This is a brief rundown of what is being reported today in Vietnam’s state-approved media and about Vietnam in the international press.
It endeavours to highlight the narratives currently shaping the country’s economic, financial, and business news landscape.
Ed’s note: I’m always looking for new sources with unique insights. If you’re operating a business or working in Vietnam and want to talk about it, reach out: mark.barnes@the-shiv.com
MB Securities fined off-book margin lending
Dan Tri is reporting that the State Securities Commission has fined MB Securities after finding it provided unauthorised, off-book securities lending services with another organisation between January 2024 and 5 May 2026.
The regulator said MB Securities also breached rules governing the list of securities eligible for margin trading during periods between 24 July 2025 and 5 January 2026. View source→
Borrower capacity proof limit lifted
VnExpress is reporting that the State Bank of Vietnam has said borrowers seeking loans of VND400 million (US$15,180) or less from banks and finance companies will no longer need to provide documents proving their financial capacity or intended use of funds.
This is up from VND 100 million previously. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Average wage about VND 9m p/month or VND 108m a year.
Counterfeit shampoo and body wash
Tien Phong is reporting that Ninh Binh Police have dismantled an alleged interprovincial counterfeit shampoo and body wash manufacturing operation.
Authorities said raids at seven locations seized nearly 30,000 finished and semi-finished products, along with chemicals, packaging, labels and production equipment.
Investigators said an initial assessment confirmed 1,001 bottles labelled Hatomugi were counterfeit. View source→
Electronics retailer IPO
Electronics retailer Dien May Xanh has said in a statement it completed its initial public offering on 1 July, raising more than VND13,315 billion (US$505.3 million) and increasing its charter capital to VND12,677 billion (US$481.1 million).
The company sold 166.4 million shares, or 93 percent of those offered, to 2,646 investors, with institutional investors purchasing 90 percent of the allocation. View source→
Investors waiting for rate cut
The Investor is reporting that Vietnamese equities remain subdued despite recent government policy support, with Maybank Securities Vietnam saying high interest rates continue to weigh on investor sentiment.
Analysts cited in the article said any sustained recovery in the stock market will depend on lower interest rates as well as favourable inflation and exchange rate conditions. View source→
Russia-VN media cooperation
Azertag is reporting that Nhan Dan Newspaper and Russia’s Rossiya Segodnya Media Group have signed a cooperation agreement to expand collaboration on news exchange, journalist support and training.
The agreement was signed by Le Quoc Minh, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan, and Sergei Kochetkov, First Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Rossiya Segodnya. View source→
Ed.’s notes: There was speculation that Zing News was suspended for its coverage of the Ukraine war back in 2023.
VN-Russia petrol-tech MoU
VIR is reporting that Rosatom’s Fuel Division and Petrovietnam have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish an additive technologies centre in Vietnam using industrial three-dimensional printing.
The centre will manufacture components for drilling and pumping equipment, with the project beginning with a technical audit before progressing to equipment selection and construction. View source→
Robusta coffee environment impact report
Daily Coffee News is reporting that Coffee Watch has released a report that says Vietnam’s robusta coffee production has caused extensive environmental damage and left many smallholder farmers vulnerable.
The report estimates more than 207,000 hectares of humid tropical forest have been cleared since 1990 in areas now used for coffee cultivation and says groundwater depletion remains a major concern. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Source report
UOB office building HCMC
The Business Times is reporting that UOB has broken ground on a US$450 million tower in Ho Chi Minh City, becoming the first foreign bank to establish a dedicated headquarters in the Vietnam International Financial Centre.
The bank is also applying for member-bank status in the Vietnam International Financial Centre, where eligible projects can access preferential tax and land-use incentives, the article notes. View source→
Stock market Wednesday
The VN-Index closed at 1,867.21, up 7.20 points or 0.39 percent, with a total trading value of VND 17,183.80 billion or US$652.14 million, and foreign traders net-buying US$12.60 million worth of equities, Wednesday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange. Read the full article →
Exchange rates Wednesday
On July 1, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,580, and the sell rate was VND 26,610, a change of 269 and 110, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,595 (up 0.30 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Read the full article →
June PMI
The S&P Global Vietnam Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to 51.8 in June from 52.8 in May but remained above the 50-point threshold separating expansion from contraction, according to the latest release from S&P. Read the full article →
Yesterday’s news roundup
In today’s Vietnam news: Hanoi low-emissions zone begins, Tougher penalties for social media, Regulatory delays hamper protein company acquisition, VietJet Australia?, Gold bar tax delayed, Starlink Vietnam progress, FLC tax debt Quanh Ninh, Trump resort developer expands into renewable energy, Vingroup US$760m solar project, Fuel tax reductions extended, Petrol price increase, Exchange rates Tuesday, Stock market Tuesday, and more. Read the full article →