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.
Korea nuclear power Vietnam
Business Korea is reporting that a South Korean nuclear consortium, known as Team Korea, could benefit from Vietnam ending its nuclear power cooperation with Japan on the Ninh Thuan Unit 2 project.
According to the article, analysts and industry sources see Vietnam as a key export opportunity for South Korea’s nuclear sector following constraints in Europe.
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Bank gold holding limits increased
Dan Tri is reporting that Vietnam’s central bank on January 9 issued Circular 82 allowing banks licensed to produce gold bars to raise gold positions to 5 percent of equity, from 2 percent previously.
The rule takes effect from February 12 and applies to gold balances from production, trading, import and export, and spot transactions.
Ed.’s notes: No gold import licences have yet been issued. If they are it will likely have significant implications for the gold market and the economy by extension. In this context, these policy announcements appear aimed at signalling forward momentum while stopping short of actually opening the market.
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Textile firm shifts to real estate
Vietstock is reporting that the Northern Textile and Garment Joint Stock Company is planning a private placement of 56.5 million shares.
At VND 20,000 per share, the placement could raise up to VND1.13 trillion (US$42.9 million) from fewer than 50 professional investors, with proceeds to fund two Hanoi luxury housing projects, Duc Giang Residences requiring VND522 billion (US$19.8 million) and Pristie Lac Trung needing VND608 billion (US$23.1 million).
Ed.’s notes: Speaks to challenges in building large private sector companies – rather than pursue vertical or horizontal integration there is a tendency to expand into other fields entirely, real estate in particular.
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Credit growth 19.1 percent 2025
Thanh Nien is reporting that credit growth in Vietnam reached about 19.1 percent by the end of 2025, with outstanding loans totalling VND 18.58 million billion (about US$705.7 billion), according to the State Bank of Vietnam.
Ed.’s notes: GDP 2025 est. US$514 billion = private credit to GDP 137 percent. GDP 2024 US$476.3 billion; credit $594.45 billion = private credit to GDP 125 percent.
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Credit growth 15 percent 2026
Vietnamnet is reporting that the State Bank of Vietnam said credit growth across the banking system in 2026 is expected to come in at about 15 percent.
Ed.’s notes: Banks are already struggling to mobilise capital. More credit requires more cash i.e. deposits and bonds. More demand = higher interest rates. Higher interest rates on bonds and deposits means banks need to charge higher lending interest rates.
See note above. On same trajectory, 8 percent GDP growth, private credit to GDP end-2026 around 145 percent.
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Hoi An casino expansion
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Hoiana, the owner of Vietnam’s largest casino resort in Hoi An, plans to invest an additional US$1 billion to expand the project, according to the developer.
The Hoiana resort has invested about US$1.4 billion to date, operates more than 1,200 hotel rooms, and includes 140 gaming tables, 270 electronic gaming machines, and an 18-hole golf course.
Ed.’s notes: May speak to greater confidence in direction of gaming sector – access for local bettors to select casinos in Vietnam was extended late last year.
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More payouts Truong My Lan
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that more than 43,000 bondholders in the Van Thinh Phat case were paid over VND9,000 billion, equivalent to about US$342 million, during 2025.
Ho Chi Minh City Civil Judgment Enforcement said total compensation to bondholders has now exceeded VND10,000 billion, or roughly US$380 million, after the latest payment round on January 5, 2026.
Ed.’s notes: Reports up to US$12 billion may have been embezzled.
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GAS shares Resolution 79
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that shares of PV GAS rose more than 30 percent in the first five trading sessions of 2026, with three ceiling-limit gains, lifting the stock price close to VND 100,000 per share.
Following the issuance of Resolution 79 on January 6, PV GAS shares gained 17.27 percent in three sessions, raising market capitalisation to about VND233,000 billion, or nearly US$8.8 billion.
Ed.’s notes: Dan Tri was reporting a few days ago that PV GAS was at risk of getting delisted because it has fallen below the minimum 10 percent free float requirement. Lower free float = bigger price/valuation fluctuations.
