AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

Kim Hye In
  • Vietnam U17 Football Team Suffers Late Collapse Against South Korea, Focus Shifts to UAE Match
    Vietnam U17 Football Team Suffers Late Collapse Against South Korea, Focus Shifts to UAE Match The Vietnam U17 football team missed a chance to secure their spot in the U17 World Cup after a late-game collapse against South Korea. Despite taking an early lead, Vietnam conceded four goals in the final minutes, leaving their chances of advancing to the quarterfinals and securing a World Cup berth dependent on their final match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE). According to Vietnamese media including Nhân Dân, Vietnam, led by coach Cristiano Rolando, fell 1-4 to South Korea in their second match of Group C at the 2026 AFC U17 Championship on May 11. Vietnam opened the scoring in the 33rd minute when Le Si Park broke through the offside trap to score with a diagonal shot after receiving a pass from Dao Quy Vuong. Throughout the first half, Vietnam effectively pressured South Korea and executed quick attacks from the flanks. However, in the second half, South Korea intensified their offensive efforts, gradually shifting the momentum in their favor. In the 83rd minute, An Seon-hyun equalized with a low, powerful shot from a free kick just inside the 17-meter mark, completely turning the tide of the match. Following the equalizer, Vietnam visibly struggled. Just two minutes later, they allowed Nam Ian to score again due to a lapse in defensive concentration. In the 88th minute, An Ju-wan scored from long range, and in stoppage time, Kim Ji-woo added a fourth goal, finalizing the score at 1-4. This defeat means Vietnam cannot secure an early qualification for the World Cup. They will face UAE in their final match on May 14 at midnight local time. A victory in this match would significantly enhance their chances of reaching the quarterfinals and qualifying for the 2026 U17 World Cup in Qatar. Teams that reach the quarterfinals will automatically secure a World Cup ticket. The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) stated on their official website shortly after the match, "Following the comeback loss to South Korea, the U17 Vietnam team must put in greater effort in their final match against UAE." The federation added, "U17 Vietnam has not yet secured a World Cup ticket. With one match remaining, we will continue our challenge toward the global stage." The VFF's official fan page reported that after the match, VFF President Tran Quoc Tuan and coach Cristiano Rolando personally visited the locker room to encourage the players. "Although we did not achieve the desired result, this match will serve as a valuable lesson for our young players to grow and gain international experience," they stated. They concluded with a message of support: "Failure is part of football. What matters is to become stronger from that failure. There is still one game left. Let's keep moving forward, young warriors of Vietnam!" In related news, the draw for the 2027 Saudi Arabia Asian Cup placed Vietnam in Group E alongside South Korea, UAE, and the winner of the Lebanon-Yemen match. This means Vietnam will face South Korea again next year at the national team level. Historically, Vietnam has faced South Korea seven times, with a record of one win and six losses, scoring two goals and conceding 23. Their only victory came in the 2004 Asian Cup qualifiers with a 1-0 win thanks to a goal from Pham Van Quyen, while their most recent encounter ended in a 0-6 defeat in an October 2023 friendly. After the match, Kim Sang-sik, the head coach of the Vietnam national team, expressed, "As a professional coach, I focus 100% on football. If we prepare well, we can compete on equal terms with South Korea and even surpass them." Kim has over 30 years of experience in football and previously managed Jeonbuk Hyundai in the K League from 2021 to 2023. He also led U23 Vietnam to a surprising victory over U23 South Korea in the third-place match of the 2026 U23 Asian Championship.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-11 16:08:09
  • Vietnam Responds Swiftly to U.S. Intellectual Property Warning
    Vietnam Responds Swiftly to U.S. Intellectual Property Warning The United States designated Vietnam as a "Priority Foreign Country" (PFC) in its 2026 Special 301 Report, prompting the Vietnamese government to quickly formulate a response. This marks the first time in 13 years that such a severe designation has been issued, raising concerns that it could lead to unfavorable trade measures, including tariffs. According to Vietnamese media outlet VOV, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) classified Vietnam as a PFC in its report released on April 30. This is the highest level of warning issued to a specific trading partner since Ukraine in 2013. The USTR cited five reasons for Vietnam's designation as a PFC: ineffective enforcement against copyright infringement in the digital environment, insufficient action against counterfeit goods and trademark violations, limitations in border enforcement mechanisms, a lack of substantial