Focus: Barriers to Agricultural Innovation: As climate change intensifies and the cycle of “bumper crop, price fall” persists, Vietnamese agriculture is approaching a critical crossroads: shift toward an economic mindset or remain trapped in the pursuit of output.
Inside Vietnam
Two Economic Engines Trade Places: Southeastern Vietnam and the Red River Delta are often regarded as the country’s two largest economic engines. In the early years of Vietnam’s economic reforms, Southeastern Vietnam experienced remarkable growth and became the nation’s most important growth driver for more than two decades. However, over the past decade, the Red River Delta has begun to overtake it as Southeastern Vietnam has shown signs of slowing down. This article analyzes the shift in position between these two economic powerhouses from 2001 to the present.
AI And The Right To Choose: Artificial intelligence (AI) is being increasingly deployed in Vietnam, from surveillance cameras and automated traffic enforcement, credit scoring, and admissions screening to decision-support systems in healthcare and public administration. In many cases, AI-generated outcomes are not merely advisory but directly create or affect the legal rights and obligations of individuals. Specifically, when an algorithm determines whether you can obtain a loan, secure a job, or face an administrative penalty, do you have the right to say “no”?
The Persistent Liquidity Problem: Lowering interest rates is not simply a matter of whether banks agree to cut their listed deposit and lending rates. It is heavily influenced by the internal structure of the banking system itself. When lending grows faster than mobilization, liquidity pressure from the retail market (Market 1) spills over into the interbank market (Market 2) and the open market operations (OMO) channel, making upward pressure on interest rates an inevitable issue. The latest financial statements further reinforce this trend.
Business
Banks Aim For Capital Increases: The season of annual general meetings in Vietnam’s banking industry has just concluded, marking a pivotal moment as the financial system wraps up its 2021–2025 restructuring phase and enters a new cycle of growth. Alongside ambitious plans for significant capital increases, banks are also charting new directions in their business strategies.
Green Requirement For Capital Access: In the second quarter of 2026, the real estate market has gradually shifted into the stage of preparing capital for new investment plans. At the same time, the regulations on green taxonomy—outlined in the Prime Minister’s Decision 21/2025/QD-TTg (Decision 21)—began to take clearer effect. Access to capital is now increasingly tied to compliance with environmental criteria, starting from the earliest preparatory phases of project development.
Living
The Soul Of Banh Dap: From broken noodle sheets to a symphony of senses along the Hoai River, banh dap reflects the spontaneous creativity and rustic culinary spirit of the Quang people in ancient Hoi An, now part of Danang City.
A Multimedia Spectacle By The Sea: As the sun sinks into the ocean, Kiss of the Sea transforms the southern coast of Phu Quoc Special Zone into an open-air stage of light, water, and performance. Held nightly in Sunset Town, the multimedia show combines jets of water, fire effects, music, lasers, and projection mapping against the backdrop of the sea.
Travel
Afternoon At Vong Canh Hill: As summer approaches, Vong Canh Hill takes on a gentle, luminous charm. The low hill, set along the banks of the Perfume River, offers an easy escape into the open air and quiet greenery, an ideal pause for travelers seeking softer rhythms in the central city of Hue.
Phap Lam Cake: Royal Sweet From Hue: Phap lam cake is more than a delicacy. It reflects the refinement of Hue’s former imperial court. Modest in appearance yet intricate to prepare, the confection remains a quiet staple among locals, especially on special occasions.
