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 →
Automotive MoU Geleximco-China’s LeeKr
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Geleximco has signed a cooperation agreement with China’s LeeKr Technology, giving the Chinese chassis-systems supplier a pathway into Vietnam’s electric-vehicle market.
The memorandum of understanding covers advanced automotive chassis components and aims to deepen supply-chain integration between the two companies, the publication says.
State coverage bankruptcy costs
VnExpress is reporting that Vietnam’s National Assembly has passed the Recovery and Bankruptcy Law, allowing the state to advance bankruptcy costs for firms that have run out of money, effective 1 March 2026.
The advances apply in simplified bankruptcy cases where a company has no assets or cannot sell remaining assets, to be repaid once liquidation generates proceeds.
Revised VAT passes NA
VnExpress is reporting that Vietnam’s National Assembly has approved amendments to the Value Added Tax Law, eliminating the 5 percent VAT on unprocessed or minimally processed agricultural and aquatic products from 2026.
The exemption applies both at import and domestic sale stages, and buyers such as firms and cooperatives will no longer incur VAT on these inputs.
Ed.’s notes: Follows on from widely reported challenges in receiving timely VAT refunds (on account of under resourced tax office) which choked up cash flow for agriculture middle-persons.
Conditional investment sectors updated
Tuoi Tre is reporting that Vietnam’s National Assembly has approved amendments to the Investment Law that abolish 38 conditional investment and business sectors.
The removed sectors span administrative procedures, logistics, construction, wildlife-related activities, food-safety services, cultural services and several technical fields such as energy auditing and data-centre operations
Mexico import tariffs
Tuoi Tre is reporting that Mexico’s Senate has approved new import duties of 5 percent to 50 percent on more than 1,400 products from Asian countries without trade agreements, including China, India, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia.
Analysts say the policy aligns with US concerns over Chinese rerouting through third countries and comes as Mexico prepares for next year’s USMCA review, despite government denials of pressure from Washington.
Ed.’s notes: Mexico and VN both in CPTPP so limited, if any, direct impact, however, raises the prospect of other countries circumventing Mexico tariffs through VN – possible boost to VN FDI. Monitoring.
Power purchase agreement access expanded
Dan Tri is reporting that Vietnam’s National Assembly has approved a resolution expanding direct power purchase agreement access, allowing retail electricity units in industrial zones, economic zones and high-tech parks to participate from March 2026.
Under the scheme, parties connected by private transmission lines can negotiate their own electricity prices, covering generation, grid investment, operation and resale costs.
Land Law changes resolution
Nha Dau Tu is reporting that Vietnam’s National Assembly has passed a resolution that removes bottlenecks in the 2024 Land Law, with a focus on faster land acquisition, clearer pricing rules and greater flexibility for investors.
The resolution adds new grounds for compulsory land recovery, replaces “specific land prices” with a unified land-price table for both compensation and land-use fees, and eases conditions for converting agricultural land to residential use with partial retroactive relief.
Ed.’s notes: Need to look into this further.
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Rare earths regulations
VN Economy is reporting that Vietnam has amended the Geology and Minerals Law to classify rare earths as a strategic mineral requiring strict state control and banning raw exports.
Only state designated or state approved organisations may explore, mine, process and use rare earths, with approval from the Prime Minister required.
SSI no bubble stocks
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that SSI Securities has said the VN Index is forming a bottom and is likely to enter a strong upswing from 2026.
SSI said historical data shows a 75 percent probability of gains from December to March, and noted that foreign outflows of about VND 6,800 billion (US$258 million) in November have eased, the article says.
The article also notes that foreign investors returned to net buying in early December (it’s not clear if this is the analysis of the author or SSI).
Ed.’s notes: Past performance is not an indicator of future results. To COB yesterday foreign investors have net sold US$30 millions so far in December.
US-Singapore JV soy bean plant
The Investor is reporting that a US–Singapore joint venture has invested more than US$100 million to add a second soybean crushing line in southern Vietnam.
Vietnam Agriculture Limited, owned by Bunge and Wilmar International, inaugurated the new 4,000-ton-per-day line at Phu My 1 Industrial Park, raising total capacity to 7,800 tons daily.
Vingroup share price drop
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that shares in the Vingroup group ecosystem fell on December 11, with VIC, VPL and VHM together pulling down the VN Index by nearly 10 points.
The publication notes that foreign investors sold more than 7 million VIC shares worth over VND 1,100 billion (US$41.8 million), about 10.2 million VPL shares worth more than VND 1,100 billion (US$41.8 million), and 2.7 million VHM shares worth nearly VND 290 billion (US$11 million) between December 9 and 11.
