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
HCMC remittances down H1
Thanh Nien is reporting that remittances to Ho Chi Minh City fell 22.8% year-on-year to US$4.04 billion in the first half of 2026, according to the State Bank of Vietnam.
State Bank regional deputy director Tran Thi Ngoc Lien attributed the decline to global economic conditions, a strong US dollar and tighter immigration policies affecting overseas Vietnamese. View source→
National stadium renovations progress
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi is nearing completion of a VND10 billion (US$379,500) renovation ahead of Vietnam’s ASEAN Cup 2026 campaign.
The project includes the stadium’s first complete reconstruction of the pitch foundation since its 2003 opening, alongside upgraded irrigation and drainage systems. View source→
“Number 1” advertising claim fine
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnamese massage chair company Washima Gold Brand has been fined VND200 million (US$7,590) for falsely claiming to be the country’s number-one massage chair brand.
The National Competition Commission found the company’s use of the slogan “Washima – Vietnam’s No. 1 Massage Chair Brand” was inaccurate and could mislead consumers. View source→
Margin loan increase and foreign investor exit
Market Times is reporting that Vietnamese securities companies’ margin loans reached a record VND435 trillion (US$16.51 billion) by end-June, with the increase coinciding with sustained foreign investor selling.
It also suggests that declining market liquidity might mean that not all margin lending finances stock trading, with significant lending reportedly directed to institutions, business leaders and major shareholders.
The article says bank-backed securities companies increasingly provide such financing through “shadow banking”, offering businesses and owners capital with simpler procedures and less stringent controls. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Correlation does not necessarily mean causation, but the correlation in the data in this article, between margin lending growth and foreign investor withdrawals, is compelling.
Diamond market turmoil gold price drop
Tuoi Tre is reporting that Vietnamese gold prices fell on July 22 despite rising global prices, as increased selling prompted dealers to widen their buy-sell spreads.
The article attributed the divergence to stronger domestic selling and market sentiment affected by recent disruption in Vietnam’s diamond market. View source→
Push to abandon market-based land pricing
Lao Dong is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is proposing abolishing market-based land valuation principles in an amended Land Law. View source→
Vinfast break-even claims
Bloomberg is reporting that VinFast Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Investment Anne Pham has said the company is on track to break even in Vietnam by 2027.
She cited the new VF 2, priced at VND188 million (US$7,135) including the battery, receiving about 29,000 orders within three days of launch, to support her claim.
Bloomberg notes that the company recorded a first-quarter net loss of VND28.1 trillion (US$1.07 billion), up 58.9 percent. View source→
Ed.’s notes: 29,000 cars at US$7,135 each = about US$207 million.
Vietnam Airlines Boeing leases
Aerospace Global News is reporting that Vietnam Airlines plans to lease 19 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft from three leasing companies, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2028.
The leases from SMBC Aviation Capital, Phoenix Aviation Capital and Avolon will supplement Vietnam Airlines’ existing commitment for 50 Boeing 737 MAX 8s. View source→
Government bond issue
Vietnam’s State Treasury sold VND6.12 trillion (US$232.4 million) of government bonds at its July 22 auction, from VND13 trillion (US$493.4 million) offered, according to a release from Vietnam’s Bond Market Association.
Five-year bonds raised VND3 trillion (US$113.9 million) at 4.18 percent, while 10-year bonds raised VND3.02 trillion (US$114.8 million) at 4.35 percent.
The Treasury also sold VND100 billion (US$3.8 million) of 30-year bonds at 4.59 percent, while three-year and 15-year offerings received no winning bids.
Year-to-date issuance reached about VND194.57 trillion (US$7.38 billion), completing 38.9 percent of the Treasury’s VND500 trillion (US$18.98 billion) 2026 plan. View source→
EVN vs private electricity retailers + DPPAs
The Investor is reporting that Vietnam Electricity (EVN) has urged caution over expanding direct power purchase agreements to electricity retailers, warning costs could shift to the state utility or other consumers.
This comes in response to a proposal to include electricity retailers in the scheme in pursuit of development of a private electricity market. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Rather than privatise the state power provider, this would mean letting private enterprise compete with it = less revenue EVN = worth less = less income from privatisation at a later date, no?
Vietnam containers shipped to the USA
Container-News is reporting that Vietnam’s container exports to the United States reached 1.53 million twenty-foot equivalent units in the first half of 2026, rising 25.1 percent year-on-year.
The growth came as total US container imports from 10 major Asian economies increased 2.1 percent during the period to 10.06 million units. View source→
Stock market Wednesday
The VN-Index closed at 1,668.53, down 62.03 points or 3.58 percent, with a total trading value of VND 23,405.19 billion or US$888.24 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$73.70 million worth of equities, Wednesday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange. Read the full article →
Exchange rates Wednesday
On July 22, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,350, and the sell rate was VND 26,380, a change of 60 and 50, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,365 (up 0.21 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Read the full article →
Yesterday’s news roundup
In yesterday’s Vietnam news: Biofuel market growth, Viettel-Qualcomm agreement, VN cosmetics retailer enters US, ADD margins plywood lowered, Stadium for Hai Phong?, My Lan fraud asset auctions, Margin trading debts, Hai Phong gov’t VinFast fleet purchase, Unlicensed crypto trading fines, Taiwan antidumping investigation stainless steel, Stock market Tuesday, Exchange rates Tuesday, Yesterday’s news roundup, and more. Read the full article →