International relations

Mattis in Vietnam to strengthen ties and counter Beijing's rise

US defense secretary's trip seen as backing for Hanoi in South China Sea

16 October 2018
A port in Ho Chi Minh City. Some U.S. policy also benefits Vietnamese exports, such as a program that connects local enterprises to global companies.
Interview

Vietnam to approve TPP-11 by November, prime minister says

Hanoi's ratification would be fourth of six needed for trade deal to take effect

7 October 2018
Nguyen Phu Trong
Politics

Vietnam edges toward China's model of centralized rule

Trong set for presidential coronation, but with weaker powers than Xi Jinping

4 October 2018
Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has spearheaded an anti-corruption drive and taken on diplomatic tasks normally reserved for the president.
Politics

Vietnam floats idea of Communist Party chief doubling as president

Top leader Trong poised to secure more power in mode of Xi Jinping

2 October 2018
A woman rides past a branch of VietinBank in Hanoi.
Business trends

Vietnam's state lenders accelerate unwinding of crossholdings

Sales in Military Bank and Eximbank expected in October

26 September 2018
Vietnam's acting President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh
Politics

Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh named acting president of Vietnam

Country's first female head of state expected to serve until late October

26 September 2018
Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang. 
Politics

Vietnamese President Quang, contender for top leader, dies at 61

Death seen concentrating power in hands of pro-China party chief Trong

22 September 2018