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Foreign exchange fine increase impacts
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that foreign exchange shops and gold stores in Ho Chi Minh City largely stopped selling US dollars in early January, with many only buying foreign currency, according to local reporting.
This comes ahead of Decree 340/2025, effective from February 9, which imposes fines of up to VND 100 million (US$3,795) for illegal foreign exchange transactions.
Ed.’s notes: Foreign currency trading heavily regulated – unofficial channels often utilised because official channels are inaccessible; decree unlikely to stop trade but may add a risk premium pushing up black market price, that is potential fines likely to be built into the cost of doing business. This may also bleed into official exchange rates via arbitrage. #monitoring.
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New oil well
Vietnam News is reporting that Murphy Oil Corporation said its subsidiary successfully drilled the Hai Su Vang-2X appraisal well offshore Vietnam, a discovery analysts say could be Southeast Asia’s largest oil find in 20 years.
Analysts Wood Mackenzie said recoverable resources are now estimated toward the upper end of a previously announced 170 to 430 million barrels of oil equivalent range.
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Green capital under Resolution 79
Vietnamnet is reporting that Duong Thi Bich Diep, Director of the Green Economic Institute under the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations, has described Resolution 79 as an action declaration that assigns the state economy responsibility for leading a green and sustainable growth model.
According to Diep, the state economy is best positioned to lead the green transition because it controls key national resources, including land, infrastructure, public finance, credit, and state-owned enterprises.
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ASF ‘food safety scandal’
Tuoi Tre is reporting that Highlands Coffee has temporarily halted lotus seed and lychee drinks at some locations in Vietnam after confirming canned lotus seeds and lychees were sourced from multiple suppliers, including Halong Canfoco, which it has been reported had used pork infected with African Swine Fever in some products.
Highlands Coffee stated it does not purchase or use any processed pork products from Halong Canfoco, following public concern linked to a food safety investigation.
Ed.’s notes: Pork infested with ASF not dangerous for humans to consume. Less a food safety issue than an animal health and bio-security issue – very deadly for pigs, moving products around likely to spread infection.
Lotus seed and lychee drink halt = result of weak communication, public relations, and crisis management practices in Vietnam.
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UOB growth forecast
Tuoi Tre is reporting that United Overseas Bank has raised its Vietnam 2026 gross domestic product growth forecast to 7.5 percent, citing continued strength in exports and foreign direct investment.
The lender revised the outlook up by 0.5 percentage points after Vietnam recorded 8.02 percent growth in 2025, the second-highest rate since 2011, based on official data.
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Fines renting bank accounts
Dan Tri is reporting that Vietnam will impose heavier penalties for illegal trading, renting, or lending of bank accounts from February 9.
Individuals who buy, sell, rent, or lend one to fewer than 10 payment accounts may be fined VND100–150 million, equivalent to about US$3,800–5,700.
Violations involving 10 or more payment accounts may be fined VND150–200 million, while opening or maintaining anonymous or impersonated accounts may draw fines up to VND250 million, about US$9,490.
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Hyosung carpet plant Danang
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that South Korea’s HS Hyosung, has signed a memorandum of understanding to invest about US$100 million in a carpet manufacturing plant in Da Nang.
The project will cover about 10.9 hectares in the expanded Tam Thang Industrial Park and produce commercial and automotive carpets.
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Beer consumption
Tuoi Tre is reporting that Vietnam ranked eighth globally in beer consumption, consuming about 4.6 billion litres of beer, equal to 2.4 percent of global demand, up 0.6 percent year on year, according to data from Kirin Holdings.
China remained the world’s largest beer market in 2024 with consumption of 40.5 billion litres, despite a 3.7 percent year-on-year decline,
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Beer production
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam produced 409.85 million liters of beer in December, down 8.34 percent from 447.14 million liters in November, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Year to date output reached 4,601.87 million liters by the end of December.
Stock market Friday
the-shiv is reporting that the VN-Index closed at 1,867.90, up 12.34 points or 0.67 percent, with a total trading value of VND 39,206.65 billion or US$1,487.92 million, and foreign traders net-buying US$30.47 million worth of equities, Friday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange → view source.
