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.
See yesterday’s news headlines →
FTSE Vietnam Index revision
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that FTSE Russell has removed two shares — FPT Securities Joint Stock Company (FTS) and Hoa Sen Group (HSG) — from the FTSE Vietnam Index in its Q4 2025 review, with no additions.
The changes will take effect after the close on 27 December and for trading from 29 December.
HSR investment model changes
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam’s National Assembly on 8 December heard a proposal to allow the US$67 billion North–South high-speed railway to move away from a fully public-investment model, after no private investors expressed interest under the current structure.
The proposal suggests splitting the land clearance and resettlement into separate State-funded projects, and giving the National Assembly Standing Committee authority to approve future changes to the proposal when parliament is not in session.
Danang IFC temporary office
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that the temporary office of the Vietnam International Financial Center in Da Nang is almost ready.
City officials say the government is expected to announce the center’s establishment on 19 December, after which the office will open.
A separate 20-storey building for the full operations of the center is scheduled to enter service in the second quarter of 2026.
Christmas tree market Hanoi
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that fresh imported Christmas trees from Europe are being widely sold in Hanoi with prices varying from a few hundred thousand dong to several tens of millions of dong per tree.
Shops say imported varieties, especially Nobilis from Denmark, are popular due to their scent and durability, with ready-decorated trees of 1.5–3m sold for VND 1.5–5 million, the publication says.
New businesses established data
An Ninh Tien Te is reporting that Vietnam recorded nearly 178,000 newly established enterprises in the first 11 months of 2025, up 20.9 percent year-on-year, with registered capital totalling VND 1,753.2 trillion (US$66.6 billion).
It also notes, however, that 205,400 enterprises withdrew from the market in the 11-month period, including 110,100 temporarily suspending operations and 30,800 completing dissolution.
Fish size regulations suspended
Nong Nghiep Moi Truong is reporting that Vietnam has suspended a rule requiring striped tuna to be at least 50 centimetres long, which had pushed prices down to VND 25,000 per kilogram (US$0.95).
Fishermen in eastern Gia Lai say the rule, effective from 19 May 2024, cut purchase prices by VND 10,000 per kilogram, and have welcomed the decison to reverse it.
Ed.’s notes: Suspended rule was part of efforts to remove EU yellow card for Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing (IUU) which the PM called an “urgent must-do” just two weeks ago.
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Medical tourism gone wrong
Stuff is reporting that an Australian woman is in a critical condition in Danang after collapsing following cosmetic surgery.
Vietnamese doctors placed her in an induced coma and suspect Toxic Shock Syndrome, with police investigating the case, the publication says.
Ed.’s notes: Strong push from within Vietnam to grow medical tourism industry, adds colour to suggestion Vietnam can provide high-quality, affordable care; contrasts with Aussie social media sensation after plastic surgery in Hanoi from a couple of weeks ago.
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Japan nuclear pull out
Reuters is reporting that Japan has withdrawn from Vietnam’s planned Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power plant because the timetable is too tight, Japan’s ambassador in Hanoi told Reuters.
The project, with a planned capacity of 2 to 3.2 gigawatts, is scheduled to start operating by 2035 under Vietnam’s energy roadmap.
Ed.’s notes: Similar story with the new airport at Long Thanh where the number of bids was much lower than expected after key foreign firms pulled out on too tight timelines.
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Moodys on VN credit risks
The Asset is reporting that Moody’s says Vietnam’s fast credit expansion to meet double-digit growth goals is creating a funding imbalance as lending outpaces deposit inflows, increasing banks’ reliance on market funding.
It notes bond issuance reached VND 257 trillion (US$9.75 billion) in the first nine months of 2025 and are expected to remain high in 2026.
Moody’s says smaller banks face higher funding costs and refinancing risks, although sector profitability and regulatory oversight continue to support credit profiles.
Casino ticket price hike
VnExpress is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance (MoF) has proposed raising entry fees for Vietnamese citizens at licensed casinos to VND 2.5 million (US$95) per day or VND 50 million (US$1,900) per month, more than double current rates.
The MoF has rejected the lower-fee proposals, saying higher prices help screen financial capability, while the Ministry of Justice has questioned whether ticket pricing is an appropriate test of financial capacity; government policy currently permits qualified Vietnamese citizens to enter three casinos under a five-year pilot scheme.
Circumvention investigation steel wheels
VN Economy is reporting that the US Department of Commerce has opened an anti-circumvention investigation into 22.5–24.5 inch steel wheels completed in Vietnam using Chinese hot-rolled steel.
As proof the petitioners point to imports of Chinese hot-rolled steel into Vietnam surging 291 percent between 2017 and 2023, with Vietnamese steel wheel shipments increasing from US$7 million in 2018 to US$76 million in 2024.
Ed.’s notes: Vietnam Ministry of Industry and Trade similarly investigating whether wide-width HRC imports from China are being used to evade existing anti-dumping duties on smaller width imports and then cut to size once across the border.
Relative size VIC market cap
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vingroup’s market capitalisation rose to more than 1.17 million billion dong (about US$44.4 billion) on 8 December, exceeding the combined value of Vietnam’s three largest state-owned banks.
Vietcombank, BIDV and VietinBank together were valued at around 1.02 million billion dong (about US$38.7 billion) as of December 8 the article notes.
Ed.’s notes: No comment.
Vietnam tourist arrivals
the-shiv is reporting that in November, Vietnam welcomed 1,978,174 tourist arrivals, an increase of 14.20 percent from October, according to the latest data from Vietnam’s General Department of Tourism.
Textile & garment exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported textiles and garments to the tune of US$2,973 million in November, down from US$3,179 million in October, a change of -6.48 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$35,913 million worth of textiles and garments by the end of November.
Stock market Monday
the-shiv is reporting that the VN-Index closed at 1,753.74, up 12.42 points or 0.71 percent, with a total trading value of VND 21,497.37 billion or US$815.84 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$71.50 million worth of equities, Monday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Exchange rates Monday
the-shiv is reporting that on December 8, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 27,200 and the sell rate was VND 27,250, a change of 0 and 10, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 27,225 (down 0.02 percent), according to Ty Gia USD.
Meanwhile, the State Bank of Vietnam’s central exchange rate was set at VND 25,152, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 26,361.
Vietnam footwear exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported footwear to the tune of US$2,076 million in November, up from US$2,032 million in October, a change of 2.16 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$21,909 million worth of footwear by the end of November.
