Growing tension between China and the United States over the last year has presented Vietnam with a number of opportunities, increasing its appeal to foreign investors. Vietnam has quietly welcomed manufacturers seeking respite from a spasmodic trade war, as Presidents…
The Ministry of Public Security is a feared institution that relentlessly hunts down government critics, but its reputation for heedless impunity is being undermined by President Trong’s anti-corruption drive. A runaway spy and property tycoon with close links to the…
Vietnam has failed to honour the commitments it made on human rights at the United Nations and is becoming even more repressive, according to international monitors. In a submission to the universal periodic review (UPR) at the UN human rights…
Facebook and other technology groups have stepped up their criticism of Vietnam’s new cyber security law, warning it could have damaging consequences for the economy. They say a provision that companies must store data in country signalled a hostile policy…
Two more officials have been arrested in connection with the failure of state shipbuilding giant, Vinashin, as the Communist party tries to clean up its reputation for entrenched corruption. The former director of Vinashin, Truong Van Tuyen, and the current…
The Vietnamese Communist party is attempting to rebuild its strength at the grassroots level as part of a strategy to reinforce its authority. It plans to replace thousands of village chiefs and other local officials with party members. President Nguyen…
A Vietnamese blogger has been sentenced to two years and nine months imprisonment for defacing the national flag. Huynh Thuc Vy, who is currently pregnant, will not have to serve her sentence until her expected child is three years old….
North Korea’s foreign minister, Ri Yong-ho, is visiting Vietnam this week following reports the regime sees Vietnam as a model for its future development. Mr Ri will spend four days in the country after telling Vietnamese leaders he wants to…
Vietnam has defended its record on the use of torture and other degrading punishments in the face of growing concern about the country’s human rights record. Vietnam’s actions are currently under review by the UN Committee Against Torture in Geneva,…
Vietnam’s ratification of the TPP trade agreement is expected to boost economic growth but is unlikely to deliver the radical reforms that were once anticipated. The National Assembly on Monday unanimously approved the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership…