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.
VinFast Indonesia enters infrastructure sector
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that VinFast Indonesia has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Subang Regency and toll road operator PT Lintas Marga Sedaya to develop an interchange on the Cipali Expressway in Indonesia.
VinFast will act as the sole strategic investor, fully funding planning, permitting, construction, and related costs for the Manyingsal interchange at Km 115+500, the article says.
The project has received in-principle approval from Indonesia’s Ministry of Public Works, with a maximum completion timeline of three years after licensing.
Ed.’s notes: Expanding from manufacturing electric cars to building infrastructure – few synergies, sounds expensive.
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Taxi firm tax debt travel ban
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that Ho Chi Minh City Tax Department has said taxi companny Mai Linh Group owed more than VND 6.38 billion (US$242,000) in taxes, penalties and late payment interest as of December 31, 2025, and that if the company fails to settle the debt within 30 days from January 15, its chairman may be suspended from travelling overseas.
Mai Linh reported after-tax profit of nearly VND 3.7 billion (US$140,000) in 2024, down from more than VND 15.8 billion (US$600,000) in 2023.
Ed.’s notes: Noted for possible future story about how Xanh GSM has disrupted the local ride-hailing / taxi market.
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E-cigarette trade falls on ban: MoH
Vietnamplus is reporting that Vietnam’s Health Ministry has said use and trade in e-cigarettes and vapes has fallen sharply after a ban was introduced in the country, with police cases involving vapes linked to narcotics, smuggled goods, or counterfeit products, dropping from over 100 annually to five in 2025.
New penalties fine users VND 3–5 million (US$114–190) and venue owners VND 5–10 million (US$190–379) for allowing use under their management.
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Online food sales
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnamese consumers spent about US$2.1 billion on app-based food delivery in 2025, up 19 percent year on year, according to Momentum Works’ Southeast Asia food delivery platforms report.
The report said total gross merchandise value across ShopeeFood, GrabFood and beFood reached US$2.1 billion, with ShopeeFood and GrabFood each holding 48 percent market share.
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Gold bar confiscation penalty
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that private ownership and storage of legally acquired gold bullion, including older bars without invoices, is permitted and not subject to confiscation if not traded, after rumours surfaced that gold bullion without proof of purchase would be confiscated.
The article goes on to say that gold bullion may be confiscated only when individuals or organisations illegally produce, trade, import or export gold bullion without licences or outside locations authorised by the State Bank of Vietnam, citing Hoang Ha from the Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association.
Ed.’s notes: How do you prove you didn’t illegally acquire the gold if you don’t have proof of purchase?
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US microloan firm market entry
VnExpress is reporting that US microloans provider Tala has established a legal entity in Vietnam and is planning an initial US$5 million investment to build out its local technology and staffing infrastructure.
In Vietnam, Tala will provide the technology while loans will be issued by partner CIMB Bank, with the first disbursements expected in the first quarter of 2026.
Loans will be capped at VND 30 million (US$1,140) for up to 61 days, funded by a US$100 million credit line from CIMB over at least three years.
Ed.’s notes: Competition for F88.
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Securities cash deposits fall
VN Economy is reporting that total margin debt across Vietnam’s stock market reached over VND 401 trillion (US$15.22 billion) at year-end 2025, rising 8 percent from the third quarter, with growth driven mainly by VPBank Securities and Ho Chi Minh City Securities Corporation.
Investor cash deposits at securities companies fell nearly 29 percent to approximately VND 98.7 trillion (US$3.75 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2025 after peaking in the third quarter.
The decline in deposits alongside shrinking trading liquidity and expanding margin debt suggests capital withdrawal from the system rather than reallocation into stock positions, the article suggests.
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EU-Vietnam diplomatic upgrade
Reuters is reporting that the European Union and Vietnam plan to upgrade diplomatic ties to Vietnam’s highest level and to boost cooperation on critical minerals, semiconductors, and trusted telecommunications infrastructure, according to a draft joint statement.
The EU will explore transferring defence technology to Hanoi, with both sides promoting trade and investment in sustainable mining and processing of critical minerals like rare earths and tungsten.
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VN banks’ credit guarantees
Bloomberg is reporting that standby letters of credit, which promise to repay debt if borrowers default on foreign loans, issued by Vietnamese banks, rose 19 percent to VND 52 trillion (US$1.97 billion) in the first nine months of last year.
The article notes these guarantees are kept off balance sheets and may weaken loss-absorption buffers, citing VIS Ratings.
It also notes that a secured US$510 million (VND 13.44 trillion) private credit loan, granted to Vingroup’s VinFast Auto in 2025 by lenders including Deutsche Bank, was backed by standby letters of credit from Vietnamese banks.
Vietnamese banks’ tier 1 capital ratio stood at an estimated 9.5 percent last year, below Indonesia’s 23 percent, Thailand’s 17.5 percent, and Malaysia’s 15.6 percent (higher is better), the article notes.
