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Ho Chi Minh City's Department of Education and Training has proposed dissolving the American International School Vietnam (AISVN) after it failed to resolve financial and staffing problems more than a year after being suspended.

AISVN, closed since July 2023, did not meet legal requirements for teaching conditions, staffing, and financial capacity. It has not submitted workforce reports, and its parent company has shut down operations. The school reportedly owes over VND31 billion (US$1.2M) in unpaid insurance contributions, with no viable repayment plan.

In May, board chairwoman Nguyen Thi Ut Em was arrested for allegedly disturbing public order and inciting vandalism. Authorities are also probing suspected illegal fundraising from parents via investment and loan contracts.

Founded in 2006, AISVN served about 1,200 mostly International Baccalaureate students, with tuition ranging from VND280M–725M ($11K–$29K) and employing over 250 staff. Parents had invested VND3.6 trillion ($142M) in prepaid tuition packages, many now unpaid.

Following the closure, around 700 students transferred to other schools or went abroad.

Hue's café culture blends history, architecture, and relaxation, offering visitors tranquil spots to enjoy drinks while soaking in the city's charm.

Gao sits in a lakeside wooden house within the Imperial City, surrounded by traditional flowers, serving coffee, juices, and royal teas (VND20,000–150,000).

De Po, inside Dong Ba Market, offers a nostalgic feel with aged walls and patterned tiles. Its caramel coffee is a highlight (VND25,000–50,000).

Lau Tu Phuong Vo Su, built in 1923 for Emperor Khai Dinh, now serves coffee and tea (VND20,000–50,000) and offers views of the Imperial City without requiring a ticket.

Giao is a vintage-style café with patterned floors and retro furnishings, known for salted coffee and salted coconut cocoa (VND45,000–59,000).

Chieu, a 30-year-old two-story wooden house, exudes nostalgia with Trinh Cong Son music and views of the Imperial City. Salted coffee is a favorite (VND20,000–40,000).

Gac Trinh, once Trinh Cong Son's retreat, preserves his memorabilia. It serves simple coffee (VND15,000–30,000) and overlooks Nguyen Truong To Street.

Hue Cafe Roastery offers balcony views of the Dong Ba River and Dieu De Pagoda, with coffee and traditional drinks like salted lemon (VND25,000–45,000).

All spots operate from morning to late evening (except Gac Trinh, which closes at 5 p.m.), making them ideal for cultural immersion and relaxation in Hue.

Two Malaysian tourists, 26-year-old Ong Yik Leong and 27-year-old Gan Xiao Zhen, were critically injured on August 7 in Bangkok after being doused with paint thinner and set on fire outside a busy shopping mall around 10 p.m.

According to reports, the attacker approached from behind, poured the flammable liquid over the pair, and ignited it. The victims tried to flee, but the suspect pursued and set them alight. Bystanders intervened, detaining the man until police arrived.

The suspect, a 30-year-old former security guard from Sa Kaeo province, had recently lost his job and was reportedly under severe stress. Police say he targeted the victims out of frustration over his unemployment. He is currently in custody, facing assault charges.

The victims are in critical but stable condition. The Malaysian Embassy in Thailand has confirmed it is monitoring their situation closely. Authorities are waiting for the pair to recover enough to provide full statements.

Hanoi's ongoing heatwave, with outdoor “feels like” temperatures reaching 47°C, has triggered widespread power outages disrupting apartment life across the city. On Aug. 4, a fault in the power system cut electricity to multiple complexes, forcing residents to improvise in sweltering conditions.

In Tay Ho Ward, nearly 1,000 households lost power during dinner. Some residents moved to hotel rooms, cars, or common areas with battery-powered fans. Others, like Phuong Anh, descended 25 floors by flashlight carrying children. Despite the chaos, online resident groups shared coping tips and updates rather than complaints. Power returned after three hours.

In Nam Tu Liem Ward, another outage prompted a midnight evacuation. Some families relocated to hotels; others endured the heat with limited battery fans until partial power returned. The next day brought another blackout, prompting some to send children to relatives.

Hanoi Electricity Corporation reported record demand of nearly 6,000 MW on Aug. 4, 14% higher than the 2024 peak. In the first four days of August, usage rose by over 25.5 million kWh. A fault in a major transmission line forced load shedding to avoid a system-wide collapse.

Authorities have postponed planned maintenance and urged conservation, especially during peak hours, recommending efficient appliances and reduced simultaneous use of high-power devices.

Some residents are exploring cooperative solutions, like gathering in one unit to share a single air conditioner during outages, as a way to adapt rather than wait passively for power restoration.

Australia hosts 33,524 Vietnamese students, making them the fourth-largest international student group, according to the Department of Education. In the year to May, total international enrolments reached 816,587 — up 1% from 2024 and 18% above pre-pandemic 2019 levels. Over half came from China (23%), India (17.1%), Nepal (7.9%), Vietnam (4.6%), and the Philippines (4.5%).

Students are spread across high schools, universities, vocational training, and short-term English courses. Higher education made up 52.2% of enrolments and grew 11% in the first five months of 2025, while English-language course enrolments fell 37%. Management and Commerce was the top study area in both higher education and vocational training.

Policy changes over the past two years have tightened migration, including shorter post-study work rights (now 2–4 years), higher English requirements (IELTS 6.5), and increased financial proof and visa fees. On Monday, the government raised the 2026 foreign student cap by 9% to 295,000, prioritizing Southeast Asian applicants.

International students are a major economic driver, contributing over A$51 billion (US$34 billion) in 2024, making education Australia's largest services export.