Taoism once had at least 21 temples in northern Vietnam, yet few remain prominent today. Researchers say its influence has endured by blending into local beliefs and traditions.

Apple's first foldable iPhone is set to go on sale on October 23, but several Vietnamese tech influencers and journalists have already tested the iPhone Duo, offering early insights into its design, displays, cameras and software experience.

Vietnam needs more cinemas and dedicated cultural spaces if it wants its film industry to thrive, Culture Minister Lam Thi Phuong Thanh told lawmakers, urging stronger land-use policies to support cultural development.

With Apple's premium iPhone 18 models already unveiled, attention is turning to the standard version expected in spring 2027. A longer wait and a potentially bold redesign could make it one of the year's most compelling smartphones.

Hanoi is consulting residents on a proposal to transfer more than 4,000 hectares from neighboring Phu Tho province to the capital, including parts of Ba Vi National Park, as authorities prepare the plan for parliamentary approval.

The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max could cost more than $2,000 in Europe, according to a new leak, making Apple's iPhone 18 Pro Max appear comparatively affordable despite its premium price tag.

Logistics costs in Vietnam's southern economic region remain at 14-16% of GDP, well above the global average of 10.6%, as traffic congestion, fragmented transport networks and inadequate warehousing continue to undermine business competitiveness.

Vietnam and the World Bank Group (WBG) have agreed to strengthen cooperation in preparation for APEC 2027, with a focus on policy priorities, support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and technical assistance.

Defense manufacturers from several EU member states have registered to exhibit at the Vietnam International Defense Expo 2026 in Hanoi this December, reflecting growing interest in the event as Vietnam and the EU deepen their defense cooperation.

The Ministry of Construction is seeking to develop new technologies for high-speed and urban railways, including a dedicated 5G network and a computer-based system to help ensure safe train operations.

The Hanoi People’s Court will begin the trial of Pho Duc Nam, known as Mr Pips, and 187 co-defendants on October 26 on charges including fraud, money laundering, handling criminal proceeds and tax evasion.

A military flight transported 8,453 biological samples from fallen soldiers’ remains from Can Tho to Hanoi for DNA testing on October 21, following a tribute ceremony at Can Tho International Airport.

Nearly 20 Vietnamese banks have cut deposit rates by around 0.5 percentage points, while 14 have reduced lending rates by 1.5-2 percentage points, with some cuts reaching 3 percentage points.

The main span of a pedestrian bridge over the Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh City, featuring a nipa palm leaf-shaped design and linking Bach Dang Wharf with the Thu Thiem New Urban Area, was joined on October 21.

Dakrong Nature Reserve in the central province of Quang Tri has recorded 35 bird species not previously documented, including several endangered and rare species listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

The Ministry of Home Affairs is seeking feedback on a draft National Assembly resolution establishing special mechanisms and policies for talent recruitment and development to support strategic tasks, key programmes and projects.

Vietnam is advancing plans to connect its national electronic identification application, VNeID, with Singapore’s Singpass system and Laos’s LAeID system under Decision No. 1830/QD-TTg dated September 22, 2026

Hanoi, with its thousand-year cultural legacy, possesses a rich heritage of historical and cultural value and creative potential. 

Vietnam's banking system handles around 100 million payment transactions worth $46 billion every day, putting growing pressure on banks to strengthen cybersecurity, detect fraud and maintain trust as digital banking expands.

Vietnam has announced four priority topics for the APEC Finance Ministers’ Process 2027, focusing on capital markets, data-driven finance, development financing and young talent in the financial sector.

General Secretary and President To Lam, his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation arrived in Brussels on the afternoon of October 21 (local time), beginning official visits to the European Union (EU) and Belgium.

Shrimp exports, the fisheries industry’s largest foreign currency earner, generated 3.7 billion USD in the first nine months of 2026, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

The Colon Free Zone is a destination Vietnamese businesses could consider as a base for expanding exports to Latin America and the Caribbean, said Phan Thi Nga, first secretary at the Vietnam Trade Office in Mexico, which also covers Panama.

Nguyen Thi Ngoc Thuy continued to make her mark at the 5th Asian Para Games by claiming a bronze medal in the women's discus throw F54 event with a result of 14.65 metres.

Da Nang is considering more than 2,050 hectares of land reclamation for urban development under its master plan through 2050, with the proposed coastal areas expected to accommodate around 400,000 residents.