Vietnam news in brief - May 3
Visit The Hanoi Times for the latest updates on Vietnam.
Vietnam reaffirms sovereignty in response to East Sea incursions
Vietnam lodged diplomatic protests on May 3 after China and the Philippines conducted activities that violated Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoaian Reef and other features in Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated Vietnam's legal and historical rights over these waters, condemned the unauthorized presence as an infringement of sovereignty, and urged all parties to respect international law, avoid escalating tensions, and maintain peace in the East Sea (South China Sea).
Traffic safety improves nationwide as accidents decline
Vietnam recorded 6,328 road crashes, resulting in 3,475 deaths and 4,248 injuries from December 15, 2024 to April 14, 2025, down 26.4%, 6.3%, and 36.6% fall, respectively, from the same period last year.
More visitors come to military museum
The Vietnam Museum of Military History in Hanoi attracted nearly 100,000 visitors from April 30 to May 2, thanks to new experiences such as QR code access to information and bilingual audio guides. Launched to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Reunification Day, these features provide an immersive insight into artifacts from the war against America and broaden the museum's appeal to both local and international visitors.
The MiG-21 fighter jet, one of the national treasures at the Vietnam Military History Museum. Photo: Kinh te & Do thi Newspaper
Apple to shift manufacturing to India and Vietnam
Apple announced that the majority of its tech devices sold in the US in the second quarter will be sourced from India and Vietnam, as it seeks to reduce its dependence on China and mitigate tariff risks. iPhones will be primarily assembled in India, while iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and AirPods will come from Vietnam, reflecting Apple's major supply chain shift amid ongoing trade tensions.
Domestic container company posts high revenue
Vietnam Container Corporation (Viconship) reported first quarter revenues of over $27 million, up 16% year-on-year. Strong performance from its strategic port cluster - Vip Greenport, Xanh Greenport and Nam Hai Dinh Vu Port - helped drive growth. Viconship also cut interest expenses and saw its investment returns increase.
Televised tribute honors sacrifices of historic island
The special political-artistic program “Con Dao – Epic of Vietnamese Will” will air live on VTV1 and VTV8 at 8:10 PM (Vietnam time), May 3. Held at Hang Duong Cemetery, the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, it honors the 50th anniversary of reunification and celebrates Con Dao's legacy of patriotism, sacrifice, and hope. In three chapters, it portrays the island's journey from suffering to national symbol and future aspirations.
