This is a brief rundown of what is being reported today in Vietnam’s state-approved media and some others.
It compiles coverage from official outlets like Dan Tri, Tuoi Tre, and VN Express, highlighting the narratives currently shaping the country’s economic, financial, and business news landscape.
See Saturday’s news headlines →
Vehicle maker over capacity clearance
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that state owned Vietnam Engine and Agricultural Machinery Corporation (VEAM) has successfully auctioned nearly 1,500 long-stored vehicles, earning about VND 306 billion or roughly US$11.6 million → source.
The state-linked automaker had struggled for years to sell over 2,000 unused vehicles, with earlier auctions clearing only 39 units.
Chairman Ngo Khai Hoan cited overcapacity, tighter emissions standards, and competition from brands like Hyundai, Kia, and Hino as causes of the prolonged stockpile.
Ed.’s notes: Overcapacity = state-led market distortions.
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International financial centre analysis
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is carrying analysis of plans to accelerate development of International Financial Centres (IFC) in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, aiming for an operational launch in November → source.
It says experts highlight major gaps with regional leaders like Hong Kong and Singapore, where low taxes, open capital flows, and transparent legal systems underpin success, concluding that competitive taxation, legal clarity, and institutional strength will key for Vietnam’s IFC vision.
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2025 coffee crop good
Dan Tri is reporting that farmers in Gia Lai, a key coffee-growing province in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, are enjoying high yields and strong prices this season → source.
It quotes a local farmer as saying his family expects over 40 tonnes of Robusta coffee, bringing in nearly VND 1 billion or about US$38,000 in revenue and VND 700 million or about US$26,600 in profit after costs.
The article says domestic coffee prices are around VND 25,000 or about US$0.95 per kilogram of fresh beans and VND 118,000 or about US$4.48 per kilogram of dried beans.
Ed.’s notes: No point of reference for either farmer income or coffee prices included.
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Steel maker hail Mary
VnExpress is reporting that steel maker Pomina has reported losses for 14 consecutive quarters with plans for an extraordinary meeting in December to get approval for a restructuring → source.
Management attributes the ongoing losses to halted operations at its Pomina 3 steel plant, high borrowing costs, and lingering project issues from its delayed blast furnace investment in Ba Ria–Vung Tau.
It notes Pomina’s failed 2024 attempt to sell 51 percent to Japan’s Nansei Steel due to foreign ownership limits.
Ed.’s notes: On foreign ownership limits – cost versus benefits, maintaining local control over the business versus having a business at all and clearing the way for cheap Chinese steel imports to fill the gap.
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High-end TV market
Vietnamnet is reporting that Vietnam’s luxury TV market is expanding as high-end models become status symbols for affluent buyers → source.
It says experts say rising wealth is driving demand for such “super TVs,” with future growth expected as technology advances and prices gradually fall.
Ed.’s notes: Supporting evidence for core claim is limited in this article. Interesting that Vietnamnet keeps reporting on high end goods – fridges a couple of days ago. Has advertorial vibes although not clear exactly what/who for. Monitoring.
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Public works disbursement issues
VnExpress is reporting that Quang Tri’s Chairman has ordered 11 investors managing 14 projects to review and clarify why they have been unable to disburse funds, (they have disbursed nothing at all), and who is responsible → source.
The report says these projects total over VND 1.76 trillion or about US$67 million.
The article says 41 other projects worth nearly VND 2 trillion or US$76 million have disbursed less than 20 percent.
Ed.’s notes: Many of these projects are funded by various different government departments and bodies. Adds to narrative around public spending as a core growth driver.
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Coal production
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam produced 3.70 million tonnes of coal in October, up 24.44 percent from September, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office → source.
Total coal output for the first ten months of 2025 reached 37.64 million tonnes, a 3 percent increase compared with the same period last year.
Production in October was 5 percent lower than the same month in 2024.
E-wallet transaction limit increase
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that the State Bank of Vietnam has raised the monthly transaction limit for personal e-wallets to 300 million dong or about US$11,400 → source.
It requires providers to verify biometric data and device IDs, store customer information, and ensure transactions use legitimate funds.
The article says customers must meet identity check requirements but that state agencies and Fortune Global 500 firms are exempt from in-person verification.
The regulation takes effect on 5 November 2025, with eKYC and data-sharing rules applying from 1 January 2026.
Wind power curtailment & BESS
Vietnamnet is reporting that in the context of wind power curtailments in Quang Tri, Bui Duy Linh, Deputy Head of Renewable Energy at the National Load Dispatch Centre (NSMO), has emphasised the urgent need to develop battery energy storage systems (BESS) with 2–4 hour capacity in areas with high renewable penetration. → source.
He said new pricing structures and payment mechanisms for BESS, such as two-component electricity tariffs, should be introduced to better integrate renewables into the grid, as well as tax and green credit incentives to attract private investment in battery production, charging and swapping stations, and related infrastructure.
