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.
Ore smuggling border corruption bust
An Ninh Thu Do is reporting that customs officials accused of taking bribes enabled nearly 28,000 tonnes of ilmenite to be illegally exported by swapping inspection samples.
Prosecutors said 1,033 containers worth over US$3.8 million were cleared after 22 sample swaps that falsely certified substandard ore.
Investigators allege more than VND 54 billion (US$2.05 million) was spent on the scheme, with officials receiving over VND 8.5 billion (US$322,000) in bribes.
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20% tax for unlisted shares proposed
Tuoi Tre is reporting that a 20 percent tax on gains from transfers of unlisted shares, classifying them as capital transfers rather than securities trades, has been proposed by the Ministry of Finance.
The tax would apply to net profit, with a fallback rate of 2 percent on transaction value if purchase price and costs cannot be determined.
Authorities say the change aims to clarify inconsistencies and encourage firms to list by improving transparency and investor protection.
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SBV returns to selling US$ forward contracts
Dan Tri is reporting that the State Bank of Vietnam has sold 180-day cancellable forward foreign currency at VND 26,850 per US$1 to ease exchange rate pressure, after the US dollar rose to VND 28,000 on the parallel market.
Ed.’s notes: Doesn’t say what the value of these contracts is – unable to locate elsewhere.
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Bike market report
Mark & Spark Solutions has published a report that finds Vietnam’s bike-sharing market is projected to grow from US$90 million in 2025 to US$210 million by 2033, with an annual growth rate of 11.2 percent.
Growth is driven by urbanisation, rising demand for low-cost transport, and app-based platforms enabling easy bike access and payments, the report says.
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MoC to manage transport market
Thanh Nien is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Construction has formed inspection teams to work with local authorities and transport firms to review pricing practices in the road transport industry.
Hundreds of transport companies across 30 of 34 provinces reported fare increases in March, with diesel and petrol prices rising 20–30 percent.
Authorities will scrutinise firms raising fares above 30 percent, requiring detailed filings and checking compliance with declared and actual prices.
Ed.’s notes: Not clear if business will be able to pass on additional compliance costs to consumers.
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HCMC – Ha Long Bay flights suspended
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that Vietnam Airlines will suspend its Ho Chi Minh City-Van Don (the main airport serving Ha Long Bay) route from April 1, 2026, due to rising global aviation fuel costs.
The move reflects broader network adjustments as airlines respond to Jet A-1 supply constraints linked to Middle East disruptions, the article says.
Ed.’s notes: Put another way – a direct link to the country’s largest demand centre for Ha Long Bay is set to be cut.
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MoIT looking for legal counsel re: US 301 investigations
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam is seeking legal counsel to represent the government in two Section 301 investigations launched by the United States Trade Representative.
The Trade Remedies Authority under the Ministry of Industry and Trade has announced plans to appoint a legal services provider to support its response.
Authorities are preparing for a prolonged legal and negotiation process, the article says.
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E-commerce sellers pushed out
Thanh Nien is reporting that online sellers are exiting Vietnamese e-commerce platforms despite stable order volumes, as rising platform fees and taxes erode profitability.
Platform commissions have increased to around 25–30 percent per order, with total costs including ads and logistics reaching up to 40 percent, compressing margins.
Ed.’s notes: Goes to barriers to small and medium enterprise development.
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Coffee prices expected to fall
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that coffee prices fell sharply at the start of the week after a Reuters survey of 11 analysts uniformly forecast further declines.
Robusta on the London exchange dropped about 4.6–4.8 percent to US$3,419 per tonne, while Arabica in New York fell around 2.9–3.1 percent to US$6,450 per tonne.
Domestic coffee prices are expected to follow suit, coming down from their current price of VND 92,400 per kg (about US$3.51/kg).
Ed.’s notes: Not in the article, but survey outcome based on expectations of a bigger crop this year than last in Brazil.
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Stock market Monday
The VN-Index closed at 1,662.54, down 10.26 points or 0.61 percent, with a total trading value of VND 21,490.60 billion or US$815.58 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$51.69 million worth of equities, Tuesday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange. Read the full article →
Animal feed production February
Vietnam produced 1,386.76 thousand tonnes of animal feed in February, up 14.35 percent from 1,212.73 thousand tonnes in January, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Imports from Japan February
In February, Vietnam imported US$1,872.41 million worth of goods from Japan, down from US$2,338.25 million in January, a change of -19.92 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Imports from Germany February
In February, Vietnam imported US$313.60 million worth of goods from Germany, down from US$358.80 million in January, a change of -12.60 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 →
Phone imports February
Vietnam imported phones to the tune of US$601 million in February, down from US$953 million in January, a change of -36.99 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Exports to France February
In February, Vietnam exported US$288 million worth of goods to France, down 30.38 percent over January, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Exchange rates Monday
On March 30, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 28,030 and the sell rate was VND 28,080, a change of 110, and 110, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 28,055 (up 0.39 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Read the full article →
Processed seafood output February
Vietnam produced 643.78 thousand tonnes of processed seafood in February, up 8.14 percent from 595.34 thousand tonnes in January, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Imports from Malaysia
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 South Korea
In February, Vietnam exported US$2,456 million worth of goods to South Korea, down 7.76 percent over January, 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: SBV governor to step down, Coca-Cola distributor revenues, Home Credit acquisition falls through, Minimum localisation policy for FDI projects proposed, MoC calls for reduction in pilotage fees, Government tops up PSF, 19 Vietnamese ships caught in Hormuz dramas, Poker machines regulations update, Water management price pressure, Petrol tax-break extension proposed, Customs corruption, Fuel capacity expanded – Phu My condensate plant, FLC US$1 billion MoU, Electronics manufacturers struggling to find workers, SSC issues round of disclosure failure fines, HCMC permitted crops, Crypto tax framework issued, and more. Read the full article →