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
Long Thanh passenger fees
VnExpress is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Construction has set passenger service fees for Long Thanh International Airport, with international passengers paying US$25, matching Noi Bai International Airport and US$5 more than at Tan Son Nhat International Airport.
Domestic passengers will pay VND90,909 (US$3.45). View source→
Violent short film producers fined
VnExpress is reporting that Vietnamese police have arrested 17 people accused of producing violent short films for social media to attract views and advertising revenue.
The defendants were charged with illegally providing or using information on computer or telecommunications networks under Article 288 of Vietnam’s Criminal Code. View source→
*This is another example of the state creating barriers to the development of Vietnam’s creative industries. It contrasts with widely reported plans to make Vietnam’s creative industries a key part of its economy.
Innovation index improvement
VnExpress is reporting that Vietnam rose one place to 43rd among 139 economies in the World Intellectual Property Organization’s 2026 Global Innovation Index. View source→
Hanoi pilotless aircraft sandbox under consideration
Stock Titan is reporting that Hanoi is considering regulatory sandbox testing of Chinese firm EHang’s pilotless passenger aircraft following a memorandum signed with Vietnamese partner HungViet. View source→
Power project Japan loan
Technode is reporting that Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank (VPBank) and Japanese lenders have signed a US$27 million loan for a southern Vietnam power transmission project.
Japan Bank for International Cooperation will provide US$14 million, with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and Joyo Bank providing the remainder. View source→
Vietcombank offshore bonds considered
The Business Times is reporting that Vietcombank is considering its first public offshore bond issue, which could raise US$300 million.
The proposed bond would be denominated in US dollars, although Vietcombank is still finalising its plans and has not publicly confirmed the transaction. View source→
JETP bankability issues
VIR is reporting that Vietnam has identified 48 projects requiring more than US$11 billion under its Just Energy Transition Partnership, but only three have secured announced financing.
United Nations Development Programme advisers haev said project preparation, revenue models, risk allocation and financing structures remain key barriers to securing capital, the article says. View source→
Arrests Australian / Norwegian
The BBC is reporting that Vietnamese authorities have confirmed that they have detained Australian citizen Tran Hiep and Norwegian citizen Nguyen Duc Thuan after they disappeared in Cambodia.
Pro-democracy group Viet Tan alleges the men were abducted in Cambodia and forcibly taken to Vietnam, describing the case as transnational repression.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security says the men illegally crossed from Cambodia on September 18 using forged documents and intended to conduct terrorist activities. View source→
*Last week, Vietnam’s president, To Lam, was in Canada urging the Vietnamese community there to support “national development” in Vietnam. This week, the Vietnamese authorities announced they had arrested two pro democracy activists, one holding an Australian passport, the other holding a Norwegian passport. The mixed messaging is hard to miss.
Exchange rates
As of 7am this morning, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 25,900, and the sell rate was VND 25,950, a change of 0 and 0, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 25,925 (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 25,630, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 25,972.
Stock market Tuesday
The VN-Index closed at 1,777.73, down 2.95 points or 0.17 percent, with a total trading value of VND 12,338.41 billion or US$468.25 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$15.18 million worth of equities on Tuesday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Yesterday’s news roundup
In yesterday’s news: SME support proposal, VinFast structure changes, VA Germany takeoff incident update, VN removed from EU tax blacklist, Excelsior Capital Vietnam fund closed, Spain seafood firm VN acquisition, MB Bank bond issue, Samsung semiconductor packaging expansion, Exchange rates, Yesterday’s news roundup, and more. View source→