This is a brief rundown of what is being reported today in Vietnam’s state-approved media and some others.
It compiles coverage from official outlets like Dan Tri, Tuoi Tre, and VN Express, highlighting the narratives currently shaping the country’s economic, financial, and business news landscape.
Government bond auction
Trading View is reporting that Vietnam’s State Treasury raised VND4.83 trillion (US$183.3 million) in a government bond auction on March 4, down from about VND11.6 trillion (US$441 million) raised the previous week.
Only 36 percent of bonds on offer were sold, compared with 52 percent in the previous auction.
All successful sales were 10 year bonds, with VND4.83 trillion issued at a coupon rate of 4.11 percent.
The treasury has raised VND57.3 trillion (US$2.17 billion) in government bonds so far in 2026.
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Vingroup renewables portfolio expansion
VIR is reporting that VinEnergo, a Vingroup subsidiary, has said it has secured development agreements for a 10-gigawatt portfolio, including projects in Northern Europe and the Philippines.
Partnerships include 2 gigawatts in Denmark and Sweden with GreenGo Energy and 3.8 gigawatts of solar projects in the Philippines with local partners.
Ed.’s notes: Further expansion despite questionable financials = risky.
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Highlands moves toward 2027 IPO
The Inquirer is reporting that Jollibee Foods Corp said its subsidiary Highlands Coffee is evaluating plans for a standalone initial public offering in Vietnam by the first quarter of 2027.
The company said it has engaged international and local advisers and begun preparing the structure and regulatory process for the potential offering.
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Draft law commodities derivatives
Vietnam News is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade is seeking feedback on a draft Law on Commodity Derivatives Trading that would replace scattered provisions in the 2025 Commercial Law and related decrees, covering futures, options, swaps and contracts for difference.
Vietnam currently has one licensed exchange, the Mercantile Exchange of Vietnam, with the government aiming to expand derivatives linked to agricultural commodities, energy, metals and carbon credits.
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Video game support foreign buyout
Yahoo Finance is reporting that US video game payments services provider Xsolla has announced the acquisition of Ho Chi Minh City-based Wetaps Corporation, launching the country’s first licensed Merchant of Record service for video games.
The service will manage payments, taxes, compliance and financial reporting for developers entering Vietnam’s gaming market.
Ed.’s notes: More information – Vietnam’s Video Game Industry
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GPU infrastructure partnership
Australia-based infrastructure firm Radian Arc has announced in a press release that it has partnered with Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) and French cloud gaming platform Blacknut to develop graphics processing unit infrastructure in Vietnam.
The system will support cloud gaming services, allowing VNPT users to stream more than 1,000 personal computer and console games without local hardware or downloads.
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Australia blueberries VN market access
Hortidaily is reporting that Australia’s blueberry industry expects exports to double after gaining market access to Vietnam.
Exports to Vietnam are expected to reach about US$4 million in the first year and grow to roughly US$22 million within five years.
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AMRO VN Infrastructure assessment
The Asian Macroeconomic Research Office has published an analytical note examining Vietnam’s infrastructure development, focusing on progress and remaining challenges in the power and transportation sectors.
The report says Vietnam must invest about 8.2 percent of gross domestic product annually to meet infrastructure targets and attract greater private investment through stronger public-private partnership frameworks.
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HSR route redirect request
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that residents in Quang Ngai have asked the government to adjust the alignment of the planned North-South high-speed railway to avoid the Dong Moc resettlement area.
The residential area was previously built to house people relocated for land clearance during the construction of the North-South expressway, so they would have to relocate for a second time.
Ed.’s notes: Quality of infrastructure planning?
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Petrol station limits added then removed
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Saigon Newport Technical Services has withdrawn a notice suspending retail fuel sales at Cat Lai Port and Long Binh Inland Container Depot, allowing normal operations to resume.
The company had earlier limited sales to internal container transport vehicles due to concerns about its fuel supply on the back of the conflict in Iran.
Ed.’s notes: From NLD: Tan Cang Technical Services withdrew its announcement suspending retail fuel sales after securing a new supply source, according to the company’s director, Pham Viet Hung. No further details provided.
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Fuel price adjustment forecast today
Thanh Nien is reporting that the Vietnam Petroleum Institute has forecast retail fuel prices will rise sharply this afternoon, with petrol expected to increase about VND1,200 per litre (US$0.05) and diesel up to VND1,306 per litre (US$0.05).
The increases would lift E5RON 92 petrol to VND20,728 per litre (US$0.79) and RON 95 petrol to VND21,027 per litre (US$0.80) if the price stabilisation fund is not used.
Authorities are expected not to draw from the fuel price stabilisation fund, which holds VND5.617 trillion (US$213 million), the article says.
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Stock market bucking regional trend
Vietnamnet is reporting that Vietnam stocks reversed late to close higher on March 4 even as several Asian markets plunged and triggered trading halts amid Middle East tensions.
Conversely, regional markets dropped sharply, including Thailand’s SET Index falling 8 percent and South Korea’s Korea Composite Stock Price Index triggering a circuit breaker after intraday losses.
Ed.’s notes: This far out of line with other regional markets = red flag?
