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
VinSpace to use SpaceX to launch satellite
Al Jazeera is reporting that Vietnam’s VinSpace will use SpaceX’s Transporter ride-share programme to launch its first satellites in the second quarter of 2027. View source→
TL in Australia
Bloomberg is reporting that Vietnam will restore market access to Australian kangaroo and deer meat products among a number of announcements made during President of Vietnam To Lam’s trip to Australia this week.
It comes alongside announcements that RMIT University will expand in Vietnam with a new Hanoi campus and a larger Ho Chi Minh City presence, and that VietJet will start operating direct Ho Chi Minh City-Western Sydney flights from January 2027. View source→
China response TL in Australia media framing
The Global Times is carrying an editorial arguing that foreign media has misrepresented Australia and Vietnam’s expanded cooperation (see above) by framing it as an effort to counter Chinese aggression.
The article concludes that linking the partnership to a “China threat” narrative reflects Cold War-style bloc thinking rather than recognising Vietnam’s independence in its foreign policy setting. View source→
YouTube budget option launches
Vietnamnet is reporting that YouTube has launched its lower-cost Premium Lite subscription in Vietnam, priced at VND49,000 (US$1.86) per month via the web or VND65,000 (US$2.47) through the app.
YouTube said the rollout is part of a broader expansion of Premium Lite and that subscription revenue provides an additional income stream for creators based on watch time and views. View source→
Money moving away from real estate
Lao Dong is reporting that higher borrowing costs are driving investment away from Vietnam’s property market, with a One Mount Group survey showing the share of respondents naming real estate as their preferred investment vehicle fell 23 percent in Q2 from a year earlier.
The report said mortgage rates of around 11-14 percent have weakened apartment demand in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City despite rising supply, as investors shift towards bank deposits and other financial assets. View source→
VinMetal steel complex plans
Znews is reporting that Vingroup’s VinMetal has revealed new details of its planned VND80 trillion (US$3.04 billion) steel complex in Ha Tinh.
It notes the plant will have a planned capacity of 5 million tonnes a year, including 3 million tonnes of hot-rolled coil, with construction scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026, followed by commercial operations in the first quarter of 2031. View source→
IFC arbitration waiver analysis
Kluwer Arbitration is carrying analysis of Vietnam’s new arbitration waiver at the Vietnam International Financial Centre (VIFC), arguing it is innovative but risks masking weaknesses in the country’s courts rather than strengthening confidence in them.
The author says allowing parties to waive their right to ask Vietnamese courts to set aside arbitration awards could make Vietnam a more attractive arbitration venue, but only if the reform is grounded in party autonomy rather than an attempt to avoid unpredictable court decisions. View source→
Murphy Oil new well
Offshore-Mag is reporting that Murphy Oil has started drilling a new offshore oil exploration well in Vietnam to see if it contains enough oil to be developed commercially.
If successful, the discovery could be connected to the nearby Lac Da Vang oil project, which is already being built and is expected to begin producing oil in the fourth quarter of 2026. View source→
VinFast July sales
Stock Titan is reporting that VinFast delivered 21,781 electric vehicles in Vietnam in July, up 21 percent from June, bringing total deliveries this year to 137,697. View source→
VN insurers push for greater data sharing
Asia Insurance Review is reporting that Vietnam’s non-life insurers have proposed linking the Vietnam Insurance Association’s database with traffic police records and creating shared databases for motor insurance claims histories and no-claim discounts.
The industry has also called for insurers to share health insurance claims histories and information on medical providers suspected of fraud. View source→
Gold exchange proposal analysis
EBC is carrying analysis of Vietnam’s national gold exchange proposal, arguing that it alone will not eliminate Vietnam’s high domestic gold prices because it doesn’t address the underlying shortage of physical gold.
It says the key to reducing the price premium is making gold imports more responsive to market demand, rather than simply introducing a centralised trading platform. View source→
Stock market Tuesday
The VN-Index closed at 1,773.41, down 3.36 points or 0.19 percent, with a total trading value of VND 16,005.97 billion or US$607.44 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$29.22 million worth of equities, Wednesday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Exchange rates Tuesday
On August 12, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 25,680, and the sell rate was VND 25,710, a change of 0 and 0, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 25,695 (down 0.00 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD.
Yesterday’s news
In yesterday’s Vietnam news: HCMC facing construction materials shortages, Foreign trader net sales jump, Small business tax cut proposed, Credit support major projects, Refinery expansion financing, IFC incentives, Trademark appeal procedure changes, Electronics manufacturing working conditions documentary, Education reform analysis, Drug procurement structural flaws, Stock market Monday, Exchange rates Monday, Yesterday’s news, and more. Read the full article →