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.
40 hour work week proposal
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting on a proposal to reduce Vietnam’s standard working week from 48 hours to 40 hours, discussed at a January 15 labour law review workshop.
The article notes current labour law limits normal working time to 48 hours weekly, while encouraging but not mandating a 40 hour week.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Gross merch value e-commerce
VnExpress is reporting that gross merchandise value on Shopee, Lazada, Tiki and TikTok Shop reached VND 429.7 trillion, about US$16.3 billion, in 2025, citing a report from Metric.
Shopee and TikTok Shop accounted for 97 percent of this value, exceeding VND 400 trillion, equal to about 8 percent of Vietnam’s VND 5.3 quadrillion retail market.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Vinacapital scam warning
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that VinaCapital has issued an urgent warning to clients over fake websites and social media accounts falsely claiming cooperation with Thai Van Linh to solicit investment.
The company said the scams promise high short term returns and misuse VinaCapital branding, images and information to deceive investors.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Nuclear plant resettlement costs
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has ordered faster land clearance for the Ninh Thuan 1 and Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power projects in Khanh Hoa province.
Authorities said relocation, resettlement and site clearance for both projects require about VND 12,392 billion, around US$470.3 million, funded from the central budget.
Ed.’s notes: For perspective, that’s about .06 percent of Vietnam’s annual state budget (roughly US$80 – US$90 billion).
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
QR payments growth
Vietnamnet is reporting that KiotViet has reported that total transactions on its platform rose more than 42 percent over two years to over 1.3 billion, driven by rapid growth in QR payments.
The company said QR code transactions increased nearly 3.5 times, from 70.5 million in 2023 to more than 243.7 million in 2025.
Ed.’s notes: A lot of friction at point of sale with QR code, particularly versus tap and go. Interesting to see how long this trend lasts.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
FLC golf course investment
Nha Dau Tu is reporting that an FLC Group affiliated company has been selected to invest in the Dak Doa 36 hole golf course project in Gia Lai province after being the sole bidder.
Ion Complex Building Investment and Management LLC, 99 percent owned by FLC Group, will invest more than VND 1.150 trillion, about US$43.6 million, in the project.
Ed.’s notes: FLC still missing financial statements 2021 – 2025. Recently took over Bamboo Airways after temp managers failed to turn it around. Problems stem from past over leveraging. This is more of the same?
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
More bond issuance fines
Vietnam Daily is reporting that the State Securities Commission of Vietnam has fined Apec Group VND 150 million, about US$5,700, for violations related to private bond issuance.
The regulator said Apec Group submitted required disclosure documents late to the Hanoi Stock Exchange concerning early bond redemptions and periodic bond reports.
Apec Group was also penalised for illegally distributing a private bond tranche beyond the 90 day deadline after pre offering disclosure.
Ed.’s notes: Noted as part of broader attempts to try and restore confidence in the bond market.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Fake milk case outcome
VN Economy is reporting that a Hanoi court has sentenced the chairman and chief executive officer of Z Holding Joint Stock Company to a combined 30 years in prison over a fake milk production scheme valued at more than VND 2.4 quadrillion, about US$91.1 million.
Hoang Quang Thinh received 20 years for producing and trading counterfeit food, eight years for accounting violations, and three years for money laundering, the court said.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Quarantine certificate bribes
An Ninh Tien Te is reporting that police in Hai Phong have detained a fisheries quarantine official after she turned herself in and admitted taking bribes linked to canned food producer Ha Long Canned Food Joint Stock Company.
Investigators said Tran Thi Huong issued false quarantine certificates in exchange for about VND 70 million, roughly US$2,660, to allow goods to be shipped to other provinces.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Health supplements bribery case outcome
Tuoi Tre is reporting that a Hanoi court has sentenced Tran Viet Nga, former head of the Vietnam Food Safety Authority, to 15 years in prison for responsibility over VND 12.7 billion in bribes, about US$482,560.
The court found Nga personally received about VND 8 billion, roughly US$304,060, from payments collected by subordinates during advertising approvals for health supplements.
Ed.’s notes: What’s missing from all of these article is motive. Why are they taking bribes? It feels like there are probably core issues (wages, maybe?) that need to be tackled. #monitoring
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
EDM festival HCMC
EDM Nomad is reporting that A State of Trance will hold its first festival in Vietnam on June 13, 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City as part of its 25 year global anniversary tour.
The event will take place at Van Phuc City and will be the only Southeast Asia stop on the official tour.
Ed.’s notes: Noted for practical outcomes in drive for bigger role for creative industries in economy (see new Culture Day public holiday).
NB: EDM festival in Hanoi 2018 – at least seven dead from suspect drugs. (Stay safe out there, kids, and look after your mates).