measures against unauthorized software use within companies, and weak criminal regulations against the unauthorized interception of encrypted cable and satellite signals. In response, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) stated that this issue requires careful examination. The department noted that if a formal investigation is initiated based on U.S. consultations and evaluations, the process could be lengthy and may lead to unfavorable trade measures, including tariffs. During the first term of President Donald Trump, the U.S. initiated a Special 301 investigation against China in 2017 concerning intellectual property rights and technology transfer, using it as a basis for imposing additional tariffs. Many of those measures have remained in place since then. The Special 301 provision allows the U.S. to take retaliatory actions if it determines that a trading partner is infringing on intellectual property rights. However, the WTO department noted that Vietnam has made consistent efforts in recent years to strengthen intellectual property protection through legal and institutional reforms and to enhance enforcement capabilities. Examples include amendments to intellectual property laws, improved inter-agency cooperation in handling violations, and inspections of the digital environment and product distribution stages. The Vietnamese government has also officially requested that the U.S. objectively and comprehensively assess its protection and enforcement efforts. Vietnam Moves Quickly to Prepare In this context, the response of Vietnamese companies has become a critical task. The WTO department advised businesses to reassess their compliance with intellectual property laws throughout their production, sales, and export processes. Companies deeply integrated with the U.S. market, partners, or supply chains should urgently review their internal compliance systems. They should first verify whether the software currently in use is legal, whether images, trademarks, packaging, designs, and promotional content are used legally, and whether the sources and usage rights of data, designs, technical documents, digital works, and marketing materials are clearly secured. It is also essential to maintain internal documents that can prove ownership or usage rights of related intellectual property assets. For companies providing intermediary infrastructure, such as digital platforms, e-commerce, data centers, and social networks, stricter standards have been proposed. They should enhance procedures for managing content and sellers, improve systems for receiving and processing infringement reports, and promptly remove products, stores, or content with clear violations. In high-risk areas, such as websites dealing with medical supplies, food, health supplements, and large-scale copyrighted content, early prevention and close cooperation with authorities are even more critical. Exporting companies to the U.S. are advised to ensure compliance checks on intellectual property, as well as enhance information transparency across their supply chains, digitization of materials, and traceability. The WTO department explained that this is not only a risk management measure in anticipation of potential unfavorable actions from the U.S., but also a key condition for meeting international market compliance, origin, quality, and transparency standards. Should the USTR officially initiate an investigation, related companies and industry associations are advised to actively provide information and opinions through appropriate channels. Demonstrating how they have refined their compliance management and the changes in Vietnam's legal reforms and enforcement efforts could be crucial in the U.S. evaluation process. The WTO department analyzed that the 2026 Special 301 Report signals that intellectual property should be recognized as a core element of modern governance and long-term competitiveness, beyond mere legal issues. Ultimately, investments in compliance, risk control, supply chain digitization, standardization of internal processes, and market diversification will provide a solid foundation for responding to the changing international trade environment.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-11 03:04:59
  • BHC Expands into Vietnams Chicken Market with Master Franchise Agreement
    BHC Expands into Vietnam's Chicken Market with Master Franchise Agreement South Korea's leading fried chicken brand is targeting the Vietnamese market. BHC has officially announced its entry through a master franchise agreement, while earlier this year, domestic venture capital firm The Ventures acquired a stake in Chicken Plus to accelerate local expansion. According to reports from Vietnamese media, including Tuoi Tre, BHC's parent company, Dining Brands Group, signed a master franchise agreement with Singapore-based Hao Open Food last month, marking its first step into the Vietnamese market. Hao Open Food operates food and beverage (F&B) and retail businesses across Southeast Asia and has established local distribution networks and logistics infrastructure in Vietnam. BHC is a top chicken chain in South Korea, operating