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 →
Counterfeit Wagyu
Vn Business is reporting that the CEO of HidaFoods, has been prosecuted and detained by Hanoi police for producing and selling fake Wagyu beef → source.
Investigators allege the company bought low-quality buffalo meat imported from India for about VND 120,000 or US$4.55 per kilogram and injected fat-like substances to imitate Wagyu beef, later selling it for up to VND 600,000 or US$22.77 per kilogram.
Police seized 65 tonnes of fake meat and related materials after discovering the company’s plant transforming buffalo meat into Hidasan-branded beef.
Bessent on reducing coffee tariffs
Politico is reporting that US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said the Trump administration will soon announce significant cuts to agricultural tariffs, including on coffee, bananas, and other imported fruits not produced domestically → source.
Bessent told Fox News that the move aims to lower prices quickly after recent tariff hikes drove up coffee costs. President Donald Trump confirmed the plan, saying tariffs on coffee would be reduced “very quickly, very easily.”
Ed.’s notes: Year-to-date Vietnam coffee to USA US$406.97 (end-October).
Trump developer backgrounder
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is carrying a backgrounder on Kinh Bac Urban Development Corporation (KBC), which is developing the Trump golf course near Hanoi, pointing out it is emerging from years of financial distress to pursue aggressive expansion through heavy borrowing again→ source.
It points out that KBC was Vietnam’s leading industrial park developer before excessive diversification left the firm burdened with debt exceeding VND 6.6 trillion or US$250.6 million by 2011.
KBC later recovered as Vietnam attracted new foreign investment under the “China +1” trend, achieving record profits in 2019 and 2022, it goes on.
Now, the firm is again leveraging debt—nearly VND 40.5 trillion or US$1.54 billion—to power a significant expansion.
Ed.’s notes: Interesting read. TL;DR took on a lot of debt and got in a lot of trouble, managed to get itself out, has now returned to debt-fuelled growth.
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Celebrities over official information
VnExpress is reporting that Tay Ninh deputy Hoang Thi Thanh Thuy has told the National Assembly that consumers increasingly trust celebrities over product safety certifications → source.
Thuy urged stricter oversight of livestream sellers who exaggerate product benefits or use fake online engagement to mislead buyers, the article says.
Ed.’s notes: Interesting observation. Could be indicative of a problem with official information as opposed to streamers per se.
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Top 20 loss-making firms
Vn Business is reporting on Vietnam’s 20 largest loss-making companies in the first nine months of 2025 → source.
It highlights that real estate firms dominated the list, with Novaland recording the biggest pre-tax loss, followed by Pomina Steel and NSH Petro.
The piece attributes the widespread losses to high borrowing costs, financial expenses, and weak consumer demand across sectors including property, steel, logistics, and food and beverage.
VinMetal cash injection
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that nascent steel maker VinMetal has increased its charter capital from VND 10 trillion or US$379.5 million to VND 15 trillion or US$569.3 million → source.
All contributions were made in cash, not through land-use rights, intellectual property, or other non-monetary assets, and comes entirely from private funds within Vietnam, the article notes.
Ed.’s notes: Past capital has been in form of mostly VinGroup shares.
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India Vietnam steel anti-dumping
Business-Standard is reporting that India has imposed a five-year anti-dumping duty on hot-rolled flat steel imports from Vietnam → source.
The Finance Ministry’s decision followed findings from the Directorate General of Trade Remedies on 13 August 2025, which concluded that Vietnamese exporters were selling steel below normal value and harming Indian producers.
All Vietnamese suppliers, except Hoa Phat Dung Quat Steel JSC, will face a duty of US$121.55 per tonne on the specified products.
Ed.’s notes: Year-to-date (end-October) India imports of Vietnamese iron and steel US$561.45 million and iron and steel products US$109.28 (Vietnam customs data).
Adds to range of ongoing challenges in the steel sector.
Bamboo processing sector
Vn Business is reporting that Vietnam’s bamboo sector faces major challenges in transforming from a raw material source into a billion-dollar industry→ source.
Experts point to longstanding bottlenecks such as fragmented cultivation, outdated processing technology, and weak supply chain linkages.
Loan-to-deposit ratio 110 percent
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnamese banks are accelerating bond issuance to raise medium- and long-term capital as credit growth outpaces deposits, pushing the loan-to-deposit ratio (LDR) to a record high above 110 percents → source.
