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.
Advertising wait time caps
VnExpress is reporting that Vietnam will cap mandatory viewing time for online video advertisements at five seconds from February 15.
The decree bans non skippable video advertisements longer than five seconds and prohibits forcing viewers to wait before closing static image advertisements.
Ed.’s notes: Role of government in determining users experience for web service providers. Necessary?
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Crypto / gold bar tax changes
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam will impose a 0.1 per cent personal income tax on transactions involving gold bullion and digital assets from July 1, 2026 under the amended Personal Income Tax Law.
The law, passed by the National Assembly on December 10, 2025, taxes each gold bullion transfer at 0.1 per cent of transaction value, with thresholds to be set by the government.
Income from transfers of digital assets, including cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, will also be taxed at 0.1 per cent of transaction value.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Labour shortages LNY
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnamese manufacturers are struggling to recruit unskilled workers ahead of the Lunar New Year despite sharply higher wages, bonuses and welfare benefits, according to businesses in major industrial hubs.
Companies in Bac Ninh, Hai Phong, Hung Yen, Hanoi and Dong Nai reported thousands of vacancies in textiles, electronics and manufacturing to meet export orders and production targets.
Ed.’s notes: Demand outstripping supply should lead to higher wages. #monitoring.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Chinese HRC ADDs extended
Dan Tri is reporting that Vietnam has extended anti dumping duties on certain cold rolled steel products imported from China for another five years until December 27, 2030, citing the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
The decision took effect on December 28, 2025, following a final sunset review launched in December 2024 under Vietnam trade remedy regulations and World Trade Organization rules.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
VinFast Ha Tinh production
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam’s Ha Tinh province has said its new VinFast electric vehicle plant produced about 22,000 cars after four months of operations.
Provincial authorities said the output helped offset an 11 per cent year on year decline in steel production and matched roughly one year of output at Toyota Vietnam.
Ed.’s notes: A second factory in Hai Phong produced 200,000 cars last year, average = 16,666 per month + 22,0000 = 38,666. VinFast delivered 23,186 electric vehicles in November. Overproduction problem?
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
WiGroup on interest rates
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam has little basis to raise policy interest rates in the near term, but market interest rates are unlikely to remain as low as last year, WiGroup said on January 3.
WiGroup chief executive Tran Ngoc Bau said small policy rate hikes of about 0.25 percentage points would have limited impact and could hurt market sentiment.
WiGroup said rising deposit rates are needed to sustain funding as inflation hovers around 4 per cent, signalling higher borrowing costs despite unchanged policy rates.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
Wood tariff delays
Tuoi Tre is reporting that the United States has delayed a planned increase in import tariffs on wood and wood products, giving Vietnam’s timber sector temporary relief through 2026, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Vietnamese authorities said the move provides exporters with breathing space to stabilise orders and prices, but warned that tariff risks remain as outcomes will depend on ongoing trade negotiations, the publication says.
Ed.’s notes: Vietnam wood and wood products exports to end-November 2025 = US$8.62 billion.
Add your thoughts: Send a letter to the editor→
PMI December
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam’s manufacturing sector ended 2025 in expansion, with output, new orders and employment rising in December despite renewed supply constraints and cost pressures, according to the latest Vietnam Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) data from S&P Global.
The PMI stood at 53.0 in December, easing from 53.8 in November but remaining above the 50 threshold that separates growth from contraction. This marked the sixth consecutive month of improving business conditions.
Milk imports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported milk and milk products to the tune of US$106 million in November, up from US$102 million in October, a change of 3.18 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had imported US$1,269 million worth of milk and milk products by the end of November.
Chemical products exports
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam exported chemical products to the tune of US$228 million in November, down from US$240 million in October, a change of -5.04 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Year to date, Vietnam had exported US$2,610 million worth of chemical products by the end of November.
Imports from Australia
the-shiv is reporting that in November, Vietnam imported US$482.57 million worth of goods from Australia, down from US$783.86 million in October, a change of -38.44 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has imported US$6,489 million worth of goods from Australia.
Exports to Philippines
the-shiv is reporting that in November, Vietnam exported US$347 million worth of goods to the Philippines, down 8.05 percent over October, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has exported US$5,006 million worth of goods to the Philippines.
