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.
Human resource shortages expected
VN Economy is reporting that a Navigos Group survey has found Vietnamese businesses expect skilled labour shortages, rising personnel costs and global economic volatility to most affect recruitment and workforce plans in 2026.
Demand for technology, digital transformation and automation roles continues to outpace supply, while minimum wage adjustments and higher benefit costs increase pressure on employers, the article notes.
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Bank reserve ratios cut 4 banks
An Ninh Tien Te is reporting that the State Bank of Vietnam has reduced required reserve ratios by 50 percent for Vietcombank, MB, VPBank and HDBank after they accepted compulsory transfers of distressed banks.
Reserve requirements fall to 1.5 percent for deposits under 12 months and 0.5 percent for deposits of 12 months or more, from 3 percent and 1 percent.
Ed.’s notes: No mention of how this might impact their risk profiles.
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Trade negotiations stalled on transhipment
Bloomberg is reporting that Communist Party chief To Lam plans to visit Washington to seek trade talks with United States President Donald Trump.
Negotiations have stalled over the definition of transshipped goods, which the United States says will face a 40 percent tariff, the article says.
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CB/TH border tension driving VN tourism
Scmp is reporting that Travellers are favouring Vietnam over Thailand and Cambodia amid border tensions, while benefiting from eased visa rules and more direct international flights.
European arrivals have increased, supported by measures such as a 45-day visa-free stay for German citizens and Vietnam’s positioning as a winter destination, the article says.
Ed.’s notes: This reads more like an advertisement than news.
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Vietnam coffee industry EUDR
Agtechnavigator is reporting that Vietnam’s coffee sector faces compliance challenges under the European Union Deforestation Regulation, which requires plot-level geospatial traceability and proof of land legality.
Lily Tran of Koltiva, an Indonesian sustainable agriculture and supply chain traceability company, said fragmented smallholder farms and incomplete land documentation create major barriers to meeting traceability requirements.
Exporters able to meet European Union Deforestation Regulation requirements are being prioritised, increasing pressure on smaller producers lacking compliant documentation, the article says.
Ed.’s notes: By the end of December, Vietnam had exported US$8.9 billion worth of coffee.
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Solar FiT project reviews
The Investor is reporting that the Ministry of Industry and Trade has asked 15 provinces and cities to review 167 renewable energy projects entitled to feed-in tariffs.
Delayed acceptance has led to partial or delayed payments under power purchase agreements with Vietnam Electricity, prompting investor petitions to maintain agreed feed-in tariff rates.
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Seaport development
Vietnam News is reporting that MBS Securities has said container throughput at Vietnam’s ports is expected to continue rising, with deep-water ports gaining efficiency from larger vessels and infrastructure upgrades.
Total investment demand for the seaport system by 2030 is estimated at VND 359.5 trillion, equivalent to about US$13.64 billion.
Of this, VND 72.8 trillion, around US$2.76 billion, is allocated to public maritime infrastructure and VND 286.7 trillion, about US$10.88 billion, to commercial terminals.
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MSCI Watchlist expectations
Vietnamnet is reporting that SSI Research has said stock market reforms made over the last twelve months address MSCI concerns on accessibility, transparency and settlement reliability, though foreign exchange liberalisation remains a key outstanding issue.
The publication speculates that this has the potential to see Vietnam included on MSCI’s Watchlist in June 2026.
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Hue solar power plant tender
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Hue has invited bids for the Phong Hoa solar power plant project with a preliminary investment of VND 671 billion, equivalent to about US$25.47 million.
The project has a designed capacity of 40MW on about 45.3 hectares and is expected to generate around 63.19 million kWh annually, with a 2MW battery storage system.
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Local gambler casino fee change
Thanh Nien is reporting that a request to remove a proposed increase of entry fees for Vietnamese players at casinos from a draft decree has been rejected by Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance.
The draft sets ticket prices at VND 2.5 million per 24 hours, about US$94.87, or VND 50 million per month, about US$1,897.53.
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Stock market Thursday
the-shiv is reporting that the VN-Index closed at 1,814.09, up 17.24 points or 0.96 percent, with a total trading value of VND 16,386.00 billion or US$621.86 million, and foreign traders net-buying US$13.06 million worth of equities, Thursday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange. View source→
Exchange rates Thursday
the-shiv is reporting that on February 12, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,200, and the sell rate was VND 26,250, a change of 20 and 20, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,225 (down 0.08 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 25,964. View source→
Coal imports January
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported coal to the tune of US$669 million in January, up from US$497 million in December, a change of 34.57 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. View source→
Imports from China
the-shiv is reporting that in January, Vietnam imported US$19 billion worth of goods from China, up from US$18.3 billion in December, a change of 4.34 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. View source→
Yesterday’s Vietnam news roundup
the-shiv is reporting that In today’s Vietnam news: Data centre electricity costs complaint, Gov’t bond auction results, Asian football non-local players, Norway plastics investment, Census results coming early, BESS MoU, Chinese food delivery app recruiting in VN, Beer industry performance, AI support policies draft, Delayed flight compensation under revision, Exports to the USA in January, Stock market Wednesday, Exchange rates Wednesday, Car sales January, Analysis: Airline foreign ownership cap increase challenges, and more. Read the full news roundup →