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 →
Stock market manipulation charges
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that the State Securities Commission of Vietnam (SSC) has imposed heavy penalties for stock manipulation involving Petro Times (PPT) shares.
It says two people were fined VND 1.5 billion each, or about US$56,900, for using 19 accounts to trade PPT shares between June 2022 and October 2024, creating false supply and demand.
The SSC also banned both from trading and holding positions in securities firms for two years.
Fifteen others were fined for lending accounts to facilitate manipulation and suspended from trading for nine months.
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Raising deposit insurance payout
VnExpress is reporting that National Assembly delegate Hoang Thi Doi, deputy head of Son La’s delegation, proposed doubling Vietnam’s deposit insurance payout limit to VND 200–250 million or about US$7,590–9,490, up from the current VND 125 million or US$4,740.
Another delegate, agreed the current limit is too low and urged the central bank to set payout ceilings transparently based on income, deposit size, and fund capacity.
Ed.’s notes: Interesting understanding of how much money people have – average wage in Vietnam about 8 million, around 100 million a year. Seems unlikely many regular people have 125 million in the bank.
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Gold bar trading for banks
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam’s new regulations taking effect on 15 November mark a major shift in the gold business, allowing commercial banks to buy and sell gold as opposed to only through the State Bank of Vietnam.
It says Circular 33/2025/TT-NHNN permits banks to handle physical gold transactions directly, with mandatory written records to ensure transparency and traceability.
Ed.’s notes: Still not clear when/how much gold will/can be imported.
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Offshore wind
Vietstock is reporting that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has granted Refrigeration Electrical Engineering Corporation (REE) rights to use more than 7,000 hectares of offshore area in Vinh Long Province to survey and measure conditions for its Nam Bo 3 offshore wind project.
The article says the approval aligns with Vietnam’s Net Zero 2050 strategy and revised Power Development Plan VIII, which aims for 6,000 MW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 and up to 139,000 MW by 2050.
Ed.’s notes: Seems promising – still leaves industry a long way from PDP8 targets.
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FLC subsidiary debtors auction
Vietstock is reporting that Agribank Tay Do branch has announced an auction for two debt packages worth more than VND 200 billion or about US$7.6 million from two FLC-linked companies, KLF Global and FLC Land.
Agribank has warned buyers that the assets are sold “as is,” carrying risks of disputes, incomplete tax obligations, and unclear legal standing among FLC-related parties.
Ed.’s notes: Contrasts with upbeat outlook from FLC General Director earlier in week.
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Car market slump
Vietstock is reporting that Vietnam’s listed auto distributors remained under pressure in the third quarter of 2025 as weak demand and heavy discounting narrowed margins.
It notes that Mercedes distributors G-Automobile and Haxaco both saw profits slump, with Haxaco reporting a second consecutive quarterly loss.
MG distributor PTM, majority-owned by Haxaco, posted a sharp profit drop as margins fell.
Ford and Volkswagen distributor City Auto recorded an 88 percent decline in profit due to rising post-merger costs.
Ed.’s notes: Car market distorted – seems flooded – imports from China, excessive VinFast taxis push down fare prices, less incentive to buy car.
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FDI firms vs SOEs vs local private
Nha Dau Tu is reporting that foreign-invested enterprises continued to outperform other sectors in asset and equity efficiency, according to the 2025 VNR500 rankings released by Vietnam Report and VietnamNet.
FDI companies posted a 2025 ROA of 9.8 percent and ROE of 23.9 percent, compared with 6 percent ROA and 14.2 percent ROE for state firms, and 5.4 percent ROA and 11.3 percent ROE for private firms.
Ed.’s notes: Original Vietnam Report report.
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Coffee removed from “recipricol” tariffs
CNN is reporting that President Donald Trump has signed an executive order rolling back tariff increases on coffee, beef, tomatoes, bananas and other agricultural imports.
It says the goods will no longer face “reciprocal” rates of 10–50 percent.
Ed.’s notes: Mentioned thinking about it yesterday – now gone through. Year-to-date Vietnam coffee to USA US$406.97 (end-October).
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Crude oil production
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam produced 685 thousand tons of crude oil in October, down 0.34 percent from September, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Total crude oil output for the first ten months of 2025 reached 6.72 million tons, representing 99 percent of the level recorded in the same period last year.
Year on year, October production was 101 percent of the same month in 2024.
Imports from Japan
the-shiv is reporting that in October, Vietnam imported US$2.18 billion worth of goods from Japan, down 1.56 percent over September, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Exports to South Korea
the-shiv is reporting that in October, Vietnam exported US$2,467 billion worth of goods to South Korea, up 0.71 percent over September, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Exchange rate Friday
the-shiv is reporting that on November 14, the black market buy rate was VND 27,770 and the sell rate was VND 27,900, a change of 50 and 100 respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 27,835 (up 0.27 percent), according to Ty Gia USD. Meanwhile the State Bank of Vietnam’s central exchange rate was set at VND 25,122, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 26,354.
Stock market Friday
the-shiv is reporting that the VN-Index closed at 1,635.46, up 4.02 points or 0.25 percent, with a total trading value of VND 20,812.27 billion or US$789.84 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$25.77 million worth of equities, Friday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Machines & equipment imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported machine, equipment, tools and instruments to the tune of US$5,281 million in October, down -2.34 percent over September, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