over 2,300 stores worldwide, and aims to open 50 locations in major cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang over the next decade. "We plan to steadily expand our store system and build our brand by leveraging the local partner's distribution network and operational capabilities," said Song Ho-seop, CEO of Dining Brands Group. BHC will maintain its core menu items, Bburinkle and Machoking, while also introducing offerings tailored to local tastes. Machoking, launched in 2015, has sold 40 million units and generated approximately 800 billion won in revenue by 2025. The growth potential of Vietnam's fried chicken market is evident in the numbers. According to Insight Asia's '2026 Vietnam Fast Food Market and Consumer Trends Report,' 82% of Vietnamese consumers chose chicken-related items during their most recent fast food visit, significantly outpacing burgers (11%) and pizza (7%). Major competitors in the Vietnamese fast food market include Lotteria (222 outlets), Jollibee (213), KFC (172), and McDonald's (37). In terms of revenue structure, chicken has distinct advantages. Among consumers who chose chicken items, 84% opted for combo meals that include chicken, drinks, and sides. Although combo orders account for only 68% of total orders, they contribute to 72% of sales, indicating high revenue efficiency. Orders through delivery platforms also exceed 47%, making chicken brands the biggest beneficiaries. Taste (74%) is the primary factor in consumer decision-making, followed by convenience (48%) and price (43%). ◆ The Ventures Acquires Stake in Chicken Plus Vietnam, Aiming for 270 Locations in Four Years Earlier in February, The Ventures became the largest shareholder of Chicken Plus Vietnam, marking its official entry into the local F&B market. Since opening its first store in 2016, Chicken Plus has grown to over 500 locations in South Korea and entered Vietnam in 2019, currently operating more than 100 stores nationwide. The Ventures acquired its stake through an overseas investment fund, with a domestic chicken franchise company participating as a strategic investor. There will be no changes to the existing management or staff following the acquisition. The fund plans to increase the number of Chicken Plus locations in Vietnam to 270 within four years by utilizing the existing store network and infrastructure, while also establishing its own poultry farm to enhance cost control and quality management through in-house production, distribution, and sales. Kim Dae-hyun, a partner in charge of Vietnam investments at The Ventures, stated, "The goal of this deal is to enhance asset value by combining the Korean restaurant chain with local infrastructure," adding, "The Vietnamese F&B market has significant growth potential." Meanwhile, Lotteria, operated by Lotte GRS, has been present in Vietnam since 1998 and continues to grow steadily. It has expanded its presence by offering chicken meals paired with rice, reflecting local culinary preferences. Additionally, BBQ has been steadily increasing its stores since entering Vietnam in 2007, focusing on major cities like Hanoi and Da Nang. Other domestic chicken brands, such as Gubne Chicken and Bon Chicken, have also entered the Vietnamese market, driven by local consumer demand for K-chicken.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-08 21:30:51
  • Why More Vietnamese Students Are Being Denied South Korea Study Visas
    Why More Vietnamese Students Are Being Denied South Korea Study Visas Interest among Vietnamese students in studying in South Korea is rising, but tougher visa reviews are also increasing the number of applicants who fail financial screening, Vietnamese media reported. The trend is fueling calls for clearer, more accurate guidance on study requirements. Citing multiple Vietnamese outlets including VnExpress, reports on May 5 (local time) said statistics released in March by the Korea Immigration Service under the Ministry of Justice showed the number of international students in South Korea had topped 310,000. Vietnamese students ranked first at about 110,000. As the student population grows, the share of rejected study-visa applications is also rising. Reports said rejections are especially common when applicants fail to meet requirements for proof of funds or submit study plans that do not satisfy screening standards. The South Korean Embassy in Vietnam announced March 20 that it would strengthen financial reviews for study-visa applications, a step aimed at preventing illegal stays. Experts said applicants can be flagged as high risk even if other conditions are met when bank accounts are opened late, account balances do not match actual income, or the source of funds is unclear. They also cited factors that can weaken an application, including long gaps in schooling, an unexplained low GPA, weak interview answers, and limited understanding of the school being applied to. Ha Thi Phuong, head of CMTC Vietnam, a consulting firm that provides financial-document services for Vietnamese students, said more than half of her clients run into problems because bank accounts are set up incorrectly, creating