Knowledge & Innovation
This category covers advancements in technology, education, and research, including startups, AI, fintech, and digital transformation. It highlights government policies on innovation, investment in R&D, and digital economy trends. As economies transition to knowledge-based industries, this section explores emerging technologies, automation, AI, and blockchain, showcasing how businesses and policymakers adapt to rapid innovation.
Economy: ADB’s latest report cuts Malaysia’s 2025 growth forecast to 4.3 percent
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has lowered Malaysia’s 2025 GDP growth forecast to 4.3 percent, a 0.6 percentage point downgrade from its April projection of 4.9 percent, according to the September 2025 Asian Development Outlook (ADO).
Economy: Thailand’s 2025 growth forecast slashed to 2.0 percent in latest ADB update
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has sharply downgraded Thailand’s 2025 GDP growth forecast to 2.0 percent, a cut of 0.8 percentage points from its April projection of 2.8 percent, according to the September 2025 Asian Development Outlook (ADO).
Economy: Philippines’ 2025 growth forecast cut to 5.6 percent in latest ADB Outlook Report
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has lowered its 2025 GDP growth forecast for the Philippines to 5.6 percent, down 0.4 percentage points from its April projection of 6.0 percent, according to the September 2025 Asian Development Outlook (ADO).
Economy: Indonesia’s 2025 growth forecast cut to 4.9 percent in latest ADB update
Indonesia’s economic growth forecast for 2025 has been revised down to 4.9 percent, a 0.1 percentage point cut from April, according to the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) September 2025 Asian Development Outlook (ADO).
Economy: Vietnam’s 2025 growth forecast nudged up to 6.7 percent as ADB trims regional outlook
Vietnam’s 2025 GDP growth forecast has been revised slightly higher to 6.7 percent, even as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) cut its projections for Southeast Asia as a whole, according to the September 2025 update of its Asian Development Outlook (ADO).
Currency: Vietnam exchange rate and liquidity update: September 29, 2025
The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) set the central exchange rate at VND 25,192 per US$1 on September 29, down 2 dong from the previous session. However, the spread between the unofficial mid-rate and SBV’s central rate widened to 5.47 percent, up from 5.34 percent on September 26.
Vietnam News Roundup: September 19 to September 25
In this week’s Vietnam News Roundup: FLC retakes Bamboo Airways after failed restructuring; property credit hits US$155.2b; SBV holds rate at VND 25,186; gov’t eyes VND 10m football betting cap; Lotte exits Thu Thiem, Empire City disputes fees; Hanoi housing crisis deepens; VN-Index at 1,666 and more.
Currency: Vietnam dong steady as black market premium widens slightly, Wednesday
The dong’s official reference rate eased on 24 September, with the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) fixing it at VND 25,186 per US$1, down three dong from 23 September’s VND 25,189.
Currency: Vietnam dong steady as black market spread widens, SBV injects liquidity, Tuesday
The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) maintained its central exchange rate at VND 25,189 per US dollar for the second consecutive day on September 23, amid mounting pressure in unofficial currency markets.
Currency: Vietnamese dong weakens against dollar as black market premium widens
The Vietnamese dong continued its gradual decline against the US dollar, with both official and parallel market rates showing weakness as the gap between black market and central bank rates expanded.
Stock market: Vietnam stocks dip as VN-Index falls 0.39 percent, foreign investors extend net selling
Vietnam’s stock market closed lower on 19 September, with the VN-Index slipping 6.56 points, or 0.39 percent, to 1,658.62, according to the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Currency: Vietnam dong steady, black market gap persists, Friday
Vietnam’s dong held steady on 18–19 September, though liquidity operations and funding costs showed signs of adjustment.
Vietnam News Roundup: September 12 to September 18
In this week’s Vietnam News Roundup: US$1.5b of foreign reserves used in August to stabilise dong, banks now face stricter Basel style capital rules, the dong firmed but pressure remains, IMF flagged risks in its Article IV, a new securities decree tightened bond rules, foreign investors sold US$155m in stocks as the VN Index eased, hackers breached the national credit registry exposing citizens’ data and more.
Vietnam currency and money market update: 18 September 2025
Vietnam’s State Bank set the central exchange rate at VND 25,186 per US dollar on 18 September, down 12 dong from the previous day. The black market rate was unchanged, with the buy price at VND 26,440 and the sell price at VND 26,540, leaving the mid-market spread with the official rate at 5.18 percent.
Vietnam’s Vingroup’s 68 Lawsuits: Unpacked
Vietnam’s Vingroup, unhappy with recent social media coverage, announced lawsuits against 68 individuals and organisations last week — an unusual PR tactic that merits monitoring for its broader business implications. With this in mind, this article backgrounds the context and the claims, and considers what this might mean more broadly.
Currency: SBV lowers Vietnam central exchange rate, black market premium widens, Wednesday
The State Bank of Vietnam set the central exchange rate at VND 25,198 per US$1, down 10 from the prior session. The black market mid-rate held steady at VND 26,490, widening the premium to 5.13 percent. Google Finance’s mid-market rate eased to VND 26,375.
Economy: IMF Executive Board concludes 2025 Article IV consultation with Vietnam
The International Monetary Fund Executive Board has concluded its 2025 Article IV consultation with Vietnam, noting strong recent growth alongside rising external and domestic risks, according to a press release on the institution’s website.
Currency: Black market Vietnam dong cools, central exchange rate kept steady, Monday
The State Bank of Vietnam’s central rate held steady at VND 25,216 per USD while Google Finance’s mid-market rate hovered at VND 26,385, Monday.
Stock market: Vietnam VN-Index rises, foreign investors net sell VND 1.32 trillion
The VN-Index closed at 1,684.90 on 15 September 2025, up 17.64 points or 1.06 percent, with market liquidity reaching VND 37.63 trillion or US$1.45 billion, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Currency: Vietnam sells US$1.5 billion from ForEx reserves to stabilise dong
The State Bank of Vietnam sold around US$1.5 billion via 180-day cancellable forwards on 25–26 August to ease pressure on the dong, according to a report from MB Securities and reported by The Investor.
In today’s Vietnam news: GS TL on AI, Saigon Economic Times last issue, Fuel prices cut, Vinhomes issuing more bonds, Counterfeit Korean cosmetics store,
In today’s Vietnam news: Power supply imports, Hanoi boulevard project protests, Antidumping duties coming for boxes, Maersk container terminal project Hanoi, Vinpearl foreign investment,
In today’s Vietnam news: Credit limits removed for some major projects, Estonian web security company market entry, Vingroup’s Vuong becomes major shareholder LP Bank,
This is an interview with Chris Walker, a Vietnam Sourcing Expert with Vietnam Factory Tours how rising oil prices and the Middle East crisis are
This is an interview with John Gardner, CEO and Founding Partner, at Optimum Hospitality in Ho Chi Minh City. It covers fuel price impacts on:
This is an interview with Dr Nuno F. Ribeiro, Associate Professor, International Tourism & Hospitality Management at Copenhagen Business College, formerly of RMIT Vietnam. It