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.
Japan-FPT drone partnership
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam’s FPT Group has announced that the Vietnam Low Altitude Economy Alliance has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Japan Unmanned Aircraft Systems Industrial Development Association.
The Japan Unmanned Aircraft Systems Industrial Development Association said it will share experience in standards, training and operations developed since its establishment in 2014.
VinFast factory Indonesia inaugurated
Thanh Nien is reporting that VinFast inaugurated its electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Indonesia on December 15.
The facility has a total planned investment of more than US$1 billion, with phase one capacity of 50,000 vehicles per year, with plans for up to 350,000 vehicles annually, the publication says.
Gold license deadline missed
Thanh Nien is reporting that Vietnam’s central bank had not issued any gold import or export licences to businesses or banks by the December 15 deadline set under revised regulations.
Under the rules, the State Bank of Vietnam must allocate annual quotas for gold bar and raw gold imports based on monetary policy, gold supply demand and foreign exchange reserves.
As of late December 15, some companies and banks said they had received neither licences nor formal rejection notices from the central bank, the publication says.
Ed.’s notes: It would make sense for the SBV to drag its feet on this. More gold in = more USD out with dong already under a lot of pressure.
Local gold price currently approx. 14 percent higher than world gold price.
US$44 million golf course Gia Lai
Thanh Nien is reporting that Gia Lai province has approved a new golf course project on December 15, with total planned capital of more than VND 1.15 trillion (about US$43.6 million).
The project covers more than 171 hectares and will include a 36 hole golf course combined with sports, tourism and recreational services.
Ed.’s notes: There are a lot of big golf courses projects in Vietnam but its not really clear that there is huge demand, particular in places like Gia Lai, which is a bit out the way.
LNY unconditional cash transfers
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance has said it has received a proposal for nationwide “gift” payments during Lunar New Year and major public holidays.
The proposal follows a one off National Day payment in 2025 of VND 100,000 per person, equivalent to about US$3.8.
The ministry said any future nationwide gift policy would depend on party directives, government decisions and the state budget’s capacity.
EV charging regulations
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Construction has said it is urgently drafting a national technical standard on safety for apartment buildings with electric vehicle charging facilities.
The move follows decisions by several apartment complexes in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to temporarily stop accepting or charging electric vehicles in basements over fire safety concerns.
The ministry said the new standard will apply to both existing buildings and new projects.
Local authorities said apartment managers cannot refuse electric vehicles without official guidance, noting housing law requires parking areas to serve both petrol and electric vehicles.
Ed.’s notes: A lot of buildings house many more people than they were designed for and by extension parking spaces are often overcrowded. Many weren’t designed to accommodate EVs either and lack proper charging infrastructure. In this context, whatever regulations may be enacted it’s likely they will be difficult to implement.
TCBS digital asset investment
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that Techcom Securities Joint Stock Company said it plans to invest VND 165 billion, equivalent to about US$6.26 million, in TokenBay through convertible preferred shares.
The investment would give the firm an 11 percent stake in the digital asset technology company, which was established in October 2024 with charter capital of VND 1 billion, about US$38,000.
Preferential interest green projects
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam’s central bank said it will submit a draft decree on a 2 percent interest rate subsidy for green projects to the government this week, with effect expected early next year.
Officials said outstanding green credit has grown by an average of about 21 percent annually over the past five years, with 58 credit institutions now reporting green loans.
Domestic rail development support
Vietnamnet is reporting that Vietnam’s government has issued Decree 319/2025 setting criteria to prioritise Vietnamese enterprises for railway projects tied to technology transfer, replacing previous turnkey import approaches.
The decree defines requirements on legal status, facilities, financial capacity, workforce, and commitments to master transferred railway technologies.
It applies to nationally important railway projects and aims to support domestic firms in manufacturing, materials, signalling and maintenance.
Late social insurance payments HCMC
Vietnamnet is reporting that Ho Chi Minh City Social Insurance said more than 17,700 employers were late paying social insurance contributions as of November 30, 2025.
Among the largest arrears, Hoa Binh Construction Group owed VND 56.7 billion (US$2.15 million) and Saigon Postal and Telecommunications Services owed VND 40.9 billion (US$1.55 million).
Other companies listed included AIS American International School with VND 16.6 billion (US$0.63 million) and Ba Huan Company with more than VND 6.5 billion (US$0.25 million).
Highlands foreign ownership
Dan Tri is carrying an article about Highlands Coffee’s strong financial performance in which the author laments that the company, which started in Vietnam, is now foreign owned (by Jollibee in the Philippines).
This is presented less as a criticism of the business results and more as a lament about the limits of local capital in retaining ownership of successful brands.
Ed.’s notes: Noted for the idea that foreign investment isn’t always seen as a good thing. That said, there is an argument to be made that Highland’s success stems from its foreign ownership, that maybe it wouldn’t be as successful without it.
Stock market Monday
the-shiv is reporting that the VN-Index closed at 1,646.01, down 0.88 points or 0.05 percent, with a total trading value of VND 18,742.89 billion or US$711.31 million, and foreign traders net-buying US$26.22 million worth of equities, Monday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange
Exchange rates Monday
the-shiv is reporting that on December 15, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 27,100 and the sell rate was VND 27,180, a change of 0 and 20, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 27,140 (down 0.04 percent), according to Ty Gia USD.
Meanwhile, the State Bank of Vietnam’s central exchange rate was set at VND 25,144, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 26,319.
Exports to Taiwan
the-shiv is reporting that in November, Vietnam exported US$564 million worth of goods to Taiwan, up 8.42 percent over October, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has exported US$6,038 million worth of goods to Taiwan.
Machines/equipment imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported machine, equipment, tools and instruments to the tune of US$5,213 million in November, down from US$5,281 million in October, a change of -1.29 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had imported US$54,752 million worth of machine, equipment, tools and instruments by the end of November.
Powdered milk production
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam produced 13.44 thousand tons of powdered milk in November, up 6.49 percent from 12.62 thousand tons in October, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Over the first ten months of the year, output reached 138.81 thousand tons.
Imports from Japan
the-shiv is reporting that in November, Vietnam imported US$1,962.83 billion worth of goods from Japan, down from US$2,183.62 million in October, a change of -10.11 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has imported US$22,382 million worth of goods from Japan.
Yesterday’s news headlines
In yesterday’s Vietnam news headlines: invoices foreign currency trading, bonded cold storage warehouse, Vingroup stadium proposal, HCMC EV transition, aircraft groundings, Insurance Business Law update, overstay fines, airbag materials factory HCMC, capital markets reform, unrecognised study program, first flight Long Thanh, corruption money recovered, computers/electrical products, imports from the USA, exports to Thailand, textile, leather and footwear materials imports, machine and equipment exports, and more. Read more→