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 yesterday’s news headlines →
Hanoi petrol motorbike ban details
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Hanoi’s planned pilot ban on petrol motorbikes in nine inner-city wards from 1 July 2026, will involve applying restrictions by the time of day or by specific zones.
Deputy Director of the city’s Department of Construction Dao Viet Long also said 20 percent of commercial transport motorbikes must convert by 1 January 2027, 50 percent by 1 January 2028 and 100 percent by 1 January 2030.
He added that from 1 July 2026, all new or replacement taxis and passenger cars up to eight seats must use clean energy.
Long stressed the rules do not force immediate conversion of existing vehicles and are not designed to favour any electric-vehicle supplier, the article says.
Ed.’s notes: Just under seven months to go, still focused on what should be achieved as opposed to how it might be achieved.
Fake Nike, Adidas, Puma seizure
VnExpress is reporting that Hanoi market inspectors and police seized nearly 6,500 suspected Nike, Adidas, and Puma counterfeit items, during a raid on 8 December.
Officials found 5,200 items labelled Nike, 1,200 sets labelled Adidas and 14 shirts labelled Puma, mostly sold online.
More fines bond disclosures
Tuoi Tre is reporting that State Securities Commission inspectors have fined four property companies for failing to disclose information on privately issued corporate bonds.
Dat Viet Development, Thuan Phat Real Estate Investment and Development, Unity Real Estate Investment, and Wincommerce Retail Services were each fined VND 92.5 million (US$3,500).
Violations included not publishing bond use-of-funds reports, bond repayment information, and audited financial statements on time.
Ed.’s notes: Adds to a series of fines issued last month – bond market increasingly important source of capital on limited opportunity for deposit growth for banks and lending already at record highs.
EV charging price regulations
Vietnamnet is reporting that electricity retail prices for electric-vehicle charging services have been formally defined under new regulations issued by Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade.
A new circular requires charging stations and battery-swap cabinets to install separate electricity meters and says if EV charging shares a meter with household use, household tariffs will apply to the entire consumption.
Ed.’s notes: Not clear why there would need to be different rates – maybe something to do with transport price controls (petrol prices are regulated).
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FDI firms listing in VN
Nha Dau Tu is reporting that Chairwoman of the State Securities Commission (SSC) Vu Thi Chan Phuong has said foreign direct investment firms that have invested and contributed to Vietnam should have the option to list locally and that making this easier was something the SSC would continue to pursue.
It notes that only 10 foreign direct investment enterprises are currently listed or registered for trading out of about 1,600 companies.
Vingroup US$3 billion India MoU
Thanh Nien is reporting that Vingroup has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Telangana, India, proposing phased investment of about US$3 billion to develop a multi-sector ecosystem.
The plan covers smart cities, manufacturing, healthcare, education, tourism, renewable energy, charging infrastructure and a green taxi service across around 2,500 hectares in Telangana.
State-media on IUU
VOV World is reporting that Vietnam’s coastal provinces are strengthening measures against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, including tighter port controls and vessel monitoring.
Quang Ngai, for example, has registered all fishing vessels in the national database and enforces strict accountability when boats violate foreign waters, the publication notes.
Ed.’s notes: Noted for timing – reported earlier this week that minimum size limits on some fish introduced to meet EU IUU fishing requirements are being rolled back.
First Aeon cinema opens
Tuoi Tre is reporting that Japan’s Aeon Entertainment and Vietnam’s Beta Media have launched their first Aeon Beta Cinema complex in Hanoi.
The joint venture plans to develop 50 premium cinema complexes nationwide by 2035, according to the announcement.
Energy development incentives
The Investor is reporting that Vietnam’s National Assembly has urged stronger incentives to attract private investment in offshore wind power and small modular nuclear reactors.
Lawmakers have said the draft resolution on energy development for 2026-2030 still prioritises state-owned enterprises in grid and offshore wind projects.
They have also called for clearer investor criteria, faster survey licensing and a legal framework governing safety and waste management for small modular nuclear reactors.
VAT changes agriculture
Tuoi Tre is reporting that Vietnam’s finance minister has acknowledged that a recent value added tax (VAT) change came into force without the capacity to administer it, forcing agricultural exporters to shoulder heavy cash-flow burdens.
The change required exporters of unprocessed farm and seafood products to pre-pay VAT and then wait for refunds.
However, lawmakers told parliament that tax offices lack the staff and systems to process refunds within the legal deadlines, leaving tens of thousands of firms short of working capital.
Finance Minister Nguyen Van Thang has confirmed the law will now be amended to reinstate the previous rules to ease pressure on exporters.
Ed.’s notes: Example of policy development with too much focus on outcome and not enough on process.
Real estate expectations 2026
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that apartment prices in Vietnam are expected to keep rising into 2026 as supply remains tight and demand from urban buyers stays strong, according to data presented at the VRES 2025 real estate conference.
Developers cited in the article say limited inner-city supply, rising land and construction costs, and improving transport infrastructure are the key drivers.
SK Group Vingroup divestment
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that South Korea’s SK Group has fully exited Vingroup (VIC) shares after six years, but sold before the stock’s steepest surge.
SK’s sales in early 2025 were at around VND 40,000 per share (US$1.52), while VIC has since hit VND 160,000 (US$6.08).
The missed gains across three divestments amount to nearly VND 38,000 billion (US$1.44 billion), based on current prices, according to the author.
Ed.’s notes: Noted for the framing as a loss for SK Group for leaving Vingroup – it would be difficult to argue that Vingroup’s fundamentals support its current stock price.
Tourists up revenues down
Tuoi Tre is reporting that Vietnam welcomed a record more than 19 million international visitors in the first 11 months of 2025, but many tourism businesses say they are not seeing a revenue windfall.
Travel companies have reported a sharp drop in high-spending tour groups, especially MICE travellers, while the number of independent visitors who book directly through online platforms has surged.
Operators say self-guided tourists often handle visas, transport and accommodation themselves and spend less on organised tours, leaving traditional firms struggling with lower margins and intense price competition.
FTZ Danang incentives
The Investor is reporting that Danang has introduced a broad package of incentives to attract investment into Vietnam’s first Free Trade Zone, established in June and covering 1,881 hectares.
Foreign companies can register without an investment licence, receive preferential customs treatment, and access a four-year corporate income tax exemption followed by nine years at a 50 percent reduction, with a 10 percent preferential rate applied for 15 years.
Fresh milk production
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam produced 146.59 million litres of fresh milk in November, up 2.32 percent from 143.27 million litres in October, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Over the first ten months of the year, output reached 1535.62 million litres.
Motor vehicles imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported motor vehicles to the tune of US$456 million in November, up from US$431 million in October, a change of 5.75 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had imported US$4,327 million worth of motor vehicles by the end of November.
Stock market Tuesday
the-shiv is reporting that the VN-Index closed at 1,747.17, down 6.57 points or 0.37 percent, with a total trading value of VND 29,492.68 billion or US$1119.27 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$93.24 million worth of equities, Tuesday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Exchange rates Wednesday
the-shiv is reporting on December 9, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 27,100 and the sell rate was VND 27,150, a change of 100 and 100, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 27,125 (down 0.37 percent), according to Ty Gia USD.
Meanwhile, the State Bank of Vietnam’s central exchange rate was set at VND 25,155, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 26,365.
Coal production
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam produced 4,426.75 thousand tons of coal in November, up 16.50 percent from 3,799.89 thousand tons in October, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Over the first ten months of the year, output reached 42,171.66 thousand tons.
