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
Biofuel market growth
The Ethanol Producer is reporting that Vietnam’s fuel ethanol consumption is forecast to rise more than 700% in 2026 following new mandatory ethanol blending requirements introduced on June 1.
Fuel ethanol demand is expected to reach 653 million litres this year, up from 80 million litres in 2025, with domestic production expected to reach 170 million litres. View source→
Viettel-Qualcomm agreement
SSX Central is reporting that Viettel has become the first worldwide partner to join Qualcomm Technologies’ Early Access Program for its 6G platform.
The agreement gives Viettel early access to Qualcomm chipsets and development tools for open radio access network-based 5G equipment and joint 6G research. View source→
VN cosmetics retailer enters US
Inside Retail is reporting that Vietnamese beauty and personal care retailer Hasaki has opened its first US store in California.
Founded in 2016, Hasaki operates more than 300 cosmetics stores and 18 dermatology clinics in Vietnam, alongside an e-commerce platform.
Hasaki is backed by Hong Kong private equity firm Excelsior Capital Asia, while Alibaba reportedly agreed to acquire a minority stake in the company in 2023. View source→
ADD margins plywood lowered
Lesprom is reporting that the US Department of Commerce has cut its final dumping margin on Vietnamese hardwood and decorative plywood to 90.12%, from a preliminary 196.14%.
Commerce separately imposed final countervailing subsidy rates of 47.68% for most covered Vietnamese producers and 165.39% for Junma Phu Tho. View source→
Stadium for Hai Phong?
Znews is reporting that Hai Phong has listed a proposed 30,000-seat stadium and plaza complex among 24 sites seeking investors, with development planned for 2026-2030.
The proposed stadium would match the 30,000-seat capacity of Hai Phong’s existing Lach Tray Stadium but be smaller than Hanoi’s approximately 40,000-seat My Dinh Stadium. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Adds to growing list of stadium projects including what could be the world’s biggest in Hanoi if completed and another in Hung Yen.
My Lan fraud asset auctions
Dan Tri is reporting that a Lexus owned by Truong My Lan will go to a third auction on August 11 after two failed sales, with a reduced starting price.
The 2013 vehicle will start at VND635 million (US$24,100), down from an initial VND767 million (US$29,100).
Lan is serving life imprisonment and was ordered to repay more than VND30.08 trillion (US$1.14 billion) to 43,108 victims and related parties. View source→
Margin trading debts
VN Economy is reporting that Vietnamese securities companies’ margin debt reached a record VND446 trillion (US$16.93 billion) at the end of June, up 8.1% from March, according to FiinTrade.
The increase came despite average daily trading value falling 54% quarter-on-quarter, pushing the leverage ratio to 14.3% of free-float-adjusted market capitalisation. View source→
Hai Phong gov’t VinFast fleet purchase
Electrive is reporting that Hai Phong has acquired 99 VinFast VF 8 electric SUVs for government use as part of its transition towards a greener public vehicle fleet.
The vehicles were purchased through a public tender for nearly VND84 billion (US$3.19 million). View source→
Ed.’s notes: Useful for fleet versus end-consumer sales analysis.
Unlicensed crypto trading fines
The Block is reporting that Vietnam will introduce fines from September 1 for crypto trading outside government-licensed platforms.
Individuals generally face fines of VND15-25 million (US$569-949), while organisations can be fined VND30-50 million (US$1,139-1,898) for violations.
Unlicensed crypto service providers and advertisers face fines of VND180-200 million (US$6,831-7,590). View source→
Taiwan antidumping investigation stainless steel
In a press release, Taiwanese stainless steel producer Yieh United Steel Corporation has said it has reapplied for an anti-dumping investigation into imports from Vietnam.
It’s alleged Vietnamese imports are priced US$80-100 per tonne below Taiwan’s domestic market, harming local producers. View source→
Stock market Tuesday
The VN-Index closed at 1,730.56, down 12.95 points or 0.74 percent, with a total trading value of VND 23,092.36 billion or US$876.37 million, and foreign traders net-buying US$2.69 million worth of equities, Tuesday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange. View source→
Exchange rates Tuesday
On July 21, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,290, and the sell rate was VND 26,330, a change of 230 and 220, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,310 (down 0.85 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. View source→
Yesterday’s news roundup
In yesterday’s Vietnam news: Calls for end compulsory motorbike insurance, Automotive tech-transfer list update requested, Average interest rates 11 percent, Diamond retailers closing, SCB closes more branches, Biggest VN-Index drop in 4 months, H1 IPOs, SC raises growth forecast to 9.5 percent, Expanding foreign currency lending, VinFast H1 sales, Stock market Monday, Exchange rates Monday, Yesterday’s news roundup, and more. View source→