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
Credit limits removed for some major projects
VnExpress is reporting that the State Bank of Vietnam will allow banks to exclude new loans to certain major projects proposed by Vingroup, Masterise and Sun Group when calculating annual credit growth limits.
The projects have a combined capital requirement of about VND 752.138 trillion (US$28.54 billion) and include the Ben Thanh-Can Gio railway, Hanoi-Quang Ninh railway, Phu Quoc airport expansion and the Rach Chiec National Sports Complex. View source→
Ed.’s notes: The move adds to a series of recent measures aimed at expanding credit availability, including raising the cap on the use of short-term funding for medium- and long-term loans from 30 percent to 40 percent and allowing some State Treasury deposits to count toward loan-to-deposit ratios.
Estonian web security company market entry
The Caledonian Record is reporting that Estonian web traffic security company Blackwall has entered the Vietnam market through a partnership with hosting provider HostVN.
Under the agreement, HostVN will integrate Blackwall’s platform into its hosting infrastructure, offering services including application-layer distributed denial-of-service protection, bot mitigation and web application firewall capabilities. View source→
Vingroup’s Vuong becomes major shareholder LP Bank
The Investor is reporting that Vingroup Chairman Pham Nhat Vuong has become a major shareholder in LPBank after acquiring 146.2 million shares, equivalent to a 4.89 percent stake, according to a shareholder disclosure released on June 23.
Based on LPBank’s market price of VND 52,600 per share, Pham Nhat Vuong’s stake is valued at approximately VND 7.69 trillion (US$291.8 million), the article says. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Why? #monitoring
Australia anti-dumping investigation VN steel
Steel Radar is reporting that Australia has launched an anti-dumping investigation into imports of galvanised steel from Vietnam and South Korea following a complaint from domestic producer BlueScope Steel.
The investigation covers imports between January and December 2025 and will assess whether the products were sold below normal value and caused material injury to Australia’s steel industry. View source→
Pacific Airlines’ debts
VnExpress is reporting that Pacific Airlines posted a loss of VND 565 billion (US$21.4 million) in 2025, bringing its accumulated losses to VND 10.675 trillion (US$405.1 million) by the end of the year.
The carrier also had overdue liabilities of nearly VND 4.528 trillion (US$171.8 million), which Vietnam Airlines said could expose it to legal action and debt recovery measures.
Vietnam Airlines owns 98.84 percent of Pacific Airlines, but is preparing a plan to divest its entire stake, the article says. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Interesting to see what that ‘divestment’ looks like.
Apax English fined by SSC
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam’s State Securities Commission (SSC) has fined Apax English Joint Stock Company VND 100 million (US$3,795) for missing key disclosure requirements.
The regulator said the company did not submit several mandatory reports, including audited 2023 bond-use and debt repayment reports, financial statements and reports on compliance commitments. View source→
Ed.’s notes: As of October last year, Apax English owed VND 63.4 billion or US$2.44 million, in compulsory social and health insurance payments.
Vietnam Airlines Boeing purchase funding guarantee
Thanh Nien is reporting that Vietnam Airlines has received a preliminary commitment from the Export-Import Bank of the United States for loan guarantees of up to US$2.9 billion to support its purchase of 50 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
The airline said the commitment will help it secure international financing for the project and marks the latest in a series of US-backed aircraft financing arrangements. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Contrasts with above report about Pacific Airlines’ outstanding debts.
ForEx reserves at US$87.6 billion
Thoi Bao Tai Chinh Vietnam is reporting that Vietnam’s foreign exchange reserves stood at nearly US$87.6 billion as of June 18.
It also notes the State Bank of Vietnam is seeking feedback on amendments to rules governing state foreign exchange reserve management, including allowing foreign currency options as a market intervention tool, revising reserve investment performance calculations, and updating mechanisms for foreign currency transactions with the Ministry of Finance. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Last month’s imports about US$52 billion, ForEx US$87.6 billion = 1.8 months of import coverage. IMF recommends three minimum.
Facebook admin fines unlawful content
Znews is reporting that from July 1, administrators of Facebook pages, groups and other social media channels in Vietnam can face fines of up to VND 70 million (US$2,657) for failing to remove unlawful content.
The decree requires administrators to monitor and remove content that includes false information, defamation, copyright violations or material harmful to children when detected or upon request from authorities. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Adds to the clampdown on speech narrative that has emerged in the last year or so.
9.8 percent minimum wage increase proposed
Tien Phong is reporting that Vietnam’s General Confederation of Labour has proposed raising regional minimum wages by either 9.8 percent or 8.5 percent from 2027, with the proposals discussed at the National Wage Council’s first meeting on June 23.
The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry agreed that a minimum wage increase is necessary, while employer representatives proposed implementing any adjustment from July 1, 2027. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Average wage Q1 2026 = VND 9 million. New minimum wage region 1 = 9.8% VND 5.83 million (US$221) or 8.5% VND 5.76 million (US$219).
Stock market Tuesday
The VN-Index closed at 1,869.04, up 11.13 points or 0.60 percent, with a total trading value of VND 30,989.02 billion or US$1176.05 million, and foreign traders net-buying US$57.23 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 23, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,750, and the sell rate was VND 26,780, unchanged from yesterday, according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Read the full article →
Vietnam’s Cinema Department Raises Concerns Over Horror Movie Content
This highlights a key challenge in creating cultural products in Vietnam more broadly, where there is a mismatch in what the government wants cultural messaging to be and what the public is willing to pay for. Read the full article →
Petrol and diesel imports May
Vietnam imported petrol and diesel to the tune of US$654 million in May, down from US$1,258 million in March, a change of -48.02 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Yesterday’s Vietnam news roundup
In yesterday’s Vietnam news: More land for Trump golf course, Hanoi metro awarded Vingroup, Rising bank bond interest rates, GE contract stalled power plant project, Swiss dairy investment, Singapore firm to develop central VN golf course, Government calls for protecting “historical truth”, Traffic offence number plate list, Momo sale, Short-term funds for long-term loan change approved, Apple trademark application “Retina HD” rejected, Exchange rates Monday, Stock market Monday, and more. Read the full article →