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.
BYD JV battery plant
Kim Long Motor and BYD Battery broke ground on a battery manufacturing plant in Hue on January 27, Kim Long has said in a LinkedIn post.
The project has a planned investment of US$130 million, with a capacity of 3 gigawatt hours per year in the first phase, with a goal to expanding to 6 gigawatt hours in the future.
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Japan cold chain divestment
The Investor is reporting that Cool Japan Fund has divested its entire stake in Vietnam’s CLK Cold Storage, ending a decade long investment.
The fund said it exited after determining the project had met its objective of establishing core cold chain infrastructure in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
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Japan digital marketing investment
Little Black Book Online is reporting that Japan’s Hakuhodo has acquired a majority stake in Vietnam digital marketing firm BCM Venture Integrated.
Hakuhodo said the acquisition strengthens its capabilities in Vietnam as client demand for digital services increases.
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New industrial park Hue
Nha Dau Tu is reporting that Vietnam Singapore Industrial Park has received approval to invest US$123 million in a new industrial park in Hue, covering more than 467 hectares.
Construction is scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2026, with the park expected to begin operations in the second quarter of 2031.
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UK software HCMC airport
Air Cargo Week is reporting that the UK’s Hermes Logistics Technologies has established a partnership with Vietnam’s Aviation Products and Maintenance to supply cargo software at the currently under construction Long Thanh International Airport.
Hermes will deliver a cloud based software as a service cargo ecosystem covering business intelligence, track and trace, integrations, landside management and training systems, the publication says.
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Motorbike market analysis
The Business Times is reporting that Vietnam’s motorbike market is shifting rapidly toward electric scooters as tighter emissions rules and policy signals undermine gasoline bike sales.
It notes VinFast sold 406,453 electric scooters in 2025, up 473 percent year on year, lifting it to second place overall, as Japan’s Honda stagnated and Yamaha saw sales fall sharply.
The slowdown followed announcements of restrictions on gasoline motorcycles in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the article says.
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Philippines rice standards concerns
Ag-Tech Navigator is reporting that Vietnamese industry representatives have warned that unless rice production meets higher green and traceability standards, exports could struggle despite strong headline demand.
The article notes that the Philippines is expected to import 3.6 million tonnes of rice, with 75 to 80 percent sourced from Vietnam this year, however, it also notes Philippine authorities are raising requirements on food safety, traceability and environmental standards, and are considering rice import tariffs to protect domestic farmers.
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Electric bike leasing ride hailing apps
VnExpress is reporting that Grab is allowing drivers to rent electric motorbikes from VinFast and Dat Bike through a third party partner, with Be Group offering a similar program, in anticipation of a Hanoi gas-bike ban and higher emissions standards in Ho Chi Minh City.
Manufacturers including Selex Motors and Honda have also launched rental options, with surveys showing most drivers cite high upfront costs as the main barrier to switching, the article notes.
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Hoa Phat warns steel power shortages
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Hoa Phat Group has proposed four large solar power projects in Quang Ngai to secure electricity supply for its steel operations at the Dung Quat Economic Zone.
Hoa Phat said electricity demand at Dung Quat is rising sharply as new steel capacity comes online, raising risks of local power shortages and grid strain, the article says.
Ed.’s notes: The company has a iron and steel plant in the area – speaks to authority when it says it thinks there might be power shortages coming.
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HCMC airport compensation fraud conviction appeal
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that former Long Thanh district chairman Le Van Tiep has filed an appeal against his seven year prison sentence over compensation violations linked to the Long Thanh airport project.
Tiep was convicted for approving compensation for households that did not meet legal requirements, resulting in state budget losses of more than VND 23.7 billion (US$900,000).
Ed.’s notes: For contrast, the founder of FLC was in the news yesterday for attending a meeting at the South Korean Embassy barely half way through a seven year prison term for committing fraud to the tune of upwards of US$100 million.
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ThaiBev links revenue decline to drink-driving regs
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Thai Beverage (with stakes in Saigon Beer and 333 among others) has said stricter alcohol regulations in Vietnam under Decree 100 and Decree 168 have contributed to a sharp revenue decline in the financial year to September 2025.
The decrees impose a zero tolerance rule on drink driving, with heavy fines, licence suspensions and vehicle confiscation for any detected blood alcohol level.
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Stock market Tuesday
the-shiv is reporting that the VN-Index closed at 1,830.50, down 13.22 points or 0.72 percent, with a total trading value of VND 25,575.81 billion or US$970.62 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$4.21 million worth of equities, Tuesday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Exchange rates Tuesday
the-shiv is reporting that on January 27, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,350 and the sell rate was VND 26,390, a change of 250 and 260, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,370 (down 0.96 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD.
Imports from Australia
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam imported US$690.13 million worth of goods from Australia, up from US$482.57 million in November, a change of 43.01 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has imported US$7,190 million worth of goods from Australia.
Exports to Russia
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam exported US$202 million worth of goods to Russia, up 35.54 percent over November, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has exported US$2,261 million worth of goods to Russia.
Synthetic fabrics production
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam produced 104.03 million m 2 of synthetic fabrics in December, down 4.66 percent from 109.12 million m 2 in November, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Year to date output reached 1263.49 million m 2 by the end of December.
Chemicals imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported chemicals to the tune of US$815 million in December, up from US$640 million in November, a change of 27.46 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had imported US$8,086 million worth of chemicals by the end of December.
Rice exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported rice to the tune of US$249 million in December, up from US$190 million in November, a change of 30.83 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$4,104 million worth of rice by the end of December.
Vietnam news yesterday
In yesterday’s headlines: Another HCMC-Mekong railway proposal, Dragon Capital on Vingroup Investments, Nuclear agreement reached?, Land Law implementation delays, Rising beer prices pre-Tet, Local fashion brand closures, Gold trading paper instruments, Vinfast motorbike sales, Russian tourist increase Vietnam, Data centre development opportunities / constraints, Egg prices, Bicycle tyre factory expansion, Gas wells for carbon capture, Japan healthcare firm stake, BHP ore diversion CN to VN, FLC chairman South Korean embassy meeting, APEC accommodation delays, and more. Read yesterday’s full roundup→