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
Fund outflows May
VIR is reporting that Vietnam investment fund net outflows slowed to US$60 million in April, the lowest monthly level since August, according to a FiinGroup report.
The article notes VN-Index gains have been concentrated in Vingroup and Vingroup-related stocks.
It also cites VinaCapital as saying it avoids Vingroup due to valuation, debt and investment concerns, but that Dragon Capital has increased its exposure to the group, comparing it to South Korean chaebols. View source→
New HCMC airport trial operations to begin September
VnExpress is reporting that Long Thanh International Airport will begin trial operations in September ahead of a planned commercial opening in December, according to the Airports Corporation of Vietnam.
Project Management Board Director Vu Pham Nguyen An said the airport is nearly 76 percent complete, with the first runway and aircraft apron already finished. View source→
M&A HCMC 2026
Tuoi Tre is reporting that capital contributions, share purchases, and equity acquisitions accounted for US$2.33 billion of more than US$3.8 billion in foreign investment registered in Ho Chi Minh City during the first five months of the year.
The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Finance reported major transactions involving investors from Singapore, South Korea, China, Norway and Hong Kong across finance, logistics, healthcare, manufacturing and tourism. View source→
Compensation for gas-to-electric bike switch Hanoi
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Hanoi’s proposed low-emission zone for the Ring Road 1 area project is under review, with delegates questioning whether a VND 5 million (about US$190) vehicle-conversion subsidy is sufficient. View source→
Increase in high-net-worth individuals
Thanh Nien is reporting that Knight Frank’s 2026 Wealth Report has found that Vietnam had 1,233 ultra-high-net-worth individuals with net assets exceeding US$30 million in 2026, up from 954 in 2021.
Knight Frank forecasts Vietnam’s ultra-high-net-worth population will grow 59 percent by 2031 to about 1,960 people, placing it among the world’s fastest-growing markets. View source→
IP violation crackdown outcomes
Vietnam Plus is reporting that market management authorities handled 1,520 industrial property infringement cases between May 7 and May 30, 2026, following a nationwide crackdown ordered last month.
The campaign also led to the removal of more than 9,130 infringing products online and the blocking of over 2,000 e-commerce stores suspected of selling counterfeit or intellectual property-infringing goods. View source→
Xioami fined consumer protections
Genk is reporting that Vietnam’s National Competition Commission has fined Xiaomi Vietnam VND 290 million (about US$11,000) for three consumer protection violations.
Authorities said Xiaomi Vietnam did not allow consumers to choose whether their personal information could be used for advertising, it failed to disclose sponsorship arrangements with influencers used to promote products and services, and included prohibited terms in its standard transaction conditions. View source→
Mortgage interest rates rising
Znews is reporting that mortgage interest rates are on the rise again, with post-promotional rates typically reaching 11-15 percent, around 2 percentage points higher than in 2025.
State-owned banks including Vietcombank, BIDV and VietinBank have increased home-loan rates as higher deposit rates push up funding costs. View source→
Grab electric charging network plans
Cafe F is reporting that Grab has proposed building a nationwide shared electric-vehicle charging network by 2027.
Grab reported Vietnam revenue of US$255 million in 2025, up from US$228 million in 2024 and US$185 million in 2023, representing growth of about 38 percent over three years, the article notes. View source→
HCMC apartment prices record high
Lao Dong is reporting that Cushman & Wakefield has said primary apartment prices in central Ho Chi Minh City reached a record average of VND 191.26 million per square metre (about US$7,300) in the first quarter of 2026, as new supply fell.
The market recorded about 1,200 new units for sale, down 62 percent quarter-on-quarter and 47 percent year-on-year, while fewer than 1,000 units were absorbed, the article says. View source→
Advertising regulations
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that Ho Chi Minh City Advertising Association Chairman Nguyen Thanh Dao has said that Vietnam’s restrictions on using terms such as “best” or “number one” in advertising are not new and have existed since the 2012 Advertising Law, after confusion broke out around new regulations coming into effect July 5.
Dao said the new regulations clarify acceptable evidence required to support advertising claims including official certifications, market research and awards. View source→
Arrest over damaged charging stations
Tien Phong is reporting that Ho Chi Minh City Police arrested 41-year-old Nguyen Cong Nam over a series of attacks on electric-vehicle battery-swapping stations across the city.
“According to his testimony, Nam previously worked for a unit within the ecosystem of a private corporation. Later, Nam invested in the company and, believing he suffered financial losses, using stones picked from the roadside to vandalize battery exchange cabinets in an attempt to attract attention and hopefully resolve his personal issues,” the article says (Google translated).
Note that the picture in the article is of a damaged VinFast charging station. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Noted because the news outlet fails to name the company rather referring to it as a “private coporation”.
Stock market Tuesday
The VN-Index closed at 1,826.47, down 18.07 points or 0.98 percent, with a total trading value of VND 19,486.23 billion or US$739.52 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$20.76 million worth of equities, Tuesday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange. Read the full article →
Exchange rates Tuesday
On June 2, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,300, and the sell rate was VND 26,320, a change of 100 and 130, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,310 (down 0.44 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Read the full article →
Electricity in Vietnam: Samsung Clinches First DPPA
There is a lot of interest in DPPAs in Vietnam, though there have been challenges in seeing actual agreements realised. With this latest announcement from Samsung, it seems those challenges may be easing. Read the full article →
Exports to Japan April
In April, Vietnam exported US$2,450 million worth of goods to Japan, down 6.95 percent from March, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Yesterday’s Vietnam news roundup
In today’s Vietnam news: Vietnam gene company planned Hong Kong IPO, Samsung signs DPPA, Oil delivery from Iraq, Bio-fuel mandate roll-out reaction, Stock market liquidity lowest in a year, VN GS Reuters interview, SBV exempts some real estate from credit limits, University development plan, Sidewalk business extortion, PMI May, Stock market Monday, Exchange rates Monday, Energy in Vietnam: Only petrol-ethanol mix to be available from today, and more. Read the full article →