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.
International agreements conflict CPV objectives
Tuoi Tre is reporting that the Communist Party of Vietnam’s Secretariat has warned that international commitments must not be signed if they are impractical or unfeasible, as part of a directive to tighten oversight of negotiations and implementation.
It also stressed the need for better strategic forecasting, expert involvement and institutional reform, while preventing the misuse of international commitments to undermine national security, social order or Party and state policies.
Ed.’s notes: Arguably a case of too little, too late – Vietnam has signed onto a lot of international agreements with a number of conflicts between said agreements and how Vietnam operates.
The CPTPP and the EVFTA, for example, require the establishment of worker representative organisations independent of the state trade union system, an idea that does not seem to be very popular with party officials.
Balancing needs of existing power structures against the needs of the economy shaping up to be key challenge for Vietnam moving forward. #monitoring
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Bank credit
Bloomberg is reporting that Vietnam’s central bank said some lenders face liquidity shortages after credit grew 19.4 per cent year on year as of December 24, exceeding the 16 per cent full-year target.
Pham Chi Quang, head of the SBV’s Monetary Policy Department, said rapid loan growth, funded largely by short-term deposits, has increased pressure on interest rates and bank liquidity.
Monetary policy
Reuters is reporting that Vietnam faces external challenges in achieving its target of more than 10 per cent economic growth next year, the State Bank of Vietnam said on December 29.
Pham Chi Quang, head of the SBV’s Monetary Policy Department, has said United States tariffs and unpredictable Federal Reserve monetary policy are complicating policy settings and affecting the economy, foreign exchange market and exchange rates.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Phu Quoc “Hawaii of Asia”?
Vietnam News is reporting that US travel website Travel Off Path has described Phu Quoc as the “Hawaii of Asia”, citing its beaches, affordability and distinctive visitor experiences.
In an article by Sam Sears, the site said the island is gaining attention in the US travel community as a beach destination that contrasts with common perceptions of Vietnam, Vietnam News says.
Ed.’s notes: Original article – Full quote “If Phu Quoc has seen any level of fame, it’s due to its adopted moniker as the ‘Hawaii of Vietnam (not Asia)'”.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Xanh GSM IPO
Reuters is reporting that ride-hailing firm Green and Smart Mobility, an affiliate of Vingroup, is exploring an international initial public offering with advisors floating a valuation of about US$20 billion, the group said on December 29.
Vingroup said no listing would take place in 2026 and any valuation would depend on timing and market conditions, while earlier source estimates had put the company’s value closer to US$2–3 billion.
Hung Yen international airport
The Investor is reporting that Hung Yen province has proposed studying investment in an international airport after 2030 as part of its draft provincial master plan for the 2026–2030 period, with a vision to 2050.
Provincial authorities also outlined more than 20 priority projects in transport, tourism, urban development and trade, and reiterated a target to become a centrally governed city by 2030, the article says.
Ed.’s notes: Grey box at the bottom of this article breaks down a series of recent projects. Interesting in that this is the home province of the relatively new General Secretary.
Also worth noting Hung Yen is only about 60 kilometres from Hanoi which already has an international airport.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
HCMC remittances
VOV English is reporting that remittances to Ho Chi Minh City are expected to reach US$10.5 billion in 2025, up 10.5 per cent from 2024, according to the State Bank of Vietnam’s Regional Branch 2.
The city continues to attract about 60 per cent of Vietnam’s total remittance inflows, reflecting economic stability, steady interest rates and flexible exchange-rate management, the article says.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Zalo data collection review
Vietnamnet is reporting that Vietnam’s competition authority has summoned VNG Corporation following complaints over data collection practices linked to its messaging platform Zalo.
The National Competition Commission under the Ministry of Industry and Trade said it has received a surge of reports concerning Zalo’s revised terms of service and handling of users’ personal data.
Ed.’s notes: Zalo emerged as a homegrown messaging platform that aligned with the Government of Vietnam’s push for domestically controlled digital infrastructure, often compared in ambition to China’s WeChat (Tencent a major strategic investor in VNG).
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Employee data protection regulation change
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam’s Personal Data Protection Law will take effect on January 1, 2026, requiring employers to delete or destroy all personal data of employees immediately after labour contracts are terminated.
