Straitstimes.com header logo

Choose edition

Search

singapore

asia

world

opinion

life

business

sport

Visual

Podcasts

SPH Rewards

STClassifieds

Paid press releases

Advertise with us

FAQs

Contact us

 
author-image
author-image

Nga Pham

Nga Pham is a Hanoi-based multimedia journalist who has covered Vietnam, and more broadly, South-east Asia as well as regional disputes such as the South China Sea conflict for more than 15 years. She previously worked for the BBC in London and Bangkok before pursuing independent journalism. Nga is a martial artist and practices Thai boxing in her spare time.

Latest articles

Whodunnit? Vietnam’s online sleuths step up their game, tracking true crime

The headquarters of the Market Management Team No. 4 in Lang Son province, Vietnam, the workplace of the alleged killer and the site of the killing in the Sang-Dat murder case.
The headquarters of the Market Management Team No. 4 in Lang Son province, Vietnam, the workplace of the alleged killer and the site of the killing in the Sang-Dat murder case.

Friendship rekindled: Cam Ranh Bay and a new phase in Moscow-Hanoi ties

ngabay - 2. Memorial 1-2-3. The Russia-Vietnam Friendship Memorial honours the 44 Soviet and Russian servicemen    who never made it home, along with 176 Vietnamese personnel who died in the line of duty in the Khanh Hoa region, in the peacetime years after the Vietnam War (1955-1975). 
Credit: Nga Pham
ngabay - 2. Memorial 1-2-3. The Russia-Vietnam Friendship Memorial honours the 44 Soviet and Russian servicemen    who never made it home, along with 176 Vietnamese personnel who died in the line of duty in the Khanh Hoa region, in the peacetime years after the Vietnam War (1955-1975). 
Credit: Nga Pham

Vietnam to make English a compulsory 2nd language in all schools by 2035, to be more competitive

The ambitious plan extends beyond just teaching English as a subject to include teaching other academic subjects in English as well as Vietnamese.
The ambitious plan extends beyond just teaching English as a subject to include teaching other academic subjects in English as well as Vietnamese.

Vietnam elevates UK ties to top partnership, balancing major powers amid geopolitical rivalry

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam , To Lam (left) meets Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam , To Lam (left) meets Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Vietnam steps up reclamation work on strategic reef in South China Sea in island-building efforts

Reclamation efforts on South Reef, known as Da Nam to the Vietnamese, have proceeded rapidly over the past two years.
Reclamation efforts on South Reef, known as Da Nam to the Vietnamese, have proceeded rapidly over the past two years.

Born in Vietnam but Chinese at heart, young content creators promote dialects, customs

Ms Tran Ai Nhi (left) and Ms Tieu Nhou are part of a small group of young digital content creators on a mission to preserve their ancestral heritage, with help from social media.
Ms Tran Ai Nhi (left) and Ms Tieu Nhou are part of a small group of young digital content creators on a mission to preserve their ancestral heritage, with help from social media.

Vietnam’s top leader To Lam’s visit to North Korea signals proactive role in global affairs

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam leaves after attending a parade celebrating the 80th anniversary of independence in Hanoi, Vietnam, September 2, 2025. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/Pool
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam leaves after attending a parade celebrating the 80th anniversary of independence in Hanoi, Vietnam, September 2, 2025. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/Pool

Submarines, warships, naval aircraft: Vietnam shows off maritime muscle at independence day parade

Vietnam has been building up its naval capabilities over the past decade.
Vietnam has been building up its naval capabilities over the past decade.

Citizenship for foreign talent: How this footballer from Brazil became Vietnam’s favourite ‘Son’

ngacitizen - Nguyen Xuan Son, aka Rafaelson Fernandes, salutes wearing the Vietnam national team colours. 

Credit: Nguyen Xuan Son
ngacitizen - Nguyen Xuan Son, aka Rafaelson Fernandes, salutes wearing the Vietnam national team colours. 

Credit: Nguyen Xuan Son

Hanoi’s plan to ban petrol bikes by 2026 leaves livelihoods in the dust

On July 12, Vietnam officials said it would  ban all fossil fuel-powered motorbikes from Hanoi’s inner-city starting July 1, 2026, as part of a sweeping new effort to tackle air and water pollution in the capital.

Credit: NGA PHAM
On July 12, Vietnam officials said it would  ban all fossil fuel-powered motorbikes from Hanoi’s inner-city starting July 1, 2026, as part of a sweeping new effort to tackle air and water pollution in the capital.

Credit: NGA PHAM

E-paper

Newsletters

Podcasts

RSS Feed

About Us

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

Need help? Reach us here.

Advertise with us

Download the app

Get unlimited access to exclusive stories and incisive insights from the ST newsroom
Subscribe Placeholder
MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.