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
Construction labour demand impacting garment industry
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that construction firm VinCon, a subsidiary of Vingroup, is offering wages that are too high for garment and textile firms to match, creating a labour shortage in the sector, according to Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association Vice Chairman Truong Van Cam.
VinCons reportedly offers skilled workers VND16-33 million (US$607-US$1,252) a month, whereas average textile wages were about VND11.7 million (US$444) monthly in 2025, the article says. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Adds to knock-on effects of increased infrastructure spending.
ADB growth forecasts
VnExpress is reporting that the Asian Development Bank has cut its 2026 Southeast Asia growth forecast to 4.5 percent but maintained Vietnam’s forecast at 7.2 percent.
The bank said prolonged energy disruptions from the Middle East conflict were affecting energy, fertiliser, other commodities and supply chains while increasing inflationary pressure. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Source report
Bloomberg survey GDP growth expectations
Bloomberg is reporting that a survey it conducted over July 3-8 has found respondents are forecasting gross domestic product growth of 7.3 percent this year.
The median inflation forecast increased to 4.8 percent from 4.3 percent, while the end-2026 policy rate forecast remained unchanged at 4.5 percent. View source→
UOB raises GDP growth forecast
VnExpress is reporting that Singapore’s United Overseas Bank has raised its 2026 Vietnam gross domestic product growth forecast to 8.5 percent after stronger-than-expected first-half economic performance.
The bank cited broad-based growth across industry, construction, services and agriculture, alongside strong global artificial intelligence demand supporting manufacturing. View source→
Starlink orders open
The Investor is reporting that Starlink has begun accepting orders in Vietnam, with residential service costing VND1.71 million (US$65) per month and first-year costs estimated at VND31.4 million (US$1,190).
The service advertises download speeds of 135-305 Mbps and upload speeds of 20-40 Mbps. View source→
Seafood industry call govv’t intervention Brazil trade remedies
Seafood Source is reporting that Vietnam’s seafood industry is seeking government intervention over growing restrictions on Vietnamese tilapia imports in Brazil.
Brazilian lawmakers are considering a complete import ban, citing disease risks, the article says. View source→
LNG development challenges
Dialogue Earth is carrying a feature on Vietnam’s liquefied natural gas power ambitions which are stalling as developers struggle with financing conditions, fuel-price volatility and insufficient power-purchase guarantees.
The country targets 22.5 GW of LNG capacity by 2030 but currently has only 1.62 GW operating, with much of the remaining pipeline delayed, stalled or scrapped. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Not really anything new in this article per se, but it does give a good, solid overview of the challenges facing LNG development in Vietnam.
China firm awarded BSR expansion contract
Hydro Carbon Processing is reporting that Vietnam’s Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical has awarded a US$1.49 billion refinery expansion and upgrade contract to a Chinese consortium.
The upgrade will increase the refinery’s capacity by 15.5 percent to 171,000 barrels per day and allow it to process a wider range of crude oil. View source→
Risk-taking prosecution exemptions
VnExpress is reporting that the government has proposed six conditions under which officials and businesspeople who break laws while pursuing initiatives in the public interest would not face criminal prosecution.
The conditions include no corruption, action for the common good, completion of the activity, economic or social benefits, resolution of complaints and no asset losses or full remediation.
The draft also proposes criminal liability exemptions for losses caused by risks in science, technology, innovation and digital transformation when procedures were followed, or laws were absent or contradictory. View source→
Ed.’s notes: It’s difficult to see how an official or business person could commit a crime and meet all of these conditions at the same time.
Fuel prices updated
The Ministry of Industry and Trade has cut petrol prices but raised diesel prices.
The maximum E5 RON92 price fell VND539 (US$0.02) to VND19,191 (US$0.73) per litre, while E10 RON95-III fell VND412 (US$0.02) to VND20,003 (US$0.76).
Diesel prices increased VND569 (US$0.02) to VND21,745 (US$0.83) per litre, while fuel oil fell VND318 (US$0.01) to VND13,735 (US$0.52) per kilogram.
The government also ordered contributions of VND200 (US$0.008) per litre of biofuel and per kilogram of fuel oil to the fuel price stabilisation fund. View source→
Stock market Thursday
The VN-Index closed at 1,840.70, down 13.00 points or 0.70 percent, with a total trading value of VND 14,643.23 billion or US$555.72 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$17.23 million worth of equities, Thursday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange. Read the full article →
Exchange rates Thursday
On July 9, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,400, and the sell rate was VND 26,420, unchanged from yesterday, according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Read the full article →
Yesterday’s Vietnam news roundup
In today’s Vietnam news: Arrest over book about Ho Chi Minh, HSR project disbursement, More coal power under consideration, MPS minister meets Japanese delivery firm, Taiwanese electronic investment increase, Government bond auction results, Gym chain fine consumer protections, H1 gov’t revenue, Stock market Wednesday, Exchange rates Wednesday, Yesterday’s news roundup, and more. Read the full article →