This is a brief rundown of what has been reported over the weekend and 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
Third USTR 301 investigation
Bloomberg is reporting that the Office of the United States Trade Representative has launched a Section 301 investigation into Vietnam’s intellectual property protection and enforcement policies.
Vietnam is already facing two separate Section 301 investigations into alleged excess manufacturing capacity and forced labour, with those inquiries expected to conclude in July. View source→
Commentary USTR “priority” IP designation
Asia Times is carrying analysis from Lam Duc Vu, a Vietnam-based risk analyst, in which he laments that the United States Trade Representative’s “Priority Foreign Country” designation of Vietnam does not adequately account for the country’s undergoing institutional reform.
Vu says Vietnam enacted new intellectual property legislation and enforcement reforms before the designation, but detected violation values fell 31.8 percent in 2025 because of the government restructuring. View source→
Ed.’s notes: It feels like he is arguing the US should give Vietnam a break, but another way to look at it might be that IP protections are another victim of the government’s restructuring, which happened quickly and seemed to lack significant forethought.
Living costs for younger workers
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that rising living costs are putting pressure on workers and young professionals in Vietnam, increasing demand for short-term financial support.
The article cites examples of workers and office employees struggling with higher spending on food, utilities, transport and unexpected expenses. View source→
Ed.’s notes: On the ground realities of higher prices / wage increase mismatch.
Shopee delays fee increase
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Shopee has postponed the implementation of a new fee program and notified sellers of the decision on May 28.
This comes after the National Competition Commission, under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, reviewed complaints about the new and increased pending fee changes and then requested Shopee reassess whether it was the right move. View source→
Anti-dumping investigation Mexico into Vietnamese wire
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Mexico has launched a review of anti-dumping duties on welding wire imported from Vietnam less than 18 months after imposing a 36.23 percent tariff on the product.
Mexico’s domestic industry argues the current duty is insufficient because import prices have continued to fall while volumes from Vietnam have increased, and has also requested that Vietnam be treated as a non-market economy. View source→
Faults from E10 fuel supplier responsibility
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that the Ministry of Industry and Trade has said that if sufficient evidence proves a vehicle fault was caused by E10 gasoline, responsibility would first rest with the fuel supplier and then with the state agency responsible for petroleum management.
It says, however, that domestic and international testing, along with experience in countries already using E10, has found no evidence that the fuel damages engines when used correctly. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Private sector to cover costs of public policy.
To Lam speech Shangri-La Dialogue
The New York Times is reporting that speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 29, Communist Party General Secretary To Lam warned that growing distrust and disregard for international rules risk creating a world where “the big fish swallow the small fish.”
To Lam said instability now stems not only from military conflict but also from disruptions to development, warning that trade, finance, tariffs, energy, food, data and technology could be used as tools of pressure. View source→
SBV to publish ForEx reserves from 2027
The State Bank of Vietnam has committed to publishing annual net foreign exchange purchase data and International Monetary Fund-aligned reserve and forward-position data from 2027.
The announcement came in a press release from the United States Department of the Treasury (DoT) and included commitments from the SBV and USDoT to avoid manipulating exchange rates or seeking unfair competitive advantages.
They agreed that foreign exchange intervention can be appropriate to address appreciation and depreciation pressures, while macroprudential and capital-flow measures should not target exchange rates for competitive purposes. View source→
Indebted construction firm builds gold train underground
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that construction firm, Hoa Binh Group, has inaugurated a 70-metre underground, gold-plated automated train, in Hanoi.
Chairman and General Director Nguyen Huu Duong said the company completed the project in less than two weeks and is proposing to build 1 kilometre of the Van Cao-Hoa Lac metro line using the technology within 90 days. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Why is it gold?
Note: as of December 2025, Hoa Binh Group was overdue more than VND 56.7 billion (about US$2.15 million) in social insurance payments covering 961 workers, according to Ho Chi Minh City Social Insurance.
India says VN has signed missile deal
Bloomberg is reporting that India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh has said that Vietnam has signed a deal to purchase BrahMos cruise missiles from India, although the agreement has not been publicly announced. View source→
Relocation graves for Trump resort
TBS News is reporting that farmers in Hung Yen province are relocating ancestral graves to make way for the luxury development linked to the Trump Organisation.
The 990-hectare project has affected more than 4,000 households, with some residents opposing relocation or seeking higher compensation as authorities implement approved resettlement plans. View source→
Two fuel licenses revoked Hanoi
Dan Tri is reporting that the Ministry of Industry and Trade has revoked petroleum fuel distribution licences for two firms in Hanoi and Vinh Long.
The ministry said both licences were withdrawn at the request of the companies, with the decisions taking effect from the date of signing. View source→
Ed.’s notes: In January, it was reported that Vietnam had 250 fuel distributors, down from more than 330 two years ago.
E10 mandated from today
VnExpress is reporting that from today, all unleaded gasoline sold under national technical standards is to be blended with ethanol and sold as E10 biofuel, while E5 RON92 will remain available until December 31, 2030.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade estimates E10 blending requires about 100,000 cubic metres of E100 ethanol each month, with roughly 25,000 cubic metres produced domestically and the remainder imported. View source→
Imports from Germany
In April, Vietnam imported US$370.96 million worth of goods from Germany, down from US$404.56 million in March, a change of -8.31 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Imports from Malaysia
In April, Vietnam imported US$1,702.87 million worth of goods from Malaysia, up from US$1,185.48 million in March, a change of 43.64 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Stock market Friday
The VN-Index closed at 1,863.49, down 0.18 points or 0.01 percent, with a total trading value of VND 19,582.49 billion or US$743.17 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$26.68 million worth of equities, Friday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange. Read the full article →
Exchange rates Friday
On May 29, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,400, and the sell rate was VND 26,450, a change of 20 and 30, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,425 (up 0.09 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Read the full article →
Imports from Thailand
In April, Vietnam imported US$1,172.77 million worth of goods from Thailand, down from US$1,479.35 million in March, a change of -20.72 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Friday’s Vietnam news roundup
In today’s Vietnam news: VN GS in Thailand, Private capital investment rebound, Seafood firm outstanding 2009 gold loan, Fuel prices come down, Stock forum closing down, HSR consultant selection, E-commerce fees review, VinFast raises charter capital, VA launches direct flight HCMC-Phuket, Novaland bond proposal, Stock exchange Wednesday, Exchange rates Wednesday, Vietnam Fuel Prices Tracker: May 28, Update, and more. Read the full article →