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.
Invoices foreign currency trading
Thanh Nien is reporting that Vietnamese tax authorities in Dong Nai issued guidance on December 11 informing companies without foreign exchange trading licences that they would need to issue invoices when selling foreign currency to banks.
Tax experts and lawyers, however, have said foreign currency is a means of payment for ordinary businesses, not a traded good, and such transactions are financial operations not requiring invoices.
Businesses warned inconsistent tax guidance and penalties could create compliance risks, noting companies have historically not issued invoices for foreign currency sales to banks.
Bonded cold storage warehouse
Thanh Nien is reporting that a 110,000 pallet bonded cold storage facility operated by New Era Cold Storage Joint Stock Company was inaugurated in Tay Ninh province on December 12.
It can store goods across temperatures from minus 22 degrees Celsius to plus 25 degrees Celsius and has been approved by customs for a digital bonded cold warehouse model.
Vingroup stadium proposal
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vingroup has proposed building a 135,000 seat stadium in Hanoi.
The Hanoi People’s Committee of Thuong Tin said it is collecting public feedback on a detailed zoning plan in response to Vingroup’s submission.
The proposed Olympic Sports Urban Area would cover more than 3,118 hectares and include housing, commercial facilities and multiple large scale sports venues.
HCMC EV transition
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Construction told the 2025 Japanese Business Roundtable Conference on December 12 that the city has no plan to mandate a switch from petrol vehicles to electric vehicles.
The department said the city is pursuing a green transition focused on upgrading existing infrastructure, easing congestion and piloting low emission public transport such as buses and taxis.
Ed.’s notes: Japanese government said Hanoi EV-only move would be disruptive for the motorbike industry and could cost jobs – supports HCMC doing its own thing on EV transition narrative.
Aircraft groundings
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that Vietnam’s Civil Aviation Authority has said 28 aircraft remained grounded as of December 15 due to engine shortages, mainly affecting Airbus A321neo jets linked to Pratt and Whitney engine supply issues.
Vietnamese airlines have 262 aircraft, including 213 serving commercial aviation, with grounded planes accounting for 13.1 percent of the commercial fleet.
Insurance Business Law update
Insurance Business Magazine is reporting that Vietnam’s National Assembly has approved amendments to the Law on Insurance Business that replace multiple ex-ante controls with risk-based supervision for the re insurance sector.
Revisions streamline investment and business conditions, reduce administrative procedures and modify how authorities oversee re insurers and related entities, the publication says citing analysis from Hanoi Re.
The law takes effect on 1 January 2026, with provisions on re insurance auxiliary services starting on 1 July 2026.
Overstay fines
Vietnam News is reporting that Vietnam will increase fines for foreign nationals who overstay their permitted residence, with penalties rising to VND 40 million (US$1,520) under Decree 282 effective from today.
The decree introduces escalating fines based on overstay length, though with fines for short overstays (under 16 days) remaining at VND 500,000 to VND 2 million (US$19 to US$76).
Overstays of one year or more, however, can face a fine roughly double the previous cap of VND 20 million (US$760), and deportation may apply from 16 days onward.
Airbag materials factory HCMC
Just-Auto is reporting that Kolon Industries Inc said it will invest KRW 70 billion (US$48 million) to build a new airbag materials plant in Ho Chi Minh City to supply Sweden based Autoliv.
The investment follows a supply agreement under which Kolon will increase deliveries to Autoliv, one of the world’s largest airbag and seatbelt manufacturers.
Capital markets reform
The Investor is reporting that Vietnam risks missing a critical development window unless it deepens its capital markets, citing Dragon Capital executive Luong Thi My Hanh speaking at a capital market forum on December 13.
Hanh noted that Vietnam remains heavily reliant on bank lending, with only about 100 investment funds, and that pension funds remain underdeveloped, with assets below VND 2 trillion (US$76.0 million).
She went on to call for tax incentives, regulatory changes and financial literacy programs to mobilise more domestic long term capital, the publication says.
Unrecognised study program
VnExpress is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training has said it is considering a comprehensive inspection of the London College for Design and Fashion Hanoi over alleged unlicensed foreign linked training programs.
Former students said they paid hundreds of millions of dong, including about VND 100 million (US$3,795), for courses marketed as globally recognised only to find out they were not valid in Vietnam.
First flight Long Thanh
Thanh Nien is reporting that Vietnam Airlines will operate the first official flight to Long Thanh International Airport on the morning of December 19.
Two additional flights operated by Vietjet Air and Bamboo Airways are scheduled to land shortly after the inaugural Vietnam Airlines flight on December 19.
Corruption money recovered
VOV is reporting that Vietnam recovered more than VND 27.42 trillion (US$1.04 billion) from economic crime and corruption cases in 2025, citing the Ministry of Justice.
The amount recovered increased by over VND 5.239 trillion (US$199 million) from 2024, according to a report presented at a national enforcement conference.
Ed.’s notes: Speaks to how widespread and costly corruption in Vietnam is.
Computers/electrical products
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported computers, electrical products, and spare-parts to the tune of US$9,597 million in November, down from US$9.8 billion in October, a change of -1.99 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Imports from the USA
the-shiv is reporting that in November, Vietnam imported US$1,766.59 million worth of goods from the USA, up from US$1,570.82 million in October, a change of 12.46 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Exports to Thailand
the-shiv is reporting that in November, Vietnam exported US$890 million worth of goods to Thailand, up 18.33 percent over October, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Textile, leather and footwear materials imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported textile, leather and footwear materials to the tune of US$626 million in November, down from US$631 million in October, a change of -0.77 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Machine and equipment exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported machine, equipment, tools and instruments to the tune of US$4,934 million in November, down from US$5,400 million in October, a change of -8.62 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Imports from China
the-shiv is reporting that In November, Vietnam imported US$16.5 billion worth of goods from China, up from US$16.4 billion in October, a change of 0.35 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Petroleum products imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported petroleum products to the tune of US$474 million in November, down from US$480 million in October, a change of -1.45 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
