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
Japan credit agency upgrades VN
Znews is reporting that Rating and Investment Information upgraded Vietnam’s sovereign foreign-currency issuer rating from BB+ to BBB- with a stable outlook, the Finance Ministry announced on October 8.
The upgrade marks the first time Vietnam has received an investment-grade sovereign rating from an international credit-rating agency, the article says. View source→
*Here is the original release.
Police investigate social media posts about Novaland
VnExpress is reporting that Ho Chi Minh City police have questioned a 44-year-old man over allegedly publishing false information about property developer Novaland on social media.
The investigation followed complaints from Novaland about online claims concerning its financial position and ability to meet payment obligations. View source→
Property developers turn to bonds as bank lending slows
Dan Tri is reporting that Vietnamese property bond issuance rose 126 percent to VND149.5 trillion (US$5.75 billion) in the first nine months of 2026, whereas property credit growth slowed to 8.6 percent in the first half, compared with 15 percent a year earlier.
It also notes that residential property transactions fell 36 percent as mortgage rates reached 14–16 percent, weakening demand despite increased housing supply. View source→
Car loan interest rates climb to 18 percent
VnExpress is reporting that floating car loan interest rates at some Vietnamese banks have reached 17–18 percent annually.
Some borrowers also face rates approaching 20 percent if they do not purchase vehicle insurance through their lender, the article notes. View source→
VinFast manufacturing subsidiary renamed
Znews is reporting that VinFast Trading and Production JSC has been renamed Future Production, Investment and Development JSC .
The renamed company retains VinFast’s Vietnamese manufacturing assets, while VinFast Vietnam JSC holds research, intellectual property, sales, and after-sales operations. View source→
*This is the company that was reported yesterday to be issuing shares exchangeable for shares in US-listed VinFast. So VinFast spun off its manufacturing arm, along with a sizeable chunk of its debts, improving its balance sheet, and is now looking to raise capital for the new company with shares of the company it was just spun off from. Huh?
Government says US trade negotiations nearly complete
Reuters is reporting that the government has said negotiations with the United States on a reciprocal trade agreement were largely complete, with only a few technical issues outstanding. View source→
Hong Kong textile manufacturer opens Vietnam factory
Knitting Trade Journal is reporting that Hong Kong-based textile manufacturer Billion Rise has opened a new high-tech knitting mill in Thanh Hoa province.
The facility will produce knitted fabrics for sportswear, swimwear, underwear and lingerie. View source→
US trade rep. comments Vietnam industrial overcapacity
Trading View is reporting that US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has said that Washington is expanding its efforts to address industrial overcapacity beyond China, specifically identifying Vietnam.
He said the United States and trading partners, including Japan and the European Union, had agreed to coordinate responses, although specific measures remain undecided. View source→
Break-up of EVN electricity functions floated
The Investor is reporting that the government is planning to separate electricity transmission, distribution, and retail from state utility Vietnam Electricity, a move it says would help to facilitate the development of a competitive power market. View source→
Cambodia authorities deny transfer activists to Vietnam
The Phnom Penh Post is reporting that Cambodian authorities have denied arresting an Australian and a Norwegian activist and handing them over to Vietnamese authorities.
Cambodian immigration records show both entered Cambodia from Thailand on September 15, but there is no official record of either man leaving the country, the article says. View source→
World Bank upgrades forecast
Fibre2Fashion is reporting that the World Bank has raised its 2026 Vietnam gross domestic product growth forecast to 7.4 percent, up 1.1 percentage points from April.
The revision reflects stronger manufacturing and exports of high-tech goods linked to artificial intelligence, alongside increased public investment. View source→
Exchange rates
As of 7.30 am 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, according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD.
Meanwhile, the State Bank of Vietnam’s central exchange rate was set at VND 25,634, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 25,900.
The spread between the SBV’s central exchange rate and black-market mid-market rates was VND 456 or 1.78 percent.
Stock market Thursday
The VN-Index closed at 1,738.97, down 14.42 points or 0.82 percent, with a total trading value of VND 15,883.31 billion or US$602.78 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$16.93 million worth of equities on Thursday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Yesterday’s news roundup
In today’s news: VinFast derivatives issue, JICA lending forecasts, Fuel pricing reform monitoring, Fuel price forecasts, Bank foreign capital raising, Russia looking to wet lease VN aircraft, Carwash startup fundraising, Government bond auction results, SBV on interest rate pressures, Exchange rates, Stock market Wednesday, Yesterday’s news roundup, and more. View source→