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
Fed rate hike BIDV perspective
Cafef is reporting that the BIDV Economic Research Institute has raised concerns higher US rates could raise financing costs and debt obligations for Vietnamese businesses borrowing in US dollars while earning revenue in dong. View source→
ACV investigation developments
Dan Tri is reporting that suspects in a case involving Airports Corporation of Vietnam voluntarily surrendered an additional VND307 billion (US$11.6 million) in assets.
This brought voluntarily surrendered assets in the case to more than VND756.4 billion (US$28.7 million) and US$9.5 million. View source→
FTSE Russell upgrade Hanoi conference
Tuoi Tre is reporting that BlackRock and Vanguard will attend a Hanoi conference marking Vietnam’s entry into the FTSE Russell Global Equity Index Series.
Vanguard’s emerging-market index funds have committed to adding Vietnamese shares to their portfolios from September 21, according to the State Securities Commission, the article says. View source→
Proposed foreign ownership property changes
Tuoi Tre is reporting that a draft amendment to Vietnam’s Housing Law proposes ending foreign organisations’ and individuals’ right to own detached houses.
Foreigners would remain permitted to own apartments, subject to existing conditions and a 30 percent ownership limit within each apartment building. View source→
Credit controls hospitality real estate eased
VnExpress is reporting that the central bank has eased its 2026 property-credit controls for lending to restaurants, hotels, tourism, ecotourism and resort developments.
Additional lending to these sectors from end-2025 levels will no longer count towards banks’ property-credit growth limits through December 31. View source→
VinFast financing from Italy
VIR is reporting that Italy’s export credit agency SACE announced a US$200 million financing facility for VinFast Vietnam on September 15.
Barclays, BNP Paribas and HSBC are lenders and arrangers, while SACE is guaranteeing the financing under its Push Strategy programme. View source→
Bank foreign financing
The Investor is reporting that Vietnamese private banks have signed or are arranging about US$3.4 billion in international syndicated loans in 2026 as they seek longer-term funding.
It notes that offshore loans bring interest, hedging, and foreign-exchange costs, alongside repayment risks if banks borrow in US dollars while financing dong-denominated assets. View source→
Exchange rate new high
VnExpress is reporting that the State Bank of Vietnam raised its reference exchange rate to a record VND25,632 (US$1) on September 17, its fourth consecutive increase. View source→
VinFast-Vingroup real estate deal
Technode is reporting that VinFast Vietnam has agreed to acquire Ngoc Hoi Real Estate Investment from founder Pham Nhat Vuong and minority shareholders for VND30.86 trillion (US$1.2 billion).
The related-party transaction gives VinFast control of a company holding a 20 percent economic interest in Hanoi’s planned 9,200-hectare International Sports Urban Area. View source→
VN YouTube channels numbers
Tuoi Tre is reporting that there are more than 180,000 Vietnamese YouTube channels with at least 10,000 subscribers.
YouTube reaches about 93 percent of Vietnam’s Internet users daily, while uploads of short-form videos have more than doubled year on year, the article says. View source→
Yesterday’s news
In today’s news: UK Export Finance HCMC metro, Bitcoin VN hub plans, IND vs VN vs PH eco growth commentary, EVN financial performance, World Bank loans, TL visit US expectations, Gov’t bond sales, Samsung tax, Stock market Wednesday, Exchange rates, Yesterday’s news, and more. View source→