Asia Vietnam Vietnamese tycoon Trương Mỹ Lan, founder of Vạn Thịnh Phát, was sentenced to death for embezzling $12.5 billion via Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank; her sentence may be commuted to life if she repays 75% of the funds
Asia Vietnam Free trade agreements with Mercosur and the Gulf Cooperation Council is set as a Vietnam goal for late 2025; The deals aim to boost exports, diversify markets, and strengthen economic ties with Latin America and the Middle East amid global trade shifts
Asia Vietnam UNESCO adopted Vietnam’s proposal for the “International Decade of Culture for Sustainable Development (2027–2036),” recognizing culture as a key pillar of sustainability and boosting Vietnam’s global role in cultural diplomacy and creative cooperation
Asia Vietnam Vietnam’s first Cultures of the World Festival will start today at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long in Hanoi; 48 embassies and international organizations present national cultural spaces with food, arts, films, books, and performances
Asia Vietnam Vietnam Today was launched as a key instrument of Vietnam's communication strategy and public diplomacy efforts; the first national, 24/7 English-language international television channel is operated by the state-owned broadcaster Vietnam Television