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.
Coal phase out plans
The Investor is reporting that Vietnam will phase out coal-fired power plants older than 40 years under its updated Just Energy Transition Partnership roadmap, unless they can convert to hydrogen or green ammonia.
The plan confirms no new coal plants will be built after 2030 and reinforces decarbonisation targets.
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Fuel price cut
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance cut petrol prices March 25, using the Price Stabilisation Fund to support said cuts.
E5RON92 fell to VND 28,075 per litre (US$1.07), while RON95-III dropped to VND 29,957 per litre (US$1.14), alongside sharp declines in diesel and kerosene.
Authorities disbursed up to VND 4,000 per litre (US$0.15) from the fund, with remaining balances estimated at VND 613 billion (US$23.3 million).
Ed.’s notes: They went up on the 24th and then came down on the 25th – it would be interesting to know what happened behind the scenes. PSF roughly 20% left from just over US$200m in September.
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Construction materials price rises HCMC
VnExpress is reporting that construction material prices in Ho Chi Minh City, with some items increasing 25–30 percent amid supply shortages.
The article cites Dinh Hong Ky, Chairman of Secoin and Saigon Construction and Building Materials Association, as saying fuel price increases of 30–50 percent have raised logistics costs across production and distribution; and Tran Ngoc Dung, Deputy Director of Tri An hydropower expansion project, as saying contractors face shortages of qualified stone, with some unable to secure sufficient materials despite available funding.
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Crypto trading limited to existing traders only
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that Vietnam is preparing to pilot domestic digital asset exchanges with restrictions limiting participation to investors already holding crypto assets on international platforms.
To Tran Hoa, representative of the State Securities Commission, said regulators will take a cautious approach, focusing on operational capacity and investor education to manage risks.
Nguyen Le Thanh, founder of Verichains, said strict system security standards and continuous monitoring are required, with internal system vulnerabilities posing key risks.
Hoang Ngoc Bach, from the Ministry of Public Security, said licensed domestic exchanges could improve oversight, support anti-money laundering efforts, and strengthen enforcement capabilities.
Ed.’s notes: Development seems very oriented to government outcomes as opposed to user-focused. The smaller the pool of traders, the less liquid its assets are, the less attractive it is for investors.
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Vietnam derivatives exchange
Tuoi Tre is reporting that Tran Huu Linh, Director of the Domestic Market Management and Development Department, part of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, has said a law on commodity derivatives trading to apply both inside and outside the international financial centre (IFC) is being drafted.
He said the market will be developed in stages, starting with centralised exchanges before expanding into derivatives and international integration.
Ed.’s notes: Adds to the many ideas floated for the IFC.
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US 301 investigations expectations
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Professor Tran Ngoc Anh has said the most likely outcome from the two US 301 investigations announced earlier this month is tariffs of 20–30 percent on Vietnamese goods.
The comments were made at a forum organised by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Vietnam Institute for Innovation on March 25, 2026.
Ed.’s notes: Beyond the professor, the article doesn’t make clear what Tran Ngoc Anh’s credentials are, FYI. Also doesn’t really provide much context.
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Nghi Son refinery announcement
In a press release, the Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical LLC has said its refinery has secured sufficient crude supply to maintain operations through May 2026.
It also said it is continuing to seek additional crude inputs.
Ed.’s notes: Press release vague, not really reassuring.
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Aus. + SK rare earth development VN
Bloomberg is reporting that Australia’s Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. and South Korea’s LS Cable and System Ltd. will explore developing a rare earths metals production plant in Vietnam to expand downstream processing capacity.
The facility would allow Lynas to convert rare earth oxides from its Malaysia plant and Australian mine into finished metals used in permanent magnets.
Ed.’s notes: Australia’s Blackston Minerals was also looking at developing rare earths assets in Vietnam. Not clear what happened with that, but it hasn’t materialised in anything solid as yet.
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China battery project VN
In a press release, China-headquartered, US-listed E Power Inc. has said it plans to expand into Vietnam through a partnership with ATSC Solartech to build local production for battery materials.
The company said the move aims to reduce reliance on Chinese production and better serve customers in the United States and Southeast Asia.
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Putin visit VN 2026
Bloomberg is reporting that Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he will visit Vietnam in 2026 after accepting an invitation during talks with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Moscow.
Putin said relations with Vietnam are “exceptionally sincere and trusting” in televised remarks following the meeting.
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Government bond auction March 25
A Vietnam government bond auction on March 25 raised VND 4,950 billion (US$188 million), with the sale just 37 percent subscribed, according to the Vietnam Bond Market Association. Read the full article →
Vietnam Fuel Prices Tracker: March 26, Update
This article tracks developments in Vietnam’s energy sector in the context of the emerging conflict in Iran and its impact on energy resources moving through the Strait of Hormuz. Read the full article →
Imports from Malaysia February
In February, Vietnam imported US$907.66 million worth of goods from Malaysia, down from US$1,035.23 million in January, a change of -12.32 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Exports to India February
In February, Vietnam exported US$850 million worth of goods to India, down 14.55 percent over January, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Stock market Wednesday
The VN-Index closed at 1,658.19, up 43.42 points or 2.69 percent, with a total trading value of VND 22,611.97 billion or US$858.14 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$38.10 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
On March 25, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 27,950, and the sell rate was VND 28,000, a change of 20 and 20, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 27,975 (up 0.07 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Read the full article →
Wood exports February
Vietnam exported wood and wood products to the tune of US$969 million in February, down from US$1,606 million in January, a change of -39.64 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Mobile phone production February
Vietnam produced 15.32 million mobile phones in February, up 1.73 percent from 15.06 million units in January, according to the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Yesterday’s Vietnam news roundup
In yesterday’s Vietnam news roundup: EU US$606m VN investment clean energy / transport, EU warning on China 5g development VN, Fake news fine hike, Building design competitions increasing apartment costs, Refinery operations, Xanh GSM entry strategy Philippines, Environment tax cut proposal, Fuel price increase, Green consumption, Supercar convoy in HCMC, The Latest US Section 301 Probes and What They Mean for Vietnam, Vietnam Fuel Prices Tracker: March 25, Update, Imports from USA February, Fresh milk production February, Stock market Tuesday, Exchange rates Tuesday, Fruit and vegetable exports February, and more. Read the full article →