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.
Japan PM speech VNU
In a speech at Vietnam National University, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae has outlined plans to update the Free and Open Indo-Pacific strategy, focusing on resilience, supply chains, and security cooperation with Vietnam and Association of Southeast Asian Nations partners.
The speech emphasised expanded collaboration in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, rare earths, and digital infrastructure, alongside Japan-backed projects like the Vietnam National Space Centre and LOTUSat-1 satellite. View source→
Know more? Let us know →
VN response to USTR “priority foreign country” designation
VN Economy is reporting that Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang has urged the United States to assess Vietnam’s intellectual property enforcement objectively after its “priority foreign country” designation by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in its 2026 Special 301 Report.
Pham Thu Hang said Vietnam has strengthened intellectual property protection through legal reforms, public awareness efforts, enforcement measures, and cooperation with the World Intellectual Property Organisation and the United States. View source→
Know more? Let us know →
Conditional business lines cut proposed
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that the Ministry of Finance has proposed removing casino and karaoke businesses from conditional business lines, alongside alcohol, rice exports, reinsurance, and duty-free retail, while also revising the scope of 12 other conditional industries.
The ministry said cuts focus on sectors not requiring conditions for national security, public order, social ethics, or public health, or where regulation can shift to post-inspection. View source→
Know more? Let us know →
MoC reclassify EREVs for VinFast
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that the Ministry of Construction has proposed classifying extended-range electric vehicles (EREV) to enable tax incentives for VinFast models.
The proposal would group extended-range electric vehicles with battery electric vehicles based on drivetrain principles, allowing application of existing tax and registration fee policies without legal amendments. View source→
Know more? Let us know →
Fuel price hike
Vietnamnet is reporting that retail fuel prices set a new range from April 29, with RON95 capped at VND 23,751 per litre (about US$0.90) and diesel at VND 28,172 (about US$1.07). View source→
Know more? Let us know →
Peterolimex forecast conflict
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that ACB Securities has forecast Petrolimex to post net profit of VND 3,688 billion (about US$140 million) in 2026.
This contrasts with management’s earlier warning of a potential VND 1,000 billion (about US$38 million) loss from fuel trading in the first quarter due to extreme price volatility. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Speaks to the impact of government price controls.
Know more? Let us know →
Finland embassy on Press Freedom Day
The Embassy of Finland in Hanoi, in a press release, has emphasised Finland’s commitment to the role of independent media in supporting democracy, rule of law, and open societies.
The release was in line with World Press Freedom Day, which fell on Sunday. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Vietnam is currently ranked 174 out of 180 on the World Press Freedom Index.
Know more? Let us know →
Margin lending
Tuoi Tre is reporting that in Q1 2026, Vietnam’s securities firms faced rising margin demand, but many are nearing the regulatory lending cap of twice equity, limiting further expansion.
Higher funding costs and weaker proprietary trading returns have compressed margins, making it harder to justify expanding margin lending despite strong demand, the article says. View source→
Know more? Let us know →
Vingroup’s Q1 2026 Financial Performance in 5 Graphs
Vietnam’s largest conglomerate by market capitalisation, Vingroup, released its Q1 2026 Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements last week. These five charts give an at-a-glance overview of what those statements show. Read the full article →
Inflation April
Vietnam’s consumer price index (CPI) rose 5.46 percent year on year in April 2026, marking a sharp increase in headline inflation, according to the latest release from the National Statistics Office (NSO). Read the full article →
Trade data April
Vietnam’s merchandise trade expanded sharply in early 2026, with imports outpacing exports and pushing the trade balance into deficit, according to the latest release from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Retail sales April
Vietnam’s retail sales of goods and consumer services maintained solid growth in early 2026, supported by strong demand across goods, hospitality, and tourism, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
FDI April
Vietnam’s registered foreign investment rose sharply in the first four months of 2026, driven by a surge in new project capital and strong inflows into manufacturing, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Motorbike production March
Vietnam produced 354.20 thousand motorbikes in March, up 57.67 percent from 224.65 thousand in February 2026, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Electricity production March
Vietnam produced 24.82 billion kWh of electricity in March, up 34.83 percent from 18.41 billion kWh in February 2026, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Cement production March
Vietnam produced 15.79 million tonnes of cement in March, up 39.36 percent from 11.33 million tonnes in February 2026, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Mobile phone production March
Vietnam produced 15.07 million mobile phones in March, up 5.24 percent from 14.32 million in February 2026, according to the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Aquaculture feed production March
Vietnam produced 779.60 thousand tonnes of aquaculture feed in March, up 14.18 percent from 682.80 thousand tonnes in February 2026, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Animal feed production March
Vietnam produced 1,306.73 thousand tonnes of animal feed in March, up 13.55 percent from 1,150.81 thousand tonnes in February 2026, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Seafood production March
Vietnam produced 662.25 thousand tonnes of processed seafood in March, up 14.62 percent from 577.78 thousand tonnes in February 2026, according to the National Statistics Office of Vietnam. Read the full article →
Friday’s Vietnam news roundup
In Friday’s Vietnam news: President / GS to visit India, Vegetable transhipment CN – VN – Taiwan, Vietnam Airlines head letter to staff re: fuel crisis, Trump resort developer Q1 results, Morocco antidumping tariffs on VN steel, Hoa Phat Steel banking on HSR, Carlsberg fined by Nat. Competition Commission, VN pineapple seized in Poland, Industrial pig farming pay-off, Can Vietnam Afford Nuclear Power From Russia? Can Russia?, Confectionery and cereal exports March, Aluminium production March, and more. Read the full article →