Ed.’s notes: Explains Vingroup’s ability to keep raising money given its dicey financial situation.
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PM on APEC 2027 projects
Thanh Nien is reporting that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the January 28 groundbreaking of two APEC 2027 accommodation projects in Phu Quoc, calling them national projects and requesting expedited resolution of all obstacles to their completion.
The two projects are among 21 APEC works and are expected to add around 12,000 hotel rooms and serviced apartments despite incomplete site clearance at groundbreaking.
Ed.’s notes: Comes amid reports facilities may not be finished due to a construction materials shortage / land clearance issues.
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Cosmetic advertising ban at schools
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training issued a directive strictly prohibiting advertising and promotion of cosmetic services within school premises and through school communication channels.
The department cited unlicensed cosmetic facilities exploiting social media, celebrities, and unofficial channels to reach students and parents.
The directive requires teachers and staff to refuse participation in any cosmetic service advertising activities in schools.
Ed.’s notes: More details re: teachers advertising cosmetic services in schools would be good – supplementing income?
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Economist warning bank growth targets
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that economist Pham Xuan Hoe has said monetary policy space has nearly reached its limit and warned continuing to burden the banking system with growth targets poses serious economic risks, on a talk show (which one not specified).
Pham Xuan Hoe urged expanding fiscal policy and requiring land revenue be designated exclusively for infrastructure investment rather than covering recurrent expenditure, noting public debt remains low at approximately 34 percent of gross domestic product against a 65 percent limit.
Ed.’s notes: Sounds like he’s suggesting that the state budget is being supported by revenue from land sales as opposed to taxes. Maybe future project work out exactly how much of state budget is tax revenue versus real estate sales.
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MoC draft construction materials prices management changes
VN Economy is reporting that a draft decree from the Ministry of Construction on construction materials management eliminates administrative intervention in supply, demand, and pricing of construction materials.
The draft focuses instead on forecasting, early warning, information transparency, and inter-agency coordination rather than establishing administrative coordination of supply and demand in the market.
Ed.’s notes: Currently, broad reports of scarcity with black market prices cited as a key driver.
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Truong My Lan yacht auction
VnExpress is reporting that a yacht owned by Truong My Lan, who was convicted for fraud in 2024, is being auctioned by Ho Chi Minh City’s civil judgment enforcement agency with a starting price of over VND 49 billion (US$1.86 million) after an initial auction failed.
The starting price was reduced by 6 percent from VND 52 billion (US$1.97 million) for the second auction scheduled next month, with participants required to deposit 20 percent or nearly VND 10 billion (US$380,000).
Ed.’s notes: It’s one thing to confiscate these assets, another to be able to liquidate them – might be better to use a yacht sales agency rather than DIY.
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Food safety declarations update
Tuoi Tre is reporting that the government issued a resolution on January 27 requiring food products, including functional foods, to publicly declare applicable standards before entering the market.
Organisations and individuals must submit standard declaration documents, including test results from accredited laboratories, within 12 months, showing full quality and safety indicators.
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Stock market Wednesday
the-shiv is reporting that the VN-Index closed at 1,802.91, down 27.59 points or 1.51 percent, with a total trading value of VND 34,585.35 billion or US$1312.54 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$67.78 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 28, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,200 and the sell rate was VND 26,250, a change of 150 and 140, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,225 (down 0.55 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD.
Meanwhile, the State Bank of Vietnam’s central exchange rate was set at VND 25,088, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 26,067.
Imports from Brazil
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam imported US$474.86 million worth of goods from Brazil, up from US$381.06 million in November, a change of 24.62 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has imported US$5,031 million worth of goods from Brazil.
Exports to Canada
the-shiv is reporting that in December, Vietnam exported US$673 million worth of goods to Canada, up 9.61 percent over November, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has exported US$7,530 million worth of goods to Canada.
Casual clothes production
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam produced 558.55 million pieces of casual clothes in December, down 4.38 percent from 584.14 million pieces in November, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Year-to-date output reached 6,275.16 million pieces by the end of December.
Imports pharma products
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported pharmaceutical products to the tune of US$449 million in December, up from US$284 million in November, a change of 58.35 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had imported US$4,296 million worth of pharmaceutical products by the end of December.
Cement exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported clinker and cement to the tune of US$132 million in December, up from US$123 million in November, a change of 7.27 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$1,375 million worth of clinker and cement by the end of December.
Yesterday’s news
In today’s headlines: BYD JV battery plant, Japan cold chain divestment, Japan digital marketing investment, New industrial park Hue, UK software HCMC airport, Motorbike market analysis, Philippines rice standards concerns, Electric bike leasing ride hailing apps, Hoa Phat warns steel power shortages, HCMC airport compensation fraud conviction appeal, ThaiBev links revenue decline to drink-driving regs, Imports from Australia, Exports to Russia, Stock market Tuesday, Exchange rates Tuesday, Synthetic fabrics production, Chemicals imports, and more. Read yesterday’s roundup→