Programs of the week
Central Council for Theoretical Studies urged to strengthen its strategic advisory role
[VOVWORLD] - General Secretary and President To Lam has urged the Central Council for Theoretical Studies (CCTS) to strengthen its role in theoretical research, practical reviews, and the Party’s strategic advisory work, while anticipating and identifying emerging issues.
[VOVWORLD] - General Secretary and President To Lam has urged the Central Council for Theoretical Studies (CCTS) to strengthen its role in theoretical research, practical reviews, and the Party’s strategic advisory work, while anticipating and identifying emerging issues.
[VOVWORLD] - Vietnam’s total trade reached 1.01 trillion USD in the first 10 months of 2026, up 32.3% from the same period a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
[VOVWORLD] - The US Department of State issued a statement on Wednesday welcoming Vietnam’s participation in the Artemis Accords, saying Vietnam’s decision extends the US-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into a new frontier.
[VOVWORLD] - At a dialogue called “Positioning Vietnam in the Future Global Economy” at the Autumn Economic Forum 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City on October 28, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung outlined Vietnam’s strategy for positioning itself in the global economy, emphasizing stability, institutional reform, technology, and high-quality human resources as key drivers of development.
[VOVWORLD] - An international tea festival will open on Friday at Vo Nguyen Giap square in Thai Nguyen province. The week-long festival will feature cultural, tourism, trade, investment, and experiential activities aimed at enhancing the value and international standing of Vietnamese tea.
[VOVWORLD] - The Russia-Ukraine conflict has seen some encouraging developments in recent days, including a confirmed plan to resume trilateral talks of the US, Russia, and Ukraine in November. But the conditions set by Moscow and Kyiv suggest that reaching an agreement to end the conflict, now in its fifth year, will remain elusive.
Quang Dung
[VOVWORLD] - Ho Chi Minh City is expected to announce 12 investment projects worth 13.5 billion USD at the Autumn Economic Forum (AEF 2026), taking place from Monday, October 26, to Thursday, October 29. The 12 projects, focused on logistics, energy, infrastructure, and related industries, send a positive signal for the city’s continued economic growth.
[VOVWORLD] - In 1947, a Norwegian ethnographer named Thor Heyerdahl hand-built a raft made of balsa wood and crossed 8,000km on it to prove that ancient people could have crossed the great seas to far-off lands on primitive tools. This is his story.
[VOVWORLD] - In this week's Beat The Rush podcast, we explore the viral trend that's turning traditional markets into must-visit fashion stops. From choosing straps and colors to watching skilled craftsmen assemble each pair by hand, these retro wooden wedges are giving travelers a stylish way to take home a piece of Vietnamese culture. Plus, we share where to find them in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Hội An, along with other handcrafted souvenirs that support local artisans and traditions.
[VOVWORLD] - Today's episode takes us to Mars to meet 2 of the many robots NASA has sent to space - Opportunity and Spirit! We will hear what they have learnt about the universe and humanity itself.
[VOVWORLD] - The private sector is a key driver of Vietnam’s economic development. Unlocking its full potential requires fresh thinking and reforms to ensure that social resources are mobilized and used effectively. This is the underlying principle of a Party Central Committee regulation, which sets out new rules governing Party members’ participation in investment and business activities.
[VOVWORLD] - Land is a vital resource for economic development, directly linked to people’s assets, livelihoods, and daily lives. Revising the Land Law will resolve problems in land management and use, while harmonizing economic development, state management, and the protection of land users’ legitimate rights and interests. Land Law revision is high on the agenda of the ongoing National Assembly session.
[VOVWORLD] - 27 of Vietnam’s 34 provinces and cities recorded higher GRDP growth in the third quarter than in the previous quarter, according to the National Statistics Office. Several localities posted strong breakthroughs, significantly reshuffling the rankings. The results show that Vietnam’s ambitious growth target is shaping economic management, with responsibility being more clearly assigned to each province and city.
[VOVWORLD] - Every week, we look forward to hearing from you, and your feedback means a lot to us. Last week, VOVWORLD received more than 440 contributions from listeners across our 13 language services. Your messages reflect your enthusiasm for our programs and your keen interest in the stories and issues shaping life in Vietnam.
[VOVWORLD] - It’s wonderful to know that, whether you’re listening from Asia, Europe, Africa, or the Americas, you’re tuning in to learn more about Vietnam and sharing your own stories with us.
[VOVWORLD] - Let’s open our Letter Box with a question from Bouzeboudja Mohamed in Algeria, who asks: “When does autumn arrive in Hanoi?”
