Happy Vietnam

A national ceremony marking the 950th anniversary of the Imperial Academy - Vietnam’s first national university was solemnly held at the Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy Complex, a Special National Relic, in Hanoi on the evening of November 13, 2026. General Secretary and State President To Lam, along with incumbent and former leaders of the Party and State, attended the ceremony. Photo: Thong Nhat, Khanh Hoa - VNA

The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, in coordination with the municipal police, on November 12, 2026 organised the second round of DNA sample collection in 2026 from relatives of fallen soldiers whose identities remain unknown. The collection was conducted simultaneously at three locations: Thu Dau Mot Ward, Ba Ria Ward and Phu Nhuan Ward. For this round, the city has identified and mobilised 6,927 relatives to participate, while setting up three mobile teams to collect samples at home from elderly people, those in poor health and those with limited mobility. The programme contributes to the development of a DNA database for comparison and identification of fallen soldiers’ remains, bringing renewed hope to families who have spent many years searching for their loved ones. Photo: Hong Dat - VNA

Vietnam’s total import-export turnover reached an estimated 1.01 trillion USD in the first ten months of 2026, up 32.3% year-on-year. This marks the first time the country’s trade in goods has surpassed the 1 trillion USD threshold, setting a new record and reflecting the continued strong expansion of its international trade.

Training courses organised by local authorities are helping vermicelli makers in Ban Xeo, a mountainous locality in northern Vietnam's Lao Cai province, improve their business, e-marketing skills, enabling them to reach more customers and expand markets for their products.

The Ruc ethnic community in Kim Phu Commune, Quang Tri Province, is gradually changing its mindset and approach to economic development. Through production models suited to local conditions, with support from local authorities and relevant agencies, residents are increasingly taking the initiative in production and making effective use of local land resources, laying the foundation for higher incomes and long-term livelihood stability. Photo: Thanh Thuy - VNA

After a two-month public consultation via the Hue-S application, the Hue City People’s Council approved a resolution in early November 2026 to name the bridge crossing the Thuan An Estuary Cua Thuan Bridge. The bridge is 20 metres wide and has four lanes, with the main bridge section stretching 2.36 km and the connecting road extending approximately 5.3 km. It starts at Hoang Sa Street in the former Thuan An Ward and ends at Con Dau in the former Hai Duong Commune. The bridge is a key component of the coastal road and Thuan An Estuary crossing project, which has a total investment of VND 2.4 trillion. Photo: Van Dung - VNA

With the 2027 El Niño posing challenges, the risk of reduced flows from the upper Mekong River, below-average rainfall and rising temperatures is putting pressure on the Mekong Delta to secure freshwater supplies for daily life and production. Water conservation, proactive water storage, improved water regulation and crop restructuring are considered key solutions to help the “Nine-Dragon Delta” adapt to the dry season, which is forecast to bring numerous challenges. Photo: Duy Khuong - VNA

Accelerating digital transformation in tandem with administrative reform, Lao Cai Social Security has verified the information of more than 1.579 million participants, reaching 99.96%, while online applications accounted for 84.8% of all submissions in the third quarter of 2026. Alongside data connectivity with all 173 health facilities providing health insurance-covered medical services, the social security sector is strengthening coordination with provincial departments, agencies and local authorities to improve service quality and expand coverage, striving to achieve the goal of providing health insurance coverage for 100% of the population by 2030. Photo: Pham Tuan Anh - VNA

National Assembly (NA) President Tran Thanh Man attended the opening of the 10th National Buddhist Congress on November 7. The Congress, for the 2026-2031 tenure, officially opened at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City under the theme of “Discipline – Innovation – Effectiveness – Efficiency.” Photo: Doan Tan - VNA

To help bridge the digital divide among ethnic minority communities in disadvantaged border communes, the Lao Cai Border Guard Force has launched a model entitled “Border Guards Accompanying Local Residents in Digital Transformation in Border Areas”. Under the initiative, working teams have been established to visit villages and individual households to disseminate legal information and help residents access digital platforms and online public services, develop digital-platform sales skills, identify harmful and malicious information, and prevent online fraud. These activities have helped raise public awareness and promote compliance with the law, build a safe and healthy online environment, and encourage local people to play an active role in safeguarding national territorial sovereignty and border security. Photo: Tran Viet - VNA

