This is a brief rundown of what is being reported today in Vietnam’s state-approved media and some others.
It compiles coverage from official outlets like Dan Tri, Tuoi Tre, and VN Express, highlighting the narratives currently shaping the country’s economic, financial, and business news landscape.
Norway labour organisation meets VN counterpart
Scandasia is reporting that representatives of Norway’s Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions have met with Vietnam’s Vietnam General Confederation of Labour in Hanoi to deepen cooperation on workers’ rights.
Discussions focused on improving protections for workers, including those in informal employment and digital platform roles, the article says.
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New cement plant for An Giang
Cemnet is reporting that Vietnam-based Tan A Dai Thanh Group has signed a strategic agreement with China’s Sinoma International Engineering to develop a cement plant in An Giang province.
The project will also use alternative materials such as fly ash and biomass, forming part of the group’s 2026–2030 strategy to modernise operations and lower emissions.
Ed.’s notes: Vietnam’s oversupply of cement was identified as one of the reasons it was a part of the 301 investigations announced last month.
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Eurovision headed for Asia
The Guardian is reporting that the European Broadcasting Union will launch the first Asia edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, with the grand final scheduled in Bangkok on November 14.
Broadcasters from 10 countries, including Vietnam, Thailand, and South Korea, have confirmed participation, with each selecting entries through national finals.
Ed.’s notes: Cool.
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Vingroup requests LNG project change to renewables
Reuters is reporting that Vingroup has proposed scrapping plans for a 4.8 gigawatt LNG-fired power plant in Haiphong, citing rising fuel price risks linked to the Iran conflict.
Instead, the firm proposed a hybrid renewable energy and battery storage project, estimated at around US$25 billion, as an alternative to the LNG plant.
Ed.’s notes: Not just the energy security benefits, but also Vietnam has a lot more experience with renewables – might make it a bit easier for Vingroup to implement.
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Vinacapital estimating up to 2% hit to inflation Hormuz
Vietnam’s economy faces a 2 percentage point rise in inflation and a 1.5 percentage point hit to GDP growth from the Iran war, Vinacapital has said in an economist’s note.
The country remains highly exposed to energy shocks, with consumption exceeding domestic production and energy intensity far above regional peers.
A prolonged conflict could push oil above US$100 per barrel, and trigger impacts comparable to COVID-level disruption, the note says.
Ed.’s notes: Note largely focused on how the US behaves, not so much Iran. The US can stop attacking Iran, but that doesn’t mean Iran will stop attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
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Restrictions on commercial lighting
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered restaurants, hotels, and buildings to cut at least 50 percent of outdoor advertising lighting during peak evening hours, through Directive 10.
The PM has also called for nationwide electricity savings of at least 3 percent in 2026 and 10 percent during peak summer months.
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Proposed waiver of maritime / aviation fees
VnExpress is reporting that the Ministry of Finance has proposed waiving aviation and maritime fees from April 1 to year-end to support firms facing high fuel costs.
The policy covers administrative and operational fees for airlines and shipping, excluding services directly included in passenger ticket prices.
The proposal could reduce state budget revenue by VND 3,553 billion (US$134.8 million), with VND 3,335 billion (US$126.6 million) from maritime and VND 218 billion (US$8.3 million) from aviation.
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Grid strain on EV charging, cooling, LNG woes
Tuoi Tre is reporting that the National Power System and Electricity Market Operator (NSMO) has said electric vehicle charging and cooling demand are increasing pressure on Vietnam’s power system during peak hours as electricity consumption rises.
Grid infrastructure is under strain, with overloaded 500 kilovolt lines and delays in northern transmission and energy storage projects, the article goes on to say.
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Airfare price cap removal proposal knocked back
Thanh Nien is reporting that experts have proposed removing domestic airfare caps to help airlines respond to rising fuel costs and improve market flexibility; however, the Vietnam Civil Aviation Authority (CAAV) has denied the request.
