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
AMRO growth forecast revised up
VIR is reporting that the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) has raised its Vietnam GDP growth forecast to 7.5 percent for 2026 and 7.3 percent for 2027, while lowering its inflation forecasts to 4.3 percent and 3.9 percent, respectively.
AMRO said the upgrade reflects stronger economic momentum, supported by resilient domestic demand, manufacturing, investment and technology-related exports. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Original source
New HCMC airport investigation findings
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam’s Government Inspectorate has referred alleged procurement and subcontracting violations at the Long Thanh International Airport project to the Ministry of Public Security for possible investigation.
The inspection found procedural breaches involving Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM) and multiple contractors, including unauthorised subcontracting and irregularities in tendering, contracts and advance payments.
Authorities also identified concerns over the use of US dollar-denominated bids and contracts. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Some of these findings appear to reflect procedural or technical breaches that may have been difficult to avoid in practice. Had every requirement been enforced rigidly from the outset, there is a credible argument to be made that parts of the project might never have got off the ground. For example, it’s difficult to imagine a major foreign contractor agreeing to take on a long-term contract denominated in VND, given the exchange rate risk.
Exchange rate reaches new high
Dan Tri is reporting that Vietnam’s central exchange rate rose to a record VND25,306 per US dollar on July 28, surpassing the previous peak set in August 2025. View source→
Online electronics sales
Vietnamnet is reporting that Apple generated VND4.04 trillion (US$153.1 million) in sales across Vietnam’s major e-commerce platforms during the first half of 2026, making it the country’s top-selling online brand.
It notes Samsung ranked second with VND2.94 trillion (US$111.5 million) in sales, recording the fastest growth among the top 10 brands at 142.5 percent. View source→
National Day holiday schedule
Dan Tri is reporting that the Ministry of Home Affairs has confirmed a five-day National Day holiday from August 29 to September 2 for public sector employees, following a workday swap from August 31 to August 22.
Private sector employees will receive two paid public holidays on September 2 and either September 1 or September 3. View source→
US customs investigating China factories in VN
Bloomberg is reporting that US customs officials have been inspecting China-linked factories in Vietnam as part of investigations into transhipment, value-added production and potential intellectual property violations.
The inspections have not uncovered significant evidence of illegal Chinese transhipment, but have heightened concerns the United States could impose additional tariffs on Vietnamese exports, the article says. View source→
De Heus new feed mill
In a press release, De Heus has announced it has opened a marine and cold-water fish feed mill in Vietnam’s Vinh Long Province with an annual production capacity of 168,000 tonnes, expanding its aquaculture business.
The facility is De Heus’ first dedicated plant for marine and cold-water fish feed and will supply both Vietnam and export markets with feed for species including sea bass and barramundi, the release says. View source→
Supply chain traceability
Open Gov Asia is reporting that Vietnam is strengthening supply chain traceability requirements as exporters face greater US scrutiny under Section 301 investigations into forced labour and product origin.
It notes the Ministry of Industry and Trade has introduced mandatory traceability rules for high-risk products and that authorities are urging exporters to improve supplier due diligence, verify product origins and maintain detailed records to reduce the risk of shipment delays. View source→
Gas power prices
The Investor is reporting that the Ministry of Industry and Trade has set a maximum generation price of VND3,410.64 (12.95 US cents) per kilowatt-hour for gas-fired power plants, providing the ceiling for electricity price negotiations between Vietnam Electricity (EVN) and developers.
The price cap is about 55 percent higher than Vietnam’s average retail electricity tariff and above current pricing for both existing and transitional wind power projects. View source→
EV insurance
VIR is reporting that Vietnam’s rapid growth in electric vehicle sales is outpacing the insurance industry’s ability to develop specialised products, with insurers citing regulatory, data and technology gaps.
Industry representatives said limited access to vehicle data and the lack of standardised information sharing are preventing insurers from adopting usage-based pricing and more accurate risk assessment, according to the source article. View source→
Exchange rates Tuesday
On July 28, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,320, and the sell rate was VND 26,350, a change of 80 and 70, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,335 (down 0.28 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Read the full article →
Stock market Tuesday
The VN-Index closed at 1,680.62, up 11.61 points or 0.70 percent, with a total trading value of VND 19,197.24 billion or US$728.55 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$75.07 million worth of equities, Tuesday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange. Read the full article →
Yesterday’s news roundup
In yesterday’s Vietnam news: Increased fuel supplier inspections, US 301 tariff rate quotas apparel, Industrial park earnings expectations, PYN Elite assessment stock market July, Mortgage interest rates, Japan electronics buys-out local partner, Airfares fall, Vingroup leader + wife LPBank stake, Certificate of deposit interest rates, Exchange rates Monday, Stock market Monday, Yesterday’s news roundup, and more. Read the full article →