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.
Carbon market framework decree issued
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that a new decree establishing a legal framework for organising and operating a domestic carbon trading exchange was issued on January 19, 2026,
Under the decree, the Vietnam Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation will handle registration and settlement, while the Hanoi Stock Exchange will operate the trading system.
Toyota ups investment – hybrids
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Toyota Motor Vietnam has said it plans to invest US$360 million to upgrade its factory and build its first hybrid electric vehicle production line in Vietnam.
The company said the investment supports a strategy focused on hybrid electric vehicles amid limited charging infrastructure and aligns with its net zero emissions target by 2050.
Ed.’s notes: Investment in hybrids as opposed to EVs – cites lack of infrastructure. Worth thinking about in terms of Vinfast EV sales in VN (175,099 in 2025) + the petrol bike ban in Hanoi that is slated to take effect from July.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Crypto exchange applications open
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance has issued Decision on January 20, 2026, setting out administrative procedures to pilot a domestic digital asset trading market, paving the way for official licence applications.
Under the pilot framework, applicants must have a minimum charter capital of VND 10,000 billion (US$379.5 million).
Ed.’s notes: This is a lot of money to put forward for a project that it’s not clear there is even a market for (current unregulated market appeal largely linked to lack of regulation).
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Shift to sustainable tourism
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh has said tourism policy should shift toward sustainable growth, with decisive action to improve competitiveness, in the context of Vietnam targeting welcoming 25 million international visitors in 2026.
The article also notes the government has ordered a review of the 2017 Tourism Law and called for development of premium segments such as green tourism, health tourism, MICE and golf tourism.
Ed.’s notes: Could be interpreted as tacit acknowledgement that past tourism growth has not been sustainable or at least sustainability has not been a core issue.
No specific details as to how it might be more sustainable provided.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Offtake commitments LNG
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade has proposed raising the minimum contracted electricity output for liquefied natural gas power projects to at least 75 percent for up to 15 years.
The proposal is included in a draft decree amending regulations guiding the Electricity Law, increasing the guaranteed output level from 65 percent.
Ed.’s notes: It was reported back in October that the MoIT was looking at a 75 percent minimum. At the time, energy investors were pushing for 90 percent – three months later and the needle hasn’t really moved.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Undocumented beer seizure
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that Vietnam market management authorities discovered 3,230 cartons of imported beer of unclear origin during an inspection at a storage site in Ho Chi Minh City on January 20.
The beer bore foreign language labels without Vietnamese labelling, lacked clear production and expiry dates, and showed no information identifying a lawful importer.
The cartons were priced at VND 215,000 each, with total listed value of about VND 694.45 million (US$26,366), according to authorities.
Ed.’s notes: This is interesting in its low value – beer is already very cheap in VN. Risk verse reward?
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
10 percent growth target
Bloomberg is reporting that Vietnam’s General Secretary To Lam has said the country must pursue a new growth model to achieve an average annual growth target of 10 percent.
Speaking at the opening of the National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, he said technology, private sector development and improved policy implementation were central to the strategy.
Ed.’s notes: The 8 percent growth Vietnam achieved this year came with significant risk to the financial system. At 10 percent it should be expected that there will be more of the same.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Calls for higher quality FDI
Dan Tri is reporting that economists and policymakers have said Vietnam should shift its foreign direct investment strategy toward quality rather than volume as global capital flows become more volatile.
Experts cited said future foreign direct investment must focus on technology, higher value added production and stronger spillovers to domestic firms, rather than low cost assembly.
Ed.’s notes: There are comments here from the Finance Minister also calling for more selective FDI – with a 10 percent GDP growth target it doesn’t leave a lot of room to be choosy.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Korean bank subsidiary approval
The Korea Times is reporting that the Korea Development Bank has said it has received approval from Vietnam’s central bank to establish a subsidiary in Hanoi, more than six years after filing its application in 2019.
The lender said this is the first time since 2021 that the State Bank of Vietnam has licensed a foreign bank to set up a local subsidiary.
