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
Changes to lawyer qualifications
Dan Tri is reporting that Vietnam’s government has proposed allowing people with master’s or doctoral law degrees to become lawyers without holding a bachelor’s degree in law.
The proposal also introduces mandatory annual political and professional training for lawyers, alongside requirements for political commitment, good ethics, and integrity. View source→
*The more interesting part is the reference to political training and serving the state. It adds to growing questions about where rule of law is headed in Vietnam.
California Fitness CEO comments re: closures
ZingNews is reporting that California Fitness & Yoga CEO Dane Fort has apologised to the fitness chain’s members following gym closures, disrupted training schedules, and complaints about deteriorating services.
Fort acknowledged that the company had expanded beyond its operational capacity and has requested another 30 days to complete restructuring and address outstanding problems. View source→
Italian equipment for VinMetal
Steel Orbis is reporting that Vingroup subsidiary VinMetal has signed a contract with Italian equipment manufacturer Danieli for a steel rolling line in Ha Tinh.
The line will have annual capacity exceeding 700,000 tonnes, producing railway rails and structural steel for transport, industrial and infrastructure projects. View source→
*This would suggest Vingroup is committed to at least some of the rail projects it has announced, which could be concerning given the precarious state of its finances.
Alstom Vingroup initial order
In a press release, French train manufacturer Alstom has announced that it has secured an initial order worth approximately €800 million (US$930 million) from Vingroup.
The order covers Metropolis trains for urban railway projects in Hanoi, with the trains designed and manufactured at Alstom’s Valenciennes Petite-Forêt facility in France. View source→
*See note above.
Denmark investment VN container terminal
The Investor is reporting that Danish investment manager A.P. Moller Capital has agreed to acquire Singapore-based port operator Portek International from Japan’s Mitsui & Co.
The undisclosed transaction includes Portek’s indirect interest in Vietnam International Container Terminal (VICT) in Ho Chi Minh City. View source→
Banana export challenges
Commodity-Board is reporting that Vietnam’s banana export earnings fell 5.2 percent year-on-year to US$222.6 million in the first half of 2026, amid weaker demand and prices, with exporters facing rising production and logistics costs alongside increasing competition from Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines and Ecuador.
Commodity Board expects demand to improve from November into early 2027, although expanding regional supply is likely to limit any recovery in prices. View source→
Professional wrestling growing interest
Forbes is reporting that Vietnam Pro Wrestling (VPW), a Ho Chi Minh City entertainment company, is attracting growing audiences, with shows drawing approximately 500 spectators and frequently selling out.
Promoter Carey Wass told Forbes that foreigners account for 60 percent of live audiences. View source→
VEFTA impacts Latin America
Latin Times is reporting that the recently signed VEFTA agreement may prove a competitive challenge for Latin American textile and electronics exporters targeting European markets. View source→
VinFast Q2 results
Reuters is reporting that VinFast reported an 85.5 percent year-on-year increase in second-quarter revenue to VND 30.3 trillion (US$1.17 billion), with its net loss falling 93 percent to US$54.65 million, largely reflecting a one-off US$1.18 billion gain from offloading its manufacturing assets.
The electric vehicle manufacturer’s operating loss, however, nearly tripled to US$1.16 billion, rising 198 percent year-on-year. View source→
Exchange rates
As of 8.30 this morning, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,000, and the sell rate was VND 26,050, a change of 100 and 50, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,025 (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 25,633, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 25,895.
The spread between the SBV’s central exchange rate and black-market mid-market rates was VND 392 or 1.53 percent.
Stock market Monday
The VN-Index closed at 1,689.84, down 16.07 points or 0.94 percent, with a total trading value of VND 13,354.74 billion or US$506.82 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$30.40 million worth of equities on Monday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Yesterday’s news
In yesterday’s news: California Fitness closes more gyms, SBV orders deposit rates cut, Supply chain simplification to cut costs, IPO changes, Philippines plan to compete VN manufacturing, New FTA, Garment exports ex-headline data, Exchange rates, Stock market Friday, and more. View source→