This is a brief rundown of what is being reported today in Vietnam’s state-approved media and in the international press about Vietnam.
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
Vietnam Post to launch mobile network
VnExpress is reporting that Vietnam Post has entered Vietnam’s mobile telecommunications market, using infrastructure provided by state-owned Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group.
The company will handle branding, products, distribution and customer service, initially offering data-only Pottel travel SIMs for international visitors. View source→
Opening stock trading accounts online
Tuoi Tre is reporting that investors may soon be allowed to open securities accounts and complete transactions entirely online under draft Securities Law amendments expected to take effect in March 2027.
Proposed changes would also give exchange-traded funds greater investment flexibility, potentially enabling futures-based and gold funds, while easing concentration limits for securities in their underlying indexes. View source→
Grab H1 revenue VN
The Investor is reporting that Grab’s Vietnam revenue rose 12 percent year-on-year to US$140 million in the first half of 2026. View source→
Trump admin transhipment report
Trading View is reporting that the Trump administration has released a report estimating that China transhipping goods through third countries, including Vietnam, costs the US between US$19 billion and US$26 billion annually.
A White House report identified more than 40 countries with elevated transhipment risk and estimated US$67 billion of China-origin goods passed through Mexico, India and Vietnam in 2025. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Full report.
Taiwan AD investigation VN steel
Yieh is reporting that Taiwan has launched an anti-dumping investigation into certain cold-rolled stainless steel products from Vietnam.
The investigation covers imports between July 2025 and June 2026. View source→
Public asset privatisation
Tin Nhanh Chung Khoan is reporting that Vietnam’s State Capital Investment Corporation plans to fully divest from 66 companies under its 2026-2030 capital restructuring program, though will retain investments in 21 businesses.
The divestment list includes Vietnam Steel Corporation, Vinatex, Tien Phong Plastic, Domesco Medical Import Export, Pha Lai Thermal Power and several construction and infrastructure companies. View source→
Citi growth forecast upgrade
VIR is reporting that Citi Research has raised its 2026 Vietnam GDP growth forecast to around 8 percent.
Citi said exports, particularly electronics, remained resilient, while stronger trade with China, domestic consumption and sustained public infrastructure investment supported economic activity. View source→
VN biggest buyer US cotton
Fibre2Fashion is reporting that Vietnam has emerged as the largest buyer of US Upland cotton as new-season export sales accelerated at the start of the 2026-27 marketing year. View source→
Regenerative coffee investment
World Coffee Portal is reporting that IDH has launched a four-year regenerative coffee programme targeting 300,000 farmers across Vietnam, India, Colombia and Uganda, with Vietnam the first country to participate.
German retailer Aldi Sud is the programme’s first investor, supporting regenerative agriculture and emissions reductions in Vietnam’s Robusta coffee sector. View source→
Stock market Friday
The VN-Index closed at 1,729.08, down 36.55 points or 2.07 percent, with a total trading value of VND 19,394.23 billion or US$736.02 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$33.43 million worth of equities, Friday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Exchange rates Friday
On August 14, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 25,900, and the sell rate was VND 25,950, a change of 50 and 40, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 25,925 (down 0.17 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD.
Friday’s news
In today’s Vietnam news: Gov’t scrutiny trade deficit, Starlink issue naming islands South China Sea, Fuel prices revised, Starlink now available, Total real estate loans, Nowhere for HCMC sludge, Israeli airline Tel Aviv – Hanoi route canned, SBV Liquidity risk concerns, Offshore borrowing, Car sales, Concerns for domestic business growth, Stock market Thursday, Exchange rates Thursday, and more. Read the full article →