Ed.’s notes: Banking is an interesting space. Common for government to press banks to behave in certain ways i.e. how they manage interest rates – much easier with local banks than foreign banks.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Fake Gucci / Hermes haul
VnExpress is reporting that Vietnamese market surveillance authorities seized more than 1,800 counterfeit luxury items, including fake Gucci sunglasses and Hermes watches, in Quang Ngai province on January 19.
Officials fined a 35 year old vendor VND 102.5 million (US$4,200) for selling 1,000 counterfeit Gucci glasses and 800 counterfeit Hermes watches, and ordered the goods destroyed.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
14th NPC demographics
Vietnam Plus is reporting that the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam opening was attended by 1,586 delegates representing more than 5.6 million party members nationwide, including 163 ex officio delegates, 353 elected delegates and 1,070 appointed delegates.
There were 1,285 male delegates and 301 female delegates.
Ed.’s notes: Noted for the gender breakdown. Raises representation questions.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Anti-dumping Thai / Chinese wood imports
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade imposed official anti-dumping duties of up to 39.88 percent on certain wood fibreboard imports from Thailand and China from January 19, 2026.
The ministry said its final investigation found evidence of dumping and a direct risk of significant injury to Vietnam’s domestic wood fibreboard industry.
Ed.’s notes: It would be interesting to know how much of the dumped wood was for final consumption versus how much was used to make other things and exported.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Vinhomes bond issuance
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vinhomes raised VND4.5 trillion (US$171 million) through a private bond issuance between December 30, 2025 and January 19, 2026, according to the company.
The company issued 45,000 bonds with a face value of VND100 million each, carrying a 36 month tenor, a combined interest rate of 12 percent per year and a maturity date of December 30, 2028.
Ed.’s notes: Vingroup ecosystem heavily indebted already – significant funds channelled into loss-making EV subsidiary, Vinfast. Noted for where Vingroup risk is held (domestic bonds in this instance).
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Stock market Tuesday
the-shiv is reporting that the VN-Index closed at 1,893.78, down 2.81 points or 0.15 percent, with a total trading value of VND 37,051.64 billion or US$1,406.13 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$63.68 million worth of equities, Tuesday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange → view source.
Exchange rates Tuesday
the-shiv is reporting that on January 20, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,500 and the sell rate was VND 26,550, a change of 0 and 0, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,525, according to Ty Gia USD.
Meanwhile, the State Bank of Vietnam’s central exchange rate was set at VND 25,130, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 26,265.
Imports from Singapore
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam imported US$647.64 million worth of goods from Singapore, up from US$465.67 million in November, a change of 39.08 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has imported US$6,062 million worth of goods from Singapore.
Exports to UK
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam exported US$670 million worth of goods to the UK, up 0.50 percent over November, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has exported US$8,392 million worth of goods to the UK.
Aquafeed production
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam produced 806.19 thousand tons of aquaculture feed in December, down 0.38 percent from 809.29 thousand tons in November, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Year to date output reached 9,656.19 thousand tons by the end of December.
Crude oil imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported crude oil to the tune of US$729 million in December, up from US$391 million in November, a change of 86.46 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had imported US$7,743 million worth of crude oil by the end of December.
Coffee exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported coffee to the tune of US$948 million in December, up from US$508 million in November, a change of 86.77 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$8,924 million worth of coffee by the end of December.
Yesterday’s Vietnam news
In today’s headlines: Cyber attacks decline, Petrol license withdrawls 2025, Dong Nai Q4 port performance, HCMC airport 45th most connected, Swiss ownership stake VP Bank, Gold prices reach new record, Hon Tre Island land auction, Vinpearl golf course Hon Tre, Gender equality workforce, New Aeon Mall Dong Nai, Overview of 14th Nat. Congress, US Bank funding VA Boeing jets, HSR investor screening, PM intervention APEC building materials shortage, FDI total trade, Margin lending growth speed, Mercedes Benz Vietnam investment offer, and more. Read more→