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
VinFast derivatives issue
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that VinFast founder Pham Nhat Vuong has disclosed a number of transactions linking nearly 23.9 million of his VinFast shares to preferred securities issued by Vietnam-based Future Production, Investment and Development.
The arrangement effectively commits Vuong, or a legal entity he designates, to transfer up to 23.9 million existing VinFast shares if holders exercise those rights, the article says. View source→
*It’s not clear from this article why this has happened or what it might mean. I did a little digging of my own but couldn’t find any further, relevant information.
JICA lending forecasts
Thanh Nien is reporting that the Japan International Cooperation Agency has said it aims to increase annual commitments and lending to Vietnam to more than JPY 100 billion (US$650 million).
JICA is considering a new program loan supporting artificial intelligence and digital transformation as part of a broader package targeting Vietnam’s development priorities. View source→
Fuel pricing reform monitoring
VnExpress is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade has proposed allowing fuel distributors to determine retail fuel prices rather than operating under government-set maximum prices adjusted every seven days, under a new decree.
If approved, businesses would have to declare pricing components and explain adjustments through a government database, allowing regulators to identify unusual movements and conduct inspections. View source→
Fuel price forecasts
Thanh Nien is reporting that Vietnamese petrol prices could rise by more than VND1,200 (US$0.046) per litre at the October 8 adjustment.
The expected increase reflects persistently high refined fuel prices in Asian markets despite relatively stable global crude oil prices, the article says. View source→
Bank foreign capital raising
Reuters is reporting that Vietnamese banks plan to raise nearly US$7 billion through share sales by the end of 2027, potentially the sector’s largest capital-raising wave.
Major planned transactions include Vietcombank, BIDV, VPBank and HDBank, while Techcombank has also discussed a stake sale with foreign lenders. View source→
Russia looking to wet lease VN aircraft
Euronews is reporting that Russia has asked Vietnam to wet-lease passenger aircraft with crews, maintenance and insurance to Russian airlines, citing comments from Russian Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin.
The request comes as 130 of 673 aircraft operated by Russia’s 11 largest airlines are reportedly out of service amid restrictions on Western parts and maintenance. View source→
Carwash startup fund raising
Deal Room is reporting that Vietnamese automotive services platform Bonbon Mobility has raised US$500,000 in pre-seed funding led by Tasco, with participation from GenAI Fund.
Bonbon connects vehicle owners with existing garages and car-care providers, providing digital booking and payment services rather than operating its own locations. View source→
Government bond auction results
Vietnam’s State Treasury raised VND19.5 trillion (US$750 million) from government bonds at its October 7 auction, with five- and 10-year offerings fully subscribed, according to a release from the Vietnam Bond Market Association.
The five-year bonds raised VND7.5 trillion (US$288 million) at 4.27 percent, while 10-year bonds raised VND12 trillion (US$462 million) at 4.43 percent.
No three-, 15- or 30-year bonds were sold, while winning yields for the five- and 10-year tenors were unchanged from the previous auction.
Year-to-date issuance reached VND315.73 trillion (US$12.14 billion), equivalent to 63.1 percent of the State Treasury’s 2026 target. View source→
SBV on interest rate pressures
Nha Dau Tu is reporting that the State Bank of Vietnam has warned that domestic interest rates cannot remain insulated from rising global rates, limiting scope for further monetary easing. View source→
Exchange rates
As of 7.30am this morning, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,040, and the sell rate was VND 26,140, a change of 0 and 0, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,090 (down 0.00 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD.
Meanwhile, the State Bank of Vietnam’s central exchange rate was set at VND 25,638, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 25,981.
The spread between the SBV’s central exchange rate and black-market mid-market rates was VND 452 or 1.76 percent.
Stock market Wednesday
The VN-Index closed at 1,753.39, down 5.69 points or 0.32 percent, with a total trading value of VND 15,226.19 billion or US$577.84 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$34.57 million worth of equities on Wednesday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Yesterday’s news roundup
In today’s news: Abandoned property tax proposed, Novaland rejects bankruptcy rumours, Vietnamese trade delegation visits Iran, US duties Vietnamese air compressors, EVF plans US$300 million international bond issue, Alstom, Vingroup metro train agreement, Open access mandated public EV chargers, German investment in Vietnam, Exchange rates, Stock market Tuesday, Yesterday’s news roundup, and more. Read more→