inconsistencies across documents. “Many applicants go back and forth between banks, notary offices and study-abroad agencies several times, but still end up unable to complete the paperwork properly,” she said. She added that visa officers focus less on the balance itself than on how the money was accumulated. “They place more weight on how long the funds have been deposited and on the family’s actual household income and overall financial situation,” she said. Whether the account is in the student’s name or a parent’s name can also matter. For applicants under 18, using a parent’s account is often legally advantageous, while some adult students choose accounts in their own names. Timing can be critical as well, because some schools or consulates accept only balance certificates issued close to the submission deadline. Reports warned that even a small error can quickly lead to a denial or a delayed review. Need grows for accurate study-abroad information↑ Against that backdrop, interest is increasing in reliable information about studying in South Korea. From April 20 to 26, YT Korea, a study-abroad consulting organization, held the “1st Korea Education Seminar 2026” in major Vietnamese cities including Hanoi, Nghe An, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Lat, drawing attention, reports said. Representatives from Silla University, Busan University of Foreign Studies, Kyungnam College of Information & Technology, Busan Catholic University and Ulsan College attended in person. Students asked questions on the spot about admissions requirements, scholarships, and education and living conditions in South Korea. An organizer at the Nghe An event said interest was particularly strong in the possibility of obtaining an E-7 visa and permanent residency after graduating in technology and engineering fields. Organizers said the event aimed to move students and parents beyond choosing schools based on trends and toward planning for careers and permanent residency. Bui Thi Tam, a representative of the organizer, said, “In each region, our goal was not simply to pick a school, but to draw a future roadmap together for each student.” She added, “YT Korea promises to stay with students from the moment they begin learning Korean in Vietnam until they settle in Korea and find formal employment.” Reports said one-on-one consultations continued throughout the event, and the final stop in Da Lat drew hundreds of application registrations. With study-visa screening becoming more stringent, experts advised students to begin financial preparations at least six months to a year in advance and to ensure consistency across documents, saying it is the fastest way to save both time and money.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-06 15:42:18
  • Vietnam Sends Seasonal Farm Workers to South Korea as Mandatory Insurance Rules Tighten
    Vietnam Sends Seasonal Farm Workers to South Korea as Mandatory Insurance Rules Tighten Vietnam’s Dong Thap Province, Can Tho city and Dak Lak Province have been sending seasonal workers to South Korea in a steady stream, with the workers headed to agricultural jobs for months-long stints. Many are also expected to return with experience in more advanced farming techniques. Vietnamese media including VnExpress reported that on May 5, the Dong Thap Employment Service Center held a send-off for 206 workers departing for South Korea. The group is to travel to Yeoncheon in Gyeonggi province and Cheorwon in Gangwon province, where they are expected to work in agriculture for about eight months. Nguyen Phu Hieu, director of the Dong Thap Employment Service Center, said sending workers abroad is “not simply to address unemployment,” calling it a key strategy for local social and economic development. “Workers who return from overseas bring back not only capital, but also valuable knowledge, workplace discipline and vocational skills,” he said. Nguyen said the province plans to expand seasonal work placements to new markets such as Germany and Russia. He urged local authorities to provide careful support to families of departing workers, and repeatedly told workers to comply strictly with host-country laws and contract terms to avoid violations. Officials from the employment service center and provincial people’s committees handed out gifts and took commemorative photos at the event. Earlier, on March 26, the Can Tho Employment Service Center held a departure ceremony for 76 workers bound for Cheorwon. The workers, recognized for diligence and prior work experience, passed a direct selection process by South Korea and are expected to work there for eight months. On April 30, 20 seasonal workers who entered South Korea from Dak Lak attended a welcome event at the Gyeongsan Agricultural Technology Center. After completing required training, they were to be assigned to farms starting May 6. Seasonal foreign workers must enroll in three mandatory insurance plans South Korea is also revising rules aimed at improving working conditions for foreign workers. Since Feb. 15, seasonal workers on E-8 visas have been required to enroll in three mandatory insurance plans: accident insurance, wage