Focus: The Spirit of HCMC: Friendliness, Helpfulness, Ingenuity: Vietnam and the Netherlands have built a longstanding partnership in agriculture, water management, logistics, high technology, and cultural exchanges, with both sides committed to sustainable growth and innovation. In an interview with The Saigon Times, Dutch Consul General Daniel Stork shared his views on HCMC and reflected on the spirit of cooperation that continues to strengthen ties between the two countries.
Inside Vietnam
How To Tax Digital Assets: Digital assets are rapidly expanding in Vietnam, with adoption levels among the highest in the world. In response, the Government is gradually forging a legal framework and initial tax policies to effectively manage and tap into the economic potential of this market. However, striking the balance between simplicity in the early stages and sustainability in the long run is not an easy task.
Risk Of High-Quality Labor Shortage: Monitoring results from the Standing Committee of the National Assembly show that Vietnam is still in its “golden population structure” period. At present, the labor force “basically meets the requirements of socio-economic development,” but there is a looming risk of a shortage of high-quality human resources in the new era, especially in key sectors.
A Tougher Road For Wood Industry: Vietnam’s woodwork industry is grappling with a critical weakness in raw materials amid stricter origin-tracing requirements.
Business
Behind The Inflation Trend: Among the 11 groups of goods and services in the consumer basket used to calculate the consumer price index (CPI), the two groups with the highest weights recorded the 4th- and 3rd-highest price increases, respectively. Notably, three of the four groups with the highest increases are linked to public services, reflecting recent price adjustment policies for essential goods and services administered by regulatory authorities.
Why Foreigners Are Net Sellers: After a strong wave of net buying in early July, foreign investors have shifted back to net selling as the stock market continues to reach new highs. Beyond profit-taking, this reversal reflects growing concerns over the short-term nature of capital flows, foreign exchange risks, and lingering uncertainties in the global economic outlook.
Living
The Man Who Keeps Memories Alive: Some people race ahead, leaving only faint footprints on the sands of time. Others, like Huynh Minh Hiep, called “Hai Lúa” by his friends, kneel down, collect the delicate shards of memory, and sew them into a quilt to protect the past.
The City That Never Sleeps: HCMC at night is a city that never sleeps, with bright lights, busy streets, and a thriving nightlife of entertainment, food, and commerce.
Travel
Trekking Through Terraced Rice Fields To Y Linh Ho Village: Located about seven kilometers from downtown Sapa in Lao Cai Province, Y Linh Ho Village sits on the slopes of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, surrounded by terraced rice fields, forests, and streams.
Fermented Cà Xỉu – A Unique Specialty In Ha Tien: Ha Tien in An Giang Province (formerly in Kien Giang Province) is known not only for its natural landscapes and historic sites but also for its distinctive local cuisine. One of its specialties is mắm cà xỉu, a fermented seafood dish made from cà xỉu, which is scientifically called Lingula anatina.
