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
Challenges to 10 percent growth target
Bloomberg is reporting that Prime Minister Le Minh Hung has warned of mounting economic pressures as Vietnam pursues its 10 percent annual growth target.
Despite these concerns, the government remains committed to its growth target and has ordered ministries to accelerate public investment disbursements while containing inflation, the article notes. View source→
Proposed rare earth export ban eased
Technode is reporting that the Ministry of Industry and Trade has revised draft rules that would have effectively banned rare earth exports, allowing certain processed products to be exported.
Eligible products include separated rare earth oxides, metals, alloys, alloy powders and permanent magnets, while ores, concentrates and intermediate products remain barred. View source→
Vietnam records US$122 billion in crypto activity
The Investor is reporting that Vietnam recorded US$122.2 billion in cryptocurrency activity in the 12 months to June 2026, according to blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis.
The country ranked second in Southeast Asia behind Singapore, which recorded US$284.1 billion over the same period. View source→
Norway shipbuilder HCMC office
Norwegian shipbuilder VARD opened a new design and engineering centre in Ho Chi Minh City on October 2, expanding its engineering operations in Vietnam, according to a post on the firm’s LinkedIn page. View source→
Inflation reaches new high
The Investor is reporting that Vietnam’s consumer price index rose 5.08 percent year-on-year in September, bringing average inflation for the first nine months of 2026 to 4.52 percent, the highest for the period since 2016. View source→
Mineral auctions blamed construction material price pressures
The Investor is reporting that Vietnamese construction companies are calling for changes to mineral-rights auctions as shortages and rising prices for stone, sand and fill increase construction costs.
Industry representatives argue that awarding extraction rights to the highest bidder raises input costs and fails to ensure resources actually reach the market.
One proposal would instead award mining rights to qualified companies offering the lowest maximum mine-mouth price, effectively making supply price part of the tender. View source→
Renewables FiTs conflict update
The Investor is reporting that Vietnam Electricity has asked renewable energy developers to negotiate lower tariffs for periods when their plants operated without written approval.
Proposed tariffs cannot exceed transitional renewable energy ceilings of VND1,184.9–1,508.27 (US$0.046–0.058) per kWh for solar and VND1,587.12–1,815.95 (US$0.061–0.070) for wind. View source→
*This reads like they’ve made an offer that has been refused, so now they are asking power generators to negotiate their own tariffs, but they can’t be higher than the tariffs that they have already knocked back. For reference, some of these power generators, under the rules that were in place when they made their investments, would be eligible for as much as 9 cents per kWh. Also note that written approval wasn’t required until several years after some of these projects were completed.
Banned substances pork investigation
VnExpress is reporting that Ho Chi Minh City police have arrested nine people accused of using banned growth promoter Salbutamol to fatten their pigs.
Police said the operation had supplied pigs worth more than VND600 billion (US$23.1 million) to slaughterhouses since January 2026, with a Dong Nai animal quarantine officer accused of accepting payments to issue certificates without inspecting shipments. View source→
AI engineer recruitment challenges
VnExpress is reporting that Vietnamese companies are struggling to recruit experienced artificial intelligence engineers despite offering salaries substantially above those for other technology roles.
Employers say the shortage is particularly acute for engineers combining AI expertise with industry knowledge, practical project experience, and English-language skills. View source→
Exchange rates
As of 7.30am this morning, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,000 and the sell rate was VND 26,030, a change of 80, and 70, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,015 (up 0.29 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD.
Meanwhile, the State Bank of Vietnam’s central exchange rate was set at VND 25,643, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 25,993.
The spread between the SBV’s central exchange rate and black-market mid-market rates was VND 372 or 1.45 percent.
Stock market Monday
The VN-Index closed at 1,753.20, up 15.49 points or 0.89 percent, with a total trading value of VND 13,501.08 billion or US$512.37 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$10.74 million worth of equities, Mondau, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Yesterday’s news roundup
In today’s news: Credit rating improvement target, Vinhomes Pomina Steel loans, Meat imports, Nghi Son refinery performance, Trade returns to surplus, Credit growth numbers, PM calls for electricity price freeze, PM calls for 12.5 percent GDP growth Q4, Tourism numbers, China solar firm Vietnam operations sued, LNG development progress delays, Exchange rates, Stock market Friday, Friday’s news roundup, and more. View source→