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.
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.
Food & beverage: 18 officials prosecuted for issuing 10,000 fake food safety certificates in Vietnam
Vietnamese police have prosecuted 18 people, including senior health officials, accused of taking more than VND 75 billion (about US$2.88 million) in bribes to issue over 10,000 fake food safety certificates, VN Express has reported.
Stock market: Vietnam stock market falls as investors cash out; healthcare sector rallies
Vietnam’s VN-Index fell on Monday, ending a recent rally as investors took profits across large-cap stocks.
Meanwhile, healthcare shares stood out with strong gains, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Currency: Vietnam ramps up liquidity support as exchange rate pressure persists, Tuesday
Vietnam’s central bank continued to inject significant liquidity into the market on July 13, while interbank interest rates inched higher and the dong’s black market premium narrowed slightly, according to the latest data from the State Bank of Vietnam.
Intellectual property: Fake Gucci retailer in Da Nang fined almost US$4,000 for selling fake luxury goods
A store in Da Nang has been fined VND 100 million (US$4,000) and forced to destroy its counterfeit products after being caught selling fake goods from luxury brands like Gucci, Dior, and Chanel, Tuoi Tre has reported.
Currency: Interbank rates steady as central bank ramps up liquidity support, Monday
The State Bank of Vietnam’s (SBV) central exchange rate strengthened Monday going from 25,128 to 25,126, a 2 dong change. Meanwhile, Google Finance’s mid-market rate saw the dong weaken by 11 dong sliding from from 26114.5 to 26,125.
Currency: Vietnam Dong holds steady as central bank trims cash injections, Friday
Vietnam’s central exchange rate was dialled back slightly to VND 25,128 per US dollar Friday, a mild decline of three dong from the a day earlier.
Labour: Vietnam wage council finalises proposal for 7.2 percent minimum wage increase
Vietnam’s National Wage Council has decided to propose a 7.2 percent increase in the regional minimum wage from 1 January 2026, to the Prime Minister for approval, Tuoi Tre has reported. The Vietnam General Confederation of Labor has proposed a minimum wage increase of 8.3 to 9.2 percent with business groups pushing for an increase of between 3-5 percent.
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