[VOVWORLD] - Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung has called for stronger efforts to meet five “no” targets in the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing by the end of the year.
[VOVWORLD] - The 30-day national campaign to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing ended on September 15, with a number of notable results. The campaign demonstrated Vietnam’s determination to address the European Commission’s recommendations.
Huyen Trang
[VOVWORLD] - An inter-agency team inspected efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing within the areas of the Song Doc Border Guard Station and the Ca Mau Provincial Border Guard Command on Sunday and Monday.
[VOVWORLD] - Vietnam needs a stronger legal framework to recognize foreign trust services, improve compatibility between electronic certification systems and develop technologies to verify the origin and authenticity of digital content as it expands its digital trust infrastructure.
[VOVWORLD] - Vietnam International Digital Week 2026 opened in Quang Ninh city on Wednesday. Taking place through Friday, the event brings together 500 Vietnamese and international delegates to discuss AI governance, strategic digital technologies, and expanded cooperation.
[VOVWORLD] - “One Step Ahead,” Meta’s Asia-Pacific online safety education initiative, was launched in Vietnam during the Cultures of the World Festival in Hanoi last week, aiming to raise awareness of key security tools and help users protect their accounts.
Bao Tram
[VOVWORLD] - Highlights: - Always listening, never knowing: AI and the search for connection - From coffee catch-ups to silent reading: Making room for real friends
[VOVWORLD] - Highlights: - Sport News: Vietnam's medal tally at the 13th ASEAN Para Games - Manchester United's future dangles after lost against Italy's Como at UEFA Champions League - Travel Mates: The tale of Harvard's human computers and how they helped map the universe
[VOVWORLD] - Highlights: - Travel Corner: Discover Halloween’s Irish roots and check into four of the world’s spookiest haunted hotels. - Movie Corner: Four suspense packed Netflix thrillers for a cosy, slightly spooky night in. - Slang of the Day: What are DINKs, and why are more couples embracing the dual income, no kids lifestyle?
[VOVWORLD] - Scheduled for a pilot launch on November 1, 2026, Vietnam’s digital cultural map will help people find cultural, sports, and tourism events nationwide. The five-tier platform is also intended to provide an interactive channel ahead of Vietnam Cultural Day on November 24.
[VOVWORLD] - Phap Lam, a traditional Vietnamese enamel art form, is part of the country’s cultural heritage, reflecting the lives and spiritual values of past generations. In Hanoi, a creative workshop is giving this centuries-old tradition a contemporary twist. By drawing on traditional craftsmanship and modern design, the studio offers visitors a hands-on cultural experience while helping keep Vietnam’s artistic heritage alive.
[VOVWORLD] - The 2026 Thang Long – Hanoi Festival, held from September 11 to 20 under the theme “Heritage Flow,” brought together more than 3,000 artists and artisans. It created a vibrant cultural space where traditional arts blended with contemporary creativity.
[VOVWORLD] - Ho Chi Minh City is working hard to achieve economic growth of 10% or more in 2026. Despite encouraging results in the first nine months, the city faces strong pressure to achieve double-digit growth in the fourth quarter.
Ha Khanh
[VOVWORLD] - Once introduced as a poverty-reduction initiative, Son La’s coffee industry has grown into a major agricultural export sector over the past 30 years. Son La province is now expanding cultivation, improving quality, developing specialty coffee, boosting deep processing, and building its Arabica brand to compete in global markets.
Thanh Thuy
[VOVWORLD] - Vietnam and Pakistan are seeking to turn growing tourism interest into stronger two-way travel by tackling barriers in air connectivity, visas and tourism services. At a tourism B2B networking event in Hanoi last Tuesday, 100 Vietnamese travel companies and 20 Pakistani tour operators explored ways to expand the market.
Bao Tram
[VOVWORLD] - The alms-bowl offering ceremony is an important ritual for Khmer followers of Theravada Buddhism. At Somrong Ek Pagoda in Nguyệt Hóa Ward, Vinh Long Province, a 15-day ceremony honors parents and ancestors while strengthening community bonds.
[VOVWORLD] - Every year, around the seventh or eighth lunar month, Khmer communities in southern Vietnam bring offerings to pagodas to mark Sene Dolta, one of their three biggest annual festivals.
Thach Tra Vinh
[VOVWORLD] - In Lam Ha Commune, Lam Dong Province, the Bo Lieng female gong ensemble has become a distinctive part of the cultural life of the K'Ho community for over 15 years. These women are preserving and enriching the beauty of the K'Ho gong culture while breathing new life into local tourism.
