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.
Opinion: Vietnam tourism v. Malaysia
Tuoi Tre is carrying an opinion piece in which the author argues that Malaysia’s tourism success shows that mass appeal does not require alcohol, nightlife or sensitive entertainment, but strong organisation and spending design.
He says Malaysia attracts and retains visitors by deliberately directing tourist spending into shopping, culture, food and curated experiences, supported by clear pricing and modern infrastructure, and contrasts this with Vietnam, especially Ho Chi Minh City, where he says tourists arrive in large numbers but lack attractive, well-linked places to spend money.
The central point is that tourism growth depends less on natural assets and more on long-term planning that turns culture, retail and urban lifestyle into high-value experiences.
Ed.’s notes: Noted for Vietnamese perspective on tourism industry.
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PDP8 costs
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam needs more than US$120 billion to implement Power Development Plan VIII by 2030, but domestic resources can cover only about half of that amount, Dang Huy Dong, former Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, has told a conference.
Around US$50–60 billion can realistically come from state capital, state-owned enterprises and domestic private firms without putting excessive strain on the financial system, leaving a funding gap of US$60–70 billion.
Shophouse demand in decline
Thanh Nien is reporting that shophouses and street front properties in Ho Chi Minh City that were once highly sought after are now facing prolonged vacancies and falling rental prices, according to on the ground reporting.
Multiple property owners reported difficulty leasing shophouses priced between VND 25 million and VND 33 million per month.
Retailers interviewed said customer traffic now comes mainly through online platforms and digital maps, reducing the commercial advantage of expensive street front locations.
Invoices for foreign currency suspended
Thanh Nien is reporting that Vietnam’s Dong Nai Tax Department has temporarily suspended guidance requiring companies to issue invoices when selling foreign currency to banks, pending clarification from the national Tax Department.
The suspension came days after a December 11 document instructed firms to issue invoices.
Ed.’s notes: Interesting that the local tax department drew the conclusion invoices should be issued in the first instance and then had the power to make it happen.
SBV credit growth update
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam’s outstanding credit exceeded VND 18.2 million trillion, equivalent to about US$691 billion, up 16.56 percent from end 2024, according to the State Bank of Vietnam.
Officials said bank credit remains the main funding channel for Vietnam’s recent economic growth, with agriculture accounting for about 23 percent of loans and small and medium enterprises about 19 percent.
Regulators warned that rising demand for medium and long term capital is straining banks, as around 80 percent of deposits remain short term.
Cheap labour / capital growth reaching limits
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Deputy Finance Minister Do Thanh Trung has told the Vietnam Economic Forum 2025, Outlook 2026, that Vietnam’s reliance on cheap capital and labour is reaching its limits, particularly as the country targets double-digit growth in 2026–2030.
He said achieving this goal will require a sharp expansion in total social investment alongside fundamental changes in thinking, policy execution and the way resources are allocated, managed and used.
Official growth narrative
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam’s economy is expected to grow 8.01 percent in 2025, placing the country among the fastest growing economies regionally and globally, according to Nguyen Duc Hien, Deputy Head of the Central Policy and Strategy Committee.
Hien said growth was supported by manufacturing expanding near 9.7 percent, agricultural growth of about 3.92 percent, and trade turnover approaching US$900 billion.
Ed.’s notes: Contrasts with concerns raised with respect to resource allocation efficiency. See above.
Hanoi market stabilisation program
Dan Tri is reporting that Hanoi has activated its market stabilisation programme ahead of the Lunar New Year to counter recent vegetable price volatility caused by weather-related supply disruptions.
The city is increasing stockpiles, expanding regional supply links, and tightening market inspections to ensure sufficient supply and stable prices during the peak holiday period.
EU EV transition target rollback
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that the European Union is preparing to roll back its planned 2035 ban on petrol and diesel cars, signalling a shift from an absolute ban to a flexible emissions-reduction target.
EU policymakers are considering requiring about a 90% cut in vehicle emissions instead of eliminating internal combustion engines entirely, allowing hybrids and other technologies to continue.
Ed.’s notes: Noted for appearance in Vietnam press + contrast with Hanoi’s petrol bike ban policy.
Trade challenges
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that at a Ministry of Industry and Trade seminar in Hanoi, Industry representatives warned that some export sectors, including wood products, face a development “trap”, with rising volumes but weak margins and limited capital accumulation.
Trade experts also cautioned that exporters face stricter sustainability, environmental and supply-chain standards, while many firms remain slow to proactively use free trade agreements.
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Labour export
Vietnam Plus is reporting that Vietnam and Greece held a labour cooperation seminar in Athens from December 11 to 15 to connect Vietnamese labour suppliers with Greek employers.
The event attracted more than 130 Greek companies and institutions and 12 Vietnamese labour-export firms, focusing on sectors including hospitality, manufacturing and agriculture.
Vietnamese and Greek leaders previously agreed in June 2025 that Greece would be open to receiving skilled Vietnamese workers.
Vietnam currently sends about 160,000 workers abroad annually, with around 1,300 Vietnamese labourers working in Greece since late 2023.
Ed.’s notes: One in Austria the other day too.
Plastic products exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported plastic products to the tune of US$619 million in November, down from US$641 million in October, a change of -3.35 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$6,758 million worth of plastic products by the end of November.
Imports from Thailand
the-shiv is reporting that in November, Vietnam imported US$1,051.11 million worth of goods from Thailand, down from US$1,212.26 million in October, a change of -13.29 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has imported US$11,980 million worth of goods from Thailand.
Stock market Tuesday
the-shiv is reporting that the VN-Index closed at 1,679.18, up 33.17 points or 2.02 percent, with a total trading value of VND 24,450.67 billion or US$927.92 million, and foreign traders net-buying US$0.19 million worth of equities, Tuesday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Exchange rates Tuesday
the-shiv is reporting that on December 16, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,900 and the sell rate was VND 27,000, a change of 200 and 180, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,950 (down 0.70 percent), according to Ty Gia USD.
Meanwhile, the State Bank of Vietnam’s central exchange rate was set at VND 25,141, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 26,342.
Exports to South Korea
the-shiv is reporting that in November, Vietnam exported US$2.3 billion worth of goods to South Korea, down 8.30 percent over October, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has exported US$26,099 million worth of goods to South Korea.
Tourist arrivals Oceania
the-shiv is reporting that in November, Oceania accounted for 53,663 tourist arrivals, an increase of 4.90 percent from October, according to the latest data from Vietnam’s General Department of Tourism.
A total of 48,410 tourists arrived from Australia in November, an increase of 4.70 percent from October, New Zealand sent 5,055 visitors, up 6.80 percent compared with October, with the remaining 198 coming from elsewhere in the region.
Yesterday’s Vietnam news headlines
In yesterday’s headlines: Japan-FPT drone partnership, VinFast factory Indonesia inaugurated, gold license deadline missed, US$44 million golf course Gia Lai, LNY unconditional cash transfers, EV charging regulations, TCBS digital asset investment, preferential interest green projects, domestic rail development support, late social insurance payments HCMC, Highlands foreign ownership, stock market Monday, exchange rates Monday, exports to Taiwan, machines/equipment imports, yesterday’s Vietnam news headlines, powdered milk production, and more. Read source→