Happy Vietnam

According to the organising committee, throughout August, the Hue Sports Festival will feature 19 sporting events alongside other Autumn Festival activities.

While Phu Quoc was once primarily known for its turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, and beachfront resorts, the island is now attracting visitors with a full-day journey of experiences stretching from morning until night, rather than simply offering a traditional beach holiday.

Health insurance covered around 94.4 million patient visits during the January-June period, similar to the same period last year. Inpatient treatment accounted for 10.3% of total cases, slightly higher than in 2025.

The officers and soldiers of the Quang Ngai Provincial Border Guard Command carry out their mission of safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty over its seas, islands, and borders around the clock. Beyond conducting patrols, maintaining security, combating crime, and preventing illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, Border Guard personnel also work closely with fishermen, village elders, reputable community leaders, and ethnic minority communities to strengthen the “people’s security posture.” Their efforts reflect the close bond between the military and the people in safeguarding the nation’s maritime sovereignty and border security. Photo: Kha Pham - VNA

Nestled in the heart of the Central Highlands, the Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark, now part of Lam Dong province, is often described as a vast open-air museum, where outstanding geological, natural and cultural values come together.

Hanoi has long been known for the heritage cachet of a thousand-year-old capital. Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter, the Temple of Literature, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel and a network of craft villages have given the city a singular pull.

Between January and July, Hanoi welcomed approximately 5.31 million international visitors, an increase of 25% compared to the same period in 2025, while the domestic tourist number reached 15.85 million, up 11.9%.

Farmers in An Giang Province are harvesting the 2026 Summer–Autumn rice crop. According to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, approximately 499,496 hectares were planted for the 2026 Summer–Autumn crop. To date, more than 165,119 hectares, or about 33% of the total area, have been harvested, with yields averaging between 6.8 and 7.0 tonnes per hectare. Fresh paddy rice is being purchased directly in the fields at prices ranging from 6,800 to 7,000 VND per kilogram. Photo: Cong Mao – VNA

The Hudson Rooms, the rooftop bar perched atop Capella Hanoi, has been ranked No. 46 in Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026. It marks the first time a bar in Hanoi has entered Asia's Top 50, making Vietnam one of the few countries represented in this highly respected ranking. This year, only two Vietnamese bars secured a place in the Top 50.

After more than one week of operation, Hanoi's Public Security Department has reported initial positive results from the deployment of 36 LED electronic displays providing real-time traffic information. The system helps road users proactively choose travel routes, supports traffic flow management and eases congestion. Drawing data from the Hanoi Traffic Control Center, the displays provide live updates on traffic conditions, congestion alerts, accidents, weather information and recommended optimal routes. Many residents have praised the system as an intuitive and useful source of information while suggesting that larger text and icons would improve visibility. Photo: Trung Nguyen – VNA

The 14th Party Central Committee’s Secretariat convened a national teleconference in Hanoi on July 29 to study, disseminate and implement the resolutions adopted at the committee’s recent third session. Party General Secretary and State President To Lam attended and delivered a keynote address. Also attending the event were Politburo members: Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, and Permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu, along with incumbent and former Party and State leaders. Photo: VNA

The 12th National Congress of the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRCS) for the 2026–2031 term officially opened in Hanoi on July 28, during which delegates formally nominated Party General Secretary and State President To Lam as Honorary President of the organisation for the new term. Photo: Thong Nhat – VNA

In the first half of 2026, Ho Chi Minh City's agricultural sector maintained steady growth across multiple areas. As it enters an acceleration phase to achieve its double-digit growth target for 2026, alongside supportive municipal policies, agricultural enterprises and cooperatives are proactively restructuring production, applying advanced technologies, expanding markets and enhancing value addition to create stronger growth momentum in the remaining months of the year. Photo: Huong Giang – VNA

The Politburo recently issued Directive No. 07-CT/TW dated July 13, 2026 on "Promoting the study and practice of Ho Chi Minh's ideology, ethics, methodology and style in the new stage of development" (Directive No. 07). Officials and Party members in Da Nang City said the directive introduces many new approaches, emphasizing that following President Ho Chi Minh's example must first be reflected in political steadfastness and innovative thinking, with the spirit of daring to think, daring to act, daring to take responsibility, daring to confront difficulties and challenges, and daring to act for the common good in order to remove bottlenecks and unlock resources for development. Photo: Quoc Dung – VNA

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and other key Party and State leaders attended a live television programme titled “Sao Sang Dan Duong” (Guiding Star) on July 26 night, held to commemorate the 79th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs' Day (July 27, 1947–2026). Jointly organised by Vietnam Television (VTV) and the People's Committees of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Tuyen Quang and Quang Tri provinces, the programme paid tribute to heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the nation while honouring the forces engaged in the search, recovery and identification of fallen soldiers' remains. Photo: VNA

Every July, the Con Dao Special Zone welcomes tens of thousands of visitors from across Vietnam who come to offer incense in tribute to fallen heroes and martyrs. Once known as the "Hell on Earth" for its notorious prison system, Con Dao has become a place where remembrance reflects the Vietnamese tradition of gratitude while showcasing the renewed vitality of a heroic island pursuing sustainable development. Photo: Huynh Son – VNA

Phu Quoc has secured a spot in Expedia's Island Hot List 2026, ranking among the world's top 10 island destinations for the year, according to the global online travel platform. Expedia said the rankings were compiled based on search trends, traveller interest and the growth potential of island destinations. Photo: VNA

Malaysia's The Star recently cited a list of "World's Top Ten Cities with the Friendliest Customer Service" released by MoneySuperMarket, a price comparison website, with Hanoi being the only Southeast Asian destination that earned a spot.

Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of Dong Nai City launched the digital project entitled "Gratitude Map". The map integrates 23 star-shaped markers representing the locations and information of the 23 Vietnamese Heroic Mothers currently living in the city. The application not only expresses gratitude to those who made great sacrifices for the nation but also serves as an engaging tool for history education, helping younger generations carry forward revolutionary ideals and the spirit of volunteerism in the new era. Photo: Le Xuan – VNA

More than half a century after the war, war veteran Vu Doanh Hung, 75, from Nam Dinh Ward in Ninh Binh Province, still vividly remembers where his comrades fell, their initial burial sites, and the circumstances of their sacrifice. His recollections have become a valuable source of information supporting the National Steering Committee for the Search, Recovery, and Identification of Fallen Soldiers' Remains in implementing the "500-Day Campaign," helping identify fallen soldiers whose identities remain unknown. Photo: Cong Luat – VNA