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
Forced labour US tariffs
The United States Trade Representative is imposing Section 301 tariffs on 60 economies, including Vietnam, over failures to restrict imports of forced-labour goods.
United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer set a 12.5 percent tariff for investigated economies not qualifying for lower rates or exemptions. View source→
Steel industry first half growth
VN Economy is reporting that Vietnam’s steel industry recorded double-digit growth in the first half of 2026, led by a sharp increase in hot-rolled coil production and sales.
Vietnam Steel Association data showed crude steel production rose 26.9% year-on-year to 15.18 million tonnes, while sales increased 25.5% to 14.81 million tonnes. View source→
Nghi Son crude supply
In a release, Vietnam’s Nghi Son Refinery has said it has secured about 35 million barrels of crude oil, enough to keep operating through September.
The refinery imported about 39 million barrels of crude in the first half of the year and tested 10 alternative grades amid disruptions to traditional supplies. View source→
Deregulating petrol pricing proposal
Vietnamnet is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade has proposed allowing fuel wholesalers and independent distributors to set and publish their own retail prices.
Under a draft decree, prices would follow a formula covering purchase costs, supply costs, regulated business expenses, profits and taxes.
Businesses would publish prices before adjustments and file them with relevant authorities within one working day, replacing the state’s current periodic base-price mechanism.
The ministry said the proposed system would increase business autonomy and transparency while retaining state oversight through price declarations, inspections and monitoring. View source→
Ed.’s notes: That is, retailers could set their own prices but using a government formula, so more market-driven, but only marginally.
Fuel price hike
Dan Tri is reporting that regulated fuel price caps have increased, with diesel increasing VND2,440 (US$0.09) per litre to VND25,760 (US$0.98).
E5 RON 92 petrol rose VND1,060 (US$0.04) to VND20,880 (US$0.79) per litre, while E10 RON 95 increased to VND21,430 (US$0.81).
The government continued using the fuel price stabilisation fund, including VND1,000 (US$0.04) per litre for petrol and VND1,500 (US$0.06) for diesel. View source→
VN-US trade talks
Reuters is reporting that Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have discussed strengthening bilateral ties and rebalancing trade during an ASEAN summit in Manila
Trung said Vietnam was willing to facilitate greater US investment, while Hanoi urged any Section 301 decision to fully recognise the country’s efforts. View source→
Excess baggage bribe charges Vietnam Airlines
Channel News Asia is reporting that three Vietnam Airlines managers have been charged in Singapore with taking bribes linked to avoiding or concealing excess baggage charges. View source→
Nuclear sector worker needs
VnExpress is reporting that Vietnam will need tens of thousands of nuclear-sector workers by 2035 as it plans four large reactors and between 10 and 15 small modular reactors.
Ninh Thuan 1 and Ninh Thuan 2 alone will require about 3,900 direct operational workers by 2030, including 670 requiring university-level training overseas. View source→
Exchange rates Thursday
On July 23, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,330, and the sell rate was VND 26,360, a change of 20 and 20, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,345 (down 0.08 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD.
Stock market Thursday
The VN-Index closed at 1,699.38, up 30.85 points or 1.85 percent, with a total trading value of VND 20,033.86 billion or US$760.30 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$18.67 million worth of equities, Thursday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange. Read the full article →
Yesterday’s news roundup
In today’s Vietnam news: HCMC remittances down H1, National stadium renovations progress, “Number 1” advertising claim fine, Margin loan increase and foreign investor exit, Diamond market turmoil gold price drop, Push to abandon market-based land pricing, Vinfast break-even claims, Vietnam Airlines Boeing leases, Government bond issue, EVN vs private electricity retailers + DPPAs, Vietnam containers shipped to the USA, Stock market Wednesday, Exchange rates Wednesday, and more. Read the full article →