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.
Trump trademark applications
Citizens for Ethics is reporting that Donald Trump’s company applied for five trademarks in Vietnam in November 2025, covering real estate, hospitality, entertainment, clothing, and sporting goods.
The filings were made by DTTM Operations LLC and include brands such as Trump International Hung Yen and Trump Residences Vietnam.
Ed.’s notes: Not a super interesting story. Flagged for possible use later re: KBC / Trump project.
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MPS plans to shore up stock market
Reuters is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS) has suggested a government-backed stock market stabilisation fund to counter sharp declines linked to the Iran war, according to internal documents.
Proposals include incentivising share buybacks, narrowing trading bands to 3–5 percent, and potential temporary trading halts during heavy selloffs.
Authorities also suggested using influencers and tighter media direction to support market sentiment, alongside expanded margin lending limits for brokers.
Ed.’s notes: Less transparency = higher risk = a less attractive market.
Speaks to understanding of stability as a lack of change rather than foreseeable / predictable change.
Not clear why the MPS is involved.
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CPJ condemns journalist’s 8-year sentence
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), in a press release, has condemned Vietnam’s sentencing of journalist Huynh Ngoc Tuan to eight years and six months for anti-state propaganda.
The CPJ said Vietnam must stop using anti-state laws to criminalise journalism, noting the country remains among the world’s worst jailers of journalists.
Ed.’s notes: See note above.
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Financial support for cultural industries
Vietnam Plus is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has proposed tax, fee, and land incentives to attract private investment into cultural, entertainment, and creative industries.
It would also expedite approval and implementation of cultural and sports projects, including public investment and public-private partnership projects.
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Boat operator fined for installing Starlink without approval
Dan Tri is reporting that a tourist boat operator in Hai Phong was fined VND 70,000,000 (US$2,657) for installing and using unlicensed Starlink satellite internet equipment.
The article notes that the Radio Frequency Department is tracing the origin of the Starlink equipment, which is being sold online in Vietnam for VND 19–35 million (US$721–US$1,328).
Ed.’s notes: The Starlink rollout, as a non-government internet service provider, in the context of Vietnam’s censorship regime, is going to be really interesting – there are likely to be a lot more cases like this.
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UK renewables firm funding VN projects
Renewables Now is reporting that UK-based Coro Energy Plc is arranging up to US$20 million in debt to fund rooftop solar and battery storage projects for commercial and industrial customers in Vietnam.
It includes an initial tranche of up to US$10 million and a further US$10 million accordion tranche, with up to 70 percent allocated to solar and storage projects.
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Chinese rubber form factory HCMC
Yicai Global is reporting that China’s Zhongce Rubber plans to invest US$145 million to build the first phase of a tire factory in Ho Chi Minh City, targeting rising overseas demand.
The plant will produce about five million semi-steel radial tires annually, with construction starting in July and expected to take about one year.
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Adjustments to petrol price calculations
Dan Tri is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade has temporarily removed kerosene from base price calculations for petroleum products from March 28 to April 28.
It is also drafting a new circular to abolish the kerosene component altogether.
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Revised fines for anti-competitive behaviour
Vietnam Plus is reporting that fines for failing to notify or obtain approval for mergers will range from VND 500 million to VND 2 billion (US$18,980 to US$75,900), depending on company size, from May 20.
Enterprises violating regulations on economic concentration could also face fines of 1 to 5 percent of relevant market revenue.
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HOKA opens Hanoi store
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that HOKA has opened its first store in Hanoi on April 2 at Vincom Ba Trieu, expanding its presence in Vietnam after entering the market four years ago.
Andrew Robert Fairall, Chairman of Central Brand and Specialty Group Vietnam, said the brand has recorded growth and expanded its customer base since entering via Supersports.
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Tax reduction on kerosene / mazut proposed
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance has proposed reducing value-added tax and environmental tax on kerosene and mazut to 0 to align with existing fuel tax cuts.
Kerosene and mazut currently face a VND 1,000 per litre or kilogram environmental tax (US$0.04) and 10 percent value added tax.
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Provisional anti-dumping rates Chinese steel
Thanh Nien is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade imposed a provisional anti-dumping duty of 27.83 percent on certain wide hot rolled steel imports from China.
The measure applies to products with widths between 1,880mm and 2,300mm, following findings of circumvention of existing trade defence measures.
Ed.’s notes: First tariffs on steel under 1880mm. It was alleged that to get around this, wider steel was being imported and then cut to size.
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Environmental monitoring tampering
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment said nearly 160 monitoring stations, about 55 percent nationwide, were found to have manipulated emissions data.
Authorities said violations stem from technical monitoring gaps and intentional manipulation, exploiting weaknesses in data transmission and system management.
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Fuel price hike
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that Vietnam adjusted retail fuel prices from 11 PM on April 2, setting E5RON92 at VND 23,863 per litre (US$0.91) and RON95-III at VND 25,159 per litre (US$0.95).
Diesel was capped at VND 40,827 per litre (US$1.55) and fuel oil at VND 23,331 per kilogram (US$0.89), with no use of the Fuel Price Stabilisation Fund.
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the-shiv advertising rate card / April 2026
Our audience is niche yet high-value, comprising C-level executives, diplomats, and senior decision-makers operating in and around Vietnam. These are our most recent advertising rates. Read the full article →
Stock market Thursday
The VN-Index closed at 1,694.82, down 8.11 points or 0.48 percent, with a total trading value of VND 27,391.52 billion or US$1039.53 million, and foreign traders net-buying US$111.12 million worth of equities, Thursday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange. Read the full article →
Exchange rates Thursday
On April 2, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 27,420, and the sell rate was VND 27,470, a change of 80 and 80, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 27,445 (down 0.29 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Read the full article →
Imports from Singapore February
In February, Vietnam imported US$578.54 million worth of goods from Singapore, down from US$663.42 million in January, a change of -12.79 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Exports to Italy February
In February, Vietnam exported US$389 million worth of goods to Italy, down 6.59 percent over January, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Fabric imports February
Vietnam imported fabrics to the tune of US$1,022 million in February, down from US$1,287 million in January, a change of -20.59 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Yesterday’s Vietnam news roundup
In yesterday’s Vietnam news: SK logistics firm acquires VN partner, Indian clean energy firm market entry, Vietnamese fashion Vogue feature, VNG revenue, Trade ministry industry warnings trade investigations, Vingroup block trade foreign investor US$182m, VinHomes dividend, Fertiliser prices, SK’s Hyosung VN operations struggling, Gov. economy expectations Iran war, Cassava prices rising, Stock market Wednesday, Exchange rates Wednesday, Vietnam Fuel Prices Tracker: April 1, Update, Vietnam fishery products exports February, Cement production February, Vietnam PMI March, and more. Read the full article →