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.
VNG chairman bad investments
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Le Hong Minh, chairman of Vietnam tech firm VNG, has said that the company is still paying for poor investment decisions made in 2022 and 2023.
Speaking at a technology talk show, he said VNG suffered particularly large losses after writing off investments in Tiki and Telio.
He went on to say that losses are common in the tech sector because products and user growth typically come long before revenue and profits, citing global firms that invested heavily for years before becoming profitable.
Ed.’s notes: He cites Facebook, Google, and Amazon but it’s not really the same thing. These firms stuck to their core businesses – Facebook, for example, made acquisitions like Snapchat and Whatsapp – communications platforms. VNG, on the other hand, which was making video games and then social media app Zalo, invested in Tiki and Telio which are retailers.
Side note – VNG was raided by the authorities in 2024 – whatever happened with that?
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Digital currency inflation control
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting comments by economist Can Van Luc in which he warns inflation in 2026 could reach 4.5 percent.
He said issuing digital currency could reduce transaction costs, increase money circulation efficiency and help control inflation without increasing the money supply – his core argument being that transaction costs are a significant contributor to inflation.
Ed.’s notes: Noted for local perceptions of the role digital assets can play in economy.
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Fuel retailers running at loss
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting on complaints from petrol and oil retail businesses in Ho Chi Minh City and nearby provinces about making just VND 200 to 400 per litre, or as low as VND 100 to 200 per litre, equivalent to about US$0.004 to US$0.015.
Retailers said transport, labour and compliance costs continue to rise, forcing some retailers to cut sales volumes to limit losses.
Ed.’s notes: Adds to petrol price regulation as obstacle to consistent energy supply narrative. Note reports in recent days price regulation of fuel prices may soon be removed.
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Investor perspectives Congress 14
Nha Dau Tu is carrying an opinion piece from former politician Nguyen Si Dung, on the forthcoming 14th National Party Congress, scheduled for 19 January 2026, and its significance for investor confidence and long term development direction.
Dung says investors are concerned primarily with policy consistency, predictability and implementation, rather than the volume of resolutions or short term incentives.
Ed.’s notes: Noted for domestic perspectives of what foreign businesses want.
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Chemicals customs problem fix
Thanh Nien is reporting that the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued an urgent official dispatch on January 17 asking ministries, People’s Committees and local authorities to promptly apply administrative procedures, including chemical import and export licensing, to avoid supply chain disruption.
It also said authorities may temporarily accept paper applications while online public service systems are not yet operational.
Ed.’s notes: This article is a little confusing but basically, it was reported Jan 15 that chemicals imports were being held by customs because there was no guiding regulations on processing these imports because of changes to the Law on Chemicals which voided previous regulations. This article seems to be saying that the MoIT has now issued the necessary regulations. Noted for how quickly things can move when they need to.
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Pick-up truck sales pick up
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that Vietnamese consumers are rushing to buy pickup trucks ahead of higher special consumption tax rates taking effect from this year.
Under amendments to the tax law and Decree 360/2025, pickup trucks will face a three percent tax increase per year from 2026 to 2029.
Ed.’s notes: Correlation doesn’t necessarily mean causation – seems like a stretch to say people are buying pick up trucks now in anticipation of three tax hikes over as many years.
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The case for Resolution 79
Thanh Nien is carrying an article explaining the thinking behind the recent announced Resolution 79, which asserts the state owned sector should play a key role in Vietnam’s economic development moving forward.
The article points to Singapore and South Korea as examples of where state owned enterprises play a pivotal role in strategic sectors like ports, shipbuilding, oil and gas, energy, telecommunications and infrastructure.
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PM directives on EV charging
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has issued new directives on electric vehicle charging, power supply, technical standards, financial incentives and battery treatment.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade was assigned to develop charging systems and green energy supply, while the Ministry of Science and Technology was tasked with issuing national technical standards.
The Ministry of Finance was directed to propose incentive policies for clean transport vehicles and infrastructure, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to regulate electric vehicle battery treatment.
Ed.’s notes: Adds to PM as key driver of EV transition push – Hanoi petrol bike ban announced by PM too.
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CRM startup US$4 million funding
Deal Street Asia is reporting that Vietnamese artificial intelligence startup Nami Technology, also known as NamiTech, has raised a US$4 million funding round led by Toho Gas of Japan and existing investor Thien Viet Securities, the article reports.
The startup develops neural signal processing, voice technology, biometric solutions and natural language processing products, and claims to have served clients in Vietnam, Japan and the United States, the article says.
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Fake Australian meat bust
VnExpress is reporting that Ho Chi Minh City police have busted a counterfeit food operation that sold pork packaged as premium meats, including ostrich, Australian goat leg, porcupine and venison meat.
Authorities estimate over 50 tonnes were sold, with a market value of about VND 10 billion (US$379,500), and several billion dong in illicit profits.
Ed.’s notes: A lot of talk about counterfeiting brands but country of origin also a big selling point/subject to counterfeiting.
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Processed seafood production
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam produced 697.25 thousand tons of processed seafood in December, down 5.34 percent from 736.58 thousand tons in November, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Year to date output reached 7405.40 thousand tons by the end of December.
Imports from Germany
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam imported US$455.12 million worth of goods from Germany, up from US$310.94 million in November, a change of 46.37 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has imported US$4,133 million worth of goods from Germany.
Exports to France
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam exported US$342 million worth of goods to France, down 6.36 percent over November, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has exported US$4,035 million worth of goods to France.
Plastic products imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported plastic products to the tune of US$1,067 million in December, up from US$960 million in November, a change of 11.09 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had imported US$10,870 million worth of plastic products by the end of December.
Toys / sporting goods exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported toys and sports requisites; parts and accessories to the tune of US$942 million in December, up from US$848 million in November, a change of 11.14 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$9,325 million worth of toys and sports requisites; parts and accessories by the end of December.
Saturday’s Vietnam news
In Saturday’s Vietnam news: McDonald’s 100 store expansion plan, Foreign loans in 2026, CPJ on pre-congress press crackdown, New IFC HCMC launch deadline, VN-owned semiconductor plant, Novaland bond payment delays, Petrol price deregulation, 3 year tax exemptions SMEs, LNG plant US$1.12 billion loan, VND 100 million betting limited rejected, SBV Governor: limited headroom credit growth, SBV rebuffs calls remove credit limits, M&A China/VN pharmaceuticals, LPG production, Imports from Malaysia, Stock market Friday, Exchange rates Friday, and more. Read more→