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.
Singapore firm acquires VN hotel chain
Costar is reporting that Singapore’s SC Capital Partners has acquired Vietnam’s Fusion Hotel Group.
Fusion will continue managing its properties, which include 18 hotels and about 3,000 rooms, alongside a 2,000-room pipeline.
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Parking space sale dispute HCMC
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that A dispute has emerged at the CityLand Park Hills apartment complex in Ho Chi Minh City after the developer, CityLand, proposed selling the buildings car parking spaces for 400–500 million VND (about US$15,200–19,000) per slot.
CityLand stated the pricing is only preliminary and not mandatory, with residents free to continue renting parking for around 1.5 million VND (about US$57) per month.
Ed.’s notes: Adds colours to additional cosfs of car ownership in VN.
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Foreign investor dispute resolution policy move
Nha Dau Tu is reporting that the government is proposing a new resolution to prevent and / or manage international investment disputes, to be submitted at the first session of the 16th National Assembly.
The draft covers timely handling of foreign investor complaints, clearer roles in dispute resolution, and the establishment of a dedicated centre to manage disputes, legal strategy, and external counsel.
It also introduces special policies on funding and staffing, including higher pay and allowances to attract specialised legal expertise, though some lawmakers have raised concerns about whether these incentives are proportionate.
The proposal is being advanced under a fast-track process,.
Ed.’s notes: It will be intersting to see if this has any impact on the current feed-in- tariff dispute.
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MoF crypto market application rejections
Vietnamnet is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance has flagged incomplete and non-compliant applications from Dolphinex and SSI Digital Technology (SSID) for licences related to crypto asset market services.
Dolphinex, backed primarily by MB Group entities, was found to have inconsistencies in its company charter—particularly around its effective date—and missing required information on founding shareholders and technical staff qualifications.
SSID, a higher-capitalised firm linked to SSI, was deemed to have insufficient disclosures in its licence application, including incomplete details on board members and inadequate documentation on its charter and personnel.
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HCMC fuel supplies
Vietnamnet is reporting that Ho Chi Minh City has recorded localised fuel shortages, with 20 petrol stations temporarily running out of fuel as of March 18, up from 18 a day earlier, with one company seeing 15 of its 18 retail outlets impacted.
However, regulators said most of the city’s 1,087 active fuel stations continue operating normally, with no signs of hoarding or price manipulation.
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Silver on commodity market proposal
Vietnamplus is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade is moving to list silver bullion on the Vietnam Commodity Exchange.
The initiative aims to standardise pricing, reduce fragmentation in physical trading, and provide tools to hedge against price volatility amid rising global silver prices.
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Google Maps provincial merger update
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Google Maps has begun updating Vietnam’s administrative boundaries to reflect the consolidation from 63 to 34 provinces, eight months after the reform.
New maps show merged regions such as Phu Tho incorporating former Hoa Binh and Vinh Phuc, and Ho Chi Minh City expanding to include Binh Duong and Ba Ria Vung Tau.
However, district and commune-level boundaries remain outdated, creating inconsistencies between provincial maps and local administrative data.
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Binh Son Refinery doesn’t meet HSX listing requirements
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical Joint Stock Company said it no longer meets public company requirements under Vietnam’s securities law due to an insufficient free float.
As of March 2026, only 7.87 percent of voting shares are held by non-major shareholders, below the required minimum of 10 percent held by at least 100 investors.
The state-owned Vietnam National Industry and Energy Group holds over 92 percent of shares, the article notes.
Ed.’s notes: Noted as an example of a outward facing pubilcly listed company which in reality is actually mostly state owned – goes to motives for business development, market based versus political. Particularly noteworthy in the current energy crisis context.
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AI replacing freelance coders
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that freelance programmers in Ho Chi Minh City are losing contracts as small businesses switch to free artificial intelligence tools.
One developer said client demand fell sharply from late 2025, with new graduates in Vietnam struggling to find entry-level roles, the article says.
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Logistics association survey fuel disruptions
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that Vietnam Logistics Business Association said 89.8 percent of firms reported disruptions from rising freight costs and delivery delays linked to Middle East tensions.
Ed.’s notes: Noted for the data point. Rest of article doesn’t really have anything new.
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Fuel price increases again
Thanh Nien is reporting that retail fuel prices jumped from 23:00 on March 19, with some products increasing by nearly VND9,000 per litre, per prices set by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
RON95 rose to VND30,690 per litre (US$1.16), diesel to VND33,420 (US$1.27), and kerosene to VND35,926 (US$1.36) after increases of up to VND8,994.
Authorities used the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) to limit increases, which would otherwise have been higher, while the fund balance remains above VND2,600 billion (US$98.7 million).
Ed.’s notes: PSF had VND 5,617 billion (US$213.2 million) as of September last year.
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Can Vietnam’s Biofuel Mandate Deliver Energy Security?
As part of ambitious clean energy transition and energy security goals, from June 1, petrol will need to contain a minimum of 5 percent ethanol. This may, however, not be the boon biofuels firms are hoping for. Read the full article →
Beer production February
Vietnam produced 420.39 million litres of beer in February, up 30.99 percent from 320.94 million litres in January, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Stock Market Thursday
The VN-Index closed at 1,699.13, down 14.70 points or 0.86 percent, with a total trading value of VND 24,431.75 billion or US$927.20 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$37.38 million worth of equities, Thursday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange. Read the full article →
Exchange rates Thursday
On March 19, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 27,400, and the sell rate was VND 27,450, a change of 0 and 0, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 27,425 (down 0.00 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Read the full article →
Iron and steel exports February
Vietnam exported iron and steel to the tune of US$515 million in February, down from US$650 million in January, a change of -20.82 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
LPG imports February
Vietnam imported liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) to the tune of US$175 million in February, up from US$128 million in January, a change of 37 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 roundup: Gov’t projections crude oil production, MUFG VND forecast Iran conflict context, Solar vs energy imports, Pandora direct power purchase, UK-listed energy developer gas field development approved, US Rosen Partners meets with MPS, Pacific / Vietnam Airlines to sponsor Hue Festival, VN thriller set for international release, Japan carbon capture project, Fuel imports first 2 weeks March, Raw materials / logistics costs jump, Mercedes distributor branches into VinFast, HSR tender documents March-end deadline, Updated: Vietnam Fuel Prices and Trade Disruption Tracker: Iran Conflict 2026, Stock market Wednesday, Exchange rates Wednesday, Car imports, and more. Read the full article →