The UK Royal Navy’s offshore patrol vessel HMS Spey docked at Nha Rong – Khanh Hoi International Port in Ho Chi Minh City on October 22, starting a week-long friendship visit.

Vietnam and the EU have steadily expanded cooperation in various fields from politics and diplomacy to trade, investment, science and technology, and sustainable development over more than 35 years of diplomatic relations.

General Secretary and President To Lam and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation attended a high-level dialogue with leading European and Belgian business executives on October 22 (local time) as part of his official visit to the EU and Belgum.

Vietnam Goods Week in Korea 2026 opened at Lotte Mart’s Seoul Station branch on October 22, offering Vietnamese agricultural produce, seafood and food products greater access to Korean consumers.

Northern Vietnam is set for a return to sunny weather, with highs of 32-34°C as a cold air mass weakens rapidly. Super Typhoon Champi is heading toward Taiwan (China) and is not expected to directly affect Vietnam's mainland.

Vietnam's Party General Secretary and President To Lam met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on October 22, with both leaders seeking deeper cooperation in trade, technology, energy and strategic infrastructure.

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.