VIETNAM TODAY

Electricity bills for many households in Hanoi are expected to rise sharply in June as prolonged heatwaves drive record power consumption across the Vietnamese capital.

Vietnam's largest airport project is expected to begin trial operations in September, with authorities aiming for full commissioning by the end of the year.

More than 1,500 communes across Vietnam are at risk of forest fires, including 828 classified at the highest danger level, according to the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection.

Authorities in Nghe An Province have issued a dangerous-level forest fire warning for most localities as prolonged heat and below-average rainfall heighten wildfire risks.

Vietnam could face more intense heatwaves, drought and extreme rainfall in the coming months as El Nino is expected to emerge between June and August and persist through early 2027.

All licensed parking facilities in Hanoi will be required to implement cashless payments from July 1 under the city's smart transport drive.

Vietnam's National Children's Hospital has opened its second campus in Hanoi, a 300-bed facility capable of receiving up to 1,500 paediatric patients a day.

Hundreds of tonnes of farmed fish have died in Tri An Lake following the season's first heavy rains, dealing a severe blow to fish farmers and raising concerns over environmental conditions.

Bank branches in Vietnam that record losses for three consecutive years will face mandatory closure under new regulations issued by the State Bank of Vietnam.

Police in An Giang Province have detained five men for allegedly hunting and butchering endangered Indochinese silvered langurs on Phu Quoc Island, seizing the remains of nine animals.

HCM City has requested VND 9.63 trillion (USD 367 million) from the state budget government funding for land clearance works related to the North-South high-speed railway.

Authorities in Tay Ninh Province have detained two men after they illegally crossed the border from Cambodia into Vietnam, with one found carrying narcotics.

Police in Quang Ninh Province have arrested three people accused of selling cannabis through Telegram, seizing drugs, a digital scale and packaging materials.

Ho Chi Minh City and southern Vietnam are forecast to see heavy rain until June 2, with 90-150mm. Rain eases on June 3, then intensifies again.

Vietnam has begun selling only E10 and E5 RON 92 biofuels from June 1, replacing conventional RON 95 gasoline as part of efforts to cut emissions and support green growth targets.

Can Tho City has launched a campaign to help farmers sell an estimated 36,000 tonnes of durian amid falling prices and weak demand that have left many growers struggling.

More than 100 tonnes of farmed fish have died in Tri An Lake in Dong Nai City with authorities investigating whether heavy early-season rains triggered the mass die-off.

Heavy rain from May 30 into the morning of May 31 flooded several streets in Nha Trang Ward, Khanh Hoa Province, disrupting traffic.

Hanoi has ordered fuel retailers to report remaining RON 95 inventories and sell only registered stocks ahead of the city's transition to E10 petrol from June 1.