Ed.’s notes: Just to add to that, on Friday, at a clean energy conference, Tran Van Hoi of solar power firm Anh Duong Luxury Co. said inconsistent provincial safety standards and lack of legal recognition for solar and BESS assets as collateral are hindering project progress and financing.
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Interest rate outlook
VnExpress is reporting that Pham Nhu Anh, CEO of MB Bank, attributed Vietnam’s recent rise in interest rates to exchange rate pressure and persistently high global rates → source.
He said the dong’s exchange rate has nearly reached its 3–5 percent annual appreciation limit, leaving little room for further currency tools.
He added that the US Federal Reserve’s 3.75–4 percent rate environment has reduced capital inflows to emerging markets, narrowing Vietnam’s room to cut rates.
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Top bank lenders
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam’s top 10 lenders account for 80 percent of outstanding loans by the end of Q3 → source.
BIDV leads with total loans of VND 2.19 quadrillion or about US$83.1 billion, up 8.9 percent, followed by VietinBank at VND 1.95 quadrillion (US$74.0 billion) and Vietcombank at VND 1.59 quadrillion (US$60.8 billion).
VPBank was the standout, up 29 percent to VND 879 trillion (US$34 billion), the fastest rise across the system, driven by retail and SME lending.
Private banks such as MBBank, Techcombank, ACB, SHB, Sacombank, and HDBank also posted double-digit gains.
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Cryptocurrency exchange
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that on the positions of several financial firms on investing in a new cryptocurrency exchange for Vietnam → source.
It notes that:
- Vietcap has pulled out with the project exceeding Vietcap’s capacity;
- VNDirect chair Pham Minh Huong has said the firm is monitoring the digital asset market but “not ready to join yet”;
- SSI Digital has declared its full readiness in funding, technology, and compliance to run a licensed crypto exchange;
- VIX Securities has launched VIXEX, with VND 1 trillion capital, to manage its participation; and that
- Techcom, VPBank, and HD have also all established smaller companies to prepare for the pilot market.
Ed.’s notes: A lot of competition for a small market – limited to foreign traders in the first instance – one among many practical challenges, see: What Vietnam’s New Law on Digital Technology Actually Means for Crypto Traders.
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Seafood imports
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam spent nearly US$3 billion importing seafood in the first ten months of 2025, mainly from India, Indonesia, and Norway → source.
It quotes the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) as saying over 600 factories process seafood for export markets, but domestic shrimp and marine supply remain unstable and expensive.
It notes Indian shrimp is 10–15 percent cheaper than Vietnamese products, while Indonesia provides tuna and squid, and Norway exports salmon and cod for premium segments.
It quotes Trần Văn Trường of Hoang Gia Seafood as saying Vietnamese consumers increasingly prefer imported seafood due to stable quality and price.
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VAT changes
Nha Dau Tu is reporting that the Ministry of Finance is drafting amendments to the Value-Added Tax (VAT) Law to ease burdens on agricultural and feed producers facing cash flow and tax refund delays under the 2024 version → source.
It says businesses have complained that applying a 5 percent VAT on agricultural goods at the trading stage ties up capital while they wait for refunds.
It also references Deputy Secretary-General of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Dau Anh Tuan as saying with imported farm and seafood products VAT-exempt, it creates unfair competition for local exporters.
Under the proposed changes, unprocessed crops, livestock, and seafood would be exempt from VAT at all stages.
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Infrastructure
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that the Government Inspectorate has uncovered serious violations at the VND 12.19 trillion or about US$463 million BOT Bac Giang–Lang Son expressway led by Deo Ca Group → source.
Inspectors found miscalculated costs that inflated total investment by VND 309 billion or about US$11.7 million.
It also found revenues have reached only 32 percent of plan, at about VND 30 billion or US$1.14 million a month.
This is attributed to delays in the connecting Huu Nghi–Chi Lang expressway, without which the Bac Giang–Lang Son expressway is much less useful.
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Public investment
VnExpress is reporting that Vietnam has disbursed VND 464.8 trillion or about US$17.6 billion in public investment so far this year, equal to 51.7 percent of what has been budgeted for, leaving more than VND 400 trillion or about US$15.2 billion to go in the last two months of the year → source.
The Ministry of Finance said delays stem mainly from land clearance issues, complicated compensation pricing, and prolonged negotiations in many provinces.
The article also notes that some localities have yet to stabilise administrative structures after the merger earlier this year, causing slow project transfers and inconsistent land price frameworks, with other obstacles including unclear investment rules, weak project management capacity, and officials’ fear of accountability.
For ODA projects in particular, it notes prolonged loan negotiations, donor requirements, and weather disruptions as key challenges.
Ed.’s notes: Public investment as a driver of economic growth and then failing to meet targets, yet seeing high growth anyway supports the increasing role of private credit (and risks that go with it) in the economy. Also speaks to expectations versus reality re: the merger.
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