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.
Overview of 14th Nat. Congress
The BBC is reporting that the Communist Party of Vietnam is holding its five-yearly congress to select new leaders and set economic and policy priorities.
The congress will elect a new Central Committee and Politburo, with General Secretary To Lam considered the leading candidate to retain the top party post.
Ed.’s notes: BBC article a good sharp overview of what’s happening this week.
A few things to think about for a more nuanced understanding of the Nat. Congress can be found here.
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Cyber attacks decline
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam recorded about 552,000 cyber attacks in 2025, down 19.38 percent from 2024.
Despite the decline, 52.30 percent of agencies and businesses reported damage from cyber attacks in 2025, up from 46.15 percent a year earlier.
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Petrol license withdrawls 2025
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade revoked or withdrew licences from multiple petrol traders in 2025.
The ministry said it revoked certification from one wholesaler and eight distributors, stripped licences from another eight distributors, and fined eight others for failing to meet regulatory obligations, including minimum supply requirements and assigned targets.
Ed.’s notes: Speaks to how the market is managed – adds to emerging story that authorities are looking at removing retail price caps.
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Dong Nai Q4 port performance
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Dong Nai Port’s revenue in Q4 reached VND 431.25 billion (US$16.4 million), up 13.5 percent year on year.
The company attributed the performance to favourable port-infrastructure fee policies in Ho Chi Minh City, growth in barge services to Cai Mep and Ho Chi Minh City ports, higher container and general cargo volumes, and efficiency gains from its E-port digital system, alongside tighter cost and debt management.
Ed.’s notes: Speaks to increasing demand for logistics services.
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HCMC airport 45th most connected
VnExpress is reporting that Tan Son Nhat International Airport ranked 45th globally in 2025 among the 50 most connected airports, according to aviation data firm OAG.
OAG said the Ho Chi Minh City airport had 8,348 valid connection combinations linking 94 destinations
Ed.’s notes: Supports need for new airport.
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Swiss ownership stake VP Bank
VnExpress is reporting that UBS AG, Switzerland’s largest bank, has completed the purchase of 81.5 million shares in Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank, equal to 1.03 percent of its charter capital.
Following the deal, total foreign ownership in Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank rose to nearly 25 percent, the article notes.
Ed.’s notes: Foreign ownership in banks limited to 30 percent, though some exceptions – distressed banks, for example.
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Gold prices reach new record
VnExpress is reporting that gold bullion prices in Vietnam rose to a record VND 165 million per tael (US$6,262) on January 19, up about VND 2 million (US$76) from the weekend.
It also noted that, internationally, gold rose to over US$4,660 per ounce, leaving domestic bullion about VND 16.5 million per tael (US$626) higher than global prices.
Ed.’s notes: Coming up on God of Wealth Day (February 18) on/around which it’s considered good luck to buy gold = upcoming domestic demand surge.
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Hon Tre Island land auction
Thanh Nien is reporting that Khanh Hoa province will auction land use rights for two mixed use projects on Hon Tre Island with a combined starting price of nearly VND 4,000 billion (US$151.8 million).
The Khanh Hoa provincial Peoples Committee said the provincial land fund development centre will organise the auctions in the first quarter of 2026.
Ed.’s notes: See point below.
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Vinpearl golf course Hon Tre
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vinpearl on January 19 began construction of a high end links golf course on Hon Tre Island in Khanh Hoa province.
The project covers more than 100 hectares in the Bai Tre to Dam Bay area and is designed as a 19 hole links course.
Ed.’s notes: The timing of this announcement with the auction mentioned above is somewhat conspicuous.
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Gender equality workforce
VN Economy is reporting that Vietnam ranked 72nd out of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index in 2024, with women holding 30.26 percent of National Assembly seats and 46.8 percent of the workforce.
It also noted women own about 24 percent of businesses, but nearly 70 percent of women led firms are micro enterprises and only about five percent participate in global supply chains.
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New Aeon Mall Dong Nai
The Investor is reporting that Aeon Mall Vietnam has said it will invest VND 6 trillion (US$228.4 million) in a 10.1-hectare shopping mall inTran Bien in Dong Nai.
The mall will be the fourth Aeon-branded mall in southern Vietnam and the second largest in the country by land area.
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US Bank funding VA Boeing jets
The Investor is reporting that the Export-Import Bank of the United States aims to issue a preliminary financing commitment in mid-2026 for Vietnam Airlines (VA) to purchase 50 Boeing 737 Max aircraft, according to the carrier.
A US Exim Bank executive said both sides are coordinating toward a final commitment, Vietnam Airlines said in a statement.
Ed.’s notes: VA survived COVID on the back of government supported, zero-interest loans and getting US$220 million worth of its debt written off by its lessors – terms of this loan will be interesting. #monitoring
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HSR investor screening
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that the government has issued Decree 16/2026/ND-CP detailing business conditions for railway infrastructure and railway transport, setting requirements on legal status, specialised units and qualified personnel.
The decree, effective from January 14, 2026, provides the legal framework for screening investors as the project moves toward selecting its developer.
