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.
Google manufacture high-end smart phones VN
Reuters is reporting that Google will start developing and manufacturing high-end smartphones in Vietnam this year, citing Nikkei Asia reporting on January 13.
The company plans to begin new product introduction work for Pixel, Pixel Pro and Pixel Fold models in Vietnam, while development of the Pixel A series will remain in China, it says.
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New public holiday
VnExpress is reporting that Vietnam will designate November 24 as a paid public holiday for Vietnam Culture Day under Resolution 80 issued by the Politburo.
The resolution, signed by Party General Secretary To Lam, frames culture and people as foundations of rapid and sustainable development through 2030, with a vision to 2045, the article says.
Ed.’s notes: Not clear why November 24 – lead up to Western new year generally busy time of year for manufacturing.
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New US ambassador
Reuters is reporting that current US ambassador Marc Knapper will end his tenure, with career diplomat Jennifer Wicks McNamara nominated as his successor but pending Senate confirmation.
McNamara is expected to focus on addressing what the Trump administration calls “imbalanced” trade, with Vietnam’s goods surplus with Washington surpassing China’s in recent quarters, the publication says.
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US Countervailing duties VN rebar
The Federal Register has announced that the US Department of Commerce has made a preliminary affirmative countervailing duty determination that producers and exporters of steel concrete reinforcing bar from Vietnam received countervailable subsidies during 2024.
Commerce set a preliminary subsidy rate of 1.08 percent ad valorem for Hoa Phat Group Joint Stock Company, which also applies as the all-others rate.
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BCI results
VnExpress is reporting that the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam said its Business Confidence Index for the fourth quarter of 2025 rose to 80 points, the highest level in seven years.
EuroCham said 65 percent of European firms reported positive operating conditions in the quarter, while 60 percent said full-year business results improved in 2025.
Ed.’s notes: Results of BCI need to be taken with a grain of salt.
This used to be produced by Decision Lab but from Q4 produced by DXL Research and Consulting.
Survey was open to everyone this time, not just Eurocham members/Europeans/Vietnamese with Euro links (link in December 22 Eurocham newsletter).
Also conducted over Western holiday period – likely more Vietnamese responses (vested interested in European investment) than European.
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Tobacco tax changes
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam will introduce a new mixed tobacco tax regime from January 1, 2027, combining the current 75 percent ad valorem excise tax with a rising specific tax, if amendments to the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention are approved
The specific tax will start at VND 2,000 per pack (about US$0.08) in 2027 and increase gradually to VND 10,000 per pack (about US$0.38) by 2031.
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Standard Chartered VN economic forecast 2026
Tuoi Tre is reporting that Standard Chartered said Vietnam’s economic growth in 2026 will depend heavily on the outcome of ongoing tariff negotiations, with external trade conditions remaining the main uncertainty.
The bank forecasts Vietnam’s gross domestic product to grow 7.2 percent in 2026.
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HCMC construction materials shortage
Thanh Nien is reporting that Ho Chi Minh City is facing a severe shortage of construction materials in 2026, particularly building stone, as supply falls well short of demand from public and private projects.
The Ho Chi Minh City Mineral Industry Association estimates total demand for construction stone at more than 35 million cubic metres in 2026, while licensed quarries can supply only about 17.9 million cubic metres.
The shortfall is driven by simultaneous rollout of major infrastructure projects, exhausted quarry capacity at suitable sites, and procedural delays that prevent licensed mines from operating at full output.
Ed.’s notes: Follows on from reports yesterday Phu Quoc APEC projects were experiencing construction materials shortages.
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Power projects acceleration
Thanh Nien is reporting that Ministry of Industry and Trade has requested investors to accelerate power generation and grid projects, bringing several facilities into operation 3–6 months earlier than approved plans under the adjusted Power Development Plan VIII.
Ed.’s notes: This comes amid reports that the economy is growing faster than power production.
