On August 18, three Hanoi specialties—banh cuon (steamed rice rolls), cha ca La Vong (grilled fish), and the Bat Trang feast—were recognised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as national intangible cultural heritage. These dishes, admired for both taste and artistry, highlight the sophistication and cultural depth of Hanoi's gastronomy.
The book takes readers back to the early 20th century, offering a rich, nostalgic exploration of how Hanoians ate, cooked, and embraced or resisted culinary influences introduced through waves of migration and East-West, North-South cultural exchange.
Hanoi’s Tet feast are signature dishes, such as neatly wrapped spring rolls, diamond-shaped slices of cha que (cinnamon pork rolls), a tender boiled chicken adorned with a rose, and perfectly cut squares of green Chung cake (glutinous sticky rice), bowls of bamboo shoot soup and pork skin and vegetable soup, and other delicacies.
A recent workshop on preserving and promoting the national intangible cultural heritage of “Pho Hanoi” was held in the capital, bringing together culinary experts, artisans, and managers to share insights into the origins, evolution, and cultural significance of this iconic Vietnamese noodle dish.
The 2024 International Food Festival, themed "Gastronomy of Unity," opened its doors in Hanoi on December 8.
With 1,837 AI-powered cameras installed at 195 key intersections, the Smart Traffic Control Centre is set to serve as the “brain” overseeing traffic conditions and public order in Hanoi in real time. The system enables the public security forces to monitor images across major roads and junctions, promptly detect congestion, violations, accidents and incidents, and respond in a timely manner.
In the January–November period of 2025, nearly 275,600 enterprises nationwide registered or resumed operations, up 26.1% compared with the same period in 2024.
Hanoi’s economy maintained steady momentum in the first 11 months of 2025, with state budget revenue, public investment disbursement and international tourist arrivals all posting positive results, reinforcing the city’s overall trend of stable and improving growth.
Prime Minister’s Decision No. 2629/QD-TTg dated December 1, 2025, approving the Digital Government Development Programme, affirms that the programme is guided by the principle of expanding inclusive and widespread digital services, with people and businesses placed at the centre as key actors, beneficiaries and co-creators of digital services.
Prime Minister’s Decision No. 2629/QD-TTg dated December 1, 2025, approving the Digital Government Development Programme, affirms that the programme is guided by the principle of expanding inclusive and widespread digital services, with people and businesses placed at the centre as key actors, beneficiaries and co-creators of digital services.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into Vietnam maintained strong growth momentum over the past 11 months. The National Statistics Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Finance reported that total registered foreign investment during the period reached 33.69 billion USD, rising 7.4% from a year earlier.
Hanoi’s pioneering pilot of public electric bicycles is seen as a fitting step in its drive to build a civilised, modern, green and sustainable capital, improving quality of life, creating a more people-friendly urban environment and promoting the green-transport trend the city is pursuing.
Hanoi is set to activate more than 1,800 AI-powered cameras from 10 December 2025 as part of a major push to modernise traffic management, improve enforcement and build a more civilised urban environment. The upgraded system will automate violation detection, adjust traffic signals in real time, and support fully digital “cold penalty” procedures, marking a significant step in the capital’s digital-transformation drive.
Resolution No. 244/2025/QH15, adopted at the 10th session of the 15th National Assembly on November 13, 2025, sets the key socio-economic development targets for 2026, including a GDP growth rate of 10% or higher, and a per capita GDP of 5,400–5,500 USD.
November's PMI stands at 53.8, slightly below October’s 54.5 but still well above the 50-point threshold, signalling continued improvement in business conditions in Vietnam and a fifth month of manufacturing recovery despite weather-related supply disruptions.
The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) respectfully presents the list of 34 provincial and municipal Party Secretaries for the 2025–2030 tenure, updated as of December 3, 2025.
Vietnam’s logistics sector is advancing rapidly, achieving average annual growth of 14–16%, contributing 4.5–5% to GDP, and ranking among the Top 5 in ASEAN. With modernised infrastructure, over 34,000 enterprises, and deeper integration into global supply chains, the sector is becoming a key driver of national efficiency and innovation.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has issued Official Dispatch No. 234/CD-TTg to launch and implement the “Quang Trung Campaign” for the rapid reconstruction and repair of homes for families whose houses were damaged by recent natural disasters in the central provinces.
From 2015 to 2025, Vietnam’s hospitals have made significant progress towards modern, internationally aligned quality standards, with most facilities achieving over 90% compliance in key quality-improvement and patient-safety activities.
Party General Secretary To Lam’s state visit to Laos is one of Vietnam’s most significant foreign affairs activities in 2025. The visit reaffirms the strong resolve of the two countries’ leaders to continue preserving, nurturing, and promoting the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.
The ongoing visit to Vietnam by Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah further deepens political trust and advances multifaceted cooperation, making bilateral ties increasingly substantive and effective.
Paralympic powerlifter Le Van Cong has been awarded the Gold Medal of the French Ministry of National Education, Youth and Sports, a prestigious honour recognising his remarkable contributions and outstanding achievements over nearly a decade of top-level competition.
Vietnam Railway Equipment Development Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Jinxin Group (Jinxin Vietnam), has officially launched a 13-car high-quality train on the Hanoi–Da Nang railway line, operating under codes JSE17/JSE18 in both directions, to meet the rising travel demand of local residents and tourists. This is a new-generation passenger train applying advanced technology, and the first of its kind to be manufactured and assembled in Vietnam.
In the first ten months of 2025, Vietnam recorded 162,900 newly registered enterprises, up 19.7%, and 92,900 firms returning to operation, up 40.3%. This brought the total number of newly established and returning enterprises to 255,900, a 26.5% increase compared with the same period in 2024.
“Mua do” (Red Rain), directed by Dang Thai Huyen, has won the Golden Lotus Award for feature film – the most prestigious category of the Vietnam Film Festival, at the 24th edition of the event, which closed in Ho Chi Minh City on November 25.
