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
VN oil ship turned back US Hormuz blockade
Bloomberg is reporting that PetroVietnam Oil Corp. has urged the United States to allow a crude tanker through an American naval blockade near the Persian Gulf.
The Agios Fanourios I turned back after clearing the Strait of Hormuz while carrying 1.99 million barrels of Iraq’s Basrah Medium crude bound for Vietnam’s Nghi Son refinery.
A United States defence official said the vessel was redirected to prevent it from violating the blockade, though Bloomberg notes the restrictions target Iranian shipping rather than Iraqi crude. View source→
Ed.’s notes: A different, VN flagged ship got into the Persian Gulf a couple of weeks ago.
Possible power shortage response plans
Vietnam News is reporting that Vietnam’s power sector is preparing contingency plans for possible electricity shortages during the 2026 dry season as electricity demand rises and imported fuel supplies face geopolitical risks. View source→
VN employers hiring prioritising retention
Human Resources Online is reporting that HR firm Reeracoen Vietnam’s Vietnam Employer Hiring Study 2026 has found 69 percent of employers expect to increase hiring this year, with 71 percent prioritising long-term commitment and retention potential in candidates. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Source report.
SBV on complexity of monetary policy management
The Investor is reporting that State Bank of Vietnam officials have warned that rising inflation, exchange rate risks and trade deficit pressures are complicating Vietnam’s monetary policy management.
State Bank of Vietnam officials said the Middle East conflict, rising global fuel prices and financial market volatility are increasing inflationary pressure and limiting room for further interest rate cuts. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Noted for the urgency (frustration?) in the tone.
HBO Max coming to Vietnam
Web Wire is reporting that Warner Bros. Discovery has said HBO Max will launch in Vietnam on June 16, replacing HBO GO, which will cease distribution on June 15.
The streaming platform said subscribers in Vietnam will gain access to HBO, DC Universe, Harry Potter, Max Originals and Hollywood films through the direct-to-consumer service. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Amazon Prime pulled out of Vietnam. Netflix is still around, but has had a lot of challenges with respect to censorship and local office requirements.
Qualcomm R&D centre Hanoi
Technode is reporting that Qualcomm Technologies has opened a research and development centre in Hanoi.
The launch follows Qualcomm’s June 2025 announcement that the Hanoi facility would become its third-largest research and development centre globally after India and Ireland. View source→
Vinfast April sales
VinFast Auto has said in a report sent to the SEC that it delivered 24,774 electric vehicles in Vietnam during April, bringing cumulative domestic deliveries to 78,458 vehicles in the first four months of 2026.
The company said the figures are preliminary and may differ from final audited delivery numbers recognised as vehicle sales revenue. View source→
Crypto exchanges to choose digital assets for listing
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that State Securities Commission official To Tran Hoa has said cryptocurrency exchanges in Vietnam will be allowed to choose which digital assets to list and trade.
However, regulators said exchanges should prioritise highly liquid and widely used assets to reduce market risks. View source→
Bank bad debt growth
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that only five banks had maintained non-performing loan coverage ratios above 100 percent at the end of the first quarter: Vietcombank, VietinBank, Techcombank, ABBank and ACB.
The article says rising group-two loans and higher provisioning costs are increasing pressure on bank profitability, with credit risk expenses consuming 41.8 percent of total pre-tax profit across the sector. View source→
US Vietnam shrimp anti-dumping duties
Vietnam Plus is reporting that the United States Department of Commerce issued preliminary anti-dumping duties of 6.76 percent and 10.76 percent on two Vietnamese shrimp exporters in its 20th administrative review.
Twenty-seven other Vietnamese companies received a separate duty rate of 7.56 percent, while 132 companies that failed to qualify for separate rates retained the nationwide rate of 25.76 percent. View source→
Vietnam Energy Imports See Kuwaiti Crude Zero-out, LPG and Coal Tick Up, April 2026
Vietnam’s General Department of Customs has released its April data showing a significant jump in energy import values. Import volumes were mixed, however, with coal increasing while crude oil, gasoline and diesel declined Read the full article →
Stock market Tuesday
The VN-Index closed at 1,901.10, up 5.60 points or 0.30 percent, with a total trading value of VND 21,153.44 billion or US$802.79 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$31.27 million worth of equities, Tuesday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange. Read the full article →
Exchange rates Tuesday
On May 12, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,350, and the sell rate was VND 26,380, a change of 70 and 90, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,365 (down 0.30 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Read the full article →
Yesterday’s Vietnam news roundup
In yesterday’s Vietnam news: Petrol distributors fined mandatory reserves short, Milk prices to rise, EU anti-dumping on some VN plastics abandoned, Techcombank Securities crypto partner US$280m bond raise plan, Customs smuggling seizures, Refinery name change, Land clearance reimbursement power project delay, Hanoi new retail space, Vietnam Airlines seeking capital raising, FedEx Vietnam overloaded, Petrol and diesel imports, Powdered milk production, Stock market