Vietnam

China has carried out joint naval and air exercises around a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. The drills come amid ongoing territorial tensions in the waterway, where China's claims overlap with those of neighbouring countries including the Philippines and Vietnam. The show of military force is likely to draw criticism from claimant states and watchful attention from the United States.

Two foreign nationals have reportedly gone missing in Vietnam after meeting with local activists, according to a report by Kiripost. The circumstances of their disappearance remain unknown, including when and where they were last seen. The case has drawn concern from human rights observers, who point to Vietnam's tightening restrictions on activism and its treatment of those who engage with dissidents or civil society figures.

Vietnam's wood chip shipments to China dropped by 6% in August, according to trade data reported by Lesprom. The decline signals softer Chinese demand for Vietnamese wood chips, a key raw material for pulp and paper production. Traders and industry watchers are assessing whether the dip reflects seasonal factors or a broader slowdown in Chinese manufacturing demand.

Vietnamese officials and tourism businesses are calling on a Singaporean airline to start its planned direct service between Da Lat and Singapore earlier than scheduled. The route is expected to boost tourism and trade links between Vietnam's Central Highlands and the city-state. The appeal was reported by Tuoi Tre, highlighting growing demand for the connection.