Vietnam

Vietnam Net - E | English | News | Nov. 20, 2025 | Regulation

Vietnam is developing a drone supervision and management framework to address regulatory gaps arising from the unique behaviors of low-altitude UAVs, which differ significantly from traditional aircraft. Nguyen Thanh, a researcher at the Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology (PTIT), highlighted the need for legal frameworks and technical infrastructure to support safe and healthy development in this sector. He proposed creating a specialized "air traffic police" force and a robust drone monitoring system that would include a centralized control center, legal management via 4G/5G networks, radar detection of illegal drones, and countermeasures for neutralizing threats.

A key element of the plan is requiring drone owners to register devices to receive unique identification codes similar to vehicle license plates. Each drone would be equipped with communication modules to transmit real-time location and flight data via mobile networks. The proposed drone monitoring system envisions low-altitude radar networks to detect unauthorized UAV activity by comparing flight data against a centralized database. Vietnam plans to trial this system in a limited area by 2028, expand coverage to critical zones by 2030, provincial levels by 2032, and districts and communes by 2035.

The urgency of enhanced drone management is underscored by recent incidents, including UAV intrusions at Tho Xuan Airport in Thanh Hoa in June 2025, which disrupted civilian flights and prompted stricter security measures. Le Thi Phuong from the Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation noted the increasing safety risks due to the influx of low-altitude drones and the ongoing modernization of aviation infrastructure to mitigate these risks.

Vietnam’s regulatory approach is informed by international examples, such as the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which mandates real-time electronic identification of drones and establishes designated low-altitude corridors for safety. Successfully implementing a comprehensive drone regulatory framework could enable Vietnam to harness the low-altitude economy, projected to add $10 billion to the national economy by 2035.

Nhật Bản lập cơ quan do Thủ tướng đứng đầu ứng phó khủng hoảng dân số

Bao Dien Tu | Local Language | News | Nov. 20, 2025 | UndeterminedDemographics

On November 18, 2025, the Japanese government established the "Population Strategy Headquarters," an agency led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to address the country’s ongoing population crisis. The agency will coordinate with the Children and Families Agency, the Cabinet Office, and other ministries to implement comprehensive measures aimed at population decline, including support for local governments to revitalize non-urban areas and promote economic recovery.

Japan’s population continues to decline significantly, with a decrease of approximately 908,000 people from 2023 to 2024, bringing the total population to 120,653,227. The 2024 birth count fell to a historic low of 687,689, marking the 16th consecutive year of decline and the largest recorded drop since 1968. As of January 1, 2025, the total population, including foreign residents, was 124,330,690, a decrease of about 554,000 from the previous year. The elderly population (65 and over) now comprises 29.58%, and the working-age population (15-64) accounts for 59.04%, both figures showing slight increases.

The population decline is driven by multiple factors, including high child-rearing and housing costs, job insecurity, eldercare burdens, delayed or forgone marriage among young people, and women’s growing reluctance to have children due to insufficient work-family balance support. Although the government has introduced subsidies, expanded childcare, improved women’s working conditions, and provided housing support for young couples, experts view these efforts as inadequate to reverse the trend.

Prime Minister Takaichi has identified population decline as Japan’s biggest issue and has pledged to establish a robust framework for ongoing responses to the crisis. The new agency aims to coordinate government measures to create a society allowing people to live where they choose while addressing demographic challenges at both urban and regional levels.

Vietnam Net - E | English | News | Nov. 20, 2025 | Pollution

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) in Vietnam has developed a draft decision to tighten national technical regulations on exhaust emissions for road vehicles, aiming to reduce air pollution and protect public health. This framework sets stricter emission standards tied to the vehicle's manufacturing year, aligning with Vietnam’s international commitments to lower greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable urban transportation.

Vehicles manufactured before 1999 must meet Emission Standard Level 1 (Euro 1 equivalent), affecting popular older models like the 1996 Toyota Corolla and Kia Pride, which are commonly used by middle-income earners. Cars made between 1999 and 2016 are subject to Level 2 standards (Euro 2 equivalent), impacting widely-used models such as Toyota Innova and Mazda 3. Non-compliant vehicles in these categories may face restrictions on inspection, registration, and sales.

From 2026, vehicles produced between 2017 and 2021 must meet Level 3 emissions standards (Euro 3), with Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) enforcing the stricter Level 4 (Euro 4) by 2027. This includes many popular models like the Hyundai Accent and Toyota Corolla Cross, which dominate the used car market. Newer vehicles from 2022 onward are required to comply with Level 4 at the national level by 2026, upgrading to Level 5 (Euro 5) by 2032, and by 2028 specifically in Hanoi and HCMC.

Starting January 1, 2029, all cars operating in Hanoi and HCMC must meet at least Level 2 emissions standards, moving this deadline up by one year compared to earlier proposals. Vehicles assembled before 2022 with existing Technical Safety and Environmental Protection Certificates will continue to follow the Level 3 standard until their certificates expire.