[VOVWORLD] - In today’s fast-paced world, classical music offers a welcome escape from the pressures of daily life and a way to nourish the soul. With the launch of VOV Sonata-FM89, classical music lovers in Vietnam are getting a major upgrade to their daily playlist.
[VOVWORLD] - Many Dao families in Nam Dang Hamlet, Minh Khai Commune, Cao Bang Province, once lived in scattered areas vulnerable to landslides and flash floods. They have since moved to a resettlement area with electricity, clean water, and better roads. The new homes were made possible through state investment and the cooperation of local residents.
[VOVWORLD] - The Tuyen Citadel Festival, held every year during the Mid-Autumn Festival, took place from September 19 to 25 this year. The week-long event aims to preserve and promote traditional cultural values, and help boost Tuyen Quang province's tourism.
[VOVWORLD] - At the Cultures of the World Festival in Hanoi earlier this month, audiences were treated to a fantastic showcase of international heritage. Peru enchanted thousands of music lovers by introducing its cherished folk dance of Marinera. It was the elegance of the Marinera that captured the hearts of the Hanoi audience.
Bao Tram
[VOVWORLD] - The sound of Pakistan’s Sufi tradition came to Hanoi last week when Saakin, a band from Islamabad, performed at the 2nd Cultures of the World Festival. The group was one of 19 international art troupes that took the stage at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel from October 1 to 4, showcasing a contemporary sound that blends rock, jazz, folk and electronic influences.
Bao Tram
[VOVWORLD] - Every July 16, the seaside pilgrim town of Puri, in India’s Odisha state, transforms into a sea of devotion as hundreds of thousands gather for the Jagannath Rath Yatra, the Festival of Chariots. This grand Hindu festival, one of the most important events for Hindi Indians began thousands of years ago in Puri to honor Lord Jagannath (the Lord of the Universe), his brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra.
Bao Tram, Dinh Nam
[VOVWORLD] - As Vietnam’s cities expand and demand for electricity continues to grow, apartment rooftops are emerging as an underused space for solar power generation. Rooftop solar could help apartment buildings meet part of their electricity needs, particularly in common areas, while reducing energy costs and emissions. Yet its wider adoption faces legal, technical and management challenges.
Bao Tram
[VOVWORLD] - As Vietnam’s cities expand and demand for electricity continues to grow, apartment rooftops are emerging as an underused space for solar power generation. Rooftop solar could help apartment buildings meet part of their electricity needs, particularly in common areas, while reducing energy costs and emissions. Yet its wider adoption faces legal, technical and management challenges.
Bao Tram
[VOVWORLD] - Forty-six years after making history as the first Vietnamese and Asian to travel into space, Lieutenant General Pham Tuan’s extraordinary journey continues to inspire. Pham Tuan’s own memories offer a vivid glimpse into life in space and the view of Earth from orbit. For a new generation, his story carries a simple but powerful message: with perseverance and determination, even the most ambitious dreams can become reality.
Cam Thi
[VOVWORLD] - England striker Harry Kane, who plays for German club Bayern Munich, has won the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or.
[VOVWORLD] - Vietnam topped the medal table of the 2026 Southeast Asian Fencing Championships, winning nine gold, three silver, and 15 bronze.
[VOVWORLD] - Vietnam's Le Van Cong took silver in the men’s 49kg powerlifting event on Monday, finishing just behind reigning Paralympic champion Omar Qarada of Jordan and delivering Vietnam’s first medal of the 2026 Asian Para Games.
[VOVWORLD] - Nguyen Phuc Nguyen street in Nhieu Loc ward has long been a ceramics trading hub in Ho Chi Minh City. Its recent designation as a specialized ceramics street marks a new step toward bringing local businesses together under a shared identity, strengthening individual shop brands, and raising the profile of the entire area.
Kieu Anh
[VOVWORLD] - After discovering an unusual pepper plant in his family garden, Le Tung Linh, a farmer in Lam Dong Province, spent years turning it into a new pepper variety that now bears his name. His efforts have improved his family’s livelihood and given other farmers a new option for cultivation.
[VOVWORLD] - Visitors to Khanh Hoa Province’s 2026 Digital Technology Festival on Saturday had the opportunity to relive the moment President Ho Chi Minh read Vietnam’s Declaration of Independence 81 years ago.
[VOVWORLD] - The 18th South China Sea International Conference was held in Hanoi last Wednesday, bringing together diplomats, legal experts, and scholars to discuss communication, transparency, and crisis prevention. They agreed that maritime law is the central axis of regional stability. Often described as the "constitution for the oceans", the 1982 UNCLOS provides the legal baseline for international security, operational predictability, and peaceful dispute resolution.
Bao Tram
