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 →
Last updated 5.45pm
Stock market today
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam’s stock market extended its losing streak on November 3, with the VN-Index falling 1.38 percent to 1,617.00 points, shedding 22.65 points, with foreign traders net-selling US$5.96 million worth of stocks, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange → source
Vietnam dong today
the-shiv is reporting that The Vietnamese dong weakened marginally on the informal market on November 3, while the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) kept the official central rate unchanged → source.
The black market mid-rate slipped 50 dong to VND 27,775 per US$1, while buy and sell rates both eased by 50 dong to VND 27,750 and VND 27,800, respectively.
The SBV central rate remained steady at VND 25,093 per US$1, while the Google Finance mid-rate edged up slightly to VND 26,313.
US Defense Secretary in Hanoi
VnExpress is reporting that Vietnamese Defence Minister Phan Van Giang and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met in Hanoi Sunday to discuss expanded cooperation in defence industry, cybersecurity, and post-war recovery → source.
Both sides emphasised trust-building and regional stability through collaboration on training, dioxin cleanup, and MIA recovery, the article says.
The US pledged US$130 million or VND 3.43 trillion for dioxin remediation in Bien Hoa, bringing total grants to US$430 million or VND 11.33 trillion.
Ed.’s notes: For the international perspective, including more detail on the defence procurement implications, see this Reuters article→
Nghe An LNG plant
Nha Dau Tu is reporting that Nghe An is seeking guidance from the Finance and Industry ministries on whether the US$2 billion Quynh Lap LNG power project qualifies as urgent → source.
South Korea’s SK Group, which is looking at investing in the project, proposed integrating the Quynh Lap and Nghi Son LNG plants to share port, storage, and 500 kV substation infrastructure.
Nghe An supports the plan but says it will need national energy and port plan revisions.
SK Group has also requested direct investor appointment, but five investors have applied, so a bidding process will be required, the article says.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Rubber industry profits
Nha Dau Tu is reporting that Vietnam’s rubber industry recorded strong profits in the first nine months of 2025 as high latex prices and a favourable exchange rate boosted exporters’ margins → source.
Major firms such as Dong Phu, Phuoc Hoa, Tay Ninh, and parent group GVR all reported double- or triple-digit profit growth, supported by stable selling prices and reduced costs.
It also noted challenges including overdependence on China, limited land for expansion, and compliance with the EU’s anti-deforestation rules taking effect in December 2024.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Vietnam stock market P/E
Tuoi Tre is reporting that Vietnam’s non-financial stocks appear “hot” based on an average P/E ratio of 19.9, but this is distorted by strong gains from Vingroup and Gelex→ source.
Excluding these two groups, the non-financial sector’s real P/E falls to about 14.3, down 4.1 percent over the last six months.
Banking stocks trade at only 10.4 times earnings, while some sectors remain undervalued despite the index rising sharply, the article says.
The article quotes MBS research head Tran Thi Khanh Hien as saying this divergence between VN-Index and most stocks makes investors cautious, as many portfolios are underperforming despite market gains (READ: it’s very difficult to outperform the market).
Ed.’s notes: Speaks to the distortion caused by Vingroup and stocks within its ecosystem which have gained over 400 percent since the start of this year.
Note that there is limited justification for the jump in their stock price and by extension the jump in the VN-Index.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
High speed rail Hanoi-Quang Ninh
VnExpress is reporting that Vingroup subsidiary VinSpeed has proposed operating a Hanoi–Quang Ninh high-speed railway commercially from early 2028 → source.
The 120 km project, costing about VND 138.93 trillion or US$5.3 billion, will begin construction in late 2025 and undergo a trial run by the end of 2027, the publication says.
The line will pass through Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hai Phong, and Quang Ninh, with a top speed of 350 km per hour.
VinSpeed expects to start with four trains of 16 carriages and double capacity by 2035.
It forecasts 2.16 million passengers in 2028, rising to over 15 million by 2050.
Ed.’s notes: This seems very ambitious.
Expert opinions welcome: Send a letter to the editor→
High-speed rail policy
Vietnamnet is reporting that the Ministry of Construction has proposed a number of preferential polices for the North–South high-speed railway project, including zero-interest government loans → source.
