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.
New locally owned yarn factory
Tuoi Tre is reporting that local firm Century Fiber has inaugurated a new factory in Tay Ninh worth US$125 million, expanding its capacity to produce recycled and high value synthetic yarns.
The company said the plant supports compliance with stricter origin requirements in trade with the United States, as well as yarn forward rules under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Ed.’s notes: Another article covering the same events notes the firm produces goods for Nike and Adidas.
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Vinacapital on Vingroup
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vinacapital has noted in a report that Vingroup has become systemically important to Vietnam’s economy, with assets nearing 10 percent of gross domestic product and nearly one quarter of the VN-Index’s weighting tied to its listed companies.
At the same time, the group is carrying significant debt to fund expansion into infrastructure, energy, and electric vehicles, with more than US$10 billion spent on VinFast alone.
VinaCapital warns that while its size supports backing from the government, it also magnifies downside risk if cash generation does not keep pace with debt obligations, the article says.
Ed.’s notes: Original report.
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Aviation opportunity limits
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is carrying analysis of Vietnam’s airline market in which the author argues it is entering another overcrowded cycle as multiple private carriers launch or relaunch in an industry that historically consumes a lot of capital.
The author goes on to show that past airline failures were driven by structurally high fixed costs, fuel and currency risk, and the need to absorb years of losses before reaching break-even, and that incumbents Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet already dominate the market, leaving limited room for newcomers to scale.
Ed.’s notes: Nothing really standout in this piece per se, but noted on account of these sorts of more critical assessments and analysis not easily come by in the domestic press.
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Singapore invested textile factory ground breaking
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Singapore’s Best Pacific is moving forward its Mega Textile Vietnam factory in Nghe An, following investment approval in late 2024.
The project scale has been revised upward from 51.18 hectares and US$590 million to 67.5 hectares and US$940 million, making it the largest textile investment in the province, the article notes, with output to be produced for global brands including Victoria’s Secret, Uniqlo, FILA, and Triumph.
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Facebook censorship National Party Congress
Asia Times is carrying a piece from, Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, more commonly known as Mother Mushroom, a Vietnamese activist, in which she criticises Meta for complying with Vietnamese government requests to block content, even though it doesn’t breach Meta’s community standards, during the 14th National Party Congress.
She goes on to refer to Meta as a “sophisticated partner in its [the government’s] transnational repression”.
Ed.’s notes: See Facebook transparency centre – Meta notes that failure to comply with the request could see fines / could impact its services for the duration of the summit. Not sure this necessarily justifies the decision, however, that it has published specific details is good.
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Improvements floated existing north-south railway
VnExpress is reporting on a proposed state-funded upgrade of Vietnam’s existing north–south railway including fixing curves, flood-prone sections, stations, and outdated track infrastructure that currently cap speeds and reduce reliability.
If approved, the overhaul would lift passenger and freight volumes by roughly 50 percent.
Ed.’s notes: A logical next step in building out Vietnam railway infrastructure; contrasts with US$65 billion high speed rail project proposal.
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NA approves Bac Ninh airport
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam’s National Assembly has approved investment in the Gia Binh international airport in Bac Ninh, with total investment of VND 196,378 billion (about US$7.46 billion).
The airport will be developed in two phases, targeting capacity of 30 million passengers by 2030 and 50 million passengers by 2050, with an operating term of 70 years.
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SBV on gold price jump
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that the State Bank of Vietnam has cited geopolitical tensions and conflicts as pushing domestic gold bar prices higher in recent weeks.
It also says that gold is more attractive that other investment options, that speculation and hoarding have increased, and that gold imports are being limited on account of efforts to preserve foreign currency holdings.
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World Bank MoF infrastructure funding talks
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance and the World Bank have met to discuss funding for infrastructure as capital needs for large projects rise.
The Ministry of Finance said World Bank funding remains a significant share of Vietnam government external borrowing, with the bank also used for policy and institutional advice.
Ed.’s notes: It’s had problems with World Bank loans being withdrawn in the past on account of projects moving too slowly. This article doesn’t address this but probably should.
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Shipping costs VN vs CN
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that a shipper in Vietnam handles about 70 to 80 orders per day, compared with 1,000 to 1,500 orders per day in China.
This productivity gap contributes to logistics costs of roughly 16 to 17 percent of gross domestic product in Vietnam, above the global average of 10 to 12 percent and 8 to 9 percent in developed economies.
The near 20-fold difference in output is mainly attributed to weaker supporting infrastructure and limited application of logistics technology.
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HCMC forms Apartment Management Association
Thanh Nien is reporting that the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has approved the establishment of the Ho Chi Minh City Apartment Building Management Association, effective January 23, 2026.
The association is a social professional organisation with legal status, to be overseen by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction.
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Silver purchases unofficial forward contracts
Thanh Nien is reporting that several silver trading firms are tackling silver shortages by accepting payment now for future delivery, effectively trading silver on paper, with buyers allowed to resell these contracts back to the dealer before delivery.
Ed.’s notes: Basically a forward contract – interesting how this has developed kind of organically – probably some regulatory issues here.
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Tet cake industry shift
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that small, home-based banh chung and banh tet producers are exiting the market because they cannot meet tighter legal and food safety requirements, while large, formal food companies are entering and scaling production.
Ed.’s notes: Not specifically what this article is about, but essentially talking about the little guys getting squeezed out by bigger competitors – in a lot of places this often creates tension between the two groups. #monitoring
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Silver market liquidity issues
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that domestic silver prices have risen sharply, but that many shops are refusing to buy silver from customers seeking to sell.
Investors reported being turned away by multiple shops, citing reasons including lack of cash, system issues, inventory checks, or limits to buying only their own products.
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Stock market Friday
the-shiv is reporting that the VN-Index closed at 1,870.79, down 11.94 points or 0.63 percent, with a total trading value of VND 29,347.03 billion or US$1113.74 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$7.86 million worth of equities, Friday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Exchange rates Friday
the-shiv is reporting that on January 23, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,650 and the sell rate was VND 26,700, a change of 0 and 0, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,675, according to Ty Gia USD.
Meanwhile, the State Bank of Vietnam’s central exchange rate was set at VND 25,125, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 26,245.
Television manufacturing
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam produced 1,864.39 a thousand of televisions in December, down 3.84 percent from 1,938.88 a thousand in November, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Year to date output reached 21,385.64 a thousand by the end of December.
Motorbike production
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam produced 321.68 thousands motorbikes in December, down 5.56 percent from 340.63 motorbikes in November, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Year to date output reached 3423.46 thousands of pieces by the end of December.
Car parts imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported parts and accessories of motor vehicles to the tune of US$707 million in December, up from US$570 million in November, a change of 24.10 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had imported US$5,933 million worth of parts and accessories of motor vehicles by the end of December.
Imports from Belgium
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam imported US$71.91 million worth of goods from Belgium, up from US$39.23 million in November, a change of 83.32 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has imported US$778 million worth of goods from Belgium.
Exports to Philippines
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam exported US$391 million worth of goods to Philippines, up 12.72 percent over November, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has exported US$5,402 million worth of goods to Philippines.
Chemicals exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported chemicals to the tune of US$257 million in December, up from US$207 million in November, a change of 23.97 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$2,778 million worth of chemicals by the end of December.
Imports from Philippines
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam imported US$200.25 million worth of goods from Philippines, up from US$173.97 million in November, a change of 15.11 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has imported US$2,382 million worth of goods from Philippines.
Exports to Belgium
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam exported US$287 million worth of goods to Belgium, up 6.33 percent over November, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has exported US$3,587 million worth of goods to Belgium.
Car production
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam produced 49.16 thousand motor vehicles in December, down 19.02 percent from 60.70 cars in November, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Year to date output reached 484.53 thousands of pieces by the end of December.
Cotton imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported cotton to the tune of US$258 million in December, up from US$173 million in November, a change of 48.91 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had imported US$2,880 million worth of cotton by the end of December.
Yarn exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported yarn to the tune of US$411 million in December, up from US$349 million in November, a change of 17.65 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$4,314 million worth of yarn by the end of December.
Soy bean imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported soy beans to the tune of US$116 million in December, up from US$95 million in November, a change of 22.23 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had imported US$1,215 million worth of soy beans by the end of December.
Imports from Italy
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam imported US$221.60 million worth of goods from Italy, up from US$180.10 million in November, a change of 23.04 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has imported US$2,045 million worth of goods from Italy.
Exports to Netherlands
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam exported US$1,270 million worth of goods to the Netherlands, up 9 percent over November, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has exported US$13,478 million worth of goods to the Netherlands.
Ceramics exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported ceramic products to the tune of US$69 million in December, up from US$63 million in November, a change of 9.70 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$666 million worth of ceramic products by the end of December.
Friday’s Vietnam news headlines
In Friday’s headlines: TikTok fined data collection violations, M&A market forum, AMRO GDP forecast 7.6 percent, Zalo fined privacy breaches, Ore shortage steel plant Lao Cai, Imported construction materials customs delays, Fireworks prices, Energy efficiency labelling regulations, Vinpearl joins VN30, Fake Nikes / Lacoste seizure, Vietnam Airlines looking for aircraft in local press, VN ag. group issued bonds in Cambodia, UFC FPT rights deal, Credit rating long-term sec. debt upgrade, Bond recall issuance violations, HCMC remittances US$10 billion +, Techombank real estate loan exposure, and more. Read the full Vietnam news roundup→