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.
Power plant delays
Thanh Nien is reporting that Vietnam is weighing whether to proceed with or terminate the 1,980 megawatt BOT Vinh Tan 3 coal fired power plant, which remains stalled despite inclusion in the adjusted Power Development Plan VIII.
The project traces back to 2009, when Vinh Tan 3 Energy Joint Stock Company was first issued its business registration and tax certificate, but construction has still not begun.
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Unemployment
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam had about 1.06 million unemployed people of working age in 2025, with the unemployment rate at 2.22 percent, roughly unchanged from pre Covid 19 levels, according to the National Statistics Office.
In the fourth quarter of 2025, unemployment rose to about 1.07 million people, while the jobless rate edged down to 2.22 percent and remained below 3 percent in urban areas.
Ed.’s notes: The GSO defines an employed worker as anyone 15+ who, during the reference period: worked at least 1 hour for pay or profit, had a job (excluding self-employment) and was paid or will return within one month, was in job-related training, worked at least 1 hour for income, even if they were a student, retiree, apprentice, job seeker, or unemployment insurance recipient, or were an unpaid family worker contributing to family income.
It’s a very broad definition.
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LNG pricing policy outdated
Thanh Nien is reporting that Vietnam’s liquefied natural gas power plans are being hindered by pricing and regulatory frameworks that remain static while global liquefied natural gas prices fluctuate, making projects difficult to finance and deterring lenders, citing Nguyen Quoc Thap, Chairman of the Vietnam Petroleum Association.
Essentially, Thap goes on to argue for market based pricing as opposed to prices set by the government.
Ed.’s notes: Fits with price regulation as a development obstacle recurring theme.
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Chemical Law customs delays
Tuoi Tre is reporting that shipments of imported chemicals are being stranded at Vietnamese ports after the new Chemical Law took effect on January 1, because there are no implementing regulations and therefore customs has no legal basis to clear them.
Past guiding regulations under the old law, the article notes, expired when the new law took effect, with no new regulations issued as yet.
It cites the US-ASEAN Business Council as saying it has received multiple complaints and has warned the delay is disrupting production and causing financial losses estimated in the hundreds of thousands of US dollars.
Ed.’s notes: How does this happen?
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Brazilian beef import approvals
Click Petroleo E Gas is reporting that Vietnam has authorised four additional Brazilian beef processing plants to export bone in and boneless beef.
Four other Brazilian plants already have authorisation to export beef to Vietnam bring the total to eight.
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BW Industrial expansion
VIR is reporting that BW Industrial Development has announced a US$120 million partnership with a global institutional investor to develop industrial and logistics projects across Vietnam’s major industrial zones.
Under the agreement, BW will act as asset and development manager for a portfolio seeded with three projects totaling about 270,000 square metres of gross floor area.
Ed.’s notes: Doesn’t say who the international investor is.
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ASEAN-China FTA agriculture benefits Vietnam
Manila Times is reporting that a study by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture has found Vietnam has been the largest agricultural trade beneficiary of the Asean-China Free Trade Agreement.
Vietnam recorded significantly higher agricultural trade within Asean and strong export and import growth globally, outperforming other member states, according to the research.
Ed.’s notes: Full report.
Noted for how the different players interact with/view each other’s economies/economic development.
ASEAN expected to work together, but at the same time member states are all competing on trade, FDI etcetera.
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Japan – Vietnam renewables cooperation
Heavy Lift PFI is reporting that Japan’s Denzai International Holdings has signed a cooperation agreement with Vietnam’s PC1 Group to jointly develop renewable energy and infrastructure projects in Vietnam and the Philippines.
The partnership will start with the 58.5 megawatt Camarines Sur onshore wind project in the Philippines, with Denzai Philippines installing nine turbines from late March 2026.
Ed.’s notes: Cross border investment/development.
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South Korean wafer plant starts operations
PV-Magazine is reporting that South Korea’s OCI Holdings has begun manufacturing operations at its 2.7 gigawatt solar wafer factory in Vietnam.
The company said production is in an early ramp up phase and will produce non prohibited foreign entity wafers for the United States market.
