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
Garment and textile orders slow
Dan Tri is reporting that Vietnam Textile and Garment Group has said orders have shown signs of slowing since July as importers await the outcome of United States tariff negotiations and trade decisions.
The company said geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, rising logistics costs and United States trade policies are expected to pressure the sector in the second half of the year. View source→
China arbitration liaison office HCMC
PRNewswire is reporting that the Guangzhou Arbitration Commission has opened a liaison office in Ho Chi Minh City to support arbitration and dispute resolution services for China-Vietnam cross-border trade and investment.
The office will provide arbitration information, procedural guidance and dispute resolution support as commercial ties between China and Vietnam continue to expand. View source→
Taiwan bike maker VN factory
Bike-EU is reporting that Taiwanese bicycle component manufacturer Tektro is building a new production facility at the Vietnam Singapore Industrial Park III near Ho Chi Minh City, with operations scheduled to begin in 2027.
The Vietnam plant will become Tektro’s third global manufacturing base alongside existing facilities in Taiwan and China and will produce bicycle brake systems and drivetrain components. View source→
Nat. immunisation system hacked
VnExpress is reporting that police in Lam Dong Province have opened a criminal case against a 16-year-old student accused of hacking Vietnam’s National Immunisation Information System.
Investigators allege the student exploited a security vulnerability in the vaccination database, stealing and selling about 20 million personal records, earning more than VND100 million (US$3,795). View source→
Automotive localisation
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam has set targets to raise automotive localisation rates to 22-30 percent by 2030 and 32-40 percent by 2035.
The article says VinFast has already reached a localisation rate of about 60 percent by 2025, but many other car makers are in the 10-15 percent range. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Auto sales Jan-May 2026 = 276,013. Of that VinFast = 97,961. If VinFast’s localisation rate is 60 percent and the others average 10-15 percent, the industry’s overall localisation rate would be roughly 28-31 percent already.
More news outlets to close
BBC is reporting that Ho Chi Minh City will close or merge several media outlets from July 1, including Nguoi Lao Dong, Phu Nu TP HCM, Phap Luat TP HCM, and magazines Sai Gon Tiep Thi, Kinh Te Sai Gon, Doanh Nhan Sai Gon, Giao Duc TP HCM and Khoa Hoc Pho Thong.
The BBC article suggests the move may form part of a broader trend towards consolidating Vietnam’s media sector into fewer, larger organisations more closely aligned with Party and state priorities.
It argues this could lead to fewer voices within the state media system and a stronger focus on official messaging over investigative reporting and policy criticism. View source→
Ed.’s notes: News consumers might conglomerate around the remaining news outlets; however, they just as easily might move away from the mainstream media altogether. Might be a bit of an own goal.
PM to meet Putin
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that Prime Minister Le Minh Hung will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Russia Summit later this month.
Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang said Vietnam will use the summit to promote cooperation with Russia in trade, science, technology, digital transformation, energy and other sectors. View source→
FDI targets
VnExpress is reporting that Vietnam’s Politburo has set a target for the foreign-invested sector to contribute 30 percent of gross domestic product by 2045, under Resolution 10.
More specifically, it envisions bringing in US$200-300 billion in registered foreign investment and US$150-200 billion in disbursed capital during 2026-2030, with 75 percent coming from developed economies. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Politburo Resolution 68 says the private sector should contribute 60 percent of GDP by 2045, with new Res. 10 30 percent target for FDI sector, that leaves about 10 percent for the state-owned sector, which, under Resolution 79, is supposed to take a “leading role” in the country’s economic development.
US$150 billion / 5 years = US$30 billion a year. Last year, disbursed FDI reached US$27.62 billion.
Military personnel join HCMC airport construction effort
VnExpress is reporting that military personnel have been deployed to assist with construction at Long Thanh International Airport, with the project facing a shortage of nearly 2,000 workers, according to the Airports Corporation of Vietnam. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Shortages in skilled technical workers and specialised equipment operators; if military folk don’t have the skills the contractors need, it’s difficult to see this making much of a difference.
National Day public holiday dates
VnExpress is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Home Affairs has announced a five-day National Day holiday from August 29 to September 2 for civil servants and public employees.
The extended break combines the two official public holidays with the weekend and a compensatory day off on August 31, with employees instead working on Saturday, August 22. View source→
Motor vehicle production May
Vietnam produced 52.72 thousand motor vehicles in May, up 2.68 percent from 51.34 thousand units in April 2026, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Fresh milk production May
Vietnam produced 147.24 million litres of fresh milk in May, up 0.53 percent from 146.47 million litres in April 2026, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Stock market Friday
The VN-Index closed at 1,791.65, down 6.96 points or 0.39 percent, with a total trading value of VND 16,343.59 billion or US$620.25 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$18.63 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 June 12, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,240, and the sell rate was VND 26,270, a change of 130 and 130, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,255 (down 0.49 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Read the full article →
Beer production May
Vietnam produced 436.55 million litres of beer in May, up 6.50 percent from 409.89 million litres in April 2026, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Friday’s Vietnam news update
In Friday’s Vietnam news update: Offshore wind development, PM public holiday powers extension proposed, Cybersecurity firm identifies VN hack, HoSE liquidity lowest level since April last year, Internet speeds, Stock price manipulation review request, Maternity leave extended, First unlicensed software prosecution, Stock market Thursday, Exchange rates Thursday, Vietnam Fuel Prices Tracker: June 11, Update, Coal production May, Investment Risks in Vietnam: Hanoi Metro Contract Dispute Over Costs, Schedules, and more. Read the full article →