Ed.’s notes: Interesting given the firms that have registered thus far include a business known for creating power point presentations and Discovery Group which reportedly hasn’t recorded any revenue for years. Note Vingroup, Vietnam’s biggest conglomerate by market cap, has pulled out of the running.
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PM intervention APEC building materials shortage
Thanh Nien is reporting that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered urgent measures to speed up construction work for APEC 2027 in Phu Quoc after reports highlighted severe construction material shortages.
The prime minister assigned Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha to direct relevant ministries and An Giang province to resolve shortages and report back by January 25.
An Giang authorities subsequently approved plans to rapidly survey and expand sand and stone extraction to supply said projects.
Ed.’s notes: The issues raised in the original article were that quarry output was limited, the port was too small, and there was too much competition from other projects / the black market was offering better prices. Expanding extraction addresses just one of these problems though they all seem fairly interlinked, so efficacy feels like it might be limited.
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FDI total trade
Nha Dau Tu is reporting that foreign invested enterprises in Vietnam recorded total trade of more than US$683 billion in 2025, according to data released by the Vietnam Customs Department.
Foreign invested enterprises dominated exports of electronics, phones, machinery, textiles and footwear, with electronics alone exceeding US$106 billion.
Ed.’s notes: Reaffirms Vietnam’s dependence on foreign invested enterprises.
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Margin lending growth speed
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that outstanding margin loans in Vietnam’s stock market rose to VND 371 trillion (US$14.1 billion) by September 30, 2025, up 52.6 percent year on year.
It noted the ratio of margin debt to equity reached 113.6 percent, narrowing lending headroom despite a remaining theoretical system wide capacity of nearly VND 290 trillion (US$11.0 billion).
Ed.’s notes: Margin loans = roughly 5 percent of the market cap of the entire market.
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Mercedes Benz Vietnam investment offer
Vietstock is reporting that Tasco Auto has proposed acquiring a 70 percent stake in Mercedes Benz Vietnam, the operator of the Mercedes Benz assembly plant in HCMC.
The proposal comes as Tasco Auto expands its automotive footprint through control of Savico and partnerships with international carmakers, the article says.
Ed.’s notes: Mercedes factory lease extension took years to approve to the point Mercedes said the end of its lease was so close that it would need to start cutting output.
At the same time Mercedes registered an import business.
Then the lease was extended.
Tasco Auto is a distributor for foreign brands including Volvo, Lynk & Co, Zeekr, and Geely. A few pieces at play here, not clear how/if they fit together. #monitoring.
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Income FPT Telecom SCIC/MPS
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that State Capital Investment Corporation received VND 1,235 billion (US$46.9 million) in dividends from FPT Telecom in 2025 before its stake in the company was transferred to the Ministry of Public Security.
The transfer moved more than 370.66 million FOX shares, equal to 50.2 percent of charter capital, from State Capital Investment Corporation to the ministry.
Ed.’s notes: SCIC part of government, profits go to state coffers. Under MPS those dividends presumably go to MPS though also a part of the government. Not clear why this transfer was necessary.
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Stock market Monday
the-shiv is reporting that the VN-Index closed at 1,896.59, up 17.46 points or 0.93 percent, with a total trading value of VND 37,554.96 billion or US$1,425.24 million, and foreign traders net-buying US$19.01 million worth of equities, Monday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange → view source.
Exchange rates Monday
the-shiv is reporting that on January 19, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,500 and the sell rate was VND 26,550, a change of 250 and 250, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,525 (up 0.95 percent), according to Ty Gia USD.
Meanwhile, the State Bank of Vietnam’s central exchange rate was set at VND 25,132, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 26,264.
Exports to Indonesia
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam exported US$473 million worth of goods to Indonesia, down 8.71 percent over November, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has exported US$5,736 million worth of goods to Indonesia.
Imports from France
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam imported US$349.09 million worth of goods from France, up from US$174.60 million in November, a change of 99.94 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has imported US$2,272 million worth of goods from France.
Animal feed production
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam produced 1,322.70 thousand tons of animal feed in December, down 3.07 percent from 1,364.61 thousand tons in November, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Year to date output reached 15,136.86 thousand tons by the end of December.
Iron / steel imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported iron and steel to the tune of US$1,212 million in December, up from US$1,019 million in November, a change of 19.01 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had imported US$11,213 million worth of iron and steel by the end of December.
Seafood exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported fishery products to the tune of US$954 million in December, down from US$990 million in November, a change of -3.59 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$11,286 million worth of fishery products by the end of December.
Yesterday’s Vietnam news
In yesterday’s Vietnam news: VNG chairman bad investments, Digital currency inflation control, Fuel retailers running at loss, Investor perspectives Congress 14, Chemicals customs problem fix, Pick-up truck sales pick up, PM directives on EV charging, CRM startup US$4 million funding, Fake Australian meat bust, Processed seafood production, Imports from Germany, Exports to France, Plastic products imports, Toys / sporting goods exports, Saturday’s Vietnam news, and more. Read more→