arrears guarantee insurance and farmers and fishers safety insurance. Accident insurance must be purchased by the worker. According to an official notice the Vietnamese Ministry of Home Affairs sent to provincial and municipal people’s committees, workers must complete enrollment within 15 days of arrival to ensure coverage for medical costs arising from accidents or illness during their stay in South Korea. Violations can draw fines of up to 5 million won. Minimum coverage requirements are specified: at least 30 million won for accidental death and injury; at least 15 million won for death or injury due to illness; and at least 10 million won for actual medical expenses. Workers may buy travel insurance in Vietnam in advance or enroll in products offered by private insurers after arriving in South Korea. Premiums for seasonal workers run about 20,000 won per month. Employers must enroll in the wage arrears guarantee insurance and the farmers and fishers safety insurance. The wage arrears policy provides compensation of up to 4 million won per seasonal worker if wages are not paid on time. The safety insurance provides benefits including 120 million won in death benefits, 10 million won for funeral costs and up to 50 million won in medical expenses. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said it will allow a one-year guidance period. The measures come as South Korea’s rural areas rely more heavily on foreign labor. Statistics cited in the report said the number of foreign workers in agriculture is expected to rise from about 20,000 in 2020 to more than 100,000 in 2025 due to aging. From 2020 to 2024, the average industrial accident rate in agriculture was 0.78%, similar to manufacturing at 0.79%, but the average death rate per 10,000 workers was higher than in manufacturing.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-06 15:03:45
  • South Korea Firms Take Diverging Paths in Vietnam’s LNG Power Market
    South Korea Firms Take Diverging Paths in Vietnam’s LNG Power Market Two large liquefied natural gas-fired power projects in Vietnam are moving in opposite directions. Ca Na LNG in Khanh Hoa province took a first step after signing an investment and project contract in April. But Nghi Son LNG in Thanh Hoa province has stalled after failing to attract a single bidder in three tenders. Vietnam’s Finance and Investment Newspaper, an outlet under the Ministry of Finance, reported on May 4 (local time) that South Korean companies are now pursuing different strategies. SK Innovation has been listed as an investor in the nearby Quynh Lap LNG project in Nghe An province, while POSCO International has proposed developing Nghi Son and Quynh Lap together as a package. Vietnam’s LNG market is emerging as a new test for South Korean energy firms. Ca Na LNG signed its investment and project contract on April 10 with Khanh Hoa province through a consortium of Vietnam’s Trung Nam Group and Sideros River. The project is notable as the first LNG power project selected through an international tender under Vietnam’s Power Development Plan VIII. Nghi Son LNG, by contrast, again failed to secure any investor in its third tender. The project calls for a 1,500-megawatt combined-cycle gas turbine LNG plant with total investment of 57.524 trillion dong, but tenders have repeatedly fallen through since 2024. In the second tender on April 4 last year, five foreign companies — including Japan’s JERA, Thailand’s Gulf Energy and South Korea’s SK Innovation — showed interest, but no formal bid was submitted. As Nghi Son drifts, South Korean firms are looking to adjacent projects. SK Innovation was approved in February as an investor in Quynh Lap as part of a consortium. Nghe An selected its developer through direct negotiations rather than a competitive tender. SK Innovation has repeatedly proposed an integrated plan to link the two plants and share LNG storage, a dedicated port and a transmission yard. POSCO International has taken a similar approach. POSCO International CEO Lee Kye-in sent a letter to Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade in July last year, formally proposing integrated development of the Nghi Son and Quynh Lap LNG projects and selection of investors through direct appointment. The company argued that sharing infrastructure would cut costs and speed up the projects. Local government policy, however, does not align with that approach. An official at the Nghi Son Economic Zone and Industrial Park Management Board said Thanh Hoa chose an open tender because multiple investors had shown interest for a long time, calling it a process to ensure transparency and select capable investors. Thanh Hoa is also maintaining a policy, based on ministry guidance, that each LNG plant should have its own dedicated port — a direct clash with the South Korean proposal to share infrastructure between plants. Still, Thanh Hoa has signaled it does not intend to leave Nghi Son on hold indefinitely. In late March, it formed a working group to address obstacles facing LNG power projects in the province. On April 17, it met with Russia’s Novatek to gauge investment interest in three LNG plants — Nghi Son, Thanh Hoa and Cong Thanh — totaling about 4,500 MW, indicating it is also looking beyond South Korean capital. From an investor’s perspective, the two projects differ in appeal. Ca Na has existing advantages including a deepwater port, stable geological conditions and nearby industrial complexes. Nghi Son and Quynh Lap face the twin burdens of infrastructure needs and heavy investment costs — a key reason South Korean firms keep pushing an integrated development plan. Vietnam, meanwhile, designated LNG power as a core tool for its energy transition in August last year through Politburo Resolution No. 70-NQ/TW. Whether South Korean companies gain ground as stand-alone developers or through an integrated consortium will depend on how policy differences with provincial governments are resolved. Decisions on a possible fourth tender for Nghi Son and whether authorities accept the SK and POSCO integrated proposal are expected to be a turning point for South Korean energy companies in Vietnam’s LNG market.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-04 14:10:35
  • Vietnam Draws $18.24B in FDI in First Four Months, Led by Singapore and South Korea
    Vietnam Draws $18.24B in FDI in First Four Months, Led by Singapore and South Korea Vietnam is boosting growth momentum by expanding both foreign direct investment and public spending. In the first four months of this year, total registered FDI reached $18.24 billion, up 32.0% from a year earlier, while disbursed FDI rose 9.8% to $7.4 billion, the highest for the period in the past five years. Singapore ranked as the top investor with $6.05 billion, and Thai Nguyen and Nghe An led provinces in attracting capital. Vietnam’s Finance Ministry said total registered FDI as of April 27 — including newly registered capital, adjusted capital and foreign investors’ capital contributions and share purchases — totaled $18.24 billion. New registrations alone amounted to $12.15 billion across 1,249 projects. The number of projects rose 3.7% from a year earlier, while registered capital more than doubled. New capital flowed mainly into manufacturing. Processing and manufacturing drew $8.12 billion, or 66.8% of newly registered capital. Electricity, gas, water supply and air conditioning attracted $2.31 billion, or 19.0%, with other sectors accounting for $1.72 billion, or 14.2%. By source country, Singapore invested $6.05 billion, representing 49.8% of newly registered capital. South Korea followed with $4.08 billion, or 33.6%. China invested $524.1 million, Japan $462.0 million, Hong Kong $329.2 million and the Netherlands $318.5 million. By locality, Thai Nguyen remained No. 1 with more than $5.75 billion. Nghe An ranked second with more than $2.2 billion. Ho Chi Minh City attracted $983.0 million across 656 projects, followed by Dong Nai with $596.0 million, Bac Ninh with more than $473.0 million and Ha Tinh with more than $412.0 million. Disbursed FDI totaled $7.4 billion in the first four months. Manufacturing accounted for $6.12 billion, or 82.7%, followed by real estate at $540.5 million and electricity, gas, hot water, steam and air conditioning at $270.6 million. Public investment also increased. Investment disbursed from the state budget reached 187.1 trillion dong, equal to 19.7% of the annual plan and up 10.4% from a year earlier. Spending managed by local governments rose 11.4% to 161.7 trillion dong, while centrally managed spending increased 4.6% to 25.4 trillion dong. Nghe An reported strong results in its own investment drive. In the first four months, it approved 18 new projects and adjusted 58, with new and additional capital exceeding 65.219 trillion dong, up 8.74 times from a year earlier. FDI alone topped $788.0 million. The province also recorded 1,883 newly established businesses, up 58.6%, and 589 firms resuming operations. Vietnamese companies also stepped up overseas investment. Total outbound investment reached $713.9 million, 2.3 times the level a year earlier. Laos accounted for $198.0 million, or 27.7%, followed by Kyrgyzstan with $149.9 million and the United Kingdom with $82.8 million. With inbound FDI, public investment and outbound investment all rising in the first four months, Vietnam’s investment flows are broadening at home and abroad.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-04 14:08:26
  • Vietnam Mountain Town Turns Social Media Videos Into Millions in Income
