This is a brief rundown of what is being reported today in Vietnam’s state-approved media and about Vietnam in the international press.
It endeavours to highlight the narratives currently shaping the country’s economic, financial, and business news landscape.
Ed’s note: I’m always looking for new sources with unique insights. If you’re operating a business or working in Vietnam and want to talk about it, reach out: mark.barnes@the-shiv.com
Hanoi apartment resales down 60%
Znews is reporting that apartment resale transactions in Hanoi fell 60 percent quarter-on-quarter in the first quarter, according to One Mount Group.
The research firm said total market transactions, including landed property and apartments, declined 50 percent from the previous quarter and 12 percent year-on-year. View source→
Food safety issues causing port congestion
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that food importers in Ho Chi Minh City said shipments were being held at ports for weeks because authorities could not clearly determine which import and food safety rules applied.
Nguyen Ngoc Vang of Tu Anh Import Export Trading Service Company said businesses were repeatedly asked to amend or withdraw applications without being told what documents were missing, while storage fees reached about US$40 daily per container.
Phan Thanh Thien of ITS Nutriscience said some imported food ingredients could not clear customs because foreign suppliers refused to disclose full formulas protected as intellectual property. View source→
Counterfeit Burberry / Gucci seizure
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that authorities in Hanoi seized suspected counterfeit Burberry and Gucci fashion products during one of the first inspections under a nationwide intellectual property enforcement campaign launched this month.
Officials said the business could not provide business registration documents or invoices proving the origin of the goods, which had a listed value of nearly VND100 million (US$3,795). View source→
SK fried chicken chain to enter VN
Tuoi Tre is reporting that Dining Brands Group is entering the Vietnam market through a master franchise agreement with Singapore-based Hao Open Foods.
The company said its BHC Chicken chain planned to expand into major Vietnamese cities, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, targeting 50 stores within 10 years. View source→
HCMC apartment size rule distorting market
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that the Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association warned that new apartment population rules in the city could push developers toward building larger apartments despite limited market demand.
Le Hoang Chau, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association, said most buyers were seeking smaller apartments, with demand for units above 85-100 square metres accounting for only about 5-10 percent of the market. View source→
Communist Party influencer propaganda plans
Reuters is reporting that Vietnam’s Communist Party is drafting a strategy to expand propaganda efforts using social media influencers, artificial intelligence experts, podcasts and short-form video content.
The draft plan targets a network of at least 1,000 influencers and 5,000 artificial intelligence specialists, with authorities aiming for 80 percent of Vietnamese-language online content to be positive by 2030 and for content deemed to violate party guidelines to be removed within 24 hours. View source→
Growth target analysis from SCMP
The South China Morning Post is reporting that analysts have said that Vietnam’s efforts to cut bureaucracy and accelerate investment are unlikely to fully offset pressure from fuel costs and trade barriers.
BMI analyst Heng Jian Xin told the publication that Vietnam’s reforms could support long-term growth but questioned whether the economy could achieve the government’s 2026-2030 targets. View source→
US energy company hat in ring nuclear power
Tuoi Tre is reporting that US energy company Excel Services Corporation has said it wants to support Vietnam’s nuclear power development.
The proposal was discussed during a Vietnam-United States innovation forum organised by the National Innovation Centre in Hanoi, focused on advanced energy for strategic technology industries. View source→
Motorshow cancelled two years in a row
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers’ Association has said the Vietnam Motor Show will not be held in 2026, marking the second consecutive cancellation.
The exhibition was also cancelled in 2025 after several Japanese, American and South Korean automakers reportedly lost interest in participating. View source→
Vinfast on clock North Carolina factory
Hoodline is reporting that North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has said the state is “considering all options” for VinFast’s delayed factory project as a July 2026 operations deadline approaches.
Under a 2022 agreement, North Carolina can repurchase parts of the 1,765-acre site or seek clawbacks of incentives if VinFast fails to meet construction, hiring or investment commitments.
The article said North Carolina has already committed about US$1.25 billion in incentives and infrastructure spending for the project, increasing pressure on officials to decide the site’s future. View source→
MoC on construction materials price hikes
Tuoi Tre is reporting that the Ministry of Construction has said rising fuel and material prices linked to the Middle East conflict have increased construction cost estimates by up to 8.09 percent since February 2026.
The ministry said asphalt prices rose 31.77 percent by March 31, while cement, steel and other construction materials also recorded increases. View source→
Vietnam Inflation Well Above Target In April: What Happens Next?
Inflation in Vietnam hit 5.46 percent in April, well above the Government of Vietnam’s target of 4.5 percent. Elsewhere, this might be seen as a sign to take evasive action through interest rate policy, but in Vietnam monetary policy dynamics are markedly different. Read the full article →
Car production April
Vietnam produced 50.21 thousand motor vehicles in April, up 11.32 percent from 45.11 thousand in March 2026, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Fresh milk production April
Vietnam produced 144.72 million litres of fresh milk in April, down 0.01 percent from 144.74 million litres in March 2026, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Beer production April
Vietnam produced 416.89 million litres of beer in April, up 4.17 percent from 400.19 million litres in March 2026, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Coal production April
Vietnam produced 4.09 million tonnes of coal in April, down 2.47 percent from 4.20 million tonnes in March 2026, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Television production April
Vietnam produced 1.47 million televisions in April, up 9.02 percent from 1.35 million in March 2026, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Gasoline and oil production April
Vietnam produced 1.60 million tonnes of gasoline and oil in April, up 0.76 percent from 1.59 million tonnes in March 2026, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
LPG production April
Vietnam produced 71,190 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in April, down 0.64 percent from 71,650 tonnes in March 2026, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Stock market Friday
The VN-Index closed at 1,915.37, up 6.36 points or 0.33 percent, with a total trading value of VND 28,137.62 billion or US$1067.84 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$33.74 million worth of equities, Friday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange. Read the full article →
Exchange rate Friday
On May 8, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,450, and the sell rate was VND 26,500, a change of 130 and 120, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,475 (down 0.47 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Read the full article →
Natural gas production April
Vietnam produced 576.06 million m3 of natural gas in April, up 4.51 percent from 551.23 million m3 in March 2026, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Friday’s Vietnam news roundup
In Friday’s Vietnam news: Fuel prices reduced, VN-Philippines rice agreement, Accor hotel franchising VN, Prudential profit repatriation, Calls to remove rice export licenses, Bank deposits falling, State Treasury bank deposits increase, Hyundai Vietnam shipbuilding, China milk tea chain VN domain name dispute, Illegal streaming app ceases operations, LT airport delays details, Vietnam’s Tourism Industry Takes Fuel Crisis Hit to International Arrivals, Resort Construction, Latest government bond issue, and more. Read the full article →