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Velocity of money
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that economist Can Van Luc has said inflation has remained low despite a 15.7 percent rise in money supply and 19 percent credit growth, because money has been flowing into assets like real estate and gold, limiting circulation in the real economy and reducing inflationary spillover.
He said the turnover rate in 2025 of 0.65 times, was far below the 1.1 to 1.2 times recorded during the high inflation period of 2011 to 2012.
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Huawei smartphones to return
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Huawei has signalled it will resume official smartphone sales in Vietnam in the first quarter of 2026, ending several years of absence from the market.
The company has previously maintained its presence in Vietnam through wearables and tablets, while smartphones were available mainly via grey-market imports.
Ed.’s notes: Sanctions cut Huawei off from Google services making it difficult to move Huawei phones outside of China.
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PIT exemptions from July 1
Vietnamnet is reporting that Vietnam’s 2025 Personal Income Tax Law will take effect from July 1, 2026, with tax periods for business income, wages and salaries applied from the 2026 tax year.
The law lists 21 categories of personal income exempt from tax from 2026, including certain property transfers between family members, pensions, scholarships, remittances and government bond interest.
Ed.’s notes: Linked article contains the full list.
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Youth unemployment
Thanh Nien is reporting that Vietnam recorded about 1.4 million people aged 15 to 24 who were not in employment, education or training in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Official data cited in the report shows the figure declined from the previous quarter but remained high compared with overall labour market conditions.
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Stock market Tuesday
the-shiv is reporting that the VN-Index closed at 1,902.93, up 25.60 points or 1.36 percent, with a total trading value of VND 42,294.53 billion or US$1,605.11 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$18.29 million worth of equities, Tuesday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Exchange rates Tuesday
the-shiv is reporting that on January 13, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,600 and the sell rate was VND 26,650, a change of 200 and 200, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,625 (down 0.75 percent), according to Ty Gia USD.
Meanwhile, the State Bank of Vietnam’s central exchange rate was set at VND 25,129, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 26,285.
Imports from Taiwan
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam imported US$3,122.03 million worth of goods from Taiwan, up from US$2,761.10 million in November, a change of 13.07 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has imported US$33,027 million worth of goods from Taiwan.
Exports to Japan
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam exported US$2,346 million worth of goods to Japan, up 0.17 percent over November, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has exported US$26,766 million worth of goods to Japan.
Coal imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported coal to the tune of US$497 million in December, up from US$378 million in November, a change of 31.46 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had imported US$6,552 million worth of coal by the end of December.
Fruits and vegetables exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported fruits and vegetables to the tune of US$794 million in December, up from US$701 million in November, a change of 13.20 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$8,562 million worth of fruits and vegetables by the end of December.
Tourists from Australia / New Zealand
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Oceania accounted for 57,563 tourist arrivals, a decrease of 4.90 percent from November, according to the latest data from Vietnam’s General Department of Tourism.
Tourist numbers from Australia totalled 52,591 in December, showing a rise of 4.70 percent versus November, while New Zealand accounted for 4,772 tourist arrivals in December, up 6.80 percent compared to November.
Aluminum production
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam produced 126.40 thousand tons of aluminum in December, down 1.10 percent from 127.80 thousand tons in November, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Year to date output reached 1,488.18 thousand tons by the end of December.
Yesterday’s Vietnam news
In yesterday’s Vietnam news: Real estate credit not restricted, Wage / price disparity concerns, Japan’s Daiwa increases holding SSI, Real estate lending risks, PYN Elite performance, Outbound investment, Construction materials shortage APEC, UOB on VN interest rates, VND-pegged stable coin proposal, Foreign inflows HoSE end-2025 / start-2026, Coal power revenue Lam Dong, New stadium for HCMC, Taxi company sued unpaid wages / social insurance, China import Vietnam fishmeal, Counterfeit airpods, Wood / wood products exports, Imports from Japan, and more. Read more→