This is a brief rundown of what is being reported today in Vietnam’s state-approved media and some others.
It compiles coverage from official outlets like Dan Tri, Tuoi Tre, and VN Express, highlighting the narratives currently shaping the country’s economic, financial, and business news landscape.
See Saturday’s news headlines →
Emissions standards
Vietnamplus is reporting that the Deputy Prime Minister has signed a decision detailing a roadmap for applying national technical standards on vehicle exhaust emissions from 1 March 2026.
The decision defines which vehicles are covered, with foreign-registered vehicles on temporary entry and defence and security vehicles excluded.
The roadmap assigns emission Levels 1 to 5, aligned with Euro 1 to Euro 5, based on the year of production.
PM logistics target
Dan Tri is reporting that the Prime Minister has told the Vietnam Logistics Forum 2025 in Da Nang the logistics sector need to grow 15–16 percent per year over the next five years.
He said that logistics must expand 1.5 times faster than gross domestic product and that national logistics costs should be cut to 11–12 percent of gross domestic product.
Ed.’s notes: No policy announced/specific details provided re: how this might be achieved.
SK entertainment hub development
MK is reporting that South Korea’s Blooming Sky has received investment approval to build a major cultural, sports and entertainment complex in Gia Lai Province, with total investment of about VND 2.5 trillion (US$94.9 million).
Provincial leaders say the complex is expected to support cultural exchange, attract tourists and host international entertainment and sports events.
New Aeon mall
Nha Dau Tu is reporting that Aeon Vietnam has held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Aeon My Tho shopping centre.
The project is estimated to cost more than VND 1,000 billion (US$38 million) and scheduled to open in 2027.
Build-transfer proposed LL revisions
Tuoi Tre is reporting that the Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association (HoREA) has proposed adding a provision to the National Assembly’s draft resolution on implementing the Land Law to redefine the timing for land-valuation in build–transfer projects.
The association said land used to “pay” investors should be valued at the time the BT contract is signed or when the investor hands over the completed BT works. The current rules value land when the state “pays” the investor which can be years later.
HoREA cited the MHL–Air Defence and Air Force BT project, where the investor finished and handed over works in 2018 but only received the allocated land in March 2025.
Ed.’s notes: Problem = land-use fee paid by recipient and calculated on land value; aside from that, not in article but seven years is a long time to wait – concerns re: ability to attract investors in future BT projects?
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High tech incentives
Tin Nhanh Chung Khoan is reporting that National Assembly delegates have warned that proposed amendments to the Law on High Technology could weaken current incentives for foreign high-tech investors.
They say the wording on incentives is too vague and are concerned requiring a minimum of 30 percent local ownership in order to receive top tier incentives may discourage foreign investment, the publication says.
Ed.’s notes: In lieu of local ownership minimums, another approach might be to tackle why foreign firms prefer not to work with local firms (capability gaps, governance issues, trust barriers, for example).
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Outbound investment regulations
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that a State Bank of Vietnam circular taking effect in December 2025 sets out five cases in which economic organisations may open foreign-currency accounts overseas.
Enterprises can open accounts to establish or operate branches and representative offices abroad, serve those overseas units, implement foreign loans, meet commitments under public–private partnership projects, and execute contracts with foreign partners.
Ed.’s notes: Capital controls as a barrier to economic development, private sector development in particular.
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Foreign teacher qualifications
Tuoi Tre is reporting that Vietnam is seeking public comment on a draft decree that sets detailed standards for foreign educators working in management, teaching, research and academic exchange across all education levels.
The draft requires foreign teachers to hold relevant qualifications, teaching certificates or experience, with separate rules for preschool, secondary and higher education.
English language teachers must meet degree and language-teaching certificate requirements, while higher-education staff must hold at least a master’s degree or show research output in recognised international journals.
The draft allows exemptions for individuals with special expertise, patents, scientific awards or government-backed cooperation commitments.
Ed.’s notes: Something about the difference between what you want versus what you can get.
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Talent competitiveness index
VnExpress is reporting that Vietnam is ranked fourth in Southeast Asia in the Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2025, behind Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines.
The index ranks Vietnam 76th worldwide, down one position from 2023, based on 77 indicators across 135 economies.
Vietnam recorded its strongest results in its capacity to develop and upgrade workforce skills and weakest performance in retaining talent, and in high-level professional and academic capabilities.
Ed.’s notes: Original report.
Phu Quoc power cable cut
VnExpress is reporting that an undersea cable fault has caused a major power outage on Phu Quoc, leaving more than 12,000 households without electricity after a contractor damaged the Ha Tien–Phu Quoc line.
A coastal road contractor likely drove piles into the electricity safety corridor near Ha Tien, rupturing the 110kV cable supplying the island, the publication is reporting, citing the An Giang Power Company.
Flower industry under pressure
Thanh Nien is reporting that severe storms, floods and prolonged rain have destroyed large areas of flower production in Gia Lai, Ho Chi Minh City and parts of the Mekong Delta, leaving many growers facing heavy losses ahead of Tet.
Producers also worry that weak consumer spending will further reduce demand for Tet flowers, with traders showing little interest compared with the same period last year, the publication says.
Trump-developer stalled port project
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that a planned US$5 billion Nam Do Son port project backed by Kinh Bac Urban Development Corporation (KBC), which is also leading the Trump golf course project in Hung Yen, has stalled.
Kinh Bac Urban Development Corporation signed a cooperation agreement in September 2023 with Hai Phong authorities and several Vietnamese and US partners to research a US$5 billion, 5,000-hectare Nam Do Son port complex.
More than two years later, Kinh Bac has made no further moves with no word from Kinh Bac as to why.
Ed.’s notes: Adds to narrative questioning KBC’s ability/intention to actually complete the Trump golf course project.
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Phone components production
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam produced VND 66.01 trillion worth of phone components in October, up 1.95 percent from VND 64.75 trillion in September, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Over the first ten months of the year, the value of Vietnam phone component output reached VND 498.70 trillion.
Cashew nut imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported cashew nuts to the tune of US$258 million in October, down from US$401 million in September, a change of -35.64 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had imported US$3,977 million worth of cashew nuts by the end of October.
Exports to Hong Kong
the-shiv is reporting that in October, Vietnam exported US$1.4 billion worth of goods to Hong Kong, down 22.51 percent over September, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has exported US$14,329 million worth of goods to Hong Kong.
Motor vehicles imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported motor vehicles to the tune of US$431 million in October, up 7.26 percent over September, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had imported US$3,848 million worth of motor vehicles by the end of October.
Yarn exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported yarn to the tune of US$360 million in October, 1.30 percent over September, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$3,548 million worth of yarn by the end of October.
Television set production
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam produced 1969.74 a thousand of televisions in October, down 1.04 percent from 1,990.47 a thousand in September, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Over the first ten months of the year, output reached 17,560.40 a thousand.
Mobile phone production
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam produced 16.84 million mobile phones in October, up 4.91 percent from 16.05 million pieces in September, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Over the first ten months of the year, output reached 156.97 million pieces.
Ceramic products exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported ceramic products to the tune of US$61 million in October, 18.09 percent over September, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$532 million worth of ceramic products by the end of October.
