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
More land for Trump golf course
VnExpress is reporting that Hung Yen authorities have leased an additional 81 hectares to Kinh Bac City Development Holding Corp for the US$1.5 billion Trump International Hung Yen golf and residential complex.
The lease on the land is set to run until May 2075. View source→
Hanoi metro awarded Vingroup
VnExpress is reporting that Hanoi is moving forward with five new urban railway lines totalling about 303.5 kilometres, with a Vinhomes-VinSpeed consortium serving as engineering, procurement and construction contractor. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Doesn’t mention a tender process.
Rising bank bond interest rates
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnamese banks are accelerating bond issuance in 2026, with coupon rates reaching 8.3-9 percent, as credit growth outpaces deposit growth and funding pressures intensify.
Banks issued more than VND 61 trillion (US$2.31 billion) in bonds in the first five months of 2026, the article notes. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Government pressures banks to lower interest rates for consumers creating demand, capital supply already stretched = higher bond yields.
GE contract stalled power plant project
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Petrovietnam has awarded GE Vernova a VND 158.8 billion (US$6.03 million) contract as part of efforts to restart the US$1.5 billion Long Phu 1 thermal power plant, which it aims to bring online in 2027.
Construction of the 1,200MW plant began under a 2014 engineering, procurement and construction contract with Russia’s Power Machines and PTSC, with commercial operations initially scheduled for 2018.
The project stalled after the United States imposed sanctions on Russia in 2018, with the Russian contractor subsequently withdrawing in 2019. View source→
Swiss dairy investment
The Investor is reporting that Swiss Asia Partner SA will invest more than US$100 million in a dairy processing plant at Prodezi Industrial Park in Tay Ninh.
The Be Milk project will be developed in two phases through a cooperation and brand licensing agreement with France’s Sodiaal Group, owner of the Candia dairy brand. View source→
Singapore firm to develop central VN golf course
The Investor is reporting that Singapore-registered Vina Hue G Pte. Ltd has been selected through a tender process to develop a US$34.2 million golf course project in Hue.
The project will cover 177.7 hectares and include a 27-hole course, a nine-hole course and supporting facilities, with construction expected to finish within 48 months. View source→
Traffic offence number plate list
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that police in An Giang, Hung Yen, Cao Bang, Bac Ninh and Ninh Binh have published lists of more than 1,000 vehicles recorded committing traffic violations through surveillance cameras and urged owners to pay fines promptly.
Police said the expansion of camera surveillance and other monitoring technologies is increasing the detection of traffic offences, particularly speeding and traffic light violations. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Is this the most efficient / practical way to notify offenders of their outstanding fines? Full list of number plates in linked article.
Momo sale
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that DealStreetAsia has reported that up to five investors, including Blackstone and MUFG, are considering buying as much as a 50 percent stake in Vietnamese fintech company MoMo.
The report said Morgan Stanley and Jefferies are advising on the process, though discussions remain at the due diligence stage and no deal is guaranteed. View source→
Short-term funds for long-term loan change approved
Dan Tri is reporting that Vietnam’s central bank will raise the maximum ratio of short-term funds that banks can use for medium and long-term lending from 30 percent to 40 percent from July 1. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Mentioned last week as a proposal, noted because has now been approved.
Apple trademark application “Retina HD” rejected
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that after a decade-long dispute, Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology has rejected Apple’s complaint over protection for the Retina HD trademark.
The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) first issued a provisional refusal in 2016, citing similarities between Retina HD and Kodak’s previously registered Retina trademark.
Apple filed complaints in 2016 and 2025 and submitted a letter it said showed Kodak’s consent, but the ministry found the document related to a different matter.
The ministry said Apple and Kodak both use the marks for technical products related to image processing and transmission, and concluded the trademarks could cause consumer confusion. View source→
Ed.’s notes: This appears to be an issue unique to Vietnam — is this an efficient use of IPO resources?
Exchange rates Monday
On June 22, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,750, and the sell rate was VND 26,780, a change of 230 and 240, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,765 (up 0.89 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Read the full article →
Stock market Monday
The VN-Index closed at 1,857.91, up 33.38 points or 1.83 percent, with a total trading value of VND 14,597.10 billion or US$553.97 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$6.76 million worth of equities, Monday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange. Read the full article →
Motorbike production May
Vietnam produced 378.91 thousand motorbikes in May, down 0.76 percent from 381.82 thousand 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: MSCI market review, Russia’s Gazprom abandons LNG plant project, Horror movie making warning, Banking risk analysis, Denmark-VN ethanol cooperation, Work permit processing in Hanoi reverts to city, Amazon “local zone” in Hanoi, Counterfeit foreign currency warning, Press festival concludes, Vietnam FTA friction Thailand, Electricity production May, Cement production May, Stock market Friday, and more. Read the full article →