Focus: The 14th Party Central Committee held its first plenum on January 23 to elect the Politburo, the General Secretary, the Secretariat, the Inspection Commission and the chairperson of the Inspection Commission. The Politburo of the 14th Party Central Committee now has 19 members, with 10 of them already serving in the Politburo in the previous term.
Inside Vietnam:
HCMC Needs An International Maritime Center: Amid rising competition among port hubs in Southeast Asia and Asia as a whole, the key question is no longer simply one of “capacity expansion,” but a strategic one: can HCMC transform itself from “a major transshipment point” into an international maritime center (IMC)? This is not merely an infrastructure challenge, but one of institutions, governance models, service integration capacity, and the city’s long-term development vision.
Guessing The Credit Trajectory: Le Hoai An, MA and CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst), lecturer at Ho Chi Minh University of Banking, valued transparency in setting the credit growth target for commercial banks at the beginning of the year. However, the key issues are that data must accurately reflect the true nature of capital flows, supervision must be close enough to detect deviations early, and sanctions must be clear enough to ensure strict discipline.
Business:
Banking Networks At Crossroads: Over the past decade, the global banking industry has witnessed a significant downsizing of physical branch networks, driven by the rapid rise of digital banking. A new trend is now taking shape: the challenge for banks is no longer limited to deciding whether to close or open branches, but rather to redefining the very concept of what a network means in the digital era.
Rethinking Gold Market: After more than a decade of tight control, the Government has ordered the establishment of a national gold trading exchange. Together with the planned removal of the central bank’s monopoly on gold bar production in October 2025, these moves mark a new turning point for the market. However, a review of five decades of regulation shows that the core challenge goes beyond transparency. It lies in ensuring that gold remains an asset and does not return to the monetary system.v
Living:
More Than Just A Book Street: Since its launch on January 1, 2016, HCMC Book Street has proven to be an important hub for the publishing scene and a popular tourist spot
Piggy Bank Craft Through The Lens: For many years, the piggy bank has been a beloved household symbol throughout Vietnam. More than just a simple toy, these charming clay banks act as a child’s first secure safe and help parents teach the values of thrift and patience. The origin of this craft is Lai Thieu in HCMC (formerly Thu Dau Mot Town, Binh Duong Province), the largest production center supplying these iconic items to the entire South.
Travel:
Hon Ong Island: A Pristine Sanctuary In Van Phong Bay: Nestled within the emerald waters of Van Phong Bay in Khanh Hoa, Hon Ong is a hidden gem that offers a soulful escape for those seeking to reconnect with nature’s purest form
Countryside landscape along Perfume River: Viewed from the Thuan An Sea Bridge, the outskirts of the former imperial capital of Hue reveal a landscape where centuries-old heritage blends with steady modern development, anchored by the winding Perfume River.
