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
LNY holiday 2027
Nguoi Dua Tin is reporting that Vietnam’s labour federation has endorsed a proposal for a seven-day Lunar New Year holiday in 2027, from February 4-10.
The organisation has also backed proposals for a four-day National Day holiday on September 2-5 and a four-day Reunification Day and Labour Day break on April 30-May 3, 2027. View source→
Steel industry performance Q2 2026
Vietstock is reporting that Vietnam’s steel industry showed an improved second quarter of 2026 as stronger domestic demand, higher steel prices and improved margins offset continued weakness in export markets.
The article argues that domestic infrastructure spending and a recovering property market will continue to support the sector, making local demand the industry’s main growth driver.
However, it says steelmakers still face three major challenges: rising trade barriers in export markets, pressure to invest in greener production, and volatile global raw material prices. View source→
Banks lowering lending interest rates
Thanh Nien is reporting that several Vietnamese banks have cut lending rates and launched new preferential loan packages after the State Bank of Vietnam called for lower borrowing costs.
LPBank, BVBank and Nam A Bank announced reduced lending rates and dedicated credit packages for small and medium-sized enterprises, exporters, manufacturers, agriculture and other priority sectors. View source→
Proposal to restart construction on Saigon One tower
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that the developer of IFC One Saigon, formerly known as Saigon One, a US$256 million skyscraper project in central Ho Chi Minh City that has been stalled since 2012, has asked authorities to allow the building to be completed.
The 42-storey mixed-use tower is about 80 percent structurally complete, but has remained unfinished for more than a decade due to legal, financing and ownership issues, including its links to the Van Thinh Phat group. View source→
Carbon trading scheme expansion
Dan Tri is reporting that the government has expanded the number of firms required to measure and report their greenhouse gas emissions to 2,411, with the updated list taking effect from September 25.
The new decision adds 245 facilities to the 2024 list, with transport and construction accounting for 464 covered sites. View source→
Premium apartments difficult to move
VnExpress is reporting that high apartment prices and higher borrowing costs are making premium homes increasingly difficult to sell in Ho Chi Minh City.
The article argues that affordability, rather than demand, has become the market’s biggest constraint, as buyers avoid large mortgages and instead seek lower-priced apartments. View source→
E-commerce market growth slows
Tuoi Tre is reporting that Vietnam’s e-commerce market continued to grow in the first half of 2026, but at a slower pace as consumers became more price-sensitive amid rising living costs.
A YouNet ECI report said gross merchandise value across Shopee, TikTok Shop, Lazada and Tiki rose 19 percent year on year to VND 264.8 trillion (US$10.05 billion), down from 23 percent growth a year earlier. View source→
Copyright infringement video game
Thanh Nien is reporting that Vietnamese police have charged a man in Quang Ninh province with copyright infringement after alleging he earned nearly VND2.5 billion (US$94,900) running an unauthorised copy of the online game Ninja School Online.
Investigators said Nguyen Manh Can hired a developer to create a game that copied the original’s gameplay, characters, storyline and interface before releasing it online for computers and mobile devices. View source→
Possible second LNG supply contract
Reuters is reporting that the government is considering a second long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply contract with state-owned PV GAS to test supplier interest in a five-year agreement to support the country’s expanding LNG import infrastructure.
According to a Reuters-reviewed document, PV GAS is seeking market feedback on a contract to supply 250,000-450,000 tonnes of LNG annually to the Thi Vai terminal from January 2027 or later, although no tender has yet been launched. View source→
Vietnam manufacturing development analysis
Think China is carrying an article that argues that while Chinese manufacturers are rapidly expanding into Vietnam, the country has not yet built the industrial ecosystem needed to become an independent manufacturing powerhouse.
The article presents two competing views on whether Vietnam can move up the value chain. One argues China’s dominance risks hollowing out Vietnam’s domestic industrial base, while the other contends participation in Chinese-led supply chains can eventually build local capabilities. View source→
Stock market Wednesday
The VN-Index closed at 1,793.18, up 19.77 points or 1.11 percent, with a total trading value of VND 14,041.15 billion or US$532.87 million, and foreign traders net-buying US$11.88 million worth of equities, Wednesday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Exchange rates Wednesday
On August 12, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 25,750, and the sell rate was VND 25,800, a change of 70, and 90, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 25,775 (up 0.31 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD.
Yesterday’s news
In yesterday’s Vietnam news: VinSpace to use SpaceX to launch satellite, TL in Australia, China response TL in Australia media framing, YouTube budget option launches, Money moving away from real estate, VinMetal steel complex plans, IFC arbitration waiver analysis, Murphy Oil new well, VinFast July sales, VN insurers push for greater data sharing, Gold exchange proposal analysis, Stock market Tuesday, Exchange rates Tuesday, and more. Read the full article →