Brokerages including BSC Research and VDSC noted that financial institutions are increasingly relying on bond sales and certificates of deposit to fund lending.
In the first half of 2025, bank bonds accounted for 76.3 percent of all corporate debt issued, worth about VND 189.7 trillion or US$7.2 billion, with yields ranging from 6.5 to 7.8 percent, the article says.
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China-Vietnam propaganda collaboration
VN Economy is reporting that Trinh Van Quyet, head of Vietnam’s Central Commission for Propaganda and Mass Mobilisation, has held talks in Hanoi with Li Shulei, head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China → source.
Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in ideological and theoretical exchanges and reinforce public understanding to support bilateral relations.
The two officials committed to deepening collaboration between their respective Party commissions, enhancing media cooperation, youth exchanges, and mutual understanding to strengthen the social foundation of the Vietnam–China relationship while maintaining peace and stability.
Ed.’s notes: Speaks to the role of the media in shaping public opinion rather than reflecting it.
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Securities firm fined
Vietstock is reporting that the State Securities Commission (SSC) has fined Ho Chi Minh City Securities Corporation (HSC) for late reporting and disclosure violations → source.
HSC was penalised VND 125 million or US$4,740 in total for submitting reports and announcements after the required deadlines.
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Payday lender Taiwan cash injection
Vietstock is reporting that F88 has secured its first strategic loan from Taiwan’s leading financial group Chailease Holding→ source.
The one-year loan was disbursed in early November through Chailease International Financial Services in Singapore.
An F88 representative said the funds will support digital transformation and business expansion in line with its commitments.
Ed.’s notes: There is something in this about pay day lending in developing countries. Tracking.
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Car seat market new legislation
Tuoi Tre is reporting that demand for car seats is rising sharply in major cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi → source.
This is as Vietnam prepares to enforce a new rule from 1 January 2026 requiring child car seats.
Ed.’s notes: There’s something to be said for risk perceptions/comprehension in Vietnam – the motivation should be child safety, not penalties for non-compliance.
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Semiconductor realities
Vietnamnet is reporting that Former Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Quan has said that despite Vietnam’s strong potential in semiconductors, foreign investors remain cautious due to infrastructure, manpower, and market constraints → source.
He cited inadequate energy reliability, a shortage of ultra-pure water, and limited skilled labour as major weaknesses discouraging investment.
He also warned that even billion-dollar chip plants could fail without clear domestic demand or defined buyers, the article says.
Ed.’s notes: Semiconductors over-hyped. Risking inefficient, wasted investment. Point on having no buyers really needs more attention in current drive for semiconductor production in Vietnam.
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Deposit interest rates
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that deposit rates have risen across Vietnam’s commercial banks as lenders compete for capital ahead of the year-end business season → source.
Cake by VPBank and several other banks have raised savings rates by 0.1–0.6 percentage points, while institutions like ACB and BVBank are offering high-yield certificates of deposit to attract funds.
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Computer exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported computers, electrical products, and spare-parts to the tune of US$9,793 million in October, down 7.51 percent over September, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs → source.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$87,294 million worth of computers by the end of October.
Car sales October
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam’s auto market sold 31,844 vehicles in October 2025, down 9 percent from the same month last year but up 21 percent month-on-month, according to data from the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA)→ source.
Imports from South Korea
the-shiv is reporting that In October, Vietnam imported US$4.9 billion worth of goods from South Korea, down 9.48 percent over September, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs → source.
Stock market performance Thursday
the-shiv is reporting that The VN-Index closed at 1,631.44, down 0.42 points or 0.03 percent, with a total trading value of VND 21,737.31 billion or US$824.95 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$36.89 million worth of equities, Thursday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange → source.
Exchange rates Thursday
the-shiv is reporting that On November 13, the black market buy rate was VND 27,720 and the sell rate was VND 27,800, a change of 20 and 50 respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 27,760 (up 0.13 percent), according to Ty Gia USD. Meanwhile the State Bank of Vietnam’s central exchange rate was set at VND 25,125, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 26,330 → source.
Exports to Japan
the-shiv is reporting that In October, Vietnam exported US$2.38 billion worth of goods to Japan, up 9.33 percent over September, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs → source.
