Thailand's lower house of parliament has passed a marriage equality bill, potentially making Thailand the first country in South-East Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. The bill received overwhelming support with 400 of 415 lawmakers voting in favor. It now awaits approval by the senate and endorsement by the Thai king. If enacted, Thailand will join Taiwan and Nepal as the only countries in Asia with legalized same-sex marriage. The bill has been in discussion for over a decade, and recent consolidation of four draft bills into one has been a significant step forward. Human rights groups, while celebrating the progress, have called for the elimination of gendered language in the draft to ensure full rights for LGBTI+ persons.

Thailand's lower house of parliament has passed a marriage equality bill, potentially making it the first country in South-East Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. The bill received overwhelming support with 400 of 415 lawmakers voting in favor. It now awaits approval by the senate and endorsement by the Thai king. The Pheu Thai Party, which is overseeing the bill, expressed that this marks the beginning of equality in Thailand. Human rights group Fortify Rights acknowledged the progress but noted the need to address shortcomings in the draft to ensure full rights for LGBTI+ individuals. The legislation has been in discussion for over a decade, and the recent development places Thailand ahead of other South-East Asian countries on same-sex marriage rights.

Vạn Thịnh Phát Group is under investigation for an alleged bond fraud involving about 42,000 investors who lost US$1.2 billion. The case has not yet gone to trial, and the scope of the corporation's reach is becoming more apparent as the investigation, which has lasted over a year, continues.

A fire in a nine-floor apartment building in Hanoi, Vietnam, resulted in 56 deaths. The fire started late Tuesday night, and firefighters extinguished it within an hour. At least 70 people were rescued, with nearly 40 injured. The cause is under investigation, but the aftermath revealed charred vehicles and incinerated interiors. Fire safety is a concern in Hanoi due to high population density, building designs, and narrow alleys that hinder emergency access. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited the site and announced government coverage of treatment costs, criticizing the lack of escape routes in the building.

Mike Tatarski, a reporter and long-time resident of Vietnam, discusses the international media's portrayal of Vietnam in light of President Joe Biden's recent visit to Hanoi. He expresses frustration with the typical narratives and acknowledges the mixed nature of attention Vietnam receives during such high-profile events. Tatarski also mentions his contribution to The Guardian on the new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

US President Joe Biden finalized a comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam during his visit to Hanoi, meeting with Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. This partnership elevates US-Vietnam relations to the highest diplomatic level, aligning with the status of China, Russia, India, and South Korea. The joint statement emphasized economic cooperation and innovation-driven growth. The move reflects shared economic and geopolitical interests despite the historical legacy of the Vietnam War. Analysts cite China's regional ambitions as a key factor in this upgrade, with recent incidents highlighting tensions. The White House also announced bilateral initiatives and business deals, including a semiconductor partnership and workforce development programs, underscoring Vietnam's strategic role in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Vietnam Weekly newsletter, authored by Mike Tatarski, discusses a range of anti-corruption news in Vietnam, highlighting cases of sand mining in the Mekong Delta, illegal land use on Phú Quốc, nationwide issues with COVID-19 test kits, and tree planting in Hanoi.

VinFast, a Vietnamese carmaker, debuted on the Nasdaq Global Select Market after a merger with Black Spade Acquisition Company, resulting in an opening share price of US$22 and a closing price of US$37.06. This valuation brought the company's market cap to an astonishing US$85 billion, surpassing automotive giants like Mercedes-Benz and Ford. The article examines the details behind VinFast's listing, the involvement of Vingroup's electric taxi company, the groundbreaking of a new factory in North Carolina, and the media coverage that VinFast is now facing.

A group of assailants on motorbikes attacked the People’s Committee buildings and police offices in Dak Lak Province, Vietnam, resulting in nine deaths and several injuries. The Ministry of Public Security arrested 45 people and is continuing the search for others involved. The attack has sparked a military-led hunt and increased border security by Cambodia. Meanwhile, Northern Vietnam is facing severe power shortages, affecting residential life, industry, and tourism. Local media have criticized the power sector, and the government has proposed solutions such as importing coal from Laos. The director of the National Load Dispatch Center was suspended, and there are calls for electricity system reform and concerns over the JETP agreement.

Vietnam’s economic heart, Ho Chi Minh City, is facing serious economic challenges as it approaches the midpoint of the year. The city administration's slow budget distribution and the city's low gross regional domestic product growth in Q1 indicate significant economic underperformance compared to other centrally governed cities and provinces, as well as the national rate.

The Ministry of Public Security in Vietnam has concluded its investigation into the repatriation flight scandal, recommending charges against 54 individuals across various government departments for crimes including bribery and abuse of power. The scandal, which dates back to January 2022, involved officials exploiting Vietnamese citizens trying to return home during a health crisis. Former Deputy Foreign Minister Tô Anh Dũng, arrested last April, is among the high-level officials implicated.

Ho Chi Minh City, despite its economic dynamism and significant contribution to Vietnam's GDP, is facing a paradoxical paralysis in its public sector, particularly in the development of infrastructure and services. This issue persists even amidst an aggressive anti-corruption campaign that has further slowed bureaucracy. The city's future challenge is to determine the extent to which private capital-led growth can be sustained with the current state of inadequate infrastructure.