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10% growth target to endure despite ME conflict
Nha Dau Tu is reporting that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has reaffirmed Vietnam’s goal of achieving economic growth of at least 10 percent despite rising global economic and geopolitical uncertainty.
The government ordered ministries to prepare economic, energy and policy scenarios to maintain macroeconomic stability while coordinating monetary and fiscal policies to support growth.
Ed.’s notes: Interesting.
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Public investment disbursement slow
Vietnamnet is reporting that Vietnam disbursed just 5.6 percent of its 2026 public investment plan in the first two months of the year, according to data from the Ministry of Finance.
Total disbursement reached VND 55.739 trillion (US$2.12 billion) out of a planned VND 995 trillion (US$37.76 billion) in state budget investment for the year.
Twenty-five ministries and central agencies recorded disbursement rates below 1 percent, including some that had not disbursed any funds by February 28.
Officials said delays stem from land clearance issues, material shortages and legal changes.
Ed.’s notes: Reforms, goals, objectives versus realities.
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Lack of data sharing as barrier to infrastructure development
Vietnam Signals is carrying analysis that argues Vietnam’s infrastructure planning is being constrained by weak data integration across government agencies.
It notes that “In Vietnam, data is often treated as a form of institutional ‘soft power’ held by individual agencies. This makes cross-sector planning difficult. In this early phase of digital transformation, each ministry or department controls its own data while lacking strong incentives to share it.”
Ed.’s notes: Interesting angle – incidentally, after the government restructuring last year, a lot of data reporting has stopped – monthly FDI data from the MPI, flight data from the CAAV, for example.
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Stock market Wednesday
the-shiv is reporting that the VN-Index closed at 1,818.27, up 5.13 points or 0.28 percent, with a total trading value of VND 48,019.97 billion or US$1,822.39 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$64.36 million worth of equities, Wednesday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange. Read the full article →
Exchange rates Wednesday
the-shiv is reporting that on March 4, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,830, and the sell rate was VND 26,880, a change of 100 and 100, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,855 (up 0.37 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Read the full article →
LPG imports January
the-shiv is reporting that Vietnam imported liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) to the tune of US$128 million in January, down from US$276 million in December, a change of -53.75 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Exports to Saudi Arabia
the-shiv is reporting that in January, Vietnam exported US$223 million worth of goods to Saudi Arabia, up 22.66 percent over December, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Vietnam’s Law on Artificial Intelligence: Key Details and Limitations
the-shiv is reporting that it’s been widely reported that Vietnam’s Law on Artificial Intelligence came into force on March 1st.
Here are the key components of the law and what it still needs to be practically effective. Read the full article →
Updated: Vietnam Social Insurance for Foreign Workers & Businesses 2026
Social Security in Vietnam is a comprehensive system designed to provide financial support and protection to individuals and families against life’s uncertainties, such as illness, unemployment, and old age. Read the full article →
Updated: Vietnam’s Economic Needs Test (ENT) for Foreign Retailers (2026)
In Vietnam, the Economic Needs Test applies to foreign-invested enterprises wishing to open retail outlets beyond their first store.
The ENT process is designed to assess whether the opening of additional retail stores would meet the local economic demand.
This can take time and effort; however, it is a necessary part of doing business in Vietnam for foreign retailers. Read the full article →
Updated: Auto-Insurance in Vietnam 2026
Auto-insurance in Vietnam includes compulsory civil liability insurance and optional coverages such as physical damage and personal accident insurance.
Compulsory insurance is mandated by law and covers third-party injuries and property damage caused by the insured vehicle.
Optional products provide additional protection against risks like theft, natural disasters, and accidents involving the insured vehicle.
The motor insurance market is growing, driven by increased vehicle ownership and regulatory enforcement, with leading providers offering a range of products. Read the full article →
Updated: Vietnam’s Law on Real Estate Businesses
Vietnam’s Law on Real Estate Businesses, enacted by the National Assembly of Vietnam, marks a significant update to the regulatory framework governing the real estate sector.
This law aims to address various challenges within the industry by focusing on transparency, consumer protection, and sustainable development. Read the full article →
Updated: Vietnam’s Aviation Industry 2026
Vietnam’s aviation industry has grown quickly, driven by a rising middle class and increasing demand for both domestic and international travel.
Key players, including national carriers and low-cost airlines, are competing to offer diverse services while maintaining affordability.
That said, the industry has not yet fully recovered from COVID border closures, and it still may have some way to go yet. Read the full article →
Yesterday’s Vietnam news roundup
the-shiv is reporting that In today’s Vietnam news: Samsung Vietnam revenues up, Thai meat revenue down, South Korean firm supplements market exit, Rare earths Australia-VN cooperation suggestion, Middle East trade disruption seafood, Murphy Oil update, Copper pipe antidumping EU, Fuel disruptions, Freight costs increase US$4,000 / container, Dung Quat refinery Middle East exposure, SBV operations, Vietnam’s Persian Gulf Trade Exposure 2026: Unpacked, Stock market Tuesday, Exchange rates Tuesday, Imports from Saudi Arabia, Exports to the UAE, Updated: Vietnam Seafood Processing 2026: Exports, Key Players & Regional Production, and more. Read the full article →