Investors under the business-investment model could borrow up to 80 percent of approved capital at 0 percent interest for 30 years, with repayment over the same period.
For public–private partnerships, the State’s capital share would also not exceed 80 percent.
Domestic banks would be exempt from loan exposure limits, and investors would enjoy import tax exemptions on rail equipment and materials unavailable domestically.
Ed.’s notes: It feels a bit in the weeds quite early in the game with feasibility, demand, and risk structures still not clear.
Expert opinions welcome: Send a letter to the editor→
UK-Vietnam energy cooperation
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam Electricity (EVN) and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office signed an MOU in London on 30 October to cooperate on green energy and power grid development → source.
The agreement, witnessed by General Secretary To Lam, forms part of Vietnam’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and focuses on applying the UK’s expertise in clean power transmission, HVDC technology, and offshore wind.
It also includes support for reducing emissions at coal plants and strengthening Vietnam’s domestic capacity.
Ed.’s notes: Tracking agreements, meetings in UK. Mentions JETP. Might be useful for something on green energy later.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Seafood imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam’s imports of fishery products reached US$271.69 million in September 2025, down 2.45 percent from August, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs → source.
Total imports in the first nine months stood at US$2.43 billion.
Pepper industry VAT
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that many pepper dealers and cooperatives have suspended purchases since July when Vietnam’s new VAT law took effect, requiring a 5 percent temporary tax payment despite profit margins of only about 1 percent → source.
The publication quotes the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association as saying traders cannot advance tax payments, forcing small firms to halt buying or shift capital elsewhere (basically agents need to pay 5 percent tax on pepper purchases which they claim back after they sell the pepper on).
It also says dealers ahve warned they risk losing the Chinese market, where each container now requiring VAT prepayment of VND 225–360 million or US$8,540–13,650 against profits of only VND 30–40 million or US$1,130–1,520.
The article also adds that domestic producers face unequal treatment since imported agricultural goods are exempt from VAT.
Ed.’s notes: On that last point, what the problem here appears to be is the delay in VAT refunds which is a problem that importers don’t face because they don’t have to pay VAT on their imports in the first place.
Reflects a sometimes domestic-only policy mindset that fails to account for global trade dynamics and commitments.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Coffee production standards
Dan Tri is reporting that Vietnam’s specialty Robusta coffee holds less than 1 percent of the US market, a figure industry leaders call surprisingly low given Vietnam’s global production scale→ source.
The article references Vinh Hiep CEO Thai Nhu Hiep as saying weak marketing and unclear standards have limited access to international consumers, with Simexco Dak Lak chairman Le Duc Huy saying Vietnam lacks a unified scientific standard for specialty Robusta, urging ministries and Vicofa to develop one.
The article notes that Vicofa said it has proposed national standards aligned with international norms to support exports.
Ed.’s notes: Reflects coffee producers broader push to strengthen value-added capabilities within coffee supply chains.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Agriculture development
Vietnamnet is reporting that, at a forum over the weekend, Phuc Sinh Group CEO Phan Minh Thong said Vietnam is a “gold mine” of farm produce, but that it is constrained by weak sales networks, limited processing, and low pricing power → source.
The article says he urged investment in deep-processing plants and national commodity exchanges to stabilise pricing and improve value chains.
It also quotes AutoAgri CEO Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuc as saying fragmented support for processing machinery limits industrial upgrading, and that a specialty coffee association is needed to strengthen branding.
Ed.’s notes: This is worth thinking about in the context of efforts to move toward producing more high-tech gadgetry and where policy support can be most effectively applied and how policy objectives can be most effectively determined.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Tech development stimulus
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has coordinated with ministries and 21 commercial banks to prepare a VND 500 trillion or US$19 billion credit package for infrastructure and digital technology investment → source.
Deputy Governor Nguyen Ngoc Canh said banks have pledged full participation, with lending rates about 1.5 percent lower than usual.
However, the programme faces delays as ministries have yet to finalise project lists and credit needs, leaving banks uncertain about fund allocation.
Banks also warned that long payback periods for major infrastructure and PPP projects could strain their short-term funding base.
They proposed regulatory relief on risk provisioning and credit growth limits.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→