🌞 Good morning from Vietnam News Desk!
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 – Welcome to your daily roundup of the most significant headlines from Vietnam’s leading newspapers. From the grand opening of a major political congress to soaring global gold prices and infrastructure breakthroughs, here are the stories shaping the nation today.
📌 POLITICS
1. National Congress of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Opens in Hanoi
The 11th National Congress of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) officially opened on the morning of May 12 at the National Convention Center in Hanoi. The three-day congress (May 11–13) brings together 1,136 official delegates representing all social classes, ethnic groups, religions, armed forces, overseas Vietnamese, and front officials from all levels. Party General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm, Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng, National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn, and Permanent Secretary of the Secretariat Trần Cẩm Tú were among the senior leaders in attendance. The draft political report presented to the congress highlights the Front’s role as the political nucleus in consolidating and promoting the great national unity bloc from 2024 to 2026.
2. Traffic Restrictions Implemented in Hanoi
To ensure security and smooth proceedings for the VFF Congress, the Hanoi City Police are implementing traffic diversions, temporary bans, and vehicle restrictions on several roads around the National Convention Center from May 11 to 13. Motorists are advised to plan alternate routes during this period.
📌 ECONOMY & FINANCE
3. Global Gold Price Breaks Record, Surpasses $4,760/Ounce
The price of gold skyrocketed on the morning of May 12, reaching $4,760 per ounce—continuing a dramatic rally. The surge is driven by escalating geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran after President Donald Trump rejected Tehran’s response to a peace proposal, calling it “completely unacceptable.” Gold futures for June 2026 on the Comex exchange in New York were trading at $4,734 per ounce. Analysts warn that domestic gold prices could rise by millions of dong per tael in the coming days.
4. Oil Prices Climb as US-Iran Ceasefire Falters
Global oil prices remain elevated following President Trump’s declaration that the ceasefire with Iran is “on its last legs,” with most of the Strait of Hormuz still blockaded and no signs of an early end to the conflict. At the close of trading on May 11, Brent crude rose 2.88% to $104.2 per barrel, while WTI crude increased 2.78% to $98.07 per barrel. During the session, Brent briefly touched nearly $106 per barrel and WTI surpassed the $100 mark. According to Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser, the world has lost approximately 1 billion barrels of oil since the US-Iran conflict began.
5. Ho Chi Minh City to Launch Over $10 Billion in Infrastructure Projects
Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Trần Lưu Quang announced on May 11 that the city will begin construction on several major projects in early July, with a total investment exceeding $10 billion. The portfolio includes a railway line connecting the Thu Thiem urban area and Long Thanh International Airport.
6. Vietnam Wins First-Ever World Cup Tasters Championship
Vietnamese contestant Lê Quang Cường has won the 2026 World Cup Tasters Championship in Bangkok—the first time a Vietnamese competitor has claimed the top title at this global coffee tasting competition, which drew 46 participants from around the world.
📌 SOCIETY & LAW ENFORCEMENT
7. Singer Miu Le Arrested in Hai Phong for Drug Investigation
Police in Hai Phong City confirmed on May 11 that they had arrested popular singer Miu Le for investigation into the illegal use of narcotics. Authorities have not yet released further details as the investigation continues.
8. Ho Chi Minh City Busts Beef Counterfeiting Ring
HCMC police have dismantled a ring involved in counterfeiting beef using pork and chemically treating frozen beef to make it appear fresh. Approximately 140 kilograms of fake beef (made from pork) and 120 kilograms of chemically treated frozen beef were being distributed to the market daily.
9. Substandard Coffee Production Ring Uncovered
Police in Quảng Trị Province, in coordination with HCMC authorities, busted a substandard coffee production and trading ring operated by a woman and her two children. Nearly 600 kilograms of substandard coffee powder were seized.
10. Ho Chi Minh City Approves Vacant Land for Green Spaces
The HCMC Department of Construction has agreed with a proposal from the Department of Agriculture and Environment to use vacant land plots for the temporary establishment of green spaces, parks, flower gardens, and community areas across the city.
11. Rare Pink Dolphins Spotted Off Hải Phòng Coast
A pod of dolphins, including several rare pink dolphins, was spotted in the waters off Đồ Sơn in Hải Phòng City, a local official told Tuổi Trẻ newspaper on May 11.
📌 WORLD EVENTS
12. US-Iran Tensions Escalate
President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s counterproposal to a US peace plan, calling Tehran’s conditions—which include an end to hostilities on all fronts, war reparations, sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, and the lifting of naval blockades and economic sanctions—”completely unacceptable.”
13. Cuba Announces Government Restructuring
International news on May 12 reports that Cuba is moving forward with a plan to streamline its state apparatus, part of ongoing economic and administrative reforms on the island.
14. Bosnia First to Announce World Cup 2026 Squad
Bosnia and Herzegovina became the first national team to officially announce its squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament kicks off on June 11.
📌 WEATHER FORECAST – MAY 12, 2026
| Region | Weather | High Temp | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Vietnam | Morning sun, afternoon showers and thunderstorms, locally heavy rain | 31–34°C (Hà Nội: 31–33°C) | Hai Phong & Quảng Ninh: 27–30°C |
| North-Central Vietnam (Thanh Hóa to Thừa Thiên-Huế) | Sunny daytime, some rain in evening/night | 31–34°C | |
| Central & South-Central Vietnam (Đà Nẵng to Bình Thuận) | Sunny, some clouds | 31–34°C | |
| Central Highlands | Sunny, isolated evening showers | 28–32°C | |
| Southern Vietnam | Intense heat, some areas extreme heat | 35–37°C (some places >37°C) | Lowest humidity 50–55% |
Weather Highlights:
- Northern Vietnam: The Northwest and northern mountainous areas will see scattered showers and thunderstorms (10–30mm of rain, locally over 70mm). Other areas will be sunny with strong heat intensification, feeling oppressively hot.
- Hà Nội: Sunny with rising temperatures (max 31–33°C). Around late afternoon, areas such as Bất Bạt, Ba Vì, Sơn Tây, Hoài Đức, Chương Mỹ, Phú Xuyên, and Vân Đình may experience scattered showers and thunderstorms, possibly with heavy rain, lightning, hail, and strong gusts.
- Southern Vietnam: Extreme heat continues, with the eastern region experiencing intense heat (max 35–37°C, some places >37°C). The heatwave is expected to persist in the coming days.
- Warning: From May 14–16, Northern Vietnam may see widespread heat. From around the night of May 16–21, the region will see scattered rain and thunderstorms again.
This news roundup was compiled from major Vietnamese newspapers including Tuổi Trẻ, VietnamNet, VOV, Báo Mới, and other official sources. All information is reported as of May 12, 2026.
Stay informed, stay safe, and have a great day!
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