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.
Outbound investment
Fuel Cells Work is reporting that Canada’s MAX Power Mining Corp has closed a CAD$5 million private placement with Vietnam-based Big Energy, marking the first major Vietnamese investment in Saskatchewan’s energy sector.
The investment supports a strategic partnership to accelerate exploration and development of natural hydrogen across MAX Power’s 1.3 million-acre permitted land package in Saskatchewan.
Phung Khac Hoan, general director of Big Energy, is expected to join MAX Power’s board, pending exchange approval, as the company advances drilling and commercialization plans.
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South Korea medical container factory
Chosun is reporting that HuM&C, a healthcare materials subsidiary of Huons Group, has launched its first overseas medical container factory in Hung Yen Province, Vietnam, with full-scale production starting in the second quarter of 2025.
The Vietnam facility, operated by HuM&C Vina, can produce 60 million vials and 40 million cartridges annually, positioning it as a global production hub.
Ed.’s notes: Hung Yen = hometown Vietnam General Secretary + Trump gold course + new battery storage plant.
MoU Banking Academy / Vantage Foundation
PR Newswire is reporting that the Banking Academy of Vietnam and Vantage Foundation signed a memorandum of understanding in Hanoi on December 16 to formalise a strategic partnership on financial education.
Both institutions said the signing ceremony marked only the formal announcement of cooperation and did not involve course delivery or student activities at this stage.
HSR train tech Siemens / VinSpeed
VinSpeed High-Speed Railway Investment and Development Joint Stock Company and Siemens Mobility signed a comprehensive strategic partnership and framework agreement for high-speed rail development in Vietnam, according to a press release from Siemens.
Under the agreement, Siemens Mobility will design and supply Velaro Novo high-speed trains and railway systems including European Train Control System Level 2 signalling, automatic train operation, electrification and telecommunications.
The partnership covers proposed high-speed lines including the 121-kilometre Ha Noi–Quang Ninh route with four stations and the 54-kilometre Ben Thanh–Can Gio route with two stations.
Siemens Mobility said it may also provide maintenance services. contracts.
Ed.’s notes: The other perceived front runner for Vietnam’s north-south high speed rail project, THACO, signed a similar agreement with Hyundai Rotem earlier this month.
Military weapons online sales
Vietnamplus is reporting that police in Vietnam’s Son La Province have uncovered an online network trading military-grade weapons disguised as toilet drain cleaners.
In a home search investigators seized seven air guns, 126 gun barrels, 126 trigger assemblies, and 110 bags of steel pellets.
Police said the group advertised the items on Facebook, Zalo and TikTok using misleading product titles, while videos showed assembled metal guns being test-fired.
Exchange rate forecast
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam’s USD/VND exchange rate is forecast to rise only 2.2–2.5 percent in 2026 as pressure on the foreign exchange market eases, according to analysis by MB Securities.
The forecast follows recent stabilisation, with bank exchange rates up about 3.3 percent year to date and the free-market USD falling more than 3.5 percent from November highs.
Analysts cited United States Federal Reserve interest rate cuts and a weakening US dollar, with the dollar index expected to decline toward 95 in 2026.
Ed.’s notes: In reality the dong moves at the will of the SBV not the market – that is ForEx interventions are frequent and common and this makes accurate forecasts difficult.
Successful privatisation Vietnam shoemaker
Thanh Nien is reporting that two individual investors spent nearly VND 1.4 trillion (about US$52.3 million) to acquire a 68.67 percent stake in Giay Thuong Dinh Joint Stock Company through an auction on December 16.
The Hanoi Stock Exchange said nearly 6.4 million shares were sold at an average winning price of VND 215,999 per share, about ten times the starting price of VND 20,500.
The auction attracted 15 individual investors, with valid bids totaling nearly 39.3 million shares, and Hanoi’s municipal government is expected to receive about VND 1.379 trillion (US$52.3 million).
Ed.’s notes: Article earlier this month noted the company posted a loss of nearly 13 billion VND or about US$493,000 in 2024, with cumulative losses exceeding 67 billion VND or about US$2.54 million. It also said auditors had raised concerns about its ability to operate as a going concern.
