Focus: Flying taxis, airborne delivery services, or even 3D cities are no longer sci-fi fantasies confined to movie screens. Today, they represent an emerging “gold mine.” Yet in Vietnam, these “wings” remain trapped in a “cage” known as the legal framework. In search of solutions to unlock the low-altitude economy, we spoke with Dr. Le Net (LNT & Partners Law Firm), who holds strong views on the need to build management infrastructure before “throwing the skies wide open.”
Inside Vietnam:
Making Double-Digit Growth Sustainable: According to the Government news portal www.chinhphu.vn, the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam set a target of average GDP growth of over 10% per year for the 2026–2030 period. This is an ambitious yet entirely achievable goal; however, it requires deeper unlocking of growth potential, genuine innovation in the development model, and substantive institutional reform. This article seeks to present a more concrete picture based on national accounts data, with the hope of contributing, to some extent, to policymakers’ efforts in steering the economy.
Business:
Non-Performing Loans Going Down: The release of fourth-quarter business results provides a more comprehensive view of the credit quality of Vietnam’s banking system after a year of accelerated credit growth exceeding 19%. Encouragingly, the level of non-performing loans was better controlled last year compared with the 2023–2024 period, thereby helping to minimize risks and strengthen the resilience of the system.
Stock Market Walking On Thin Ice: The local stock market has been undergoing a correction for the past two weeks, starting in late January. As the long Tet holiday approaches, how might the market perform? What key factors are shaping investor sentiment during this period?
Living:
Tet Beyond Sightseeing: Vietnam’s inbound tourism is undergoing a quiet recalibration. For long-haul markets such as Europe, the focus is shifting from sightseeing-led itineraries to experience-based travel that places visitors inside local life.
Spring In The East Sea: Covering over 700 nautical miles through towering year-end waves, the mission to bring Tet (Lunar New Year) to the DK1 offshore platforms exemplifies national resilience. These “living landmarks,” perched atop massive steel structures in the ocean, stand as the frontline of Vietnam’s maritime sovereignty. The journey is a tough test of endurance. To reach the platforms, delegates must transfer to small boats and face the rough waters of the East Sea. In bad weather, the only way up is by zip-lining through the air, caught by the steady hands of soldiers waiting above. Despite the isolation and harsh conditions, the atmosphere on the platforms remains lively with the spirit of Spring. From the scent of banh chung (glutinous rice cake – a Tet specialty) to the melodies of home broadcasting on the radio, the warmth of the mainland fills every corner of these steel outposts. As the ship’s horn sounds a farewell, it leaves behind not just gifts, but a steadfast bond between the people and those silently protecting the nation’s peace amid the wind and waves.
Travel:
Suoi Tia: Ethereal Retreat In Central Highlands Deep within the hilly town of Dalat, Suoi Tia stands out as a stunning natural wonder. Far from the busy town center, this upstream part of Tuyen Lam Lake remains a secret haven for those looking for a peaceful retreat into a nearly otherworldly landscape.
