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
Imported steel for stadium project
Vietnamnet is reporting that Dai Dung Group Chairman and CEO Trinh Tien Dung has said domestic steel will make up only a small share of materials for the 135,000-seat Hung Vuong Stadium roof structure.
The company is designing, procuring materials and installing the stadium’s steel roof, with Dung saying the main load-bearing structure requires high-strength, large-dimension steel meeting strict mechanical, uniformity, traceability and international testing requirements that domestic suppliers cannot yet fully meet. View source→
Ed.’s notes: This is a Vingroup project. Vingroup launched Vinmetal last year and has lent money to steel maker Pomina with the understanding that Pomina would supply steel to Vingroup construction projects. It’s interesting that neither of these companies are mentioned in this reporting.
Some mining rights assigned without auction
Vietnam Plus is reporting that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has designated seven strategic mineral areas where mining rights will be granted without competitive auctions.
The areas comprise three gold deposits, two apatite deposits, one graphite deposit and one titanium deposit across five provinces and cities. View source→
Ed.’s notes: This article is confusing — it’s not clear who will be developing these assets or why there is no tender process.
Indonesia / Philippines VN tobacco law trade intervention
Expose Tobacco has released a report addressing Indonesia and the Philippines’ concerns over Vietnam’s e-cigarette and heated tobacco product ban after it took effect in January 2025.
Indonesia questioned the ban under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and World Trade Organisation rules, while the Philippines has sought continued legal imports and sales of heated tobacco products. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Noted for conflict between public health objectives and trade agreements.
FDI H1 2026
Xinhua is reporting that Vietnam secured US$34.65 billion in foreign investment commitments during the first half of 2026, up 61 percent year-on-year, according to the National Statistics Office.
Foreign investment disbursements reached US$13.03 billion during the period, the highest first-half level recorded over the past five years. View source→
CGT exemptions open-ended funds
VIR is reporting that long-term investors in open-ended funds will be exempt from capital gains tax from July 1 under the revised Personal Income Tax Law.
Individuals transferring open-ended fund certificates held for at least two years are exempt from the previous 0.1 percent tax on the transfer value.
The Ministry of Finance aims to increase fund certificate investors to 2.5 million within five years and five million by 2035, the article notes. View source→
Construction equipment demand / shortages
The Investor is reporting that Vietnam’s accelerated public investment programme is driving demand for construction equipment.
One construction company manager cited in the article said this has seen equipment shortages emerge since late 2025, but new purchases require confidence in at least three years of continuous work. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Adds to range of shortages — fuel, materials, labour — associated with recent public investment infrastructure drive.
VCCI push back prepay customs fees
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged the Ministry of Finance to revise proposed rules requiring express delivery companies to prepay taxes and fees on imported and exported goods.
Under the draft, companies would deposit estimated liabilities into customs accounts at the State Treasury, with payments deducted as individual customs declarations are processed. View source→
Top 10 brokers revised
Tuoi Tre is reporting that VPS Securities remained the largest broker on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange in the second quarter of 2026, although its market share fell to 12.61 percent.
SSI Securities ranked second with 11.17 percent, while Techcom Securities remained third as its market share increased to 9.36 percent.
It also notes Vietcombank Securities dropped out of the top 10, replaced by Mirae Asset Securities Vietnam, which ranked tenth with a 2.94 percent market share. View source→
Anime piracy website arrests
Bleeping Computer is reporting that authorities have arrested and charged seven suspected operators of HiAnime, formerly the world’s largest anime piracy streaming service.
Authorities accuse the group of operating more than 100 websites hosting over 26,000 pirated anime films and generating about US$12.85 million in advertising revenue since 2020. View source→
Stock market Monday
The VN-Index closed at 1,843.50, down 18.58 points or 1.00 percent, with a total trading value of VND 22,430.32 billion or US$851.25 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$106.11 million worth of equities, Monday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange. Read the full article →
Exchange rates Monday
On July 6, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,450, and the sell rate was VND 26,480, a change of 170 and 170, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,465 (down 0.64 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Read the full article →
Yesterday’s Vietnam news roundup
In yesterday’s Vietnam news: Foreign media regulations update, MoMo bidders, Second nuclear power plant, High-tech development incentives, GDP growth H1, MPS colonel shift to MoF, Hon Khoai port development, Counterfeit crackdown, PLA navy to visit Vietnam, Tourism earnings H1, Japan ODA for copyright protection, Stock market Friday, Exchange rates Friday, and more. Read the full article →