    Vietnam Mountain Town Turns Social Media Videos Into Millions in Income Vietnam’s remote mountain communities are drawing attention after earning large sums from YouTube, TikTok and Facebook, according to local media. Residents filmed everyday routines — digging for bamboo shoots, weaving cloth and working fields — and millions watched, reshaping the local economy. Vietnamese outlet Tuoi Tre reported that on May 2 (local time), the People’s Committee of Lam Binh district in Tuyen Quang province announced the official launch of a pilot project to build a “digital content creation village” linked to tourism development. The committee said residents earned about 46 billion dong (about 2.5 billion won) from YouTube, Facebook and TikTok from January through April this year. Personal income tax paid through social media platforms accounted for more than 23% of the commune’s total budget. One of Lam Binh’s best-known examples is a young Dao man, Trieu Man Duong, after photos of him buying a Mercedes-Maybach spread nationwide on Facebook and other platforms in 2023. Duong runs the YouTube channel “Ly Thi Ca.” As of May 3, it had 1.47 million subscribers worldwide. The channel follows the daily life of a mountain girl, Ly Thi Ca, showing cooking, building a home, plowing fields, harvesting crops and selling produce at markets. The videos have attracted viewers beyond Vietnam, including in Russia, Spain, France, the United States and the United Kingdom. The channel has more than 700 videos with total views well above 700 million. ◆ From selling bamboo shoots at market to a village of millionaires Truong Van Quang, chairman of the Lam Binh People’s Committee, said more than 70 high-earning digital content creators live in the commune, contributing more than 23% of the local budget through personal income tax. “In the past, people had to dig for bamboo shoots, pick a handful of vegetables or weave cloth and carry it to market, and sales were limited to what we think of as ordinary retail,” Truong said. “Now the ‘digital economy’ is helping them sell their goods online.” He said terms once considered unbelievable in the area — “millionaire” and “billionaire” — have become reality, with hundreds of households escaping poverty by creating content and building legal wealth through social media platforms. “If people film themselves digging bamboo shoots, making sticky rice, weaving cloth or fishing and upload it to social media, hundreds of millions of people in other places, including overseas, watch,” Truong said. “They value the authenticity and honesty of mountain people and enjoy real, unproduced, simple videos.” The committee estimated that income from digital content production last year would exceed 34.6 billion dong (about 2 billion won), with personal income tax contributions projected at more than 1.5 billion dong (about 85 million won). Lam Binh officials said the gains remain scattered and lack a system, and links to tourism and specialty-product trade are still weak. The pilot project is built on three pillars: a rural digital economy; community tourism tied to smart agriculture and e-commerce; and preservation of ethnic minority cultural identity combined with environmental protection and community education. Local authorities plan to upgrade internet infrastructure, provide equipment for livestream sales of farm products, and support smart-farm projects tied to production and consumption. Plans also include expanding 5G and 6G internet, offering free Wi-Fi in some areas, and creating “digital living spaces” where residents can study and share ideas. Truong said the commune will form a “community core team” by inviting successful young residents to mentor beginners. Working with technical experts, the program will also teach use of basic AI applications on smartphones, video editing and automatic subtitle generation. Lam Binh authorities also stressed that digital content creation requires responsibility, ethics and compliance with laws. They said they will monitor to prevent false information, fraud and content that harms the cultural value of local communities. “We will follow the principle of doing small things firmly first, then expanding,” Truong said. “Only when we are confident it is generating income and building legal wealth will we expand it to the entire commune.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-03 15:06:35
  • South Korea Man, 60s, Found Dead After Paddleboard Disappearance in Ho Chi Minh City
    South Korea Man, 60s, Found Dead After Paddleboard Disappearance in Ho Chi Minh City A South Korean man in his 60s who went missing while paddleboarding on Da Den Lake in Ho Chi Minh City was found dead about a day later, Vietnamese media reported. The case has renewed attention on a string of water recreation deaths involving stand-up paddleboards, or SUPs, in Vietnam. Vietnamese outlets including Tuoi Tre reported that on May 2, Do Chi Koi, a member of the Kim Long area People’s Committee, confirmed the victim was found near the spot where he disappeared at 12:20 p.m. He said Ho Chi Minh City police and the South Korean consulate were continuing to investigate the circumstances. Reports said the man, identified only as A, drove to the lake on the morning of May 1 with a Vietnamese acquaintance, identified as B. After parking by the shore, they rode SUP boards to the opposite bank to look around and take photos. B said that while returning to the starting point, he moved ahead briefly and then turned back and could not see A. B reported the disappearance to authorities. Local authorities deployed about 100 people, including police, militia members and rescue teams, to search the area. The body was recovered around midday the next day. Da Den Lake spans several hundred hectares across Kim Long commune and the Ngai Giao and Tan Thanh districts. It is a popular spot for camping and leisure, drawing locals