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.
Current state real estate market: VARs
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that the Vietnam Association of Realtors (VARs) has said that Vietnam’s property market is entering a filtering phase, where short term speculation is becoming riskier as supply peaks and conditions tighten.
It says abundant new supply has not corrected prices because costs, infrastructure expansion, and past pent up demand continue to support valuations.
The association highlights growing stress among highly leveraged investors as liquidity becomes uneven and interest rates edge higher.
Ed.’s notes: Contributes to a really mixed picture of Vietnam’s real estate market right now.
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Bank cash withdrawals falling
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam’s electronic payment activity continued to expand rapidly in 2025, while cash withdrawals via ATMs fell sharply.
It focuses on data from National Payment Corporation of Vietnam showing higher transaction volumes, wider use of fast transfers and QR payments, and declining reliance on cash.
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MoC on HSR prep
Tuoi Tre is reporting that the Ministry of Construction (MoC) has responded to private sector interest in Vietnam’s North–South high speed railway project by saying it is still preparing the feasibility study and has not yet decided the investment model for the project.
The ministry sent this response to 13 domestic firms that had submitted proposals or letters expressing interest in investing in the North–South high speed rail line.
Ed.’s notes: READ: Everybody calm down and take a beat.
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Mercedes distributor profits fall
Nha Dau Tu is reporting that Haxaco’s 2025 profits fell sharply as competition, inventory buildup and high short-term debt pressured its core Mercedes-Benz distribution business.
It notes the company has floated taking an 85 percent stake in a VinFast electric vehicle distributor as a new growth strategy and is considering selling a major Ho Chi Minh City property.
Ed.’s notes: Follows reports earlier this week that automotive distributor Tasco Auto is looking at taking a 70 percent stake in Mercedes-Benz Vietnam.
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Science / tech spending development
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Science and Technology Minister Nguyen Manh Hung has told the 14th National Party Congress that each dong of public spending on science and technology should mobilise three to four dong of private investment.
That being the case, if the government spends 2 percent of the state budget it would leverage enough private capital to equal an investment of roughly 2 percent of national gross domestic product, the minister said.
Ed.’s notes: Policy success framed as a matter of maths as opposed to institutional quality, governance, or capability.
(It’s the same as GDP growth targets which are determined based on a goal of being a developed country by 2045 as a matter of GDP per capita.)
Speaks to thought process at the top.
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Vingroup and VN carbon market
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vingroup has said it has been preparing for Vietnam’s new carbon market through its electric vehicle business, renewable energy projects, public transport operations, and internationally certified carbon credit projects since 2021.
VinFast electric vehicles, VinBus and Xanh SM are cited as reducing millions of tons of carbon dioxide over vehicle life cycles and annual operations.
Ed.’s notes: The backbone of Vingroup is Vinhomes which is a construction firm = carbon intensive, it’s also largely subsidising its EV maker Vinfast.
Also estimated carbon reductions from Vinfast EVs questionable – it’s not clear all of the cars being sold are being used (see this article about fields of unused Xanh GSM taxis). It will be interesting to see calculations on Vingroup carbon output when/if they are properly calculated/released.
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Queues to buy silver
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting on a surge in silver prices triggering heavy retail buying in Vietnam.
Record global silver prices pushed domestic prices higher, leading to long queues, shortages, and extended opening hours at silver shops in Hanoi, the article says.
Ed.’s notes: Issue with the Vietnam gold market = need to use US dollars to import more = pressure on local currency = heavily regulated imports = gold shortages = strong interest in silver.
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Supermarket chain ownership change
The Investor is reporting that Thailand’s Berli Jucker Public Company Limited plans to fully acquire MM Mega Market Vietnam in a transaction valued at THB22.5 billion (US$723.7 million), according to a stock exchange filing.
The acquisition will be executed through Berli Jucker’s subsidiary C-Distribution Asia, which will purchase all shares in TTC Land International, the parent of MM Mega Market Vietnam.
Ed.’s notes: Internal transaction: see this article about it from Dan Tri.
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Plastic producer expansion
Bloomberg is reporting that Binh Minh Plastics Joint Stock Company, Vietnam largest listed plastic pipe producer, has said it is targeting annual sales growth of more than 10 percent over the next five years, according to its chief executive.