In Vietnam, at least 24 tigers, including seven cubs, were rescued from illegal wildlife traders in Nghe An province, a known hub for the exotic wildlife trade in Southeast Asia. Save Vietnam’s Wildlife (SVW), a domestic conservation group, collaborated with local police in the operation. The adult tigers were saved from illegal breeders, while the cubs were found in a van after an attempted escape by two men. Four pangolins were also recovered. The tigers are receiving care, with a national park assisting with the cubs and local zoos temporarily housing the adults. Tigers are considered functionally extinct in Vietnam due to poaching and habitat loss, but their body parts are still in demand for traditional medicine and decorative items. SVW's founder, Nguyen Van Thai, and WWF-Vietnam's Benjamin Rawson praised the rescues but emphasized the need for more action against illegal trade and better facilities for tiger care.

Vietnam's response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been notably successful, with life in Ho Chi Minh City appearing normal despite the global crisis. The country has recorded low case and death numbers, with no community transmission detected in nearly three months. Vietnam's strategy has focused on strict border controls and quarantine measures rather than a desperate need for a vaccine. Domestic vaccine development is underway, and the government has expressed interest in purchasing Russia's vaccine. Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam emphasized the continuation of the current containment strategy. Vietnam's economy is projected to grow by up to 3 percent this year, although the tourism sector has suffered significantly. Discussions on vaccine strategy are ongoing with global health organizations.

One year after the discovery of 39 Vietnamese migrants dead in a truck in Essex, England, the demand for migration remains high despite the tragedy. Four men are on trial in the UK for their involvement, while in Vietnam, four people received jail sentences for organizing illegal emigration. The cost of smuggling has increased, with crossing the English Channel now costing up to $30,000. Smuggling networks continue to advertise in Vietnam, exploiting real labor recruitment initiatives and promising high salaries and benefits. Experts suggest that law enforcement needs to establish a task force to address the broader issues of contraband and illegal migration, as current efforts only result in the arrest of low-level participants.

Nguyen Phu Trong, the general secretary of Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party, is expected to become the country's next president, a position left vacant after the death of Tran Dai Quang. This move would make Trong the first person since Ho Chi Minh to hold both the general secretary and president roles simultaneously. Trong's potential dual role is seen as a power consolidation, especially during his ongoing anti-corruption campaign. Comparisons have been drawn to China's Xi Jinping, though Vietnam's political system is described as more consensus-based. The decision may be temporary, with the next National Congress in 2021 set to determine future leadership. The government's crackdown on dissent and the ban on independent political parties and unions highlight Vietnam's intolerance towards opposition, as noted by Human Rights Watch.

The article discusses the environmental challenges and conservation efforts in Cat Ba, Vietnam, particularly focusing on the mangrove forests and wildlife. Nguyen Thi Kim Cuc from Vietnam National University highlights the improved condition of mangroves compared to two decades ago, yet acknowledges the reduction in area and biodiversity. Christoph Zöckler of the Manfred Hermsen Stiftung notes the small size of Cat Ba's mangroves due to climatic conditions. The article also touches on the threats to wildlife, such as hunting, which has significantly impacted bird populations and the endangered Cat Ba langurs. The reporter, Michael Tatarski, reflects on the balance between development and conservation on the island, with insights from conservationists like Neahga Leonard, who stress the importance of sustainable development. The article concludes with a note on the potential impact of upcoming developments like the Sun Group resort on the island's future.

Vietnam, hosting the U.S.-North Korea summit on short notice, transformed Hanoi to accommodate the event, despite the Lunar New Year holiday. The city was cleaned, decorated with flags, and security was heightened. Kim Jong Un's arrival by train and car presented logistical challenges. The summit's media coverage was tightly controlled by Vietnam's state-run press, with journalists restricted to an International Media Center and instructed to report positively. Despite limited policy outcomes, Vietnam achieved its desired international image, with its Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc seen alongside President Trump, each waving the other's national flag.

The article discusses the critical state of mangrove forests in the Greater Mekong region of Southeast Asia, which includes Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar. Mangroves, which play a vital ecological role, have been reduced from 320,000 square kilometers 50 years ago to 150,000 square kilometers today due to land use changes, agricultural development, and illegal logging. The article highlights the importance of mangroves in supporting local livelihoods, protecting against coastal storms, and storing carbon. It also covers efforts to protect and recover these forests, such as the establishment of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, the creation of sustainable charcoal value chains, and the development of artificial mangroves. Despite these efforts, the region's rapid economic growth and the need for fuelwood pose ongoing threats to mangrove conservation.

William Anh Nguyen, a 32-year-old from Houston, is set to stand trial in Vietnam for 'disturbing public order' after being arrested during protests in Ho Chi Minh City on June 10. The protests were against a proposed law feared to favor Chinese control over Vietnamese land. Nguyen was en route to Singapore for his master's degree. He has been charged and could face up to seven years in prison if convicted of inciting violence. The US consulate is in contact with Nguyen's family and will attend the trial. Despite warming US-Vietnam relations, highlighted by recent visits from US officials, there has been no public comment on Nguyen's detention from the US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo. Nguyen's family and supporters hope for his release, while experts express concern over the potential harshness of his sentence.

President Donald Trump, speaking at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Vietnam, criticized unfair trade practices and promised a U.S. crackdown on economic abuses. Without directly blaming countries like China, he highlighted issues such as intellectual property theft and state-sponsored cyberattacks, advocating for fair and reciprocal trade. Trump emphasized bilateral over multilateral trade agreements, distancing himself from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) which he withdrew from early in his presidency. Concurrently, other nations' leaders and ministers discussed the TPP-11, a revised version of the TPP, with mixed signals about reaching an agreement. Trump's speech is part of his 12-day Asia tour, with further visits planned to the Philippines after Vietnam.