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
New trading accounts
Tuoi Tre is reporting that Vietnam’s stock market had nearly 13.43 million trading accounts at the end of June, up more than 268,400 from May, according to Vietnam Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation data.
Foreign investors held 52,170 accounts at the end of June, including 47,306 individual and 4,864 institutional accounts. View source→
Ed.’s notes: There is a target of 11 million accounts by 2030, just FYI.
Consumer prices confusion
Dan Tri is reporting that consumers have complained that prices for many goods and services have not fallen despite lower fuel prices, according to Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade.
The ministry, however, has pushed back on calls to intervene, saying it only manages prices for selected products, including fuel, electricity, gas, coal and steel, while other ministries oversee other goods. View source→
Political risk upgrade
Credendo is reporting that it has upgraded its risk rating for Vietnam based on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s country risk classification.
On its scale of 1 to 7, with 1 being the lowest risk and 7 being the highest, Vietnam has gone from a 4 to a 3. View source→
LG expansion
The Investor is reporting that South Korea’s LG Innotek will invest US$1 billion in a semiconductor package substrate plant in Hai Phong, with commercial production scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2028.
The 32-hectare facility in Nam Dinh Vu Industrial Park is scheduled to begin construction in the third quarter of 2026 and trial operations a year later. View source→
Ease-of-doing business survey
VIR is reporting that Vietnam climbed three places to 10th (out of 13) in a regional ease-of-doing-business survey published by the Asia Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association and KPMG on June 30.
The survey found 36 percent of participants believed Vietnam’s business environment had become easier, while 45 percent reported improved market development conditions. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Source report
VinFast price cut
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that VinFast has listed its VF 2 electric car at VND188 million (US$7,135), although some buyers can reduce the price to VND88.72 million (US$3,367) by combining multiple incentives. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Adds context to VinFast sales numbers.
Secondary apartment prices fall
VnExpress is reporting that secondary apartment prices in Ho Chi Minh City fell 5-10 percent in the second quarter, but transactions remained slow as buyers wait for further declines.
The article cites DKRA Consulting as reporting average quarter-on-quarter secondary price declines of 3-6 percent, with Knight Frank Vietnam recording weaker apartment sales and absorption. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Could also be demand-related?
Deputy PM on IP protection progress
Tuoi Tre is reporting that Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc has said enforcement of IP protections remains inadequate, with counterfeit and intellectual property violations continuing across provinces and increasingly through e-commerce.
Pham Gia Tuc said some inspections and supervision remained inconsistent, while officials had shown leniency or, in some cases, facilitated or protected violations. View source→
Cafes turn off music over copyright confusion
Tuoi Tre is reporting that some coffee shops in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are no longer playing Vietnamese music amid concerns about new copyright compliance requirements.
The article cites cafe owners as saying they have stopped playing music because they lack clear information about payment procedures and fear inspections or potential legal risks. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Example of policy communication failure.
Stock market Tuesday
The VN-Index closed at 1,848.25, up 4.75 points or 0.26 percent, with a total trading value of VND 16,370.30 billion or US$621.26 million, and foreign traders net-buying US$1.18 million worth of equities, Tuesday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange. Read the full article →
Exchange rates Tuesday
On July 7, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,450, and the sell rate was VND 26,480, unchanged from yesterday, according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Read the full article →
Yesterday’s news roundup
In yesterday’s Vietnam news: Imported steel for stadium project, Some mining rights assigned without auction, Indonesia / Philippines VN tobacco law trade intervention, FDI H1 2026, CGT exemptions open-ended funds, Construction equipment demand / shortages, VCCI push back prepay customs fees, Top 10 brokers revised, Anime piracy website arrests, Stock market Monday, Exchange rates Monday, Yesterday’s Vietnam news roundup, Exchange rates Friday, and more. Read the full article →