| Vietnam News Today (Dec. 8) notable headlines Vietnam's property market draws Korean investors Foreign trade hits nearly US$840 bln in 11 months Vietnamese athletes depart for SEA Games 33, target stronger regional standing Vietnam named World’s Leading Heritage Destination 2025 Tropical depression gathers steam, expected to enter East Sea Vietnam Film Week – The Journey of Light opens in Paris Vietnam surpasses pre-COVID tourism peak after 11 months Vitality on Dong Van Karst Plateau – a UNESCO Global Geopark Art exhibition and concert celebrate ties with Poland |
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| An overview of the 2025 Overseas Real Estate Investment Seminar in Seoul on December 6 (Photo: VNA) |
Vietnam's property market draws Korean investors
Vietnam’s increasingly attractive property market was a key topic at a seminar held in Seoul, the Republic of Korea (RoK) on December 6 in by Cloud, a Korean consultancy specializing in overseas property investment, amid tighter real estate regulations at home that continue to push Korean capital abroad.
Experts at the “2025 Overseas Real Estate Investment Seminar” said Vietnam is rising as a high-growth market compared with others in the region.
With economic growth of 7–8%, strong FDI inflows and large-scale urban infrastructure development, Vietnam is viewed as a promising destination for Korean investors. Major legal changes since August 2024 have also improved transaction conditions, allowing foreign buyers to own apartments for up to 50 years with the possibility of extension, they noted.
Representing the Vietnamese market, Denise Pham of KOVIRE noted that Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are forming new growth poles driven by smart urban areas, financial–commercial centers and strategic transport corridors, cited VNA.
Some high-end projects showcased at the seminar drew strong interest from Korean investors thanks to high liquidity and stable rental demand among foreign professionals, she said.
Speaking on the sidelines, Dr. Eric Park, President of the Korea Real Estate Service Development Association, assessed Vietnam as having superior growth prospects. He noted that Vietnam’s 7–8% economic growth signals strong real estate potential. He added that Vietnam is at the early stage of a price-increase cycle, typically lasting two to five years.
Dr. Park also acknowledged challenges, particularly slow issuance of ownership certificates, but viewed them as structural legal issues likely to improve as new regulations are fully implemented. He emphasized that Vietnam will need mechanisms to prevent overheating as investment demand accelerates, drawing parallels with Korea’s past experience.
Concluding the seminar, Cloud CEO Hwang Soon Cheol highlighted Vietnam as one of the top three pillars in Korean overseas investment portfolios, alongside the US and Japan. He said Cloud will continue expanding partnerships and its presence in Vietnam to provide transparent information and tailored strategies for Korean investors as the Vietnamese market grows sustainably.
Interest in Vietnam’s property sector is expected to rise further as new legal frameworks take effect and major infrastructure projects enter operation.
Foreign trade hits nearly US$840 bln in 11 months
Vietnam’s trade with the rest of the world in the first 11 months of this year reached approximately US$840 billion, a year-on-year increase of 17.2 percent, equivalent to US$123 billion.
Of the figure, exports increased by 16.1 percent to US$430 billion, while imports grew 18.4 percent to US$409.61 billion, resulting in a a trade surplus of US$20.5 billion, according to VGP.
During January-November, the U.S. remained the biggest importer of Vietnamese goods with US$138.6 billion while China was Vietnam's largest goods supplier with US$167.5 billion.
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| Photo: VGP |
In November alone, despite storms causing delays in the supply chain, production activity still recorded positive growth as the number of new orders increased, with the manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) reaching 53.8 points.
November marked the third consecutive month of rising new orders, helping drive continued growth in production, according to an S&P Global report.
Building on the aforesaid achievements, the Southeast Asian nation's foreign trade volume for the entire year is expected to set all-time record high of US$900 billion.
Vietnamese athletes depart for SEA Games 33, target stronger regional standing
Vietnam’s national sports delegation departed for Thailand on December 7 to compete at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), pledging to reinforce the country’s position in regional sports.
High determination
A send-off ceremony was held at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi in the morning, attended by senior sports officials including Nguyen Danh Hoang Viet, Director of the Vietnam Sports Administration.
Vietnam is sending 1,165 members to the Games, including 842 athletes, 189 coaches and 19 experts. The team will compete in 47 of 66 sports, across 443 of 573 medal events.
A total of 113 team members travelled from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang on December 7, bringing the number of Vietnamese squads already present in Thailand to 16. The morning flight carried 81 delegates led by chief of mission Nguyen Hong Minh, including officials and athletes in cycling, canoeing, swimming, jet ski, sepak takraw and artistic gymnastics, VOV reported.
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| Vietnamese sports officials and athletes pose for a group photo ahead of their departure for Thailand. |
Ahead of departure, Minh said the athletes carry both responsibility and national pride.
“The team will bring the will in their minds, the fire in their hearts and strength from within to overcome limitations and embody the Vietnamese spirit, bringing glory to the nation,” he stressed.
