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
Vietnam gene company planned Hong Kong IPO
Bloomberg is reporting that Vietnamese genetic testing company Gene Solutions has said it is preparing a Hong Kong initial public offering that could take place between the second and third quarters of 2027.
Chief Executive Officer Nguyen Hoai Nghia said the company aims to raise about US$100 million through the listing and is targeting a valuation of around US$800 million. View source→
Samsung signs DPPA
VN Economy is reporting that Samsung Electronics Vietnam Thai Nguyen has signed Vietnam’s first Direct Power Purchase Agreement (DPPA), allowing it to buy solar power directly from a private generator.
The agreement will supply Samsung Electronics Vietnam Thai Nguyen with about 70 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually. View source→
Oil delivery from Iraq
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that a 2 million-barrel cargo of Iraqi Basrah Medium crude arrived at Vietnam’s Nghi Son refinery on May 31 after passing through the Strait of Hormuz. View source→
Biofuel mandate rollout reaction
Thanh Nien is reporting that Vietnam’s nationwide rollout of E10 gasoline on June 1 was met with a largely positive response from motorists, according to interviews conducted by the newspaper.
Drivers in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Hue reported that vehicles generally operated normally on E10, although some said they suspected fuel consumption may be slightly higher and needed more time to assess. View source→
Ed.’s notes: This is the official narrative anyway.
Stock market liquidity lowest in a year
Cafe F is reporting that stock market liquidity fell to its lowest level in more than a year on June 1, with matched trading value on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange dropping to about VND 11.4 trillion (US$433 million).
The article references FIDT Deputy Director Bui Van Huy as saying demand for stocks is being squeezed by rising capital needs elsewhere in the economy, higher interest rates, upcoming initial public offerings and continued foreign selling. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Adds to big ambitions, limited capital narrative.
VN GS Reuters interview
BBC is reporting that Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary and State President To Lam gave his first exclusive interview to an international media organisation since taking office during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
The article notes that it is rare for a Vietnamese Communist Party leader to speak with a Western news outlet. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Interesting to see if this is a one-off or a policy shift when it comes to dealing with international media.
SBV exempts some real estate from credit limits
Cafef is reporting that Vietnam’s central bank has adjusted its real estate lending growth calculations for 25 commercial banks, excluding certain social housing and industrial park loans from property credit growth limits during 2026.
The policy applies from January 1 to December 31, 2026 and is intended to support lending for social housing, industrial parks and export processing zones. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Counters policy shift at the start of the year to try to channel credit into more productive sectors.
University development plan
VnExpress is reporting that Vietnam’s government has approved a plan to develop the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City and the Vietnamese-German University to standards comparable with leading Asian universities by 2030.
The plan aims to strengthen the three institutions alongside Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City as regional centres for high-quality education, research, innovation and technology transfer. View source→
Ed.’s notes: The plan sets goals but doesn’t explain how it sees these goals being reached.
Sidewalk business extortion
VnExpress is reporting that five members of the former Pham Ngu Lao Ward Urban Order Team in Ho Chi Minh City went on trial on June 1 accused of taking bribes from street-side businesses in exchange for overlooking pavement and environmental violations.
Authorities said the group received more than VND 518 million (about US$19,700) through bank transfers from businesses. View source→
PMI May
Vietnam’s manufacturing sector improved in May, with the S&P Global Manufacturing PMI rising to 52.8 from 50.5 in April, according to S&P Global’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI). A reading above 50 indicates that the sector is growing. Read the full article →
Stock market Monday
The VN-Index closed at 1,844.54, down 18.95 points or 1.02 percent, with a total trading value of VND 15,047.51 billion or US$571.06 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$24.55 million worth of equities, Monday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange. Read the full article →
Exchange rates Monday
On June 1, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,400, and the sell rate was VND 26,450, a change of 0 and 0, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,425 (down 0.00 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Read the full article →
Energy in Vietnam: Only petrol-ethanol mix to be available from today
Starting today, all unleaded gasoline sold in Vietnam is to be blended with ethanol. However, this is not welcome news for everyone, with some consumers concerned it might damage their vehicles. Read the full article →
Imports from France April
In April, Vietnam imported US$246.00 million worth of goods from France, up from US$177.31 million in March, a change of 38.74 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
E-commerce in Vietnam: Shopee fee increase U-turn after gov’t review
One way to read this is that it might reflect an effort to pre-empt more burdensome government regulation as scrutiny of Vietnam’s increasingly concentrated e-commerce market grows. Read the full article →
Yesterday’s Vietnam news roundup
In yesterday’s Vietnam news: Third USTR 301 investigation, Commentary USTR “priority” IP designation, Arbitration rules upgrade, Living costs for younger workers, Shopee delays fee increase, Anti-dumping investigation Mexico into Vietnamese wire, Faults from E10 fuel supplier responsibility, To Lam speech Shangri-La Dialogue, SBV to publish ForEx reserves from 2027, Indebted construction firm builds Gold train underground, India says VN has signed missile deal, Relocation graves for Trump resort, Two fuel licenses revoked Hanoi, and more. Read the full article →