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.
Trade remedies packaging
Packaging Dive is reporting that the United States Department of Commerce has imposed antidumping and countervailing duties on thermoformed moulded fibre food service products imported from China and Vietnam, effective January 27, 2026.
Duties can reach up to 260 percent for Vietnamese producers, depending on the manufacturer.
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Pirate streaming site shut down
VnExpress is reporting that Vietnam’s largest pirated movie platform, RoPhim, shut down its website and social media channels on February 5, citing concerns about harming licensed streaming services.
The platform, which had more than 216,000 Facebook followers, offered free access to films and television shows without holding copyrights, with a paid option to remove advertising.
RoPhim had repeatedly changed domain names after being blocked by authorities, with its last domain update announced just days before the shutdown.
Ed.’s notes: Yesterday, reported pirate soccer streaming sites shut down. Coincides with trade negotiations in Washington – timing is interesting.
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Trump project foreign buyers allowed
VnExpress is reporting that the Trump International Hung Yen project has been approved to sell up to 250 low-rise units and 30 percent of its apartments to foreign buyers.
The US$1.5 billion development in Hung Yen province covers 888 hectares and includes residential areas and two golf courses, with construction starting in 2025.
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Loyalty market report
Research and Markets has released a report finding that the loyalty market in Vietnam is estimated to reach US$588.2 million in 2026, growing at an annual rate of 17.2 percent.
The market expanded at a compound annual growth rate of 19.7 percent from 2021 to 2025 and is forecast to grow at 14.7 percent annually through 2030, the report finds.
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Gold smugglers sentenced
VnExpress is reporting that a Hanoi court has sentenced two people to 10 years in prison for smuggling 546 kilograms of gold from China into Vietnam and ordered them to repay VND 1.2 trillion (US$46.2 million).
Six couriers received prison terms of three to five years, while three executives of Vietnam Gold Company were given suspended sentences for accounting violations.
The smuggling took place in 2024, driven by a wide gap between domestic and global gold prices, with couriers hiding gold in shoes or fabric bags to cross the border.
Ed.’s notes: Punishment fit the crime? Not fraud, no one was deceived, no one was in danger – speaks to the often uneven, inconsistent application of the law.
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Xanh SM revenue / market share
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Xanh SM took 52 percent of frequent ride-hailing usage in January 2026, overtaking Grab at 44 percent and Be at 4 percent, according to a Q&Me survey.
The survey found near-perfect trip confirmation rates for both Xanh SM and Grab, with Xanh SM recording faster average confirmation times and lower prices in most comparisons.
The article also notes that financial disclosures show GSM, the operator of Xanh SM, generated VND 19.9 trillion (US$756 million) in revenue in 2025.
Ed.’s notes: It’s not clear where the GSM revenue numbers come from – it doesn’t appear to be in Vingroup’s financial reports on its website, or at least it’s not listed as that.
Grab was looking at full-year revenue of US$3.4 billion for 2025, and that’s for its entire business operations – US$756 million for GSM seems very high.
Also noted for reference to lower prices – GSM owns many of its cars, costs likely considerably higher than Grab’s – margins must be tight.
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Infrastructure quality impact FDI
Tuoi Tre is reporting that foreign-invested enterprises in Dong Nai have urged authorities to urgently repair key roads linking industrial parks, citing safety risks, logistics delays, and negative impacts on investment attraction.
Companies highlighted severe deterioration on the Lo Gach–Cau Nuoc Trong route and congestion on Bui Van Hoa road, affecting worker commutes and freight movements.
Provincial officials said budget-funded upgrades for Lo Gach–Cau Nuoc Trong have been assigned, while solutions for Bui Van Hoa are being processed, with implementation timelines to be announced.
Ed.’s notes: Raises an interesting point re: proposed infrastructure build out to power economic growth – it will all need to be maintained = ongoing $$ – also, is this at the expense of maintaining existing infrastructure?
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New food safety regulations suspended
An Ninh Tien Te is reporting that Vietnam’s government suspended the application of Decree 46 on food safety management until April 15, 2026.
The suspension applies to rules governing food product declaration, registration, and inspection that had disrupted production, imports, and customs clearance.
Ed.’s notes: Finally got there.
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ACV bad debts
Vietnam Finance is reporting that Bamboo Airways accounted for the largest share of bad debts at Airports Corporation of Vietnam, with outstanding receivables exceeding VND 2.6 trillion (US$98.7 million) at the end of 2025.
Airports Corporation of Vietnam reported a record profit in 2025 despite narrowing margins, while increasing provisions for doubtful short-term receivables linked mainly to domestic airlines.
Of the total short-term bad debt provisions of VND 3.833 trillion (US$145.4 million), Bamboo Airways made up the majority, followed by Pacific Airlines and Vietravel Airlines.
Ed.’s notes: Adds to the depth of Bamboo Airways financial challenges, and VN aviation industry more broadly by extension.
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US countervailing duties wood
VN Economy is reporting that the United States Department of Commerce issued preliminary countervailing duties on certain plywood and decorative wood products imported from Vietnam.
Preliminary subsidy rates range from 4.37 percent to 26.75 percent for mandatory respondents, while other Vietnamese exporters face a provisional rate of 15.56 percent.
The US Commerce Department preliminarily found subsidies in Vietnam’s preferential lending by state-owned banks, industrial promotion grants, and the provision of inputs at below market prices, with a final ruling due in May 2026 and no retroactive duties imposed.
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January CPI
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam’s Consumer Price Index rose 0.05 percent month on month in January 2026, driven mainly by higher pork prices, increased eating-out costs during the Lunar New Year, and stronger demand for home maintenance and renovation, according to the latest release from the National Statistics Office.
On a year-on-year basis, the CPI increased 2.53 percent, while core inflation rose 3.19 percent.
Trade in January
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam’s total goods trade in January 2026 reached US$88.16 billion, down 0.6 percent from the previous month and up 39.0 percent year on year, resulting in a trade deficit of US$1.78 billion, according to the latest release from the National Statistics Office.
FDI January
the-shiv is reporting that total registered foreign investment in Vietnam reached US$2.58 billion as of January 31, 2026, down 40.6 percent year on year, reflecting sharp declines in adjusted capital and capital contributions, according to the latest release from the National Statistics Office.
Industrial production January
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam’s Industrial Production Index increased 21.5 percent year on year in January 2026, despite a 0.2 percent month-on-month decline, supported by stronger orders and more working days, according to the latest release from the National Statistics Office.
Stock market Thursday
the-shiv is reporting that the VN-Index closed at 1,969.27, down 18.92 points or 0.95 percent, with a total trading value of VND 15,961.39 billion or US$605.75 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$47.78 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 that on February 5, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,650, and the sell rate was VND 26,700, a change of 50 and 50, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,675 (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 25,066, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 25,970.
Yesterday’s Vietnam news roundup
In yesterday’s Vietnam news: Nuclear power commentary, MoU w/US firms crude oil supply, Marriott-Masterise development agreement, Music industry report: RMIT, Tobacco import quotas increase, US trade negotiations, New loans for distressed fuel company, Textile / garment industry performance 2025, Mitsubishi real estate acquisition HCMC, Bank liquidity strain increases, Stock market Wednesday, Exchange rates Wednesday, Updated: Vietnam’s wood manufacturing industry, Updated: Vietnam’s fabric manufacturing industry, Updated: Where are Nikes made in Vietnam?, Yesterday’s Vietnam news roundup, and more. Read yesterday’s full roundup →