Vietnam’s overnight interest rates went from 2.15 percent February 20 to 4.14 percent on February 21, Vietnam Plus is reporting. The publication says this is connected to a spike in lending in December, however, that was over a month and a half ago (see credit growth table for 2023 here:

Expansion of Vietnam’s tourist visa options under discussion

the-shiv February 27, 2024

Vietnam’s Prime Minister has proposed visa waivers for foreign nationals from developed countries of between six to 12 months, VN Express is reporting. If enacted this would signify a huge shift in visa policy for one of Southeast Asia’s fast growing economies. A little background–Vietnam revised its immigration laws in

Vietnam agriculture firms grappling with increased logistics costs

the-shiv February 27, 2024

Logistics costs are becoming an increasing challenge for Vietnam’s agricultural exports, Vietnamnet is reporting. The publication claims that 60 percent of logistics costs are transport-related and compares this to 30 percent ‘in other countries’ (no source provided). One of the key gripes in this article is that foreign transport firms,

This analysis of Vietnam’s ‘blazing furnace’ corruption crackdown

the-shiv February 27, 2024

The Diplomat is carrying an article by Mai Truong, an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Marquette University in the USA in which she argues that the current corruption ‘crackdown’ in Vietnam may backfire. Truong argues that the ‘crackdown’: Could encourage citizens to become more political engaged; Could expose internal