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.
Gaming market Vietnam
Pocket Gamer is reporting that over half of Vietnam’s population plays mobile games, with spending reaching US$825 million in 2025, according to Gamota’s Vietnam Mobile Gaming Year in Review 2025.
Vietnam has about 54 million mobile gamers, averaging 2.5 hours daily, with Android accounting for 57 percent of users and up to 10 percent classified as paying players, the article notes. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Source report.
Know more? Let us know →
Growth targets confirmed
The Investor is reporting that Vietnam’s National Assembly approved the 2026–2030 socio-economic plan last Friday, targeting at least 10 percent annual growth and US$8,500 per capita income by 2030.
Chairman Phan Van Mai said the plan aims to place Vietnam among the world’s 30 largest economies, shifting toward innovation, digital transformation, and higher labour productivity. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Makes it official.
Know more? Let us know →
Choco-pie survival story
The Korea Times is reporting that Orion Vietnam drew online attention after a Vietnamese student survived 37 hours stranded on Tam Dao Mountain from April 19 to 21 by eating Choco-pies. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Noted for Choco-pie as food and beverage cultural phenomenon – also popular as alter offerings – Orion from South Korea.
Know more? Let us know →
Marithe + Francois Girbaud first store HCMC
Inside Retail is reporting that French fashion label Marithe + Francois Girbaud opened its first Vietnam store at Takashimaya in Ho Chi Minh City.
The launch, in partnership with Jaspal Group, follows the brand’s February expansion into Cambodia and ongoing growth in South Korea and Greater China. View source→
Know more? Let us know →
Government borrowing 2026
VnExpress is reporting that the government plans to borrow nearly VND970 trillion (US$36.8 billion) in 2026, about 20 percent higher than last year’s target, according to the Ministry of Finance.
The Ministry of Finance said domestic government bonds will be the main funding source, with about VND500 trillion (US$19.0 billion) to be raised via Hanoi Stock Exchange auctions. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Gov. bond needs = roughly US$1.6 billion a month. About US$2 billion on offer March, but only US$742 million bought = yields might need to go a bit higher.
Know more? Let us know →
GE CEO comments on VN LNG-renewables switch
The Investor is reporting that GE Vernova CEO Scott Strazik has told an earnings call that the company is in talks with its Vietnamese partner, to whom it was to supply gas turbines, regarding a proposed shift from liquefied natural gas power to renewables.
Strazik said GE Vernova is engaging with customers evaluating gas versus renewables, but did not identify the Vietnamese partner involved. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Noteworthy in that The Investor (state-media) finds it newsworthy — Likely referring to Vingroup, which requested to change a planned LNG power plant in March to renewables, but The Investor doesn’t mention that. Earnings call transcript.
Know more? Let us know →
Japan organises 4m barrels crude for VN
Agenzia Nova is reporting that Japan’s Idemitsu Kosan has arranged about 4 million barrels of Middle East crude for Vietnam.
The volume is equivalent to roughly 10 days of Vietnam’s oil demand.
Idemitsu Kosan is a major shareholder in the Nghi Son refinery, which historically has imported most of its raw crude from Kuwait. View source→
Know more? Let us know →
E-commerce spending Q1
Dan Tri is reporting that data analytics firm Metric has found that Vietnamese consumers spent VND148,600 billion (US$5.64 billion) on four e-commerce platforms in Q1, averaging VND1,651 billion (US$62.7 million) daily.
Sales across Shopee, TikTok Shop, Lazada and Tiki rose 46.6 percent year-on-year, with 1.14 billion products sold, up 19 percent, the article says. View source→
Know more? Let us know →
Nike / Adidas supplier records net loss in Q1
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Century Synthetic Fiber Corporation, a supplier to Nike and Adidas, has reported a net loss of over VND34 billion (US$1.29 million) in Q1 2026.
The company said weaker market demand and stoppage costs affected performance. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Article doesn’t explain the stoppages or increase in financial costs.
Know more? Let us know →
Oil shipment costs up 240 percent
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Petrolimex chief executive Luu Van Tuyen has reported that import costs for a 40,000-tonne oil shipment have risen to US$85–87 million from US$25–26 million, on the back of the Middle East fuel crisis.
Chairman Pham Van Thanh said the company had maintained supply and accepted losses to ensure market stability. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Shipment costs up 240 percent, retail fuel prices at peak late-March petrol / diesel up 50 percent / 106 percent, respectively.
Know more? Let us know →
Stock market Tuesday
The VN-Index closed at 1,875.84, up 22.55 points or 1.22 percent, with a total trading value of VND 19,422.00 billion or US$737.08 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$20.23 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 28, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,750, and the sell rate was VND 26,800, a change of 80 and 100, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,775 (up 0.34 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Read the full article →
Interview: Nuno Ribeiro | Tourism & Hospitality Expert | RE: Vietnam tourism + energy crisis + sustainability
This is an interview with Dr Nuno F. Ribeiro, Associate Professor, International Tourism & Hospitality Management at Copenhagen Business College, formerly of RMIT Vietnam. It covers Vietnam’s tourism industry and the fuel crisis, sustainability, and human resources development. Read the full article →
Vietnam cotton imports
Vietnam imported cotton to the tune of US$252 million in March, up from US$161.76 million in February, a change of 55.79 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: VN SK Supermarket chain MoU, Credit limits weighing on bank growth, Singapore legal action HCMC Empire City development, Phu Quoc Casino profit woes, LNG imports increase, SK Group AI data centre VN, Petrol retailers push remove price restrictions, Capital market risks, Powdered milk production March, Ceramics exports March, Yesterday’s Vietnam news roundup, and more. Read the full article →