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.
Tourism: Vietnam grants visa exemption to 12 more countries from August 15
Vietnam will exempt visas for citizens of 12 additional countries from August 15, allowing a temporary stay of 45 days, under a tourism stimulus programme, VN Express has reported
Currency: Vietnam central exchange rate drops to VND 25,228 as interbank rates rise, Friday
The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) adjusted its central exchange rate to VND 25,228 on 8 August, marking a slight decrease of 11 VND from the previous day. In contrast, the Google Finance mid-market rate increased by 10 VND, reaching VND 26,225.
Vietnam News Roundup: August 1 to August 7
In this week’s Vietnam News Roundup: the dong stabilises, Vietnam’s CPI rises 3.26 percent year-to-date, Hanoi faces power outages amid record heat, Novaland proposes a debt-for-equity swap to manage VND 2.36 trillion in debt, while foreign investors continue to net-sell HoSE stocks, and Vietnam’s trade turnover climbs despite tariff risks.
Currency: Vietnam Dong weakens slightly, interbank rates climb
Vietnam’s central exchange rate inched up to 25,239 on August 7, a 7 dong increase from the previous day, according to the State Bank of Vietnam. On the unofficial market, the black market mid-rate remained unchanged at VND 26,450 per US dollar, pushing the gap with Google Finance’s rate to 235 dong or 0.90 percent.
Vietnam’s Economy in July 2025: Unpacked
Vietnam’s economy outperformed expectations in July, with trade and manufacturing holding firm despite looming US tariffs. This article breaks down the key data points and policy factors that shaped Vietnam’s economic landscape in July 2025.
Inflation: Vietnam’s CPI up 3.26 percent year-on-year in first seven months of 2025
Consumer prices in Vietnam rose moderately in July, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increasing 0.11 percent from June, according to the latest data from Vietnam’s National Statistics Office. The increase was driven by higher prices for food, housing materials, electricity, and dining out.
Vietnam CPI Tracker: July Update [data set]
Vietnam’s Consumer Price Index was up 3.19 percent in July 2025 over July 2024. This represents a 2.13 percent jump over the end of last year.
ASEAN Supply Chain Integration: Key Takeaways from the Thai-Cambodia Border Dispute
The Thai-Cambodia border dispute has made clear that ASEAN member states are not beyond armed conflict with each other. This, however, disrupts trade and integrated supply chains, highlighting risks baked into ASEAN frameworks that could prove problematic for the bloc moving forward.
Vietnam News Roundup: July 18 to July 24
This week’s Vietnam News Roundup covers the dong’s continued slide, diverging growth forecasts from ADB and AMRO, a global release for a Vietnam–Thailand horror film, visa reform for foreign talent, HCMC’s housing shortfall, and warnings over Trump tariffs on exports.
Currency: Vietnam dong under pressure as exchange rate gap widens to 1.09 percent
The central exchange rate fixed by the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) dropped by 11 dong to 25,166, Thursday. Google Finance’s mid-rate also dipped to 26,135, a 20 dong decline from the previous day, while the unofficial market, according to Ty Gia USD, held flat at 26,420, increasing the spread to 285 dong.
Transport: Consumer sentiment toward electric motorbikes complicates Hanoi’s petrol bike phase-out
As Hanoi moves ahead with plans to ban gasoline motorbikes, electric vehicle users are facing discrimination, infrastructure gaps, and regulatory uncertainty—raising questions about the city’s readiness for a green transport transition, VN Express has reported.
Economy: ADB cuts Vietnam 2025–26 growth and inflation forecasts
Vietnam’s economic outlook for both 2025 and 2026, has been revised down by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on challenges in external demand, per the banks Asian Development Outlook July 2025. The country’s GDP growth forecast for 2025 has been cut from 6.6 percent to 6.3 percent, while the 2026 projection has been lowered from 6.5 percent to 6.0 percent.
Stock market: Foreign investors net buy US$9.46 million as VN-Index edges up on mid-cap rally
On Wednesday, July 23, Vietnam’s stock market ended slightly higher, thanks to strong buying in mid-sized companies—even as big-name stocks struggled to gain traction, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Economy: Indonesia growth forecast at 4.8 percent for 2025 in July AMRO update
Indonesia’s GDP growth for 2025 remains steady at 5.1 percent, unchanged from the earlier forecast, with 2026 growth also maintained at 4.7 percent, according to the ASEAN+3 Regional Economic Outlook Update, July 2025.
Economy: AMRO revises up Vietnam 2025 growth forecast to 7 percent
Vietnam’s GDP growth is now projected at 6.5 percent in 2025, revised up from 6.2 percent in April, while 2026 growth is forecast at 6.4 percent, unchanged from earlier, according to the ASEAN Macroeconomic Research Organisation’s July 2025 Outlook.
Currency: Vietnam dong steady as SBV boosts US$ liquidity through repos, Tuesday
Vietnam’s central exchange rate slipped slightly to 25,179 dong per US dollar on 22 July, down 12 dong from the previous day, according to the State Bank of Vietnam.
Vietnam News Roundup: July 11 to July 17
This week’s Vietnam news roundup covers ASF concealment by pig farmers, motorbike sales trends, airline reform calls, credit red flags, dong weakness, questions around Trump’s tariff deal and more.
Currency: Vietnam black market premium holds steady as SBV scales back repos, Thursday
Vietnam’s forex and money markets on 17 July reflected tighter liquidity operations from the central bank alongside persistent pressure in the unofficial market. The spread between black market and official rates remained unchanged, while interbank interest rates continued to edge upward.
Economy: Vietnam PM looking to increase GDP growth target from 8 to 8.3–8.5 percent
Vietnam aims to achieve economic growth of 8.3–8.5 percent this year, setting the stage for double-digit expansion between 2026 and 2030, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told a conference on Wednesday, The Investor has reported
Currency: SBV ramps up liquidity injections as dong pressure persists, Wednesday
Vietnam’s central bank continued to inject large amounts of liquidity into the banking system on July 16, as interbank rates edged higher and black market currency spreads narrowed slightly.
In today’s Vietnam news: Fuel prices cut, Double-digit growth target reinforced, New airport services delay approval requested, TikTok VN investment, Bybit in Vietnam, LG
In today’s Vietnam news: VN renews antidumping tariffs on Thai sugar, Power supply challenges continue, USTR tariffs forced labour, AMRO growth forecast downgrade, Foreign
In today’s Vietnam news: Fund outflows May, New HCMC airport trial operations to begin September, M&A HCMC 2026, Compensation for gas-to-electric bike switch Hanoi,
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