Strategic step towards ASIAD 2026 and Olympic 2028
Officials said SEA Games 33 is not only a regional competition but a key stage in long-term preparations for the 2026 Asian Games (ASIAD) and 2028 Olympic Games. Vietnam aims to strengthen depth in Olympic disciplines, restructure teams and focus on athlete development with longer-term objectives.
Following SEA Games 32, the Vietnam Sports Administration reviewed its national programs, selecting high-potential athletes for targeted investment. Training has been conducted under scientific cycles, with intensified physical, technical and tactical development at national sports centers. Several teams were sent overseas for international training and competition, along with enhanced application of sports science in biomechanics, nutrition, recovery and injury prevention.
Medical support and anti-doping compliance
Vietnam has also bolstered logistics, equipment, uniforms and travel arrangements in line with requirements set by the organizers.
Dr. Nguyen Van Trien from the Vietnam Sports Hospital, who has accompanied Vietnam at seven SEA Games, said medical staff and technicians would support optimal athlete performance throughout the high-intensity competition period.
The delegation has been instructed to strictly comply with doping regulations, including internal training and testing in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code, to protect the integrity of Vietnamese sports.
Vietnam named World’s Leading Heritage Destination 2025
Vietnam has once again been honored as the World’s Leading Heritage Destination by the World Travel Awards (WTA), marking its sixth recognition after wins in 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The award, which was announced at the WTA Grand Final Gala Ceremony 2025 held in Bahrain on December 6, recognizes Vietnam’s sustained efforts in preserving and promoting its heritage in parallel with advancing sustainable tourism. The harmony between natural landscapes, cultural depth and community identity has created a distinctive appeal, making Vietnam a favored experiential destination for international travellers. It also serves as an incentive for localities to continue investing in infrastructure and improving service quality, contributing to reaffirming the brand “Vietnam – Timeless Charm” on the global tourism map.
Beyond national-level recognition, many local destinations in Vietnam were also honored in this year’s global top categories. Notably, Dong Van Karst Plateau in Tuyen Quang province won the title of World's Leading Regional Cultural Destination for the first time, highlighting the unique value of the UNESCO Global Geopark and the cultural identity of highland communities.
Moc Chau Plateau in Son La province was listed as a World’s Leading Natural Destination for the third time. With its mild climate and pristine scenery, Moc Chau continues to demonstrate its enduring appeal, cited VNA.
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| Buckwheat flower season on the Dong Van Karst Plateau in Tuyen Quang province. (Photo: VNA) |
With its mist-shrouded beauty and distinctive French colonial architecture, Tam Dao in Phu Tho province was voted the World’s Leading Town Destination for the fourth time. Bai Kem beach in Phu Quoc was recognized as World’s Leading Regional Beach.
The repeated recognition over the years affirms the lasting, timeless allure of Vietnam’s renowned destinations. It also reflects the continuous efforts of localities to preserve resources, diversify tourism products and improve service quality. The growing global acclaim contributes to shaping a diverse, distinctive and highly competitive network of destinations, helping Vietnam continue to shine at prestigious international tourism awards.
Many Vietnamese travel, aviation and tourism service enterprises were also honored in the world’s top categories, underscoring the sector’s comprehensive development and the strong potential for Vietnam’s tourism industry to make even greater breakthroughs in the coming years.
Vietnam currently boasts nine world natural and cultural heritage sites, 15 intangible cultural heritage elements, and 10 documentary heritage items, along with national relics and cultural heritage sites. This provides a vital foundation for Vietnam to remain one of Asia’s leading countries in terms of heritage richness.
Tropical depression gathers steam, expected to enter East Sea
A tropical depression near the Philippines has gained strength and is forecast to enter the East Sea on December 8, said the national Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.
At 7 a.m. on December 7, the system was located over central Philippines with sustained winds of up to 49 km/h and gusts reaching 74km/h, moving westward.
In the next 24 hours, the tropical depression is expected to be northeast of Palawan Island and shift slightly west-southwest, still packing winds of 49 – 74km/h. It could accelerate further to 15–20 km/h, according to the forecast.
Around early afternoon on December 8, the tropical depression is projected to be over the eastern waters of the central East Sea, and will approach the northeast of Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago, about 240 km east-southeast of Song Tu Tay Island, on December 9.
The depression is expected to gradually weaken after 48–72 hours but will continue moving west-southwest at speeds of 20–25 km/h, reported VOV.
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| A tropical depression is likely to enter East Sea on December 8. |
The national weather bureau warned of winds at 49 – 74km/h, waves up to 4 meters high, and rough seas beginning December 8.
The National Steering Committee for Civil Defense has ordered coastal provinces from Quang Tri to An Giang to monitor the system closely, strictly manage vessels at sea, and promptly advise fishermen and ship owners of dangerous conditions.
Local authorities were urged not to underestimate the system’s developments and to prepare response measures to ensure safety for people and property.
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