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.
Nuclear power commentary
Fulcrum is carrying commentary from Ian Storey, Senior Fellow at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, on Vietnam’s attempt to restart its nuclear power programme.
Storey argues Russia and South Korea are the most viable partners to build the stalled Ninh Thuan nuclear power plants after Japan withdrew.
He also sets out the main obstacles, including financing, tight construction timelines, sanctions risks, workforce training, regulation, and approval from the International Atomic Energy Agency.
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MoU w/US firms crude oil supply
The Investor is reporting that the Binh Son Refining has signed memoranda with several US firms to secure crude oil supplies for the Dung Quat refinery.
The agreements with Chevron, Marquis Energy and ADM Asia-Pacific Trading cover crude supply stability and potential imports of bioethanol and corn feedstock for domestic biofuel production.
The agreements are in line with attempts to ease trade tensions with the US with respect to Vietnam’s trade surplus with the country.
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Marriott-Masterise development agreement
VIR is reporting that Marriott International has announced a multi-property agreement with Masterise Group to develop four hotels and one branded residence in Vietnam.
The projects include The Ritz Carlton Saigon and The Ritz Carlton Residences Saigon, a dual-branded JW Marriott and Four Points by Sheraton complex in Can Gio, and Hanoi’s first Marriott Hotel.
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Music industry report: RMIT
Vietnam Plus is reporting that Vietnam’s music industry expanded rapidly in 2025, with higher professionalism, larger audiences and increased international visibility, according to a white paper from RMIT University Vietnam.
The report estimates Vietnam’s digital music revenue at about US$52 million in 2025, and expects that to rise to over US$74 million by 2030.
Ed.’s notes: Original report.
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Tobacco import quotas increase
The Tobacco Reporter is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade has set the 2026 tariff rate quota for imported raw tobacco at 79,199 tonnes.
The quota applies to traders holding licences to manufacture tobacco products or process tobacco materials and importing for domestic cigarette production.
Ed.’s notes: Last year it was 75,427 tons. Import quotas on tobacco to protect local tobacco farmers – may be something in this with respect to why cigarettes are so cheap in VN.
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US trade negotiations
VIR is reporting that Vietnam has said it is willing to increase imports from the United States, focusing on machinery, equipment, and high technology, during trade talks in Washington.
At a roundtable with the US ASEAN Business Council, Acting Minister Le Manh Hung cited aircraft purchase contracts by Vietjet and Vietnam Airlines with Boeing, as having “…helped develop Vietnam – US trade relations in a more balanced, sustainable, and mutually beneficial direction.”
Ed.’s notes: Vietnam Airlines was looking for financing the other day for Airbus jets; it’s also not clear the airline has been able to secure financing for Boeing jets.
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New loans for distressed fuel company
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that BIDV has continued extending credit to Petroleum Trading and Investment Joint Stock Company Nam Song Hau despite the fuel trader recording heavy losses and severe financial distress in 2025.
The company reported no operating revenue in the fourth quarter, large unsold inventories, minimal cash, and accumulated losses exceeding equity.
A planned US$720 million refinancing deal with Acuity Funding collapsed after authorities identified fraud, leaving the firm dependent on bank forbearance rather than operational recovery, the article notes.
Ed.’s notes: Good money after bad – Indicative of broader local bank lending behaviour?
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Textile / garment industry performance 2025
Vietstock is reporting that Vietnam’s textile and garment industry recovered in 2025, with listed firms’ revenue rising 7 percent and net profit up 48 percent, while exports reached about US$46 billion.
Much of the growth was front-loaded into early 2025 as buyers accelerated orders, with a visible slowdown in the fourth quarter and pressure on prices and margins.
Entering 2026, the industry targets exports of US$48–50 billion but faces constraints from low localisation, imported inputs, tighter green standards, and thinner margins.
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Mitsubishi real estate acquisition HCMC
VnExpress is reporting that Japan’s Mitsubishi Corporation has agreed to acquire the Thuan An 1 high-rise project from Phat Dat Real Estate Development for more than VND 1.9 trillion (US$72.1 million).
The 1.8-hectare project in Ho Chi Minh City includes 39 floors, three basement levels and about 2,700 apartments and shophouses, with land use rights granted in May 2025.
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Bank liquidity strain increases
VnExpress is reporting that Vietnam’s overnight interbank interest rate briefly reached 17 percent on February 3, the highest level in more than a decade, before easing back below 10 percent.
Short-term dong borrowing costs rose sharply across maturities of one month or less, while US dollar interbank rates edged up slightly to around 3.6–3.8 percent.
The State Bank of Vietnam responded by injecting more than VND 65 trillion net via open market operations.
Ed.’s notes: One month in, with a credit growth target of 15 percent for the year – not looking good for meeting target or not looking good for bank risk.
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Stock market Wednesday
the-shiv is reporting that the VN-Index closed at 1,988.19, down 9.50 points or 0.48 percent, with a total trading value of VND 20,541.08 billion or US$779.55 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$36.55 million worth of equities, Wednesday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Ed.’s notes:
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Exchange rates Wednesday
the-shiv is reporting that on February 4, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,600, and the sell rate was VND 26,650, a change of 50 and 50, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,625 (up 0.19 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD.
Meanwhile, the State Bank of Vietnam’s central exchange rate was set at VND 25,067, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 25,985.
Updated: Vietnam’s wood manufacturing industry
Vietnam’s wood manufacturing industry is a rapidly expanding sector, playing a crucial role in the country’s economy and positioning Vietnam as one of the world’s leading exporters of wood products. This article has been updated to reflect the latest data entering 2026. View article→
Updated: Vietnam’s fabric manufacturing industry
Vietnam’s fabric manufacturing industry plays an essential role in supporting the country’s textile and garment sector, which is a major contributor to the economy. This article has been updated to reflect the latest data entering 2026. View article →
Updated: Where are Nikes made in Vietnam?
the-shiv is reporting that, according to Nike’s supplier list, last updated in December of 2025, the company engages around 175 factories all over Vietnam to produce shoes, apparel, and equipment. It also employs 488,506 workers in 30 provinces. View article →
Yesterday’s Vietnam news roundup
In yesterday’s Vietnam news roundup: AMRO: VN gov’t bond market, Writing instruments market, SBV repo issuances jump, Vingroup-linked steel firm losses, State miner record profit higher minerals prices, Cheap imported meat, Stock exchange foreign trader requirements eased, Unofficial soccer streaming sites shutdown, VLBA Decree 46 postponement request, Arrest / 8.4 billion stolen emails, Emissions testing motorcycles roadmap, Copper buying on silver / gold price swings, Wheat imports, Exchange rates Tuesday, Stock market Tuesday, Plastics exports, Interview: Digital Asset Exchange, and more. Read the full roundup→