Vietnam news in brief - May 8 

Vietnam-US to strengthen defense ties

Vietnam and the United States agreed to strengthen cooperation in peacekeeping, military medicine, training, and war legacy remediation during their 13th Defense Policy Dialogue in Hanoi on May 8. Marking 30 years of diplomatic relations, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to regional peace and stability, emphasizing respect for international law and advancing a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Vietnamese pomelo meets Australian standards

Australia has confirmed that Vietnamese pomelo meets its import requirements and adheres to strict pest control and phytosanitary measures, opening export opportunities to this Oceanian country. The area of pomelo cultivation in Vietnam has doubled in the last five years to over 100,000 ha, producing nearly one million tons, mainly in the Mekong Delta, Red River Delta, and Northern Midland regions. 

Vietnamese airlines warned of regional conflict

Vietnamese aviation authorities on May 8 urged airlines to monitor the impact of the India-Pakistan military conflict on flight operations. Airlines must review flight plans, choose alternative routes if necessary, avoid affected areas, inform passengers of any changes, and report issues to the authorities for resolution.

Vietnamese hospital receives UN Peacekeeping Medal

Vietnam's Level 2 Field Hospital No. 6 in South Sudan has received the UN Peacekeeping Medal for its outstanding performance under the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Since its deployment in September 2024, the 63-member team has treated 1,353 patients and performed 71 surgeries. Major General Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr, Commander of the UNMISS,praised the professionalism and compassion of the Vietnamese military health workers, highlighting their discipline and humanitarian approach as peacekeepers.

Tourism searches on Vietnam surge in early 2025

International searches for travel to Vietnam have risen by 10% to 25% since early 2025, ranking the country 7th in the world and the only Southeast Asian destination in the top 10, according to Google Destination Insights. Ho Chi Minh City led search interest, followed by Hanoi and Danang. Favorable visa policies, diverse tourism products, and expanded international flight networks are expected to help Vietnam reach its goal of welcoming 22-23 million international visitors this year.

Vietnam's .vn domain names rank second in ASEAN

Vietnam's national domain ".vn" ranks second in ASEAN with over 660,000 registered names, and the country is among the top 10 in the world for IPv6 adoption. This progress was highlighted at the APAC DNS Forum 2025 in Hanoi on May 7-9, where regional experts discussed secure Internet infrastructure and the adoption of technologies such as DNSSEC, IPv6, and AI to drive digital transformation.

Health sector develops landmark healthcare resolution to provide free hospital care

The Ministry of Health is drafting a landmark resolution to improve public healthcare, with a long-term goal of free hospital care for all. Functional agencies are promoting digital transformation by supporting innovative start-ups to build strategic tech firms and smart medical services to improve governance and services. The news was released at the opening of the 32nd Vietnam Medi-Pharm Expo in Hanoi on May 8.

Vietnam’s 5G speed hits record high in April

Vietnam's average 5G speed reached a new record in April, with downloads at 354.88 Mbps and uploads at 94.92 Mbps, over 50% higher than the previous month. Viettel led the market, followed by MobiFone and VNPT. The improvement reflects the rapid development of 5G infrastructure, which provides a foundation for accelerating digital transformation and high-tech applications across industries and daily life.