Exchange rates Friday
the-shiv is reporting that on January 9, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,760 and the sell rate was VND 26,820, a change of 80 and 60, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,790 (down 0.26 percent), according to Ty Gia USD.
Meanwhile, the State Bank of Vietnam’s central exchange rate was set at VND 25,127, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 26,270.
Brokerage market share
the-shiv is reporting that VPS Securities Joint Stock Company remained the largest brokerage by trading value on the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange in both the fourth quarter of 2025 and full-year 2025, according to a release from the exchange.
In the fourth quarter of 2025, VPS accounted for 14.28 percent of total brokerage transaction value.
Bond market performance
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam’s bond market recorded heavy issuance and active secondary trading in December 2025, led by government bonds and a recovery in corporate bond activity, according to the Vietnam Bond Market Association monthly report.
Plastic products exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported plastic products to the tune of US$702 million in December, up from US$619 million in November, a change of 13.41 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$7,473 million worth of plastic products by the end of December.
Gas and oil production
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam produced 843.10 thousand tons of gasoline and oil in December, down 1.39 percent from 855.03 thousand tons in November, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Year to date output reached 17,084.13 thousand tons by the end of December.
Exports to Thailand
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam exported US$803 million worth of goods to Thailand, down 9.77 percent over November, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has exported US$8,797 million worth of goods to Thailand.
Textile, leather and footwear materials imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported textile, leather and footwear materials and auxiliaries to the tune of US$683 million in December, up from US$626 million in November, a change of 9.08 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had imported US$7,390 million worth of textile, leather and footwear materials and auxiliaries by the end of December.
Imports from China
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam imported US$18,255.32 million worth of goods from China, up from US$16,485.08 million in November, a change of 10.74 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has imported US$186,035 million worth of goods from China.
Computer and electrical products exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported computers, electrical products, and spare-parts to the tune of US$10,743 million in December, up from US$9,597 million in November, a change of 11.93 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$107,748 million worth of computers, electrical products, and spare-parts by the end of December.
Imports from USA
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam imported US$2,269.79 million worth of goods from the USA, up from US$1,766.59 million in November, a change of 28.48 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has imported US$19,288 million worth of goods from the USA.
Exports to China
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam exported US$7,197 million worth of goods to China, up 16.26 percent over November, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has exported US$70,454 million worth of goods to China.
Petrol products imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported petroleum products to the tune of US$633 million in December, up from US$474 million in November, a change of 33.76 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had imported US$6,820 million worth of petroleum products by the end of December.
Iron and steel exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported iron and steel to the tune of US$548 million in December, up from US$440 million in November, a change of 24.54 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$6,627 million worth of iron and steel by the end of December.
Fresh milk production
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam produced 147.64 million litres of fresh milk in December, down 8.47 percent from 161.31 million litres in November, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Year to date output reached 1,697.98 million litres by the end of December.
Imports from Indonesia
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam imported US$1,159.43 million worth of goods from Indonesia, up from US$964.90 million in November, a change of 20.16 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has imported US$11,519 million worth of goods from Indonesia.
Exports to Germany
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam exported US$928 million worth of goods to Germany, up 14.84 percent over November, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has exported US$9,533 million worth of goods to Germany.
Fabric imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported fabrics to the tune of US$1,408 million in December, up from US$1,257 million in November, a change of 12.04 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had imported US$15,199 million worth of fabrics by the end of December.
Friday’s Vietnam news headlines
In Friday’s headlines: Life insurance revenue decline halted, Fuel retailer market exit, Margin lending concerns, Robot dog manufacturing HCMC, Buying new bank notes legal, VCCI report business expectations, Digital music revenue, New resolution public sector development, , Vingroup share fall / risk, Footwear exports, Imports from India, Stock market Thursday, Exchange rates Thursday, Exports to USA, Average monthly income increase, Motor vehicle imports, and more. Read more→