This is a brief rundown of what was reported over the weekend 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.
Privatisation agenda
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that the Government has issued a list of 20 state-owned enterprises in intends to prioritise for state capital restructuring (privatisation / partial privatisation), including Vietnam Electricity, Viettel, Petrolimex, Vietnam Airlines, Airports Corporation of Vietnam and Agribank.
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Bamboo Airways Boeing
VnExpress is reporting that Bamboo Airways founder Trinh Van Quyet has met with Boeing Vietnam Chief Executive Officer Michael Vu and regional commercial director ZiZhang Ng to discuss fleet expansion plans.
Quyet proposed leasing next-generation Boeing 737 Max aircraft.
Ed.’s notes: It’s still not clear how Quyet is out of prison – was sentenced to 21 years, which was reduced to seven years back in June. This would still put his release date somewhere in 2029 at the earliest.
Bamboo Airways hasn’t issued financial statements since 2022 – this might make it challenging to secure financing for Boeing jets.
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Long Thanh airport delays
Dan Tri is reporting that poor coordination and project management are causing delays at Long Thanh International Airport.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam reported slow site handover and repeated changes to delivery plans by the Airports Corporation of Vietnam.
Payment delays were also flagged, with one contractor reporting 80 percent completion but only 40 percent of the work’s value disbursed.
Ed.’s notes: Back in 2023, several bidders for the airport project pulled out, citing a too-tight time frame as a problem.
On a side note, Japan pulled out of bidding on a nuclear power plant project also because of a too-tight timeline.
Recurring theme.
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Tax for foreign crypto trades
VnExpress is reporting that the Ministry of Finance is proposing a 0.1 percent income tax on each transfer of crypto assets by foreign organisations and individuals, resident or non-resident, made using a Vietnamese exchange.
Draft regulations require crypto asset service providers to withhold, declare and pay the tax monthly on behalf of sellers.
Ed.’s notes: Adds to reasons a foreign crypto trader might not want to use a Vietnamese exchange. Not a lot of reasons yet why they might.
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Cement industry woes
Vietstock is reporting that the Vietnam Cement Association has said cutting clinker export tax from 10 percent to 5 percent through 2026 will help exports, but global overcapacity and protectionism are intensifying competition.
Vicem Hai Van Cement is reported to have said 2025 supply far exceeded demand, price competition worsened, input costs stayed high, and rising electricity prices added further pressure on margins.
Fico Tay Ninh Cement’s chief executive said structural fragmentation and persistent oversupply mean public investment can only ease difficulties, not resolve core industry weaknesses.
BIDV loans real estate projects halted
The Investor is reporting that Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam has suspended new real estate project loans, instructing branches to halt submissions pending further guidance.
The move follows State Bank of Vietnam directives that 2026 real estate credit growth must not exceed overall system loan expansion.
Ed.’s notes: Real estate sector still recovering from bond crisis in 2022 – a lot of debt rolling over – this could have broad implications, especially if other banks follow suit. #monitoring
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Citi growth forecast
VIR is reporting that Citi Research has forecast Vietnam’s gross domestic product to grow about 8 percent in 2026, with domestic demand offsetting moderating export growth.
It expects consumption, infrastructure investment and domestically oriented foreign direct investment to play a larger role.
Citi expects the USD VND exchange rate to depreciate by about plus or minus 3 percent and the sovereign outlook to shift to positive.
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MBS Securities currency forecast
The Investor is reporting that MBS Securities forecasts the USD VND exchange rate will rise 2.5 to 3 percent in 2026, with relative stability supported by a weaker US dollar.
Rising imports from the United States and higher gold imports, are also expected to add pressure.
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Starlink trial approved
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that the Authority of Telecommunications has licensed Starlink Services Vietnam to provide fixed satellite telecommunications services.
In the initial phase, Starlink will deploy four gateways and up to 600,000 user terminals nationwide.
