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
UK Export Finance HCMC metro
Construction Review Online is reporting that UK Export Finance is considering up to US$2.5 billion in financing for a proposed metro connection between Ho Chi Minh City and Long Thanh International Airport.
The financing would support eligible UK exports and could involve British suppliers of engineering, transport technology, equipment and professional services. View source→
Bitcoin VN hub plans
The Investor is reporting that Bitcoin Suisse plans to establish a hub in Vietnam as it restructures operations and shifts some software development and back-office functions overseas.
The move follows growing engagement by Bitcoin Suisse with Vietnam as the country develops regulations for its digital asset market, the article says. View source→
IND vs VN vs PH eco growth commentary
The Jakarta Post is carrying commentary that argues Vietnam’s stronger economic growth and foreign investment are prompting questions in Indonesia about whether democratic government delivers economic prosperity.
Author Kornelius Purba contrasts Vietnam’s one-party system with slower growth and weaker industrial momentum in democratic Indonesia and the Philippines.
*The question raised in this piece is whether democracy is actually more of a development block than a growth driver. Purba frames it around corruption under Soeharto as being limited to an elite few, as opposed to more disbursed and rampant under democracy, though he stops short of explaining why one might be better than the other. He does, however, seem to imply that Vietnam’s economic growth under the CPV has been supported by the absence of democracy.
EVN financial performance
The Investor is reporting that State-owned Vietnam Electricity (EVN) cleared its accumulated losses by June and posted an estimated VND 12.22 trillion (US$470 million) profit in January–August.
EVN estimates the power system requires about VND 830 trillion (US$31.95 billion) in investment through 2030 as Vietnam seeks to add about 93,000 MW of generation capacity, the article says. View source→
*It will be interesting to see what happens next: will profits be reinvested in power generation and infrastructure, or will electricity prices be reduced as a cost-of-living support measure?
World Bank loans
The Asset is reporting that the World Bank has approved US$666.74 million in loans for three infrastructure, transport and fisheries projects in Vietnam.
US$260.1 million will support Hai Phong’s Ring Road 3 alongside flood protection and wastewater infrastructure, while another US$251.12 million will rehabilitate 251 kilometres of roads in the Mekong region, with the remaining US$155.52 million to modernise nine fishing ports and improve fisheries supply chains. View source→
TL visit US expectations
Reuters is reporting that US and Vietnamese companies could announce 29 agreements during To Lam’s visit to New York on September 23.
These include: Petrovietnam with Chevron and Murphy Oil, BSR with ExxonMobil, Qualcomm with VNPT, Meta with Vietnam’s Culture Ministry, Vietjet with SpaceX, and Visa, Mastercard and Citibank with Vietnamese financial and hospitality partners. View source→
Gov’t bond sales
Vietnam’s State Treasury sold VND 14.65 trillion (US$556 million) of government bonds at its September 16 auction, against VND 26 trillion (US$987 million) offered, the Vietnam Bond Market Association.
Five-year bonds raised VND 7.8 trillion (US$296 million) at a 4.27 percent yield, while 10-year bonds raised VND 6.85 trillion (US$260 million) at 4.43 percent.
No three-, 15- or 30-year bonds were sold.
Year-to-date government bond issuance reached VND 261.1 trillion (US$9.91 billion), equivalent to 52.2% of the 2026 target. View source→
*That’s barely half of what was on offer that sold. Adds some context to reports earlier this week the government was considering a US dollar sovereign bond issue.
Samsung tax
Nha Dau Tu is reporting that Samsung’s absence from Vietnam’s 200 largest corporate budget contributors is partly attributed to its operations being divided among several separate legal entities.
The absence is notable given Samsung Vietnam reported US$64.9 billion in revenue and US$57.1 billion in exports in 2025, while four major entities generated about US$3.5–3.7 billion in profit, the article says. View source→
Stock market Wednesday
The VN-Index closed at 1,810.11, down 1.04 points or 0.06 percent, with a total trading value of VND 14,845.36 billion or US$563.39 million, and foreign traders net-buying US$9.22 million worth of equities on Thursday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Exchange rates
As of 8am today, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 25,720, and the sell rate was VND 25,770, a change of 0 and 0, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 25,745 (down 0.00 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD.
Meanwhile, the State Bank of Vietnam’s central exchange rate was set at VND 25,626, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 26,000.
Yesterday’s news
In today’s news: Gym closures, Credit limit exemption proposal, Hanoi public transport EV financing, US$ gov’t bond issuance sought, Australia suspends VN pomelo imports, Japan retailer VN revenue growth, SBV reference rate at record high, Foreign investors state budget contributions, Electricity shortages forecast, LNG power development delays, Exchange rates, Stock market yesterday, Yesterday’s news, and more. View source→