The CAAV has said fuel price volatility requires more flexible tools, such as tax and fee adjustments rather than price cap changes.
Ed.’s notes: Not clear, but sounds like it was knocked back by CAAV because it would take too long to do / have an impact. Doesn’t explain why ticket price caps are necessary in the first place.
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Tourism industry response fuel crisis
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that rising airfares and flight cuts are causing customers to delay or cancel hotel bookings and tours.
The publication cites the Deputy General Director of the Entertainment and Resort Division of Sun Group, Tran Nguyen, as saying higher fuel costs and limited supply have raised transport expenses, increasing tour and resort prices.
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Vietnam Airlines jet fuel costs
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Dang Anh Tuan, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Airlines, has said every US$1 increase in oil prices raises the airline’s annual costs by over VND 300 billion (US$11.4 million).
Tuan said costs could increase by about VND 3,000 billion (US$113.9 million) annually, while ticket prices remain capped and cannot fully reflect rising expenses.
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HCMC lipsyncing ban
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports has issued a directive banning singers from abusing lip syncing and using recorded vocals instead of live performance.
Authorities said excessive use of backing tracks, sometimes covering up to 80–90 percent of vocals, undermines audience trust.
Ed.’s notes: Contrasts with push to grow cultural industries – not clear why this needs to be managed by government as opposed to market.
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France’s BNP Novaland bond to share conversion
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that French creditor BNP Paribas Financial Markets has participated in a conversion of part of Novaland’s US$335 million international convertible bond into equity.
The conversion involved 15 bonds worth VND 84.2 billion (US$3.2 million), with each bond valued at US$225,026 and converted at VND 34,000 per share.
The transaction resulted in BNP Paribas Financial Markets receiving nearly 2.5 million shares as Novaland reduces debt pressure and restructures its finances.
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Gas cylinder prices jump
VnExpress is reporting that Retail gas prices in Ho Chi Minh City rose to a record VND 600,000–661,000 (US$22.8–25.1) per 12-kilogram cylinder from April 1, up VND 95,000 from late March.
PV GAS LPG Southern said prices increased by VND 7,917 per kilogram, with 45-kilogram cylinders rising to nearly VND 2.5 million (US$94.9).
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Imports from France February
In February, Vietnam imported US$155.63 million worth of goods from France, down from US$290.40 million in January, a change of -46.41 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Tourists from Europe February
In February, Europe accounted for 423,471 tourist arrivals, a decrease of -0.10 percent from January, according to the latest data from Vietnam’s General Department of Tourism. Read the full article →
Stock market Tuesday
The VN-Index closed at 1,674.49, up 11.95 points or 0.72 percent, with a total trading value of VND 24,370.13 billion or US$924.86 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$32.22 million worth of equities, Tuesday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange. Read the full article →
Exchange rates Tuesday
On March 31, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 28,030, and the sell rate was VND 28,080, a change of 0 and 0, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 28,055 (down 0.00 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Read the full article →
Aquaculture feed production February
Vietnam produced 814.21 thousand tonnes of aquaculture feed in February, up 12.22 percent from 725.52 thousand tonnes in January, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Imports from Taiwan February
In February, Vietnam imported US$2,615.37 million worth of goods from Taiwan, down from US$3,606.77 million in January, a change of -27.49 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Exports to the UK February
In February, Vietnam exported US$606 million worth of goods to the UK, down 22.50 percent over January, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Yesterday’s Vietnam news roundup
In today’s Vietnam news: Ore smuggling border corruption bust, 20% tax for unlisted shares proposed, SBV returns to selling US$ forward contracts, Bike market report, MoC to manage transport market, HCMC – Ha Long Bay flights suspended, MoIT looking for legal counsel re: US 301 investigations, E-commerce sellers pushed out, Coffee prices expected to fall, Stock market Monday, Animal feed production February, Imports from Japan February, Imports from Germany February, Exports to India February, Phone imports February, Exports to France February, Exchange rates Monday, and more. Read the full article →