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 yesterday’s news headlines →
Price stabilisation gold
VnExpress is reporting that Finance Minister Nguyen Van Thang has rebuffed expanding Vietnam’s list of price-stabilised goods beyond the current nine categories after lawmakers raised the prospect of adding gold → source
Lawmakers debated whether to include gold, with one deputy suggesting it be added due to rising domestic prices — up significantly since the start of the year.
Ed.’s notes: Noted for efforts to legislate prices lower as opposed to using market mechanisms – i.e. import more gold – in the context of transition from command to market economy.
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IFC costs perspective
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam could become Asia’s next major financial hub thanks to costs up to 90 percent lower than Singapore, citing a report from Rong Viet Securities (VDSC) → source.
The report says office rents and financial sector salaries in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang are a fraction of those in Singapore and Hong Kong.
Listing fees for IPOs and corporate bonds in Vietnam cost only a few hundred US dollars, compared with tens of thousands elsewhere in the region.
Ed.’s notes: Those costs are relative to quality and risk – particularly in the regulatory space, so not really apples with apples. Here is the original report from VDSC.
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South Korean packaging plant
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that South Korea’s Orion Food Vina has begun construction of its first green packaging plant in Vietnam, marking a major step in its regional sustainability strategy → source.
Located in the Yen Phong 2C Industrial Park in Bac Ninh, the new 52,600-square-metre factory will produce flexible film packaging and serve as Orion’s third facility in Vietnam, after plants in My Phuoc and Yen Phong.
Ed.’s notes: Orion produces Chocopies, which are commonly used as offerings in ancestor worship or altar rituals in Vietnam. Just FYI.
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Gold import licenses
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that a draft circular would allow approved institutions to hold gold positions of up to 5 percent of their equity capital, replacing stricter limits under existing rules→ source.
The State Bank of Vietnam said the move aims to boost supply and narrow the wide gap between domestic and international gold prices, while keeping financial system risks contained.
Eight Vietnamese banks meet the charter capital requirements to be licensed for gold production and import under a new central bank proposal including Vietcombank, VietinBank, BIDV, Agribank, Techcombank, MB, VPBank, and ACB.
Ed.’s notes: Feels like tinkering around the edges – would make sense if the SBV was dragging its feet on this re: significant currency risks with importing more gold.
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New advertising regulations
Dan Tri is reporting that Vietnam’s new Advertising Law, effective from 1 January 2026, will require key opinion leaders (KOLs) to verify information before endorsing products and to compensate consumers for false or misleading claims → source.
At a forum in Ho Chi Minh City on 12 November, officials said the revised law clarifies accountability for influencers, bans covert advertising, and expands regulation to online and livestream platforms.
Ed.’s notes: Not just issue for alternative media, mainstream media, too. Disclosure statements almost unheard of.
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VinMetal takes Pomina leader
Tuoi Tre is reporting that Vingroup has appointed Do Tien Si as General Director of its newly established subsidiary, VinMetal → source
Si is currently General Director and Vice President of steelmaker Pomina and the younger brother of its chairman, Do Duy Thai.
With more than three decades of experience, Si’s appointment links Vingroup’s new industrial venture to one of Vietnam’s most seasoned steel executives, the article says.
Ed.’s notes: Conflict of interest/competition concerns? Also Pomina is not doing so well.
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Fitch banks credit risk
Bloomberg is reporting that Fitch Ratings has warned that Vietnam’s rapid credit expansion is heightening financial risks, especially as the government plans to phase out lending quotas from 2026 → source.
It quotes Willie Tanoto, senior director at Fitch Ratings as saying “It’s going to accelerate credit growth, which is already very high,” adding that he has grown more concerned in the past year than in the last five.
Tanoto goes on to say leverage could reach 145 percent of GDP by December, describing it as unusually high for Vietnam’s development stage.
Ed.’s notes: Yes.
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China Vietnam political connect
The China Daily is reporting that Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for deeper exchanges on governance between the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), highlighting the importance of shared socialist principles and cooperation → source.
In a letter to the 20th CPC-CPV theory seminar held in Ninh Binh on Wednesday, Xi described the two nations as “good neighbours, good friends, good comrades and good partners” within a community of shared strategic significance.
He said both parties face similar challenges in socialist development and have worked together to explore governance paths suited to their national conditions.
Ed.’s notes: A reminder that Vietnam/China leadership share common interests beyond economics – useful in terms of broader debate around where Vietnam sits in geopolitical terms.
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Exchange rates
the-shiv is reporting that on 12 November, the black market buy rate was VND 27,700 and the sell rate was VND 27,750, a change of 120 and 100 respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 27,725 (up 0.40 percent), according to Ty Gia USD → source.
Meanwhile the State Bank of Vietnam’s central exchange rate was set at VND 25,129, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 26,352.
Stock market performance
the-shiv is reporting that the VN-Index closed at 1,631.86, up 38.25 points or 2.40 percent, with a total trading value of VND 22,145.74 billion or US$840.45 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$14.42 million worth of equities, Wednesday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange → source.
Iron and steel imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported iron and steel to the tune of US$996 million in October, up 23.91 percent over September, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs → source.
Year to date, Vietnam had imported US$8,958 million worth of iron and steel by the end of October.
Wood exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported wood and wooden products to the tune of US$1,534 million in October, up 12.54 percent over September, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs → source.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$14,039 million worth of wood and wooden products by the end of October.
