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
Government to inject cash into Agribank
Znews is reporting that the Vietnamese government has approved a VND 29.69 trillion (US$1.13 billion) cash injection into state-owned lender Agribank.
The additional capital is intended to improve Agribank’s capital adequacy ratio, support compliance with Basel II and Basel III standards, and reinforce its role in financing agriculture, rural development and other government priority sectors, the article says. View source→
IMF growth forecast raised
Dan Tri is reporting that the International Monetary Fund has raised its 2026 Vietnam GDP growth forecast to 7.5 percent from 7.1 percent in April, citing stronger-than-expected technology exports and resilient domestic demand.
The revised forecast is the highest in ASEAN, ahead of Indonesia at 5.0 percent, Malaysia at 4.7 percent, the Philippines at 3.9 percent and Thailand at 1.9 percent, the article notes. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Source report
German industrial gas plant investment
Tuoi Tre is reporting that Germany’s Messer will invest US$37 million in a new industrial gases plant in Ho Chi Minh City as part of its long-term expansion strategy in Vietnam.
The facility will have an annual capacity of 200,000 tonnes of nitrogen, oxygen and argon, with construction expected to take around 18 months before production begins by the end of 2028. View source→
VN garment maker Amazon legal action dismissed
The Investor is reporting that a US federal court has dismissed Vietnamese manufacturer Gilimex’s lawsuit against Amazon with prejudice after finding the company submitted forged documents and committed “fraud on the court.”
The court found Gilimex fabricated more than 100 documents, including purchase orders and payment demand letters used to support claims of US$68-69 million in inventory losses, and rejected the company’s argument that the misconduct was the work of a junior employee acting alone.
Judge Lorna G. Schofield ruled the misconduct was sufficiently serious to permanently bar Gilimex from refiling the case and authorised Amazon to seek reimbursement of legal fees and costs related to proving the fraud. View source→
Ed.’s notes: More detailed write-up available here.
Grab charging infrastructure expansion
Fuel Cells Works is reporting that Grab plans to expand its EV charging network in Vietnam from about 400 charging ports to more than 6,000 by 2028, following a partnership with Hanoi to support electric transport and digital infrastructure.
Around half of the new charging ports will be located in Hanoi, where the company will work with the city’s Department of Construction and private partners to build shared charging infrastructure for both electric motorbikes and cars. View source→
HDBank foreign funding
Tuoi Tre is reporting that HDBank secured a US$721 million syndicated social loan from international lenders, exceeding its initial US$450 million fundraising target by about 60 percent.
The financing was coordinated by the Asian Development Bank and Standard Chartered, with ANZ, Cathay United Bank, Commerzbank, Maybank Securities, MUFG Bank and the State Bank of India acting as lead arrangers. View source→
Auto market growth
Dan Tri is reporting that Vietnam’s auto market grew 29 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2026 to a record 328,818 vehicles.
The article says that the increase was driven by VinFast’s expanding market share and strong demand for electric vehicles. View source→
World Cup betting ring bust
VnExpress is reporting that police in Quang Tri have detained 11 people accused of operating an interprovincial football betting syndicate.
The group allegedly handled about VND400 billion (US$15.2 million) in wagers from the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup through to the end of the round of 16. View source→
Former US ambassador joins IFC board
Thanh Nien is reporting that former US Ambassador Marc Knapper has joined the 13-member advisory board of the Vietnam International Financial Centre in Ho Chi Minh City.
Other members include former Dubai International Financial Centre chief executive Jeff Singer, former Astana Financial Services Authority chief executive Stephen Glynn, WAIFC Director General Jochen Biedermann and VinaCapital founder Don Lam. View source→
Stock market Friday
The VN-Index closed at 1,828.34, down 12.36 points or 0.67 percent, with a total trading value of VND 17,013.02 billion or US$645.66 million, and foreign traders net-buying US$51.95 million worth of equities, Friday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Exchange rates Friday
On July 10, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,400, and the sell rate was VND 26,450, a change of 0, and 30, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,425 (up 0.06 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD.
Friday’s Vietnam news roundup
In Friday’s Vietnam news: Construction labour demand impacting garment industry, ADB growth forecasts, Bloomberg survey GDP growth expectations, Starlink orders open, Seafood industry call gov’t intervention Brazil trade remedies, LNG development challenges, China firm awarded BSR expansion contract, UOB raises GDP growth forecast, Risk-taking prosecution exemptions, Fuel prices updated, Stock market Thursday, Exchange rates Thursday, Yesterday’s Vietnam news roundup, and more. Read the full article →