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.
New airport contract currency dispute
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) is seeking to switch part of the Long Thanh Airport contract from US dollar to Vietnamese dong payments, arguing domestically sourced components must be settled in local currency under procurement law.
The dispute centres on a nearly US$339 million contract with IC Ictas, the lead contractor of the Vietur consortium, whose bid included US dollar payments for the construction and installation of equipment at the passenger terminal.
ACV said a contract review found many items sourced or supplied in Vietnam, prompting a proposal to split costs and apply a pre-bid exchange rate of VND 23,650 per US dollar.
IC Ictas rejected the plan, seeking full US dollar payments or use of a current rate of about VND 26,000, citing exchange rate risks.
Ed.’s notes: Using the higher rate increases the payout by roughly VND 796.7 billion (US$30 million) compared to ACV’s proposed rate; see also attempts by EVN to renege on previously agreed feed-in-tariffs, and a pattern starts to emerge.
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Analysis of Vietjet COMAC deal
Fulcrum is carrying analysis, penned by Hoang Thi Ha, that suggests VietJet’s mid-April agreement to lease 10 COMAC C909 aircraft reflects a pragmatic experiment in foreign policy.
Ha argues the deal shows Vietnam managing China ties through an economy-first approach, using commercial decisions to navigate political and strategic considerations. View source→
Ed.’s notes: 1. As Reuters pointed out last week, Vietjet has 600 planes on order, next to a fleet of 135. It seems unlikely all of those orders will be filled.
2. There was a financing component to this deal – Vietjet has had problems in the past fulfilling its debt obligations to its international creditors – possibly a financial decision as opposed to political.
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Outbound investment policy shift
Lexology is carrying an article from Indochine Counsel re: a shift to a risk-based management approach for Vietnam’s outward investment regime.
It notes a new decree reduces procedures for projects under VND7 billion (US$270,000), but that it introduces stricter conditions for foreign-controlled companies, including profitability requirements and tighter rules on capital sources and investment sequencing. View source→
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PIT / VAT / SCT / CIT amendments added to NA agenda
VN Economy is reporting that the National Assembly has approved adding four tax law amendments to its first session agenda.
The proposed revisions cover Personal Income Tax, Value Added Tax, Corporate Income Tax, and Special Consumption Tax. View source→
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Economist response re: gold loans
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that economist Dr Le Ba Chi Nhan has warned of major economic risks if businesses are allowed to borrow gold from the public.
Nhan identified three risks: systemic exposure from gold price volatility, weakening of the Vietnamese dong as savings shift to gold, and an unregulated shadow credit market.
He added that such arrangements also pose risks to lenders due to a lack of insurance and oversight, and could create complex legal disputes if prices fluctuate. View source→
Ed.’s notes: This follows on from reports yesterday, the VGTA is proposing jewellers be allowed to borrow gold — on which they will pay interest — from the public.
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VGTA pushes for gold imports
VnExpress is reporting that the Vietnam Gold Traders Association has proposed allowing businesses to import raw gold under contracts with foreign partners, registered via commercial banks.
The association said the policy would ensure material supply, estimating demand at about 50 tonnes annually, equivalent to US$5 billion.
It added monthly foreign currency needs of about US$416 million would not significantly affect the interbank market. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Follows on from gold loan proposal from yesterday – push might be indicative of supply stress on jewelery makers.
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Stock market cap to GDP target 120%
VnExpress is reporting that Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang has said the government is targeting stock market capitalisation of 120 percent of gross domestic product by 2028.
He stated the goal is to develop capital markets as a medium- and long-term funding channel to reduce reliance on bank credit. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Doesn’t mention stock quality or sustainability or how figure of 120 percent was reached. It’s currently about 78 percent of GDP — needs to grow a lot in a very short amount of time.
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Base wage hike proposed
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that a proposal to raise the base salary to VND2.65–2.7 million (US$100–102) has been floated.
It has been argued that the planned increase to VND2.53 million (US$96) from 1 July 2026 remains insufficient to meet minimum living costs. View source→
Ed.’s notes: government employee wages are base salary times a coefficient — not to be confused with the minimum wage.
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Fuel prices reduced
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that petrol and oil prices ahve been reduced by VND660–3,190.
RON95-III fell by VND720 to VND23,040 (US$0.87) per litre, while E5 RON92 dropped by VND660 to VND21,930 (US$0.83).
Diesel and mazut prices were also cut, with diesel at VND27,850 (US$1.06) and mazut at VND19,630 (US$0.74).
The Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance also mandated contributions to the fuel price stabilisation fund across all fuel categories. View source→
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Tougher fines for social media content proposed
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that the Ministry of Public Security has proposed tougher criminal penalties for online defamation, insults, and false advertising.
The draft amendments to the Penal Code, open for comment until 7 May 2026, would raise sanctions from administrative fines to higher criminal liability. View source→
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Vietnam Fuel Prices Tracker: April 22, Update
This article tracks developments in Vietnam’s energy sector in the context of the emerging conflict in Iran and its impact on energy resources moving through the Strait of Hormuz. Read the full article →
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Stock market Tuesday
The VN-Index closed at 1,833.48, down 3.63 points or 0.20 percent, with a total trading value of VND 24,947.16 billion or US$946.76 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$14.42 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 April 21, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,600, and the sell rate was VND 26,650, a change of 30 and 20, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,625 (down 0.09 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Read the full article →
Iron and steel exports March
Vietnam exported iron and steel to the tune of US$698 million in March, up from US$515 million in February, a change of 35.50 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Coffee exports March
Vietnam exported coffee to the tune of US$990 million in March, up from US$672 million in February, a change of 47.45 percent, 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: Construction materials mining violations, Roadmap for shifting flights from old to new airport HCMC, Crackdown on stalled projects Hanoi, Korea-Japan thermal power plant project online, Singapore energy firm signs VN gas deal, Huawei SHB cooperation agreement, Gold association wants gold loans for jewellery makers, Lawmakers call for private sector support law, 18-year-old unfinished housing project referred to MPS, Vietnamese Coffee and the Iran War: Prices Down, Input Costs Up, Exchange rates Monday, Stock market Monday, Coal production March, and more. Read the full article →