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
PUBG VN series postponed on cheating allegations
Zing News is reporting that the KRAFTON PUBG Vietnam Series 2026 Phase 2 matches have been postponed following cheating revelations, with no new date announced.
The decision came one day after KRAFTON permanently banned Vietnamese players Himass and TanVuu from PUBG Esports tournaments worldwide.
KRAFTON said the players violated tournament rules by receiving information from outside a match during the PUBG Asia Stars 2026 tournament. View source→
*There is a more detailed write-up of what went down in the Korean press here.
W2E complex plans
Biomass Magazine is carrying an article penned by Vietnam Waste Solutions which says it has proposed a 50-60 megawatt waste-to-energy plant at its Da Phuoc waste complex outside Ho Chi Minh City.
The company, a subsidiary of California Waste Solutions (CWS), is working through appraisal and permitting for the project, the article says. View source→
*Note that CWS founder David Duong has been indicted in the US on federal bribery charges, though he has pleaded not guilty, just FYI.
Wider HSC trading ban being considered
Bloomberg is reporting that the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange is considering widening its daily stock trading band to 10 percent from 7 percent by year-end.
The proposal requires clearance from the State Securities Commission and final approval from the Ministry of Finance, the article says. View source→
US firm buys into VN Tungsten producer
Bloomberg is reporting that US tungsten producer Elmet Group will buy a 4.99 percent stake in Vietnam’s Masan High-Tech Materials.
The deal values Masan High-Tech at about US$2.5 billion, implying Elmet’s stake is worth roughly US$125 million. View source→
Amazon satellite internet licensed
The Investor is reporting that Amazon has received a licence to operate a private satellite telecommunications network across Vietnam.
The licence comes as Amazon considers making Vietnam a manufacturing hub for some satellite equipment intended for export, the article says. View source→
Starlink for Vietjet passengers
Technode is reporting that Vietjet and SpaceX’s Starlink signed an agreement on Wednesday to provide free in-flight Wi-Fi on 120 Vietjet aircraft.
The first phase covers 100 Airbus A321 and Boeing 737 aircraft and 20 Airbus A330s operating domestic and international routes. View source→
*This is an interesting move for a budget airline that generally charges for all added extras.
Fuel price increases
Tuoi Tre is reporting that fuel prices have increased, with E10 RON95-III petrol increasing VND 1,451 (US$0.06) per litre.
E10 RON95-III now costs VND 27,087 (US$1.03) per litre, while E5 RON92 rose VND 1,258 (US$0.05) to VND 26,397 (US$1.00).
Diesel increased VND 552 (US$0.02) to VND 30,497 (US$1.16) per litre. View source→
Labour productivity increase for 10 percent growth
VnExpress is reporting that Vietnam needs annual labour productivity growth of 8.5-9 percent to achieve double-digit economic growth, according to economist Tran Quoc Hung.
Hung said Vietnam previously relied on average productivity growth of 5.6 percent alongside annual population growth of about 1 percent; however, population growth is forecast to slow to 0.68 percent by 2029, Hung noted. View source→
Automated VAT refund plans
Tuoi Tre is reporting that Vietnam’s tax authorities plan to introduce automatic value-added tax refunds by December 2026.
The system will use risk criteria covering refund amounts, taxpayers’ legal status and compliance levels to automatically determine eligible refunds. View source→
Exchange rates
As of 7.30am this morning, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 25,890, and the sell rate was VND 25,930, a change of 90 and 80, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 25,910 (up 0.33 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD.
Meanwhile, the State Bank of Vietnam’s central exchange rate was set at VND 25,635, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 25,992.
Stock market Thursday
The VN-Index closed at 1,775.09, down 26.56 points or 1.47 percent, with a total trading value of VND 16,680.54 billion or US$633.04 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$34.91 million worth of equities, Thursday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Yesterday’s news roundup
In yesterday’s news: Jollibee partial Highlands sale, Gov’t bond auction outcome, Real estate sector analysis, Data centre power problems, FTSE upgrade analysis, Sungroup resort development, UN financial support, AMRO growth forecast, AMC Robotics operations start date, Thai home retail outlet market entry, Exchange rates, Stock market Wednesday, Yesterday’s news roundup, and more. View source→