Song Ba Ha Hydro dividend payment
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Song Ba Ha Hydropower Joint Stock Company approved a 5 percent cash dividend advance for 2025, equal to VND 500 per share, totaling about VND 62.1 billion (US$2.36 million).
The record date is December 31, 2025, with payment scheduled for March 31, 2026, funded from undistributed after-tax profits.
Ed.’s notes: Interesting in that the company is currently being investigated over a water release during storms last month that reportedly did quite a bit of damage.
Fake fire extinguishers
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security has said Hanoi police have arrested five people over the production and sale of counterfeit DRAGON fire extinguishers.
Police said suspects produced and sold 1,924,317 fake extinguishers from 2019 to 2024, generating more than VND 934 billion (US$35.5 million) in revenue.
Authorities seized over 165,000 fake extinguishers and confirmed they lacked required fire-suppressant chemicals, posing serious safety risks.
Ed.’s notes: Noted in context of calls for clear fire safety regulations re: electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
South Korea rare earths development Vietnam
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that LS Eco Energy, a South Korean renewable energy and strategic materials company, said its board approved a US$21 million investment to expand rare earth metal operations in Vietnam.
The company plans to process imported rare earth oxides at facilities in Vietnam to produce refined rare earth metals for downstream uses such as permanent magnets.
Sony investment record label
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that YeaH1 Group’s board has approved a deal for Sony Music Entertainment Hong Kong to acquire a 49 percent voting stake in its subsidiary music producer 1Label through a private share placement.
The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025.
FTZ for HCMC
VnExpress is reporting that Ho Chi Minh City plans to establish a 3,800-hectare free trade zone at Cai Mep Ha linked to the Cai Mep–Thi Vai deep-sea port.
City Party Secretary Tran Luu Quang said the zone is expected to support future double-digit growth by attracting foreign investment through tax and regulatory incentives.
Illegal currency trade
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that Ho Chi Minh City prosecutors have indicted the owner of Duc Long gold shop and several accomplices for money laundering and illegally transferring currency through Cambodia.
Investigators said the group moved nearly US$11 million from Cambodia to Vietnam and about US$8.2 million in the opposite direction between August 2023 and April 2024.
Police found the ring used hacked emails, more than 300 shell companies and gold shops to disguise cross-border transfers and withdraw cash.
Authorities said the ringleader had previously been fined VND 1 billion (about US$38,000) for a similar offence but continued operating after returning to the city.
Ed.’s notes: Noted as example of circumvention of capital controls.
Exchange rate Wednesday
the-shiv is reporting that on December 17, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,900 and the sell rate was VND 26,950, a change of 0 and 50, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,925 (down 0.09 percent), according to Ty Gia USD.
Meanwhile, the State Bank of Vietnam’s central exchange rate was set at VND 25,146, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 26,332.
Stock market Wednesday
the-shiv is reporting that the VN-Index closed at 1,673.66, down 5.52 points or 0.33 percent, with a total trading value of VND 19,532.14 billion or US$741.26 million, and foreign traders net-buying US$0.11 million worth of equities, Wednesday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Exports to Japan
the-shiv is reporting that in November, Vietnam exported US$2,342 million worth of goods to Japan, down 1.71 percent over October, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has exported US$24,363 million worth of goods to Japan.
Iron and steel imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported iron and steel products to the tune of US$752 million in November, up from US$731 million in October, a change of 2.79 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had imported US$7,423 million worth of iron and steel products by the end of November.
Yesterday’s news headlines
In yesterday’s Vietnam news headlines: SBV credit growth update, cheap labour / capital growth reaching limits, opinion: Vietnam tourism v. Malaysia, gold hotel owner late payment social insurance, PDP8 costs, shophouse demand in decline, invoices for foreign currency suspended, official growth narrative, Hanoi market stabilisation program, EU EV transition target rollback, trade challenges, labour export, plastic products exports, imports from Thailand, stock market Tuesday, exchange rates Tuesday, exports to South Korea, and more. Read more→