The capital city of Hanoi was the most expensive city nationwide in 2021, according to the Spatial Cost of Living Index (SCOLI) compiled by the General Statistics Office.
The streets of Hanoi have returned to its usual bustling state with COVID-19 outbreak under control. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - The capital city of Hanoi was the mostexpensive city nationwide in 2021, according to the Spatial Cost ofLiving Index (SCOLI) compiled by the General Statistics Office.
The SCOLI is calculated based on a range of prices covering everything from foodand beverage, tobacco and clothing through to electricity, medicine andentertainment.
The second place in the index went to Quang Ninh province in thenorth, while the third place belonged to the country's biggest metropolis HoChi Minh City. The central coastal city of Da Nang, frequently hailed as themost liveable in Vietnam, came fourth in term of cost of living.
Compared to 2020, the rankings of the most expensive localities in2021 have not changed much. However, the provinces inthe northern midlands and mountains have lower prices than inthe past due to increasingly convenient transport.
Provinces and cities under the direct management ofthe Government are more expensive than mountainousprovinces, mainly in terms of housing rental, services and tourismentertainment.
Tra Vinh province is the locality with the lowest cost of livingindex in the country, equal to 87.61 percent of Hanoi.
The average price of Tra Vinh province’s commodity groups compared toHanoi’s ranges from 76.58 percent to 99.63 percent of Hanoi. Thesecond lowest-priced locality in the country is Hau Giang.
Other affordable localities are Soc Trang (88.16 percent), Quang Tri (88.53 percent),Nam Dinh (88.92 percent), Gia Lai (89.04 percent), Tay Ninh (89 percent), Phu Tho(90.1 percent) and Vinh Long (90.41 percent)./.
Twenty-two hot air balloons have flown in the sky over the Red River in Long Bien District, marking the launch of the “Colourful Hanoi” hot air balloon festival.
The capital city of Hanoi has received its first foreign travelers as the country fully reopened international tourism on March 15 following two years of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade will host large-scale trade promotion events across more than 2,000 points of sale in the city to boost consumption and tourism.
Vietnam has over 4.8 million people exposed to AO/dioxin, including hundreds of thousands in the second, third, and even fourth generations. Many live with severe disabilities, facing high medical costs and loss of earning capacity.
Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang reaffirmed that amnesty is a humanitarian policy of the Party and State, reflecting the Vietnamese tradition of compassion and winning attention and high praise both domestically and internationally.
Vietnam officially grants limited-term visa-free entry to high-profile foreigners whose presence is deemed beneficial to the country’s socio-economic development.
With support from the Vietnamese Association in Ufa, Vietnamese language classes for children have been offered for many years. Currently, 60 children of various ages are attending two classes taught by Duc Anh, free of charge.
Vietnam ranked among the top four countries and territories at the 2025 International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), reaffirming its strong position in international academic competitions.
All 20 crew members aboard the Vietnamese oil tanker GT Unity were successfully rescued from a fire in the vessel’s engine room, thanks to the swift response of the Liberian-flagged ship Androusa and Vietnamese maritime rescue teams.
Describing Agent Orange as one of the most severe and enduring legacies of the war in Vietnam, Vietnam's former Honorary Consul to Belgium Joseph-Michel de Grand Ry warned that its impact – still affecting generations more than five decades later – could last another two to three decades.
Running from August 4 to September 2, under the hashtag #TuHaoVietNam, the campaign invites participants in two categories: “I Love My Country” video clips and “I Love My Country” check-in photos.
Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, which took effect on the issuance date, introduces amendments that integrate the procedure for reporting and explaining the demand for foreign workers into the process of submitting applications for work permits.
With a tight 13-month deadline, the move is under a strategic and urgent policy to bridge educational gaps, train the local workforce, and shore up territorial sovereignty in some of the country’s most remote areas.
The parade and personnel send-off ceremony will officially take place on August 10 at the area surrounding the Statue of King Ly Thai To and Dinh Tien Hoang street of Hoan Kiem ward, with the participation of nearly 3,000 officers, soldiers, and local residents.
According to national technical regulations, AIS installation is mandatory for boats carrying more than 50 passengers. However, operators of smaller vessels (under 50 seats) in Ha Long Bay have voluntarily committed to completing installation by the deadline to enhance operational safety.
The activities include a Vietnamese language teaching training course for overseas Vietnamese teachers from August 13 to 28 in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Thai Nguyen.
Specifically, the ships will carry out patrols from 7am to 6pm daily along the main tourist routes in Ha Long Bay, with one ship permanently stationed at Ti Top island. From 6pm to 7am the following day, the mobile vessels return to Tuan Chau island to maintain a 24/7 on-call duty shift, ensuring constant readiness.
The Ministry of Construction (MoC) plans to open to traffic 208km of expressways of six key projects by August 19, bringing the country’s total expressway network to 2,476km.
As of July 1, a two-tier local government model started in 34 provinces and cities, streamlining administration but creating a surplus of public properties. If not promptly addressed, these assets could become a financial burden.
Whether they grow up to become journalists, diplomats, or professionals in other fields, these children can one day become bridges of friendship and cooperation, telling new and inspiring stories of Vietnam – China relations, said Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh.
A 21-year-old Indian tourist was successfully resuscitated and treated by doctors at Hoan My Da Nang Hospital after a near-drowning incident left him in critical condition. After three days of intensive care, the man was discharged from the hospital and has since returned to India.
In an document issued on August 5, the PM emphasised the need to stablise living conditions for people hit by floods, landslides, and flash floods in late July and early August in northern and north-central provinces, especially Dien Bien, Son La, and Nghe An which suffered some of the worst damage.
Although millions of Vietnamese were affected by AO, only over 626,000 individuals, including war veterans and their children suffering from dioxin-related conditions, are currently receiving state benefits.
The streets of Hanoi have returned to its usual bustling state with COVID-19 outbreak under control. (Photo: VNA) 
