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.
Another HCMC-Mekong railway proposal
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that CT Group has proposed a 280 kilometre railway linking Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho and Ca Mau, at a cost of US$12 billion.
The company has proposed a double track, electrified standard gauge line with design speeds of 200 to 250 kilometres per hour, starting at Thu Thiem and ending at Dat Mui.
The Ministry of Construction said the Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho section is already being considered with an extension to Ca Mau slated for after 2030, the article says.
Ed.’s notes: In principle approval for Vingroup HSR from Ben Thanh to Can Tho announced back in December.
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Dragon Capital on Vingroup Investments
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Dragon Capital has said its Dynamic Securities Investment Fund has reduced its exposure to Vingroup shares and rebalanced its portfolio toward banks, citing concentration risk and market volatility.
Portfolio data as of December 31, 2025 showed banks made up 28.4 percent of assets, while residential real estate, including Vingroup and Vinhomes, accounted for 15.7 percent, the article says.
Ed.’s notes: It’s interesting to see how different fund managers have tackled the huge price increase of Vingroup stocks. Dragon Capital was in on the stock, although now it’s saying it’s getting out amid investor concerns its performance has been too dependent on the Vingroup ecosystem. This contrasts with several other firms that have been trying to justify not buying into the Vingroup ecosystem.
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Nuclear agreement reached?
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that Vietnam and Russia have largely agreed on a full draft agreement on cooperating to build the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant.
Officials said Vietnam has made progress on legal frameworks, site clearance work, and human resource training linked to the nuclear programme.
Ed.’s notes: Article is vague – not clear that this is confirmed. #monitoring
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Land Law implementation delays
Thanh Nien is reporting that Ho Chi Minh City authorities have said that while the land price adjustment coefficient K has not been issued, land use fees, land rents, and compensation will continue to use the official land price table under the 2024 Land Law.
Coefficient K is expected to be issued before July 1, 2026.
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Rising beer prices pre-Tet
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that beer consumption ahead of the 2026 Tet holiday has slowed despite the start of the peak selling period.
Retailers in Ho Chi Minh City said wholesale beer prices have risen, but demand remains weaker than in previous years.
Traders reported overall Tet beer sales are down 30 to 40 percent year on year.
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Local fashion brand closures
Dan Tri is reporting that several Vietnamese fashion brands have announced closures, citing intensifying competition and rapid changes in consumer preferences.
Former fashion retailers said rising operating and marketing costs, easier access to imported goods, and weaker brand differentiation have eroded margins for mid market local brands.
Ed.’s notes: Much of the world’s clothing is made in Vietnam but local brands struggle – might speak to issues in marketing, branding, and business management rather than the quality of the clothing necessarily.
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Gold trading paper instruments
Dan Tri is reporting that most gold investors do not own physical gold, holding exposure instead through paper claims such as exchange traded funds and unallocated accounts.
It highlights warnings that around 98 percent of gold market exposure consists of promises rather than specific, identifiable gold bars.
The piece outlines risks if investors simultaneously demand physical delivery during a financial shock, creating shortages and price divergence.
Ed.’s notes: This is about the international market but noted because it’s in the domestic press which was reporting yesterday that silver was being purchased by retail traders on basically what amounts to forward contracts in Vietnam.
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Vinfast motorbike sales
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that VinFast said it sold 406,453 electric motorbikes in Vietnam in 2025, up 473 percent year on year.
The Evo range accounted for more than 250,000 units, with additional contributions from models including Feliz, Klara, Vento, Vero X and Theon.
Ed.’s notes: About 8 percent of locally produced bikes (3.4 million). Food for thought: it would be interesting to know what these sales might be had all the money put into electric cars been put into R&D and localising supply chains for electric motorbikes instead.
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Russian tourist increase Vietnam
Tuoi Tre is reporting that Russian tourist arrivals to Vietnam reached nearly 700,000 in 2025, up 196.9 percent year on year and above the pre pandemic 2019 record.
Industry groups said growth was supported by favourable visa policies and the reopening of package flight routes from major Russian cities to Cam Ranh and Phu Quoc.
Ed.’s notes: Also there aren’t a lot of places Russian tourists are welcome anymore on account of the war in Ukraine.
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Data centre development opportunities / constraints
Nha Dau Tu is reporting that Vietnam data centre construction costs are among the lowest in Asia, averaging about US$7 per watt, according to CBRE.
Vietnam’s operational data centre capacity is also only about 104 megawatts, far smaller than its regional peers, leaving room for expansion with global capacity forecast to nearly double by 2030, the article says.
Experts cited low costs, improving regulation, energy planning and rising digital demand as underpinning interest, though power supply, infrastructure links and skilled labour remain constraints.
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Egg prices
Tuoi Tre is reporting that poultry and egg prices in Dong Thap have fallen below production costs, causing losses for farmers.
Farmers reported sharp declines in chicken and egg farm gate prices due to oversupply and weaker domestic and export demand.