It also notes that the sell-off coincided with quarterly portfolio rebalancing by the VanEck Vectors Vietnam ETF and Xtrackers Vietnam Swap UCITS ETF, which are expected to offload 7.7 million VIC shares due to being over weight limits on account of the rapid growth in the stocks’ prices.
International maritime centre HCMC
VnExpress is reporting that Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung has instructed the Ministry of Construction to lead the development of a strategy to establish an international maritime centre in Ho Chi Minh City.
The order follows recommendations from the Private Sector Development Research Board, which has said Vietnam loses about US$1 billion annually due to fragmented port infrastructure and shallow waterways.
It also estimated that a Ho Chi Minh City maritime centre would require around US$10 billion in public-private investment over 5 to 10 years.
Logistics sector development
Tuoi Tre is reporting that Vietnam’s logistics costs remain among the highest in the region, citing Vietnam Report as saying transport networks are still lack synchronisation across road, rail, inland waterway, seaport and aviation systems, increasing transit times and pushing up handling and delivery costs.
It also notes that domestic logistics firms are mostly small and medium-sized with limited capital, technology and service integration, allowing foreign carriers and multinational logistics companies to dominate high-value segments like deep-sea shipping and integrated supply-chain services.
As a result, Vietnam recorded a US$7.1 billion shortfall in 2024, it says.
Wood manufacturer challenges
Vietnamnet is reporting that delegates at the Vietnam Timber and Forest Products Association’s fifth congress outlined major challenges facing wood manufacturers including rising input costs, falling selling prices, legal risks over material origins and supply-chain disruptions.
Speakers said craft villages also struggle with outdated designs and limited digital capacity, while the agriculture and environment ministry urged the association to help firms meet legal-timber standards, expand markets and build transparent, sustainable supply chains.
Business concerns exchange rate
Thanh Nien is reporting that Vietnam’s USD/VND exchange rate has cooled in recent days, but businesses exposed to currency swings say risks remain.
The publication notes firms with large USD debts reported substantial foreign-exchange losses, while exporters in sectors such as seafood, rubber and electronics have gained from a stronger USD.
Tourism operators are also cited as saying a weaker VND makes Vietnam more attractive but raises costs for equipment and outbound travel.
Ed.’s notes: Adds to case for floating currency.
CNBC VN stock market analysis
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam’s stock market is being described by international media as one of Asia’s most attractive opportunities, with CNBC calling valuations “super cheap”.
CNBC has reported that the VanEck Vietnam ETF has risen nearly 62 percent in 2025, outperforming both China-focused ETFs and the broader emerging-market benchmark, while the VN-Index is up 38 percent year to date, the publication says
Ed.’s notes: This is the CNBC article. Final paragraph reads:
“There aren’t many ways for US investors to gain exposure to the Vietnamese market. However, they can obtain that through the VNM. It charges 0.68% in fees and has more than $580 million in assets.”
Not labelled sponsored but sounds and reads a lot like it might be.
EV charging network expansion
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Tasco Auto and Esky have formed a strategic partnership to build a nationwide fast-charging network for electric vehicles, with the first 50 direct-current fast chargers to be installed at Tasco Auto showrooms in the first quarter of 2026.
The second phase will expand coverage across all Tasco Auto showrooms and into service centres, parking facilities and maintenance hubs in the company’s wider ecosystem, increasing access to rapid charging nationwide.
Vietnam car sales
the-shiv is reporting that total car sales in Vietnam reached 33,689 units in November compared to 31,844 units in October, an increase of 5.79 percent, according to data from the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA).
Iron & steel exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported iron and steel to the tune of US$440 million in November, down from US$464 million in October, a change of -5.29 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$6,076 million worth of iron and steel by the end of November.
Stock market Thursday
the-shiv is reporting that The VN-Index closed at 1,698.90, down 20.08 points or 1.17 percent, with a total trading value of VND 16,244.28 billion or US$616.48 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$18.86 million worth of equities, Thursday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Exchange rates Thursday
the-shiv is reporting that on December 11, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 27,120 and the sell rate was VND 27,180, a change of 20 and 30, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 27,150 (up 0.09 percent), according to Ty Gia USD.
Meanwhile, the State Bank of Vietnam’s central exchange rate was set at VND 25,154, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 26,332.
Imports from India
the-shiv is reporting that in November, Vietnam imported US$543.30 million worth of goods from India, up from US$504.72 million in October, a change of 7.64 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Exports to Germany
the-shiv is reporting that in November, Vietnam exported US$808 million worth of goods to Germany, down 1.24 percent over October, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
