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.
Gov’t inspections 2026 plan
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam’s Government Inspectorate has released its 2026 inspection plan, targeting the management of state capital, assets and investment activities at several major enterprises, including Petrolimex and Vietnam Airlines.
Results of inspections covering the 2021–2025 period at Petrolimex and Vietnam Airlines are scheduled for publication in the first quarter of 2026, while inspections of Vinaconex real estate projects will follow in the second quarter.
Further inspections in 2026 will cover insurance firms including BIC, MIC and PVI, as well as waste prevention, housing assets, chemicals, tobacco, labour and wage compliance at multiple state-linked groups.
Ed.’s notes: References reporting from Dan Tri but unable to locate Dan Tri article?
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Revised Construction Law
Vietnamplus is reporting that Vietnam’s National Assembly has passed a revised Construction Law that will take effect on 1 July 2026, marking a major shift in how construction activities are regulated.
The law moves oversight from extensive pre-approval requirements to post-inspection, reduces administrative procedures, expands exemptions from construction permits, and increases decentralisation and accountability, the article says.
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Troubled steelmaker supplier credit reform
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that steel maker SMC Investment Trading Joint Stock Company has established a group-wide overdue debt management committee to tighten cashflow control amid prolonged delayed receivables from property developers, including Novaland.
At the start of 2025, SMC reported bad debts of VND1.322 trillion (US$50.2 million), mainly linked to Novaland, narrowing to VND858 billion (US$32.6 million) by 30 September.
SMC has sold land, machinery, office property and equity stakes, including assets valued at about VND315 billion (US$12.0 million), while implementing major board and governance changes.
Ed.’s notes: Flow on effects of weak bankruptcy laws and processes; speaks to dependence on supplier credit for some Vietnamese firms.
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Retail electricity market ambitions
Thanh Nien is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade has proposed launching a competitive retail electricity market from 2027, allowing eligible users to choose electricity retailers and negotiate prices.
Under a draft prime ministerial decision, the power market would operate across three levels, with competitive retail running alongside the existing wholesale market.
Ed.’s notes: Diffcult to see how this might work with regulated electricity prices.
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Charging infrastructure Hanoi
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Hanoi’s Department of Construction has proposed allowing V-Green to pilot electric vehicle charging stations and battery-swap cabinets at 39 public parking sites across the city.
The proposal requires the charging infrastructure to be open to all electric vehicle brands and explicitly bans exclusive or semi-exclusive designs at public locations.
V-Green would work with Hanoi Parking Exploitation Company to survey sites, assess demand, and submit detailed plans to the city for approval.
The plan aligns with government directives on reducing urban pollution and supporting Hanoi’s transition toward electric and green transport.
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HCMC billboard review
Tuoi Tre is reporting that Ho Chi Minh City authorities are reviewing widespread outdoor advertising structures that obstruct pavements, block sightlines and raise safety concerns, particularly near roads, schools and public facilities.
The Department of Culture and Sports said the city will conduct inspections in three phases from 17 December 2025 to 8 January 2026.
Checks will target billboards and LED screens on public land and major roads, involving multiple agencies including construction, police, planning authorities and local governments.
Vinamilk divestment
The Investor is reporting that Singapore’s Jardine Cycle and Carriage will sell 96 million Vinamilk shares, equivalent to 4.6%, to F and N Dairy Investments for VND 6.01 trillion (US$228 million).
The sale will be executed via wholly owned subsidiary Platinum Victory at VND 62,555 per share, reducing its Vinamilk stake from 10.62 percent to 6.02 percent.
Following completion, F and N’s combined ownership in Vinamilk will rise from 20.39% to 24.99%, while Platinum Victory’s board representative will step down.
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Nuclear readiness review
The IAEA in a press release has said it has concluded an 11-day Phase 2 Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review on 11 December 2025, through which it has assessed preparations for the revived Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project.
The review found strong government commitment and identified good practices in financing mechanisms, procurement planning, and environmental monitoring, while also recommending further work on legal frameworks, human resources, fuel cycle strategy, waste management, and inter-agency coordination.
Coal imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported coal to the tune of US$378 million in November, down from US$498 million in October, a change of -23.98 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had imported US$6,052 million worth of coal 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 Thursday
the-shiv is reporting the VN-Index closed at 1,676.98, up 3.32 points or 0.20 percent, with a total trading value of VND 18,581.72 billion or US$705.19 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$33.36 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 on December 18, 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 0, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,925 (down 0.00 percent), according to Ty Gia USD.
Meanwhile, the State Bank of Vietnam’s central exchange rate was set at VND 25,151, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 26,330.
Exports to Malaysia
the-shiv is reporting in November, Vietnam exported US$473 million worth of goods to Malaysia, up 3.20 percent over October, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has exported US$4,806 million worth of goods to Malaysia.
Wood / wooden products exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported wood and wooden products to the tune of US$1,483 million in November, down from US$1,534 million in October, a change of -3.31 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$15,519 million worth of wood and wooden products by the end of November.
Yesterday’s news headlines
In yesterday’s news headlines: outbound investment, South Korea medical container factory, MoU Banking Academy / Vantage Foundation, HSR train tech Siemens / VinSpeed, military weapons online sales, exchange rate forecast, successful privatisation Vietnam shoemaker, Song Ba Ha Hydro dividend payment, fake fire extinguishers, South Korea rare earths development Vietnam, Sony investment record label, FTZ for HCMC, illegal currency trade, exchange rate Wednesday, stock market Wednesday, exports to Japan, iron and steel imports, and more. Read more→