This is a brief rundown of what is being reported today in Vietnam’s state-approved media 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’re operating a business or working in Vietnam and want to talk about it, reach out: mark.barnes@the-shiv.com
Foxconn expansion
Nha Dau Tu is reporting that Foxconn subsidiary EV Foxconn Energy and Components Vietnam has increased its registered capital by US$62 million and added electric vehicle charger assembly to its operations. View source→
No GMT for BOT projects proposed
Dan Tri is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance has proposed exempting government-guaranteed build-operate-transfer (BOT) power projects from the global minimum tax (GMT), by reducing the domestic top-up tax payable to zero.
The Ministry of Finance said six build-operate-transfer power projects would otherwise face about US$425.83 million in additional tax liabilities, equivalent to more than VND11 trillion (US$417.46 million). View source→
Land prices falling
VOV is reporting that Vietnam’s real estate market has entered a correction period with land prices falling by about 50 percent in some areas and apartment prices easing.
Data cited by VOV showed land prices declined about 50 percent in Phu Tho and 55 percent in parts of Bac Ninh from late-2025 peaks, while some Hanoi apartment asking prices fell 3-10 percent. View source→
Cassava chip export restrictions proposed
Dau Tu Chung Khoan is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade is considering a proposal to restrict cassava chip exports, with industry representatives suggesting the move is needed to secure supplies for domestic ethanol production.
Vietnam Biofuel Association Chairman Do Van Tuan said limiting cassava chip exports would strengthen domestic ethanol supply chains and support nationwide E10 biofuel production. View source→
Diamond trade as conditional business line proposed
Dan Tri is reporting that expanding Vietnam’s conditional business sectors to include diamond trading was raised during debate on amendments to the Investment Law.
A draft law would amend Article 6 and Appendix IV of the Investment Law, which currently lists gold trading, excluding gold jewellery and handicrafts, as a conditional business sector. View source→
Techcombank fundraising US$ loan
Bloomberg is reporting that Vietnam Technological and Commercial Joint Stock Bank, known as Techcombank, is seeking a US$1 billion offshore loan.
The proposed borrowing comprises a US$600 million three-year tranche and a US$400 million four-year tranche for general corporate purposes. View source→
Government bond auction Wednesday
The Star is reporting that Vietnam’s State Treasury raised VND7.1 trillion (US$269.45 million) in a government bond auction on August 5, its highest weekly total since mid-June, citing Reuters reporting.
The treasury sold 55 percent of bonds offered, up from 50 percent the previous week, with demand concentrated in five, 10 and 15-year maturities. View source→
Bank bond rates up
VnExpress is reporting that Sacombank raised VND3.65 trillion (US$138.52 million) through three six-year bond issues with a fixed 10 percent annual interest rate, the highest among Vietnamese bank bond sales this year. View source→
Food prices down
Thanh Nien is reporting that food prices are falling, with reports showing declines in pork, rice, vegetables and fruit.
This is in line with the consumer price index falling 0.12 percent in July from June, marking a second consecutive monthly decline. View source→
AI bank transaction approval regulations
Tuoi Tre is reporting that the State Bank of Vietnam is drafting rules that would allow artificial intelligence to automatically approve only lower-value banking transactions, with larger transactions requiring human oversight.
Deputy Director Hoang Minh Tien of the State Bank’s Information Technology Department said artificial intelligence could automatically process personal transactions from VND10 million to under VND100 million (US$380-$3,795). View source→
Stock market Wednesday
The VN-Index closed at 1,776.46, down 0.77 points or 0.04 percent, with a total trading value of VND 20,440.41 billion or US$775.73 million, and foreign traders net-buying US$18.86 million worth of equities, Wednesday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange. Read the full article →
Exchange rates Wednesday
On August 5, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,080, and the sell rate was VND 26,110, unchanged from yesterday, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,095, according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Read the full article →
Yesterday’s news roundup
In today’s Vietnam news: VAT cut extension proposal, FDI recorded Jan – July, Bamboo Airways adds flights, Carbon market stalls, HCMC data centre capacity, PM calls for lower lending interest rates, VN EPR reforms analysis, Palladium hotels market entry, TerraPay-HD Bank partnership, Rice export floor price proposed, Stock market Tuesday, Exchange rates Tuesday, Yesterday’s news roundup, and more. Read the full article →