The company said demand was supported by residential, civil, and infrastructure construction.
Thailand Siam Cement Group owns 55 percent of Binh Minh Plastics through Nawaplastic Industry Company Limited, the article notes.
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Mitsubishi sales jump
Antara News is reporting that Mitsubishi has said its Vietnam unit sold 44,107 vehicles in 2025, up 7 percent year on year, marking a second consecutive annual sales record.
Mitsubishi Motors Vietnam Company Limited recorded 8,960 vehicle sales in December, its highest monthly total, and ranked first in Vietnam internal combustion engine vehicle market share.
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Record seafood sales
Seafood Source is reporting that Vietnam seafood exports reached a record nearly US$11.3 billion in 2025, up 12.4 percent year on year, citing the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
As trade barriers increased in the United States, VASEP said exporters adapted by shifting sales toward Asia and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership markets.
It also noted that exporters accelerated shipments late in 2025 ahead of United States Marine Mammal Protection Act rules effective January 1, 2026.
Ed.’s notes: 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 – VN customs data. Read the full December report…
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New sports complexes major events opportunity
The Investor carrying an opinion piece which argues that Vietnam’s investment in large, multifunctional sports complexes demonstrates readiness to host global sporting events such as the World Cup or Olympics.
It presents recent and planned stadium projects in Hanoi (135,000 seats) and HCMC (70,000-seats) as evidence of a strategic shift linking sports performance, urban development, and national prestige, however, it does not report any confirmed bids or hosting decisions, instead advancing a forward-looking narrative about capability and ambition.
Ed.’s notes: Vietnam has a 40,000 seat stadium in Hanoi but it isn’t used all that much (few big sporting events, even fewer big concerts) and is reportedly not particularly well looked after or managed.
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Trump golf course local government inspection
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that provincial leaders in Hung Yen have inspected progress on the Khoai Chau urban and golf complex developed by Kinh Bac City Development Holding Corporation in partnership with The Trump Organization.
Local officials instructed developers and contractors to resolve bottlenecks, accelerate site clearance, and mobilise capital, materials, and labour to keep the project on schedule, the article says.
Ed.’s notes: Framing is article author’s – lacks specific details, not clear what intervention there was beyond very vague statements advising investors to make sure everything runs smoothly.
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Imports from UK
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam imported US$101.16 million worth of goods from UK, up from US$89.78 million in November, a change of 12.68 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has imported US$991 million worth of goods from UK.
Exports to Singapore
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam exported US$564 million worth of goods to Singapore, up 30.23 percent over November, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has exported US$5,858 million worth of goods to Singapore.
Stock market Wednesday
the-shiv is reporting that the VN-Index closed at 1,885.44, down 8.34 points or 0.44 percent, with a total trading value of VND 37,295.39 billion or US$1415.38 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$11.88 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 21, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,600 and the sell rate was VND 26,650, a change of 100 and 100, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,625 (up 0.38 percent), according to Ty Gia USD.
Meanwhile, the State Bank of Vietnam’s central exchange rate was set at VND 25,124, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 26,267.
Mobile phone production
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam produced 16.28 million mobile phones in December, up 2.15 percent from 15.94 million phones in November, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Year to date output reached 189.15 million phones by the end of December.
Chemical products imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported chemical products to the tune of US$809 million in December, up from US$695 million in November, a change of 16.30 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had imported US$8,114 million worth of chemical products by the end of December.
Cashew nut exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported cashew nut to the tune of US$466 million in December, down from US$475 million in November, a change of -1.88 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$5,229 million worth of cashew nut by the end of December.
Yesterday’s Vietnam news
In yesterday’s Vietnam news headlines: Carbon market framework decree issued, Toyota ups investment – hybrids, Crypto exchange applications open, Shift to sustainable tourism, Offtake commitments LNG, Undocumented beer seizure, Calls for higher quality FDI, 10 percent growth target, Korean bank subsidiary approval, Fake Gucci / Hermes haul, 14th NPC demographics, Anti-dumping Thai / Chinese wood imports, Vinhomes bond issuance, Stock market Tuesday, Imports from Singapore, Exports to UK, Exchange rates Tuesday, and more. Read more→