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
Calls for end compulsory motorbike insurance
Thanh Nien is reporting that Ca Mau residents have asked the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to consider abolishing compulsory third-party liability insurance for motorcycles, citing difficult claims procedures. View source→
Automotive tech-transfer list update requested
Tuoi Tre is reporting that the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association has asked authorities to remove Euro 5 vehicle and engine production technologies from Vietnam’s restricted technology-transfer list.
The association has argued the restrictions conflict with Vietnam’s current emissions roadmap, create additional procedures and could encourage companies to import vehicles instead of manufacturing locally. View source→
Average interest rates 11 percent
Thanh Nien is reporting that average lending rates at several Vietnamese banks approached 11 percent in June, significantly higher than at the beginning of the year.
BaoViet Bank reported an average lending rate of 10.85 percent, while BVBank recorded 10.57 percent and TPBank 10.28 percent.
State-controlled commercial banks reported substantially lower rates, with VietinBank averaging 6.1 percent and BIDV 7.06 percent annually. View source→
Diamond retailers closing
Znews is reporting that diamond retailers across Ho Chi Minh City have temporarily closed stores or suspended trading amid what businesses described as significant market disruption. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Basically these stores were selling diamonds with a guarantee to buy the diamonds back later (but at a discount). Then a number of diamond stores were raided over fake diamond allegations. This led people to panic and try to liquidate their diamond holdings all at once. Ergo, many of these stores are closed.
SCB closes more branches
Vietnamnet is reporting that Saigon Commercial Bank will close four additional branches in July, continuing a nationwide reduction of its operating network since 2023. View source→
Ed.’s notes: This is the bank linked to the Truong My Lan scandal a couple of years ago.
H1 IPOs
VIR is reporting that Vietnam recorded four initial public offerings in the first half of 2026, raising more than US$830 million, according to Deloitte.
The four listings reached a combined market capitalisation of US$6.93 billion, with proceeds rising 27 percent from the same period last year. View source→
SC raises growth forecast to 9.5 percent
The Investor is reporting that Standard Chartered has raised its 2026 Vietnam gross domestic product growth forecast to 9.5 percent, citing stronger economic momentum and supportive policies.
The bank forecasts growth accelerating to 11 percent in 2027, compared with its earlier projection of 6.7-7 percent annually during 2026-2030. View source→
Expanding foreign currency lending
The Investor is reporting that State Bank of Vietnam Governor Pham Duc An said the central bank is considering expanding foreign-currency lending, particularly for businesses importing machinery and equipment for investment projects.
An said about 80 percent of bank deposits are short-term, but businesses have significant demand for medium- and long-term financing.
The State Bank is also considering overseas funding, the article notes. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Thailand 1996–97: heavy foreign-currency borrowing + collapsing baht-US dollar peg = Asian Financial Crisis.
VinFast H1 sales
Electrive is reporting that VinFast sold 115,916 electric vehicles in Vietnam in the first half of 2026, up 71.55 percent from a year earlier.
The company said it was the first Vietnamese automaker to sell more than 100,000 vehicles domestically within six months. View source→
Stock market Monday
The VN-Index closed at 1,743.51, down 43.94 points or 2.46 percent, with a total trading value of VND 19,576.17 billion or US$742.93 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$1.78 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 20, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,520, and the sell rate was VND 26,550, a change of 150 and 140, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,535 (up 0.55 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Read the full article →
Monday’s news roundup
In yesterday’s Vietnam news: Plan to limit ownership term housing abandoned, Secondary apartment prices Hanoi falling, ADB pushes higher productivity growth, VND forecast relative to region, Garment and textile trade diversion EVFTA, VN-Index performance without Vingroup, New food preferences, Chinese electronics manufacturing hub, VN rare earths for US, US Fed Reserve study China transhipment, Stock market Friday, Exchange rates Friday, Friday’s news roundup, and more. Read the full article →