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Viettel e-commerce platform
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that Viettel has launched Freso, a domestic e commerce platform connecting farms and cooperatives directly with food and beverage businesses in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
The launch follows earlier Vietnamese e-commerce platforms including voso.vn, Vipo Mall, Sendo and Tiki, which have struggled to compete with foreign e commerce operators, the ariticle says.
Ed.’s notes: Viettel advantage = owned by the military. Possible policy support? #monitoring
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Counterfeit gas ring dismantled
Vietnam Plus is reporting that police in Tay Ninh have said they dismantled a large counterfeit liquefied petroleum gas ring and detained 16 suspects following coordinated raids on January 14 and 15.
Authorities searched 12 locations across Tay Ninh and neighboring provinces, seizing more than 6,200 empty cylinders, 4,500 gas filled cylinders, tens of thousands of labels and seals, pumping equipment, vehicles and related documents.
Ed.’s notes: Noted for part in broader efforts to crack down on IP infringements.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Rice exports to decrease
Thanh Nien is reporting that Vietnam plans to reduce rice export volumes from 2026 as part of a strategy to prioritise higher quality and higher value shipments, amid prolonged global oversupply and weak prices.
Vietnam exported 8 million tonnes worth US$4.1 billion in 2025, but targets about 7 million tonnes in 2026.
The Vietnam Food Association said export volumes are planned to fall to around 4 million tonnes by 2030.
Ed.’s notes: Not entirely by choice – food security/agricultural producer protections growing issues in region – Philippines/Indonesia both had rice import bans last year.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
EU dairy processing expansion
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that European dairy and processed foods firm, Bel, plans to invest 16.7 million euros, about US$18 million, to expand its manufacturing plant in Vietnam, with construction scheduled to start in late January 2026.
The expansion will double annual capacity to about 20,000 tonnes and is expected to be completed by March 2027, serving both the domestic market and exports across Asia and the Middle East.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Semiconductor ASML PM meeting
VnExpress is reporting that ASML has said it is studying plans to expand its supply chain in Vietnam, including potential cooperation on training, research and development, and equipment provision.
The plans were discussed on January 15 during a meeting between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and ASML vice president Eduard Stiphout.
ASML said it is considering establishing a formal presence in Vietnam, the article says.
Ed.’s notes: It was a similar story from ASML in 2023 but nothing ever came of it. Just FYI.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Government bond auction Wednesday
the-shiv is reporting that the State Treasury of Vietnam held a government bond auction on January 14, offering VND 12,500 billion (about US$0.47 billion) across four tenors, according to a release from the Vietnam Bond Market Association.
Vietnam car sales
the-shiv is reporting that total car sales in Vietnam reached 42,701 units in December compared to 33,689 units in November, according to data from the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA).
Year-to-date, the VAMA has recorded 313,359 total car sales. This is compared to 295,979 units over the same period in 2024, a 6 percent increase.
(Note that these are sales for VAMA members only and that some other major car makers are not included. Vietnam’s VinFast for example.)
Stock market Thursday
the-shiv is reporting that the VN-Index closed at 1,864.80, down 29.64 points or 1.56 percent, with a total trading value of VND 40,920.80 billion or US$1,552.97 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$31.99 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 January 15, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,600 and the sell rate was VND 26,650, a change of 0 and 0, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,625, 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 26,271.
Imports from South Korea
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam imported US$6,084.20 million worth of goods from South Korea, up from US$5,034.07 million in November, a change of 20.86 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has imported US$60,545 million worth of goods from South Korea.
Exports to Malaysia
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam exported US$512 million worth of goods to Malaysia, up 8.28 percent over November, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has exported US$5,328 million worth of goods to Malaysia.
Natural gas production
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam produced 505.60 million m 3 of natural gas in December, down 11.36 percent from 570.38 million m 3 in November, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Year to date output reached 5,993.67 million m 3 by the end of December.
Phone imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported telephones, mobile phones and parts thereof to the tune of US$985 million in December, up from US$853 million in November, a change of 15.54 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had imported US$11,259 million worth of telephones, mobile phones and parts thereof by the end of December.
Iron/steel products exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported iron and steel products to the tune of US$464 million in December, up from US$409 million in November, a change of 13.48 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$5,474 million worth of iron and steel products by the end of December.
Yesterday’s Vietnam news
In yesterday’s Vietnam news: Power plant delays, Unemployment, LNG pricing policy outdated, Chemical Law customs delays, Brazilian beef import approvals, BW Industrial expansion, ASEAN-China FTA agriculture benefits Vietnam, Japan – Vietnam renewables cooperation, South Korean wafer plant starts operations, Agriculture capital, Jailbroken phone bank app ban, WB growth forecast, Offshore wind surveying MoU, Credit growth 15 percent analysis, New airline, European tourist arrivals, Crude oil production, and more. Read more→