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
MoF says no current bond issuance
VnExpress is reporting that the Ministry of Finance has said that it is not currently conducting an international sovereign bond issuance.
Instead, it has said that it and the State Bank of Vietnam are preparing a non-deal roadshow to update international investors on economic, fiscal, monetary, and public-debt developments.
The statement came after Reuters reported that Vietnam was considering its first international sovereign bond sale since 2014. View source→
*This reads like a denial, but it actually confirms what Reuters reported last week, that the government is considering a sovereign bond issuance.
VinFast hybrid speculation
Tuoi Tre is reporting that VinFast has publicly referenced range-extended electric vehicle technology (AKA hybrids) for the first time, speculating that it will power a new VinFast vehicle to be announced later this month. View source→
*VinFast started out producing traditional, internal combustion engine cars before going full electric in 2022. It might say something about the local market for full EVs if it is looking at launching a line of hybrids.
Gov’t grants AI
Tech Republic is reporting that Vietnam’s National Technology Innovation Fund opened applications on September 16 for businesses seeking state funding to deploy artificial intelligence projects.
The fund will provide up to VND3 billion (US$114,000) per project, with applications closing on October 10. View source→
Vanguard HSX investment expectations
Reuters is reporting that Vanguard has said it expects to invest about US$2.5 billion in Vietnam over the coming years as the market gains emerging status. View source→
10 percent growth capital needs: Techcombank
VnExpress is reporting that Techcombank chief executive Jens Lottner has said Vietnam may need about US$1.1 trillion in capital over five years to support 10 percent growth. View source→
*That’s about US$220 billion a year, which is the equivalent of around 40 percent of Vietnam’s 2025 GDP.
Gov’t directs banks less credit big corporates
Nguoi Quan Sat is reporting that the government has approved a banking reform plan requiring lenders to reduce excessive credit concentration among large companies and related corporate groups.
The plan specifically targets lending to businesses, customer groups and projects within the same corporate ecosystems where concentrated exposure could threaten banks’ financial stability. View source→
*There is a bit more background on where this is coming from in this article on ZNews. Basically, this is about banks diversifying their client base. The problem, however, is that there aren’t a lot of businesses that have a way to spend the large amounts of money banks need to lend in order to meet their credit growth targets, which is a key pillar of the government’s 10 percent GDP growth plan.
Consumer interest rates pushing 18 percent
Dan Tri is reporting that Vietnamese home and car buyers are facing floating loan rates of up to 16–18 percent a year after introductory periods expire.
Mortgage rates after promotional periods are reportedly around 13–16 percent, while some car borrowers have seen rates rise to 18 percent, the article says. View source→
*Just for contrast, the State Bank’s refinancing rate is 4.5 percent.
Tourism industry labour shortages
VnExpress is reporting that Vietnam’s tourism industry is facing a growing shortage of skilled workers as international visitor numbers continue to rise.
Nearly 90 percent of tourism businesses surveyed by Hoteljob.vn plan to recruit in 2026, while 71.8 percent of those in Ho Chi Minh City reported difficulty hiring, the article says. View source→
Pre-feasability study rail-industrial complex Hanoi
The Investor is reporting that Vietnam’s government has ordered a pre-feasibility study for a proposed VND17.5 trillion (US$674 million) railway industrial complex near Hanoi. View source→
Foreign funds cautious FTSE upgrade
The Business Times is reporting that foreign fund managers remain cautious about Vietnam despite its FTSE emerging-market upgrade, citing limited market depth, corporate governance, and US tariff uncertainty. View source→
*This feels a bit more realistic than local reporting that foresees huge inflows of foreign capital.
Shinhan FG Vingroup partnership
The Korea Times is reporting that Shinhan Financial Group plans to expand its partnership with Vingroup from VinFast vehicle financing into capital markets.
Shinhan Securities Vietnam has been appointed sole arranger for Vingroup’s first won-denominated Arirang bond, planned for the fourth quarter, and will jointly lead the offering, with a planned investment of KRW 40 billion (US$29 million). View source→
Resort property market supply-demand mismatch
The Investor is reporting that Vietnam’s resort property market recorded just 112 sales from about 11,000 units offered in August, down from 130 transactions in July.
Resort villa sales fell 64 percent month on month to nine units, taking the segment’s absorption rate to just 0.4 percent. View source→
Informal workers statistics
SGGP is reporting that the share of informal workers in Vietnam has risen to 61.9 percent of the country’s employed population, according to the National Statistics Office.
It also notes that the expansion of informal employment has outpaced social protection, leaving millions of workers without mandatory insurance or other employment protections. View source→
Exchange rates
As of 7.00am this morning, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 25,890, and the sell rate was VND 25,920, for a mid-market rate of VND 25,905 (up 0.19 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD.
Meanwhile, the State Bank of Vietnam’s central exchange rate was set at VND 25,637, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 26,022.
Stock market Friday
On Friday, the VN-Index closed at 1,815.66, down 7.11 points or 0.39 percent, with a total trading value of VND 25,925.98 billion or US$983.91 million, and foreign traders net-buying US$47.63 million worth of equities, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Friday’s news roundup
In Friday’s news: Fed rate hike BIDV perspective, ACV investigation developments, FTSE Russell upgrade Hanoi conference, Proposed foreign ownership property changes, Credit controls hospitality real estate eased, VinFast financing from Italy, Bank foreign financing, Exchange rate new high, VinFast-Vingroup real estate deal, VN YouTube channels numbers, Yesterday’s news, and more. View source→