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Jailbroken phone bank app ban
Gigazine is reporting that Vietnam will ban the use of banking and payment apps on rooted, jailbroken or bootloader unlocked smartphones from March 1, 2026 under new rules issued by the State Bank of Vietnam.
The regulation requires banks and payment service providers to assess app security at least every three months, block app downgrades and disable services if device tampering is detected.
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WB growth forecast
The Investor is reporting that the World Bank Group in its January 2026 Global Economic Prospects has forecast Vietnam’s gross domestic product growth at 6.3 percent in 2026 and 6.7 percent in 2027.
The forecast is the highest in East Asia and Pacific, ahead of China at 4.4 percent, Mongolia at 5.6 percent, the Philippines at 5.3 percent and Indonesia at 5 percent.
Ed.’s notes: Full report.
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Offshore wind surveying MoU
Eco Magazine is reporting that Dutch geotechnical, survey and geoscience services firm Fugro has extended its memorandum of understanding with PTSC Geos and Subsea Services, a subsidiary of Petrovietnam Technical Services Corporation, for two years to provide marine site characterisation services in Vietnam.
PTSC G&S and Fugro said the extended cooperation will support Vietnam’s energy industry as offshore wind development accelerates.
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Credit growth 15 percent analysis
Thanh Nien is reporting that Vietnamese economists are playing down suggestions 15 percent credit growth is too low, arguing faster expansion could increase inflation, currency pressure and financial system risks.
Economists cited also noted that early year credit limits are typically conservative and can be loosened later if inflation, exchange rates and growth conditions remain stable.
Ed.’s notes: Too low concerns are concerning – 15 percent will still vastly outstrip GDP growth.
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New airline
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam has a new airline, Crystal Bay Airlines, an extension of the Crystal Bay Tourism Group.
Crystal Bay Airlines was established after the group’s years of operating international charter flights to Vietnam using aircraft from other carriers, the article says.
Ed.’s notes: Viettravel followed a similar path – tourism provider to airline operator – but wasn’t that success (although part of this was attributed to COVID). #monitoring
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European tourist arrivals
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Europe accounted for 313,851 of Vietnam’s tourist arrivals, a decrease of 4.9 percent from November, according to the latest data from Vietnam’s General Department of Tourism.
Stock market Wednesday
the-shiv is reporting that the VN-Index closed at 1,894.44, down 8.49 points or 0.45 percent, with a total trading value of VND 46,390.72 billion or US$1760.56 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$17.69 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 January 14, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,600 and the sell rate was VND 26,650, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,625, no change from yesterday, according to Ty Gia USD.
Meanwhile, the State Bank of Vietnam’s central exchange rate was set at VND 25,135, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 26,276.
Imports from Thailand
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam imported US$1,275.71 million worth of goods from Thailand, up from US$1,051.11 million in November, a change of 21.37 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has imported US$13,282 million worth of goods from Thailand.
Exports to South Korea
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam exported US$2,707 million worth of goods to South Korea, up 19.66 percent over November, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has exported US$28,943 million worth of goods to South Korea.
Computer/electrical products imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported computers, electrical products, spare-parts and components thereof to the tune of US$14,265 million in December, up from US$12,907 million in November, a change of 10.52 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had imported US$150,697 million worth of computers, electrical products, spare-parts and components thereof by the end of December.
Crude oil production
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam produced 716.30 thousand tons of crude oil in December, up 1.77 percent from 703.81 thousand tons in November, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Year to date output reached 8,172.12 thousand tons by the end of December.
Yesterday’s Vietnam news
In yesterday’s news: Google manufacture high-end smart phones VN, New public holiday, New US ambassador, US Countervailing duties VN rebar, BCI results, Tobacco tax changes, Standard Chartered VN economic forecast 2026, HCMC construction materials shortage, Power projects acceleration, Velocity of money, Huawei smartphones to return, PIT exemptions from July 1, Youth unemployment, Fruits and vegetables exports, Tourists from Australia / New Zealand, Aluminum production, Stock market Tuesday, and more. Read more→