Binh Lieu Boarding Primary and Lower Secondary School (Quang Ninh City) was established on August 15, 2026, through the merger of local educational institutions. The project has a total investment of VND 40 billion and covers an area of 9.7 hectares, featuring modern facilities to accommodate 653 students. The full implementation of educational welfare policies has provided strong encouragement, enabling students in the border area to pursue their studies with greater peace of mind. Photo: Thanh Van - VNA

The Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi Old Quarter Management Board, in collaboration with researchers, cultural experts, artists, painters and creative practitioners, organised an exhibition and a series of cultural activities under the theme “Tuong Then and Now – Beyond Its Glorious Past, What Future Lies Ahead for Tuong Theatre?” at the Hanoi Old Quarter Cultural Exchange Centre November 3, 2026. Photo: Khanh Hoa - VNA

To strengthen the capacity of commune-level authorities to address difficulties and challenges in operating the two-tier local government system, Hung Yen Province has, since late 2025, deployed 27 civil servants and public employees from provincial departments and agencies to work at the commune level for a three-year period, from December 1, 2025, to November 30, 2028. In addition, provincial departments, agencies and public service units under the Provincial People's Committee have reassigned 316 civil servants and public employees under their management to work in the Party and government apparatus at the commune level. Photo: Nguyen Cong Hai - VNA

Communal houses (Nha Rong) serve as shared community spaces and cultural symbols of ethnic minority villages in the Central Highlands. However, due to various natural and human factors, many communal houses in the western part of Quang Ngai Province have deteriorated or been damaged. In response, local authorities have introduced various measures to restore these communal houses. At the same time, drawing on the strength of great national unity, residents of ethnic minority villages have joined hands to renovate and rebuild their communal houses, ensuring that their roofs continue to rise proudly against the sky of the Central Highlands. Photo: Du Toan - VNA

The final of the 26th season of the “Road to Mount Olympia” competition took place on November 1, 2026, at the Vietnam Television studio, with live connections to four locations in Hanoi, Hung Yen, Phu Tho and Khanh Hoa. The four contestants were Doan Le Anh Duc (Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, Hanoi); Tran Vo Gia Bao (Le Quy Don - Dong Hai High School for the Gifted, Khanh Hoa); Ly Thai Duong (Hung Vuong High School for the Gifted, Phu Tho); and Nguyen Huy Quang Minh (Thai Binh High School for the Gifted, Hung Yen). The Hanoi gathering point was located at the Hanoi Museum, where an enthusiastic and vibrant atmosphere prevailed as spectators cheered for contestant Doan Le Anh Duc. In the end, Doan Le Anh Duc of Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted excellently won the laurel wreath and first prize in the 26th season of the competition. Photo: Minh Quyet - VNA

Ca Mau Province is stepping up the implementation of the “Digital Model at the Grassroots Level” initiative, with the aim of enabling every resident to use technology safely and effectively, bringing practical benefits to themselves and society. As a result, various models, such as Digital Markets and Reception Robots providing guidance on administrative procedures, are gradually delivering positive results in promoting digital transformation at the grassroots level. Photo: Tuan Phi - VNA

From technological devices in classrooms to online learning platforms, artificial intelligence and digital learning resources, digital transformation is reshaping teaching and learning methods at Nguyen Tat Thanh Ethnic Minority Boarding School for Lower and Upper Secondary Education in Bac Ninh City. For ethnic minority students, technology not only broadens access to knowledge but also helps develop self-learning and collaboration skills, while building their confidence to integrate into society. Photo: Danh Lam - VNA

Nui Chua National Park in the south central province of Khanh Hoa is home to striking granite formations, green mangrove forests and thriving vineyards. Together, these landscapes reflect the area's rich natural diversity and its close links with the livelihoods of local communities.

With traditional salt-making in Tuyet Diem village, Xuan Canh commune, Dak Lak province, at risk of dying out, product diversification and community-based tourism offer new opportunities to preserve local cultural heritage and boost socio-economic development.

Many of Vietnam’s oil and gas fields are seeing declining output, while finding and developing new reserves is becoming increasingly difficult. The industry now faces growing pressure to embrace new technologies, optimise production and find fresh sources of growth.