A March 26, 2025, decision allows a five-year controlled pilot of low Earth orbit satellite services, ending before January 1, 2031, with no foreign ownership limits.
Ed.’s notes: Be interesting to see how this works with Vietnam’s censorship regime.
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Stock market manipulation fines
VnExpress is reporting that the State Securities Commission banned 17 individuals from trading securities for two years for stock market manipulation.
One defendant used 19 accounts to conduct continuous trades from early 2021 to late 2022.
She was fined VND1.5 billion (US$56,900) and barred from trading and holding positions at securities firms and investment funds for two years.
The other 16 individuals received two-year trading bans without monetary fines, and authorities reported no illegal profits were identified.
Ed.’s notes: Adds some much-needed context to data on account numbers from the Vietnam Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation – 12.1 million accounts in January.
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Vietravel Airlines rebrand
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that Vietravel Airlines plans to complete a brand name change in the second quarter of 2026.
The airline will relocate its headquarters to Hanoi in early 2026, restructure its flight network and target a fleet of at least 10 aircraft this year.
Ed.’s notes: It doesn’t say what it will be rebranded to, but it was reported that AirAsia was taking a stake in the airline back in November
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Crypto crash
France24 is reporting that a fall in the value of cryptocurrencies has triggered bankruptcies, layoffs and restructuring in Vietnam’s crypto sector.
Nearly 55 percent of individual Vietnamese crypto investors reported losses last year, and one alleged scam swindled almost US$400 million from thousands of investors, the article says.
Ed.’s notes: It will be interesting to see if the fall in crypto of late impacts Vietnam’s plans to establish its own crypto exchange.
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Data centre power prices
Dan Tri is reporting that the Ministry of Industry and Trade has responded to calls from Viettel, VNPT, FPT, VNG and CMC to review the application of business electricity tariffs to data centres, after changes last year meant these businesses were charged commercial electricity prices as opposed to the reduced rate for production businesses that they had been before.
It stated tariffs are determined by the purpose of use, with third-party service data centres subject to business rates, with only data centres serving internal operations eligible for production tariffs.
Iron and steel exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported iron and steel to the tune of US$650 million in January, up from US$548 million in December, a change of 18.70 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$650 million worth of iron and steel by the end of January.
Imports from Indonesia
the-shiv is reporting that in January, Vietnam imported US$967.74 million worth of goods from Indonesia, down from US$1,159.43 million in December, a change of -16.53 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has imported US$968 million worth of goods from Indonesia.
Exports to Germany
the-shiv is reporting that in January, Vietnam exported US$1,012 million worth of goods to Germany, up 8.97 percent over December, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has exported US$1,012 million worth of goods to Germany.
Fabric imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported fabrics to the tune of US$1,287 million in January, down from US$1,408 million in December, a change of -8.61 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had imported US$1,287 million worth of fabrics by the end of January.
Footwear exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported footwear to the tune of US$2,048 million in January, down from US$2,199 million in December, a change of -6.85 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$2,048 million worth of footwear by the end of January.
Exports to China
the-shiv is reporting that in January, Vietnam exported US$6,322 million worth of goods to China, down 12.16 percent over December, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has exported US$6,322 million worth of goods to China.
Petroleum products imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported petroleum products to the tune of US$723 million in January, up from US$633 million in December, a change of 14.12 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had imported US$723 million worth of petroleum products by the end of January.
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In Friday’s Vietnam news: Human resource shortages expected, Bank reserve ratios cut 4 banks, Trade negotiations stalled on transhipment, CB/TH border tension driving VN tourism, Vietnam coffee industry EUDR, Solar FiT project reviews, Seaport development, MSCI Watchlist expectations, Hue solar power plant tender, Local gambler casino fee change, Stock market Thursday, Exchange rates Thursday, Coal imports January, Imports from China, Yesterday’s Vietnam news roundup, and more. Read the full news roundup→