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
Thailand vs Vietnam tourism
The Nation Thailand is reporting that Vietnam recorded 5.3 million Chinese tourists in 2025 compared with around 4.5 million for Thailand.
The article argues that Vietnam is emerging as a major regional tourism competitor, driven by attractions ranging from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang, Phu Quoc and Sa Pa. View source→
India missile purchase final stages
The Times of India is reporting that BrahMos Aerospace chief Jaiteerth Joshi has said negotiations for Vietnam to purchase BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles are in the final stage, with only minor clearances remaining.
His comments follow remarks in May by former Indian foreign ministry official P Kumaran, who said Vietnam and India continue discussions on multiple defence platforms under their 2030 defence partnership vision, the article notes. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Vietnam sells India electric cars; India sells Vietnam missiles.
Airport rail connections Long Thanh
VnExpress is reporting that Dong Nai City has proposed staggered stations for the North-South high-speed railway and two metro lines serving Long Thanh International Airport.
The plan places the high-speed rail station between the Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro extension and the Thu Thiem-Long Thanh metro, with all three lines remaining operationally independent. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Interesting that this is being discussed now and not back when the original designs for the airport were being drawn up.
BESS development Northern Vietnam
Tuoi Tre is reporting that the Vietnam Electricity Group has proposed that the Ministry of Industry and Trade add 1,734 megawatts of battery energy storage systems to northern Vietnam’s power system before the 2027 dry season.
The group said its subsidiaries are implementing 805 megawatts of battery storage in the region, while EVN is arranging investment for a further 924 megawatts expected to enter operation in 2027.
The article also notes EVN has said large-scale battery storage requires capital beyond its current funding capacity. View source→
Ed.’s notes: BESS is a solution for enough power just at the wrong times. Vietnam’s problem is that it doesn’t have enough power to begin with.
New US ambassador sworn in
Vietnamnet is reporting that the United States Embassy has announced that Jennifer Wicks McNamara has been sworn in as ambassador to Vietnam, becoming the first woman to hold the post.
She succeeds Marc E. Knapper, who completed his assignment earlier this year. View source→
Ride-hailing informal worker organisations
Tia Sang is reporting that a study has found ride-hailing drivers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have built informal support networks to share information, coordinate protests and help manage workplace risks.
Researchers interviewed 116 drivers between 2021 and 2024, finding that workers relied on roadside gatherings and private online groups for support.
The study said drivers used these networks to exchange information on income, safety and platform policies, and at times coordinated collective action. View source→
Ed.’s notes: One way to look at this is civil society organising outside of the Party structure. Generally, not something the Party likes, it will be interesting to see if it lasts.
Press to promote information sovereignty: TL
VnExpress is reporting that Communist Party General Secretary and State President To Lam has said that Vietnam’s press must protect national information sovereignty.
He warned media organisations against becoming dependent on foreign platforms and algorithms, saying excessive reliance could result in the loss of audience data, distribution control and institutional identity. View source→
Ed.’s notes: The way to achieve “information sovereignty” would be to produce better quality, accurate, objective information locally so that consumers wouldn’t need to source information from external sources.
Cost of living pressures
Bao Van Hoa is reporting that Vietnamese households are facing rising costs across food, housing, transport and services, saying that prices for meals, coffee, ride-hailing, laundry and other everyday services have risen as businesses pass on higher costs for raw materials, labour, utilities and logistics.
The article says higher rents, tuition fees and mortgage repayments are also straining household budgets, prompting consumers to cut discretionary spending and reduce the frequency of eating out. View source→
Government influencer ranking system
Znews is reporting that the Department of Broadcasting, Television and Electronic Information has launched a national information portal and database for Key Opinion Leaders, a step toward plans for an official credibility certification system.
The platform ranks creators and organisations based on influence and allows users to apply for official verification, with authorities saying certification will be granted to accounts that spread positive values, comply with the law and are transparent in advertising activities. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Will rely heavily on consumers trusting the government, though it may be intended to function more like a whitelist, in which case it could be significant for advertisers.
PM meets Putin
VnExpress is reporting that Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Russian President Vladimir Putin have met in Kazan.
Hung used the opportunity to urge Russia to expand market access for Vietnamese agricultural and seafood products and consider amending the Vietnam-Eurasian Economic Union free trade agreement, including removing safeguard measures on Vietnamese textiles and footwear. View source→
Fuel prices drop
Dan Tri is reporting that Vietnam on June 18 cut retail fuel prices across the board, reducing E5 RON 92 gasoline by VND 1,210 per litre and E10 RON 95 gasoline by VND 1,310 per litre.
After the adjustment, E5 RON 92 is priced at VND 20,120 per litre, E10 RON 95 at VND 20,750 per litre, and diesel at VND 23,530 per litre. View source→
Exchange rates Thursday
On June 18, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,500, and the sell rate was VND 26,520, a change of 100 and 100, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,510 (up 0.38 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Read the full article →
Stock market Thursday
The VN-Index closed at 1,830.47, up 24.27 points or 1.34 percent, with a total trading value of VND 17,429.31 billion or US$661.45 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$71.61 million worth of equities, Thursday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange. Read the full article →
Vietnam Central Bank Proposes Increase Short-Term Funds Available For Long-Term Loans
This feeds into the narrative that policymakers are trading off higher growth today in exchange for more financial risk tomorrow. Read the full article →
Mobile phone production May
Vietnam produced 11.76 million units of mobile phones in May, up 1.82 percent from 11.55 million units in April 2026, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Yesterday’s Vietnam news roundup
In yesterday’s Vietnam news: SCB to liquidate assets at 11 branches, State censorship fines Facebook comments, Still aiming for 10% growth, AI adoption in Vietnam, Compensation for delayed flights from July 1, Tax changes sparking shift to cash payments, Biofuel tax breaks, Loosening bank lending regulations, Stock market Wednesday, Exchange rates Wednesday, 38 percent of Vietnam businesses in VCCI survey paying “informal charges”, Animal feed production May, Yesterday’s Vietnam news roundup, and more. Read the full article →