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.
Data centre electricity costs complaint
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that some of Vietnam’s biggest tech firms have urged the Ministry of Industry and Trade to maintain electricity pricing for data centres under the production tariff category.
This comes after a new circular issued in December 2025 saw data centres reclassified as commercial service facilities, incurring commercial electricity rates, with claims costs for some firms have risen as much as 50 percent.
Ed.’s notes: See below. On the one hand, cheap electricity helps tech development; on the other hand, power supply under strain – higher prices = greater efficiency (theoretically).
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AI support policies draft
The Government Electronic Newspaper is reporting that the Ministry of Science and Technology has drafted a decree to guide the implementation of the Law on Artificial Intelligence, including access to state-backed computing infrastructure, shared datasets, regulatory sandboxes and technology exchange platforms, alongside incentives in public procurement and intellectual property registration.
Startups and small and medium enterprises in AI would receive partial support for compliance costs, free risk assessment tools, access to open-source models and priority funding through a proposed National AI Development Fund, according to the draft decree.
Ed.’s notes: Contrasts with the above article on power prices increasing for data centres; speaks to two-speed development, regulatory environment vs physical environment, and/or policy-making conflicts, in this case between MoST and MoIT.
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Gov’t bond auction results
The Vietnam Bond Mark Association has said in a release that on February 11, the State Treasury offered VND 15,500 billion, about US$588.4 million, in government bonds across four maturities.
Only 10-year bonds were sold, with VND 11,000 billion, about US$417.6 million, issued at a yield of 4.07 percent, up 2 basis points from the previous week.
Five-year, 15-year and 30-year bonds attracted insufficient demand and were not issued.
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Asian football non-local players
VnExpress is reporting that the Asian Football Confederation said Vietnam filed a complaint to FIFA after Malaysia’s 4-0 win in June 2025, prompting an eligibility investigation into seven naturalised Malaysian players.
FIFA later issued 12-month bans in September 2025 for the seven players over falsified documents used to obtain national team eligibility.
Ed.’s notes: Yesterday, VN Express reported 8 naturalised players could be called up for Vietnam to play against Malaysia – noted for race to the bottom vibes.
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Norway plastics investment
VIR is reporting that Norfund, a Norwegian investment fund, has invested US$4 million in Circular Plastics Company to expand industrial polyethylene terephthalate recycling in Vietnam.
The funding will support capital expenditure and working capital for CPC’s recycling plant near Ho Chi Minh City.
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Census results coming early
Vietnam News is reporting that the National Statistics Office will release preliminary results of its 2026 Economic Census on June 30, seven months earlier than originally planned.
Authorities revised survey content to accelerate reporting, adding financial indicators for businesses and removing or shifting 20 indicators to administrative data sources, the article says.
Ed.’s notes: It doesn’t say why they would do this – increased speed = increased quality concerns.
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BESS MoU
VIR is reporting that Asia Clean Capital Vietnam has signed memoranda of understanding with South Korean manufacturers Nosafood and Speed Vina to study rooftop solar and battery energy storage deployment in Vietnam.
The agreements focus on integrating rooftop solar with battery energy storage systems at industrial facilities in Vietnam.
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Chinese food delivery app recruiting in VN
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that China’s largest food delivery platform, Meituan, has begun recruiting staff for Vietnam-based operations.
The company was registered in November 2025 with charter capital of VND 100 million (US$3,795), the article says.
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Beer industry performance
Vietstock is reporting that in 2025, listed beer companies reported lower revenue as demand weakened, but overall net profit edged higher due to tighter cost control.
Sabeco remained the dominant profit contributor despite declining sales, while Habeco recorded both revenue and profit growth.
Beer stocks continued to lag the broader market, reflecting limited liquidity and muted investor interest despite relatively stable sector profitability, the article says.
Ed.’s notes: Beer production year-on-year: 4,486.90 million litres in 2024 – 4,601.90 million litres in 2025 = up 2.56 percent.
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Delayed flight compensation under revision
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that under a new draft decree, airlines would have to provide food and drinks for delays of two hours, allow full refunds from three hours, and pay compensation from four hours, with accommodation required from six hours in certain time frames.
Airlines are against the move, arguing that these changes would raise operating costs.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam says the changes are intended to strengthen passenger protection and push airlines to improve schedule planning and fleet allocation.
Ed.’s notes: There is a point here about a lack of competition creating an environment where the government needs to step in to drive service improvements = government interference in markets begets more government interference in markets.
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Analysis: Airline foreign ownership cap increase challenges
the-shiv is carrying analysis of a draft aviation decree that proposes raising the foreign ownership cap in Vietnamese airlines to a maximum of 49 percent from the current 34 percent.
This is a promising sign for the local aviation industry, which is thirsty for capital; however, it’s far from clear that this is likely to happen.
Exports to the USA in January
the-shiv is reporting that in January, Vietnam exported US$13,898 million worth of goods to the USA, down 3.47 percent over December, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Stock market Wednesday
the-shiv is reporting that the VN-Index closed at 1,796.85, up 42.82 points or 2.44 percent, with a total trading value of VND 31,954.35 billion or US$1,212.69 million, and foreign traders net-buying US$79.35 million worth of equities, Wednesday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Exchange rates Wednesday
the-shiv is reporting that on February 11, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,220, and the sell rate was VND 26,270, a change of 280 and 280, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,245 (down 1.06 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Meanwhile, the State Bank of Vietnam’s central exchange rate was set at VND 25,050, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 25,996.
Car sales January
the-shiv is reporting that total car sales in Vietnam reached 29,774 units in January, compared to 42,701 units in December. Year-to-date, the VAMA has recorded 29,774 Total car sales.
This is compared to 15,676 units over the same period in 2025, according to the latest data from the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association.
Garment and textile exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported textiles and garments to the tune of US$3,250 million in January, down from US$3,655 million in December, a change of -11.07 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$3,250 million worth of textiles and garments by the end of January.
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Yesterday’s Vietnam news roundup
the-shiv is reporting that In today’s Vietnam news: Be disputes ride-hailing market report assumptions, India VN cosmetics firm acquisition, Aviation foreign ownership cap revision, Digital advertising revenue forecast, More fish imports from Canada allowed, Vinfast 2026 delivery target, Return to consolidated invoices proposed, Power supply guarantees Sweden’s Syre, TikTok Shop fee hike, Government deposits liquidity state-owned banks, Credit growth outpacing company revenue, Bank lending maturity mismatch, National energy centre proposal, Stock market Tuesday, Exchange rates Tuesday, Updated: Vietnam’s Meat Market 2026, Updated: Vietnam’s Labour Law 2026, and more. Read the full news roundup→