and tourists for fishing, swimming and water sports. Vietnamese reports said its large area and deep water have been linked to repeated drowning incidents in the past. Other SUP-related deaths have also been reported. In October 2024, six tourists in their 20s from Lam Dong province paddled about 200 meters off Long Hai waters near Phu Quy Island to take photos when strong winds and high waves hit under the influence of Typhoon Trami, reports said. A boat from their lodging rescued three people, and one returned by swimming. Another woman drifted for more than 12 hours while holding a life buoy before being rescued by a fishing boat. One person did not return. Authorities searched for nine days using dozens of boats and about 60 divers before finding the body wedged among rocks on a coastal breakwater more than 9 kilometers from where the person went missing. The area was off-limits to paddleboards, the reports said. In August last year, two female tourists visiting a beach with family off Hai Tac Island, in Tien Hai commune of An Giang province, were reported to have died after their SUP overturned in suddenly high waves. People nearby tried to rescue them but failed, and the two were later found dead that afternoon. The An Giang tourism department had issued an official notice before the incident barring access to dangerous waters during bad weather, the reports said. 2026-05-03 11:31:02
  • Vietnam Jewelry Gold Demand Hits Record as Bullion Buying Slumps; PM Urges Less Hoarding
    Vietnam Jewelry Gold Demand Hits Record as Bullion Buying Slumps; PM Urges Less Hoarding Vietnam posted a record for gold jewelry demand in the first quarter, even as demand for gold bars and coins fell sharply, highlighting a split between consumer buying and investment flows. The government says it will continue to recognize citizens’ right to hold gold as an asset, while seeking to curb hoarding and speculation and steer money toward the real economy. Vietnamese media on April 30, citing the World Gold Council’s first-quarter report, said Vietnam’s gold jewelry demand totaled $472 million, the highest on record. That was up 28% from the fourth quarter of last year, bucking a broader cooling in consumption across many markets. Analysts said tight supplies of gold bars also pushed some demand toward alternatives such as pure-gold rings. Globally, first-quarter gold jewelry demand fell 23% from a year earlier to 300 tons. The decline was widespread, led by drops of 32% in China, 19% in India and 23% in the Middle East. Within ASEAN, the pullback in investment demand was especially notable. Vietnam’s first-quarter demand for gold bars and coins fell 24% from a year earlier to 9 tons, diverging from the global trend in which retail demand for bars and coins rose 42% to 474 tons. The government is moving to tighten institutional oversight of the gold market. At a meeting with the State Bank of Vietnam on April 29, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung told the banking sector to “develop a roadmap suited to reality and build mechanisms to effectively control the gold market.” While affirming that people have the right to hold gold as an asset, he said, “We must minimize gold hoarding and speculation.” He added that as macroeconomic fundamentals stabilize and the legal framework becomes more transparent, funds held by households and businesses could shift naturally into production and business activity or bank deposits, helping mobilize resources for growth. Le also laid out broader principles for economic management. “Macroeconomic stability is like the foundation of a house,” he said, adding that before adding floors, remodeling or rebuilding, “you must first strengthen that foundation.” He said exchange rates, interest rates and credit policy should all be managed within the overarching goals of maintaining stability, controlling inflation and ensuring the safety of the financial system. In late January, the government asked the central bank to quickly complete its review of documents related to a proposal to establish a national gold exchange or gold trading platform. The push to overhaul the gold market is tied to a broader effort to secure funding for growth. The National Assembly has set targets of average annual growth of at least 10% through 2030 and entry into the world’s top 30 economies by GDP. To meet those goals, the total capital required is projected to rise by about 1.7 to 2 times compared with the previous term. With the state budget expected to cover only 20% to 22%, mobilizing private funds is seen as critical. Against that backdrop, the prime minister also outlined credit-policy directions aimed at redirecting money concentrated in gold into the real economy. He called for flexible management of credit growth depending on conditions, while guiding funds toward production and business. He also urged a review of rules to allow above-limit lending for strategic and nationally important projects, tighter supervision of credit to potentially risky sectors, and stronger support for social housing and industrial park development.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-30 16:15:05