Under the law, organisations and businesses that manage or use labour must protect employee data in line with data, labour and employment regulations, with retention allowed only where legally required or previously agreed.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Different number plates for EVs Hanoi
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Hanoi is studying measures to distinguish petrol vehicles from electric and hybrid vehicles through different licence plate colours as part of efforts to manage emissions in low-emission zones.
The city said on December 26 it is considering technical solutions including separate inspections for clean-energy vehicles, traffic reorganisation, camera systems and vehicle identification via plate colour, QR codes and electronic toll collection integration.
Ed.’s notes: Part of EV-only centre-city objectives by mid-2026. See: Vietnam’s Petrol Motorbike Ban: Intent Versus Economic Reality.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
MoIT minister on EVN losses
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that Vietnam’s acting industry and trade minister has called on Vietnam Electricity to improve its financial statements and fully eliminate accumulated losses to support sustainable growth from 2026.
Speaking at EVN’s 2025 review conference on December 29, Le Manh Hung said weak financial reports would make it difficult for the state-owned utility to raise capital and work with partners, despite its strong operational position.
Ed.’s notes: It’s an interesting way of framing this – that is EVN as something seperate from the government when it is, in fact, a state-owned enterprise.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Vingroup shareholder break down
Dan Tri is reporting that foreign investment funds have increased exposure to Vingroup, but control remains firmly with chairman Pham Nhat Vuong and related parties.
Funds such as Dragon Capital, VanEck Vietnam ETF and Fubon FTSE Vietnam ETF now hold tens of millions of VIC shares, though each represents only a small fraction of total equity.
At the same time, retail participation has fallen sharply, with shareholder numbers down nearly 25,600 to 31,273 by late October, reinforcing concentrated ownership.
Ed.’s notes: Retail investors = perspective from boots on the ground.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Novaland enter seafood industry
VnExpress is reporting that Novaland has expanded into the seafood sector after its subsidiary acquired a significant stake in Vietnam National Seaproducts Corporation (SEA).
Ngan Hiep Real Estate, 99.98 per cent owned by Novaland, bought more than 30 million SEA shares on December 23, raising its ownership in Seaprodex to 24.03 per cent, according to a filing with the State Securities Commission.
Novaland said the investment is long term and aimed at diversifying its ecosystem beyond real estate as it completes the first phase of restructuring and prepares for renewed growth.
Ed.’s notes: Novaland is heavily indebted with delayed payments on bonds marring the companies debt profile over the last two years or so. It would be interesting to know where the funds to make this purchase came from and how the decision was reached to make this purchase versus paying back creditors.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Ceramics exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported ceramic products to the tune of US$63 million in November, up from US$61 million in October, a change of 2.18 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$595 million worth of ceramic products by the end of November.
Imports from Singapore
the-shiv is reporting that in November, Vietnam imported US$465.67 million worth of goods from Singapore, down from US$492.69 million in October, a change of -5.48 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has imported US$5,410 million worth of goods from Singapore.
Stock market Tuesday
the-shiv is reporting that the VN-Index closed at 1,754.84, up 25.04 points or 1.45 percent, with a total trading value of VND 22,165.36 billion or US$841.19 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$3.49 million worth of equities, Monday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Exchange rates Tuesday
the-shiv is reporting that on December 29, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,750 and the sell rate was VND 26,820, a change of 0 and 1,000, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,785 (down 1.83 percent), according to Ty Gia USD.
Meanwhile, the State Bank of Vietnam’s central exchange rate was set at VND 25,125, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 26,282.
Textile / footwear materials exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported textile, leather and footwear materials and auxiliaries to the tune of US$188 million in November, down from US$204 million in October, a change of -8.05 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$2,193 million worth of textile, leather and footwear materials and auxiliaries by the end of November.
Motor vehicle parts imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported parts and accessories of motor vehicles to the tune of US$570 million in November, up from US$533 million in October, a change of 6.99 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had imported US$5,220 million worth of parts and accessories of motor vehicles by the end of November.
Yesterday’s Vietnam news
In today’s headlines: SK telco R&D Vietnam, Sun Group breaks ground casino, fast food spending, diesel spill Dung Quat, steel price hike, pumped storage hydro, government bonds 2025, FLC to be delisted, healthcare spending, advisory council on monetary policy, smoking in hotels, To Lam speech, new graduate job market challenges, aged care facility shortage HCMC, IFCs as tourism drivers, HPG steel maker exports plummet, Manpower on labour market, and more. Read more…