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In the first half of 2025, the U.K. approved over 110,800 student visas, up 18% year-on-year. However, full-year data to June 2025 shows a drop of 18% in total sponsored study visas, primarily due to an 81% collapse in dependent visas following new restrictions that allow only research-based postgraduate students to bring family members. Main student visas fell only slightly, by 4%, to 413,921—still 52% above pre-pademic levels.

By nationality, Indian students led with over 35,000 visas in the first half of 2025, followed by Chinese students (9,600) and Vietnamese students (about 400, up 50%). Full-year figures, however, ranked Chinese students highest with 99,919 visas, nearly matching Indian students at 98,014, while Pakistan followed with 37,013. The top five markets accounted for 66% of all visas.

Tighter immigration rules are reshaping the landscape: dependents face new English requirements, the post-study work visa has been cut from two years to 18 months, and a proposed 6% tuition tax would funnel £600 million into domestic education. Universities must also meet stricter enrollment and completion standards to keep recruiting international students.

Despite stricter policies, the U.K. remains a leading education hub, attracting 730,000 international students last year and contributing £10 billion to the economy. Tuition fees range from £20,000 to £41,000 annually, with medical degrees reaching £68,000. Popularity is driven by shorter degree durations and strong demand in Business and Management, which attracts over a third of international students.

The Quang Tri Ancient Citadel in central Vietnam saw a record visitor turnout during the National Day holiday, largely driven by the success of the war film Mua Do (Red Rain). From Aug. 30 to Sept. 2, nearly 10,000 people visited, with over 3,800 on Sept. 2 alone—the highest daily figure ever recorded.

For many, the visit was deeply emotional. Local resident Nguyen Xuan Loc said bringing his children to the site after watching Mua Do, which portrays the brutal 81-day battle of 1972, helped them understand the immense sacrifices that secured today's peace. The citadel, devastated by bombardments compared to seven Hiroshima-scale bombs, remains a symbol of Vietnamese resilience and determination for independence and reunification.

To accommodate the surge, the management board deployed all staff for continuous guidance, interpretation, and coordination with local forces to ensure security, sanitation, and logistics. Officials described the work as both a professional duty and a sacred mission to honor martyrs. Plans include screening Mua Do at the site for veterans, martyrs' families, and residents.

The film has grossed over VND475 billion (US$18 million) in 13 days, becoming the fastest to reach that milestone in Vietnamese cinema.

The Philippines welcomed nearly 4 million foreign visitors in the first eight months of this year, about half of its 8.4-million annual target and 67% of last year's 5.95 million arrivals, according to Tourism Secretary Esperanza Christina G. Frasco. South Korea remained the top source market with 880,000 arrivals, though numbers declined slightly, a trend also affecting Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

Recent incidents involving the deaths of Korean and Japanese tourists have raised safety concerns, prompting the Department of Tourism to pledge stronger safety measures for South Korean visitors. The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission has proposed initiatives such as deploying Korean-speaking police officers and expanding tourist assistance desks.

Despite challenges, the Philippines maintains strong appeal with its extensive 36,000 km of coastline and was named “Asia's Leading Beach Destination” at the 2024 World Travel Awards.

A tropical depression formed in the northeastern East Sea Friday evening and is forecast to strengthen into a storm by Saturday, according to Vietnam's National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. By 7 a.m. Saturday, it was moving northwest at 10–15 kph with maximum winds of 61 kph. It is expected to intensify into a storm by evening, located about 530 km northeast of the Paracel Islands, with winds of 62–74 kph, continuing northwest at 10 kph and gaining strength.

By Sunday evening, the storm could reach the northern East Sea with winds of 75–88 kph. The Hong Kong Meteorological Observatory forecasts peak winds of 105 kph on Saturday before weakening as it approaches mainland China, possibly bringing rain to Vietnam's northern mountainous provinces.

Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has asked coastal provinces from Quang Ninh to Quang Ngai to monitor developments, issue ship warnings, and prepare rescue teams.

This year, six storms have already occurred in the East Sea. The latest, Storm Nongfa, hit Ha Tinh and Quang Tri on Aug. 30 with weak intensity and little damage. Earlier, Typhoon Kajiki struck Thanh Hoa and Ha Tinh on Aug. 25, leaving nine dead, 77 injured, over 38,600 homes damaged, and 510 collapsed, causing economic losses of about VND2.9 trillion (US$109.8 million).

Forecasters expect 5–7 more storms or tropical depressions in the East Sea before year-end, with 2–3 possibly affecting Vietnam's mainland, mainly from central to southern provinces.

Party General Secretary To Lam emphasized nuclear energy as a long-term strategic goal vital for Vietnam's socio-economic development, defense, and security. Speaking at a working session with the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute (VINATOM), he stressed that nuclear development must guarantee absolute safety for people, the environment, and society, while adhering to international atomic energy guidelines.

He called for a national program on nuclear technology and safety, aligned with international standards, to strengthen scientific capabilities and ensure sustainable progress. Lam urged enhancing the Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety's capacity, refining policies, and investing in national research infrastructure to support key projects.

VINATOM, established in 1979, was tasked to continue serving as a hub for research, technical support, incident response, training, and applied science. Strategic priorities include advancing nuclear technology, mastering related industries such as rare earth processing, and supporting digital transformation. Lam highlighted the need for a national radiation monitoring network, digitized data systems, transparent but controlled data disclosure, and AI-driven risk assessments.

VINATOM currently manages 12 units nationwide, including the Da Lat Nuclear Reactor and Hanoi's electron beam accelerator, with 768 employees, among them 97 professors and PhDs, and many internationally recognized experts. The Party chief underscored that nuclear development must be coupled with digitalization and innovation to build public trust and ensure safe, effective applications.