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.
SK telco R&D Vietnam
Business Korea is reporting that South Korean telecommunications firm KT is pursuing plans to establish a group-level research and development centre in Vietnam by 2027.
The company plans a three-phase rollout, including a pilot this year, recruitment and operational preparation in 2026, and a potential opening in 2027, and has discussed cooperation with FPT.
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Sun Group breaks ground casino
GGR Asia is reporting that Sun Group broke ground on December 19 on an integrated casino tourism complex in the Van Don Economic Zone.
The project covers more than 244 hectares in Quang Ninh with Sun Group saying the first phase will include a large hotel complex under the Marriott brand, resort villas, shophouses and entertainment facilities, including a pilot casino allowing Vietnamese citizens to gamble.
The casino is scheduled to open in 2028, with full completion targeted for the fourth quarter of 2034.
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Fast food spending
The Investor is reporting that Vietnamese consumers spend an average VND144,500 (US$5.49) per visit at major fast food chains, according to a December report by Q&Me.
Receipt data from 400 consumer groups in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City showed 37 per cent of transactions at or above VND150,000 (US$5.69).
The survey covered Lotteria, Jollibee, KFC, Popeyes and McDonald’s, with combo meals in 65 per cent of orders and chicken sets at 85 per cent.
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Diesel spill Dung Quat
VnExpress is reporting that a diesel spill at an oil depot in the Dung Quat Economic Zone polluted rivers, canals and fields, causing mass fish deaths, local authorities said.
The leak occurred during a fuel transfer on December 24, with about 15 hectares of rice fields and more than 3 hectares of aquaculture ponds affected.
Authorities have begun emergency cleanup operations and are assessing damage to seek provincial support, while warning diesel contamination may persist in soil and water.
Ed.’s notes: A 2016 chemical spill that resulted in a major fish kill in central Vietnam led to protests and unrest to the extent that Facebook access was blocked for a period. #monitoring
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Steel price hike
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnamese steelmakers including Hoa Phat, VAS Nghi Son and Viet Y Italy Steel announced sharp price increases effective December 26, citing higher input costs.
The article notes that the price rises come as Vietnam launched 234 infrastructure projects with total investment of about VND 3.4 million billion (US$129.1 billion), expected to boost demand for construction steel.
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HPG steel maker exports plummet
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Hoa Phat Group reported a sharp fall in steel exports in the first 11 months of 2025, while domestic sales continued to drive overall growth.
Construction steel exports fell 53 per cent to 533,000 tonnes and hot rolled coil exports dropped 35 per cent to 580,000 tonnes, despite strong domestic consumption growth.
Hoa Phat said exports were hit by United States tariff measures, including anti dumping and countervailing duty investigations, as well as protectionist actions in Canada and other markets.
The company said it is shifting focus to the domestic market, where demand is expected to rise on the back of recovering real estate activity and increased public infrastructure investment.
Ed.’s notes: Some food for thought with article above – price hike to cover losses from export markets?
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Pumped storage hydro
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam Electricity and French Development Agency signed a 76 million euro loan on December 26 for Vietnam’s first pumped storage hydropower project.
The Bac Ai pumped storage plant in Khanh Hoa will have installed capacity of 1,200 megawatts and total investment of VND21,101 billion (US$801 million).
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Government bonds 2025
Tuoi Tre is reporting that Vietnam’s State Treasury issued about VND360,000 billion (US$13.7 billion) in government bonds in 2025, the highest level on record, officials said on December 26.
As of December 25, issuance had reached nearly VND350,000 billion (US$13.3 billion), with average tenor of 9.78 years and average yield of 3.21 per cent per year.
Ed.’s notes: Big plans for government spending on infrastructure but not a lot said about how it will be paid for. Vietnam debt-to-GDP relatively roughly 30 percent. This will likely need to increase significantly – note government bond yields have been steadily climbing – 10 year tenor +107 basis points year-on-year.
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FLC to be delisted
VnExpress is reporting that Shares of FLC Group will cease trading on the UPCoM from December 31, following the revocation of its public company status.
The Hanoi Stock Exchange said 710 million FLC shares will have their final trading session on December 30.
Ed.’s notes: FLC more or less collapsed back in 2022 when chairman was arrested. It’s not clear why it has not been dissolved but may speak to a general aversion to allowing businesses to fail.
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Healthcare spending
VnExpress is reporting that Vietnam’s average healthcare spending has reached about US$270 per person annually, equivalent to VND7.3 million, and is projected to rise to US$328 within three years, according to the Ministry of Health.
Total national health expenditure increased from US$17.4 billion in 2019 to an estimated US$27.5 billion in 2025 and is forecast to reach US$34.1 billion by 2028.
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Advisory council on monetary policy
The Investor is reporting that Vietnam’s National Financial and Monetary Policy Advisory Council has recommended the government avoid expanding monetary policy in 2026 and adopt a more cautious stance.
Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc said risks in 2026 include capital pressures, interest rates, bad debts, exchange rates and corporate bonds.
Ed.’s notes: It’s difficult to see how a double digit growth target might be achieved without further loosening monetary policy.
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Smoking in hotels
Tuoi Tre is reporting that exposure to second hand smoke in hotels across Vietnam fell by 14.6 per cent between 2020 and 2024, according to the 2024 Provincial Global Adult Tobacco Survey.
The results were highlighted at a ceremony in Hanoi on December 24 recognising outstanding smoke free hotels, organised by Van Hoa newspaper and the Vietnam Steering Committee on Smoking and Health.
Ed.’s notes: It’s interesting in that tourism industry coverage focuses heavily on numbers but this is more about user experience.
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IFCs as tourism drivers
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is carrying an interview with Pham Hai Quynh, head of the Asia Tourism Development Institute, in which he says Vietnam’s international financial centres in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang are expected to reshape tourism by attracting business travellers, investors and high spending professionals.
He went on to tell the publication that the trend will boost business events, bleisure travel and after work tourism products such as dining, culture and city tours.
Ed.’s notes: Another perspective on what the IFC projects are and the impact they might have.
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New Hyatt in Nha Trang
In a press release Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the opening of Hyatt Regency Nha Trang, its first Hyatt branded property in Nha Trang.
Hyatt said the property includes meeting space, multiple dining venues, wellness facilities and a Regency Club lounge, with design inspired by local fishing heritage.
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To Lam speech
Vietnam is reporting that Vietnam Communist Party General Secretary To Lam addressed the Eleventh National Patriotic Emulation Congress in Hanoi on December 27 calling for patriotic emulation to focus on measurable results, public service delivery, innovation, digital transformation, economic development, social welfare, national defence and anti corruption efforts.
He said the 2022 Law on Emulation and Reward provides a legal basis to ensure transparent, timely and fair recognition, prioritising grassroots workers and concrete contributions.
Ed.’s notes: Emulation = government-led development tied to recognition and incentives (command economy vibes); the original Vietnamese.
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New graduate job market challenges
Tuoi Tre is reporting that Vietnamese employers are increasingly favouring experienced workers over new graduates, according to a labour market report by JobOKO.
The report said demand for workers with three to five years of experience rose more than 40 per cent in 2025, while hiring for graduates with under one year fell 13 per cent year on year.
Entry level workers accounted for 45 per cent of lay offs, with overall job postings up just over two per cent, led by construction and manufacturing but declining in finance, logistics and information technology.
Ed.’s notes: Original report.
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Manpower on labour market
Tuoi Tre is reporting that Manpower Vietnam said the labour market in 2026 will become more polarised, with wages declining for many management roles while demand for digital and technology talent rises sharply.
Manpower’s 2026 salary guide, covering more than 700 positions across 12 sectors, shows recommended pay for many senior leadership roles falling 1 to 5 per cent, except in finance and banking.
Technology, digital transformation, automation and logistics roles are forecast to see the strongest wage growth, with annual increases of 10 to 20 per cent in some positions.
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Aged care facility shortage HCMC
VnExpress is reporting that Ho Chi Minh City has more than 1.7 million seniors but only 36 eldercare facilities serving just over 3,500 people, according to the Department of Health.
The city adds nearly 35,000 elderly residents each year, while services remain concentrated in centralised nursing homes with limited home care, day care or palliative options.
Authorities are drafting a 2025 to 2030 plan to build a multi tier care network, standardise services and develop financing mechanisms including long term care insurance.
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Cashew nut exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported cashew nut to the tune of US$475 million in November, down from US$504 million in October, a change of -5.89 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$4,753 million worth of cashew nut by the end of November.
Phone components production
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam produced VND 73.92 trillion worth of phone components in November, up 15.25 percent from VND 64.14 trillion in October, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Over the first eleven months of the year, output reached 570.74 trillion dong.
Chemical products imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported chemical products to the tune of US$695 million in November, down from US$701 million in October, a change of -0.75 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had imported US$7,284 million worth of chemical products by the end of November.
Coffee exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported coffee to the tune of US$508 million in November, up from US$394 million in October, a change of 28.69 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$7,936 million worth of coffee by the end of November.
Crude oil imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported crude oil to the tune of US$391 million in November, down from US$679 million in October, a change of -42.41 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had imported US$7,017 million worth of crude oil by the end of November.
Mobile phone production
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam produced 16.73 million pieces of mobile phones in November, down 0.33 percent from 16.79 million pieces in October, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Over the first ten months of the year, output reached 173.66 million pieces.
Imports from Belgium
the-shiv is reporting that in November, Vietnam imported US$39.23 million worth of goods from Belgium, down from US$61.45 million in October, a change of -36.16 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has imported US$705 million worth of goods from Belgium.
Stock market Friday
the-shiv is reporting that the VN-Index closed at 1,729.80, down 13.05 points or 0.75 percent, with a total trading value of VND 32,679.59 billion or US$1240.21 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$43.72 million worth of equities, Friday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Exchange rates Friday
the-shiv is reporting that on December 26, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,750 and the sell rate was VND 27,820, a change of 70 and 950, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 27,285 (up 1.64 percent), according to Ty Gia USD.
Exports to Netherlands
the-shiv is reporting that in November, Vietnam exported US$1,165 million worth of goods to the Netherlands, down 5.56 percent over October, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has exported US$12,190 million worth of goods to the Netherlands.
Plastics products imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported plastic products to the tune of US$960 million in November, up from US$950 million in October, a change of 1.06 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had imported US$9,781 million worth of plastic products by the end of November.
Last week’s Vietnam news
A quick overview of the top headlines from Vietnam over the Xmas break. Last updated December 26: Read more→