Ed.’s notes: Noted for tracking food prices.
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Bicycle tyre factory expansion
Logistics-Manager is reporting that Germany’s Kuehne+Nagel and Schwalbe have expanded Schwalbe’s export distribution centre in Vietnam to nearly 20,000 square metres, doubling capacity after a decade-long logistics partnership.
The facility in Ho Chi Minh City distributes bicycle tyres and tubes from Schwalbe to 43 markets across Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa.
In early 2024, Schwalbe shifted all tyre and tube production from Indonesia to Vietnam, making Vietnam its primary manufacturing and logistics hub.
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Gas wells for carbon capture
The Chemical Engineer is reporting that Hibiscus Petroleum has awarded a two year contract to Reservoir Link to assess depleted gas wells for carbon capture and storage in the PM3 Malaysia Vietnam Commercial Arrangement Area.
The PM3 fields are operated by Hibiscus with a 35 percent stake and are owned by Petronas and PetroVietnam under a joint Malaysia Vietnam arrangement.
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Japan healthcare firm stake
The Investor is reporting that Japan’s Nissha will acquire a 60 percent stake in Vietnam based USM Healthcare Medical Devices Factory Joint Stock Company.
Nissha and its subsidiary Nissha Vietnam will buy 59.99 percent and 0.01 percent respectively, however, the acquisition price was not disclosed.
USM Healthcare manufactures cardiology stents and orthopedic devices and operates a factory in Ho Chi Minh City.
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BHP ore diversion CN to VN
Reuters is reporting that BHP has shipped Jimblebar Blend Fines iron ore cargoes to Malaysia and Vietnam after China barred domestic buyers amid an unresolved contract dispute with China Mineral Resources Group.
A 95,000 metric ton cargo docked in Malaysia in January and about 75,000 tons were shipped to Vietnam in December, with the article noting that Vietnam bought the Jimblebar iron ore on account of BHP offering unusually deep discounts.
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FLC chairman South Korean embassy meeting
Vietnamnet is reporting that Trinh Van Quyet, the founder of FLC Group, who was arrested in 2022 and later sentenced to 21 years in prison for fraud, has attended a meeting at the South Korean embassy.
The meeting was reportedly to discuss cooperation and business links.
Ed.’s notes: Quyet had his sentence reduced to seven years back in June. That would still put his release date somewhere in 2029 at the earliest – article does not make clear how this all works.
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APEC accommodation delays
Thanh Nien is reporting that Phu Quoc faces accommodation constraints ahead of hosting Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation 2027, as existing hotels are overloaded and new projects remain stalled by land clearance issues.
Authorities estimate the summit will draw 12,000 to 15,000 international delegates, requiring at least 15 to 20 additional five star hotels along with supporting facilities.
Local authorities said delays in site clearance also threaten airport expansion and the APEC conference centre.
Ed.’s notes: Last week it was reported there was a shortage of construction materials, too.
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Stock market Monday
the-shiv is reporting that the VN-Index closed at 1,843.72, down 27.07 points or 1.45 percent, with a total trading value of VND 32,087.29 billion or US$1,217.73 million, and foreign traders net-buying US$4.02 million worth of equities, Monday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Exchange rates Monday
the-shiv is reporting that on January 26, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,600 and the sell rate was VND 26,650, a change of 50 and 50, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,625 (down 0.19 percent), according to Ty Gia USD.
Imports from Russia
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam imported US$260.95 million worth of goods from Russia, up from US$185.14 million in November, a change of 40.95 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has imported US$2,509 million worth of goods from Russia.
Exports to Australia
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam exported US$660 million worth of goods to Australia, up 17.22 percent over November, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has exported US$6,811 million worth of goods to Australia.
Cement production
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam produced 17.11 million tons of cement in December, down 3.87 percent from 17.80 million tons in November, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Year to date output reached 187.20 million tons by the end of December.
Fruit / vegetables imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported fruits and vegetables to the tune of US$528 million in December, up from US$328 million in November, a change of 60.80 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had imported US$3,015 million worth of fruits and vegetables by the end of December.
Chemical products exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported chemical products to the tune of US$297 million in December, up from US$228 million in November, a change of 30.51 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$2,913 million worth of chemical products by the end of December.
Yesterday’s Vietnam news roundup
In yesterday’s headlines: New locally owned yarn factory, Vinacapital on Vingroup, Aviation opportunity limits, Singapore invested textile factory ground breaking, Facebook censorship National Party Congress, Improvements floated existing north-south railway, NA approves Bac Ninh airport, SBV on gold price jump, World Bank MoF infrastructure funding talks, Shipping costs VN vs CN, HCMC forms Apartment Management Association, Silver purchases unofficial forward contracts, Tet cake industry shift, Silver market liquidity issues, Imports from Belgium, Exports to Philippines, Motorbike production, and more. Read the full roundup→