This is a brief rundown of what is being reported today in Vietnam and about Vietnam in the international press.
It endeavours to highlight the narratives currently shaping the country’s economic, financial, and business news landscape.
Ed’s note: I’m always looking for new sources with unique insights. If you have anything to share, reach out: mark.barnes@the-shiv.com
SBV raises loan-to-deposit cap
Thanh Nien is reporting that the State Bank of Vietnam will raise commercial banks’ maximum loan-to-deposit ratio to 95 percent from 85 percent from December 1.
The change under Circular 50 will allow banks to lend more relative to their deposits. View source→
Fuel tax cut extension
VnExpress is reporting that Vietnam has extended tax reductions on petrol and oil for three months to the end of 2026.
The government’s September 30 Resolution 43 keeps Most Favoured Nation import tariffs, environmental protection tax and value-added tax on fuel at zero. View source→
Denmark jewellery factory opens
Reuters is reporting that Danish jewellery maker Pandora has opened its US$150 million Ho Chi Minh City factory.
The factory, Pandora’s first production site outside Thailand, can produce up to 60 million jewellery pieces annually and will eventually employ 7,000 workers. View source→
Taiwan cooling system manufacturer expansion
Technode is reporting that Taiwanese cooling systems maker Asia Vital Components plans to invest another US$500 million in Vietnam in 2027.
The investment would lift the company’s total committed investment in Vietnam to more than US$1.26 billion. View source→
SK firm gas power plant contract
Korea JoongAng Daily is reporting that a Doosan Enerbility-led consortium has secured a US$618 million contract to build Vietnam’s O Mon 3 gas-fired power plant.
The consortium comprises South Korea’s Doosan Enerbility and Petrovietnam Technical Services Corporation, with parent company Petrovietnam commissioning the project. View source→
Expressway development capital needs
The Investor is reporting that Vietnam needs VND1.27 quadrillion (US$48.87 billion) for expressway development through 2030, including VND846 trillion (US$32.58 billion) from non-budget sources.
The Ministry of Construction is seeking private investment to build 2,829 kilometres of new expressways and upgrade 1,187 kilometres over the period. View source→
Hyosung biochemical plant starts operating
UA News is reporting that South Korea’s Hyosung TNC has begun commercial production at its US$1 billion bio-butanediol plant in Ho Chi Minh City.
The sugarcane-derived bio-butanediol will supply Hyosung TNC’s Dong Nai operations, where it will be processed into materials used to manufacture spandex. View source→
PMI falls
In a press release, S&P Global has said that Vietnam’s manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index fell to 51.9 in September from 53.3 in August.
Manufacturing output and new orders continued to increase, although both expanded more slowly than in August, the release notes. View source→
Fuel price changes
VnExpress is reporting that the government has raised petrol prices by VND 100-170 (less than US$0.01) per litre, though the price of diesel has been reduced by VND 780 (US$0.03) per litre.
E10 RON 95 rose to VND27,180 (US$1.03) per litre, while E5 RON 92 increased to VND26,560 (US$1.01). View source→
Government bond auction outcomes
Vietnam’s State Treasury raised VND7.95 trillion (US$302 million) from government bonds at its September 30 auction, against VND18 trillion (US$684 million) offered, according to the latest release from the Vietnam Bond Market Association.
Five-year bonds raised VND4.35 trillion (US$165 million) at a 4.27 percent yield, representing 87 percent of the amount offered.
Ten-year bonds raised VND3.6 trillion (US$137 million) at 4.43 percent, while three-, 15- and 30-year bonds attracted no successful bids.
Year-to-date issuance reached VND296.23 trillion (US$11.26 billion), equivalent to 59.2 percent of the government’s VND500 trillion (US$19.0 billion) 2026 plan. View source→
Exchange rates
As of 7.30am this morning, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 25,920, and the sell rate was VND 25,960, a change of 20 and 10, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 25,940 (up 0.06 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD.
Meanwhile, the State Bank of Vietnam’s central exchange rate was set at VND 25,624, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 25,982.
Stock market Thursday
The VN-Index closed at 1,749.30, down 19.32 points or 1.09 percent, with a total trading value of VND 15,354.22 billion or US$582.70 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$2.92 million worth of equities, Thursday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Yesterday’s news roundup
In yesterday’s news: HNX stocks to transfer to HSX, Exit block VN-Aus. re: tax, MWG employee embezzlement, US-VN patrol boat contract awarded, SK carpet plant Da Nang, SK rare earths processing project, Shinhan Bank inspection outcomes, Coal power plant connected grid, Finnfund-EVF loan agreement, Dat Bike-Toshiba MoU, Hanoi development consultation outcome, Exchange rates, Stock market Wednesday, Yesterday’s news roundup, and more. View source→