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
Fuel price changes
Thanh Nien is reporting that Vietnam raised retail fuel prices on August 20, with petrol increasing by up to VND 598 (US$0.02) per litre and diesel by VND 1,310 (US$0.05).
E10 RON95 petrol rose to VND 22,668 (US$0.86) per litre, while diesel climbed to VND 28,543 (US$1.08) per litre. View source→
Removing export barriers to reduce trade deficit
Dan Tri is reporting that Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc has ordered ministries to remove export barriers in light of Vietnam’s trade deficit reaching US$20.3 billion.
More specifically, he has ordered faster value-added tax refunds, export credit access, and agricultural market openings to reduce costs for exporters. View source→
Land valuation changes
VnExpress is reporting that the National Assembly is considering a proposal to return to state-set land prices among a range of changes to key real estate regulations. View source→
Carbon market challenges
Tia Sang is carrying analysis of Vietnam’s carbon market, arguing that the roughly US$5 per ton local price, which is far below Europe’s €80, reflects market scarcity rather than differences in emissions-reduction costs. View source→
Adidas possible kit supplier VN soccer
Footy Headlines is reporting that Adidas will likely be the next kit supplier for Vietnam’s national football team after Jogarbola’s contract expires in 2027.
It also notes that the German sportswear company had supplied Vietnam’s national team from 1995 to 2004. View source→
Carbon market agreement w/Singapore
Carbon Credits is reporting that Vietnam has approved a carbon-credit Implementation Agreement with Singapore, advancing plans for bilateral trading.
The agreement allows eligible Vietnamese projects to generate internationally transferred mitigation outcomes for Singapore, subject to approval, verification and accounting requirements. View source→
SBV outlook
Cafe F is reporting that the State Bank of Vietnam has warned that monetary policy has very limited scope to support growth because of inflation, international pressures and banking-system funding constraints.
It has called for fiscal policy to drive growth through public investment and targeted stimulus instead. View source→
VN response US transhipment report
Thanh Nien is reporting that the government has responded to the United States identifying Vietnam among 40 trading partners possibly being used to circumvent tariffs on China, though the response was vague, basically just saying that discussions with the US will continue. View source→
Long Thanh airport progress report
Tuoi Tre is reporting that contractors working on the Long Thanh International Airport have said the project remains on track for its December operational deadline despite labour, payment, equipment and procedural bottlenecks.
The article notes there is a shortage of about 1,668 workers across major packages, including engineers, technical specialists and skilled workers and that changes to equipment to be used compared to what was initially planned for have delayed progress as contractors seek approval for the changes. View source→
Stock market Thursday
The VN-Index closed at 1,734.24, up 7.55 points or 0.44 percent, with a total trading value of VND 13,471.96 billion or US$511.27 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$23.42 million worth of equities, Thursday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Exchange rates Thursday
On August 20, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 25,850, and the sell rate was VND 25,900, a change of 100 and 100, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 25,875 (up 0.39 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD.
Yesterday’s news
In yesterday’s Vietnam news: ESL provider possible sale, Waste-to-energy project breaks ground, Driver shortages?, Drugs stores fined, Bad debts rising, Securities firm fined, Industrial property market stable, Crypto exchange and FATF, Land clearance reform proposal, AES divestment power plant, Stock market Wednesday, Exchange rates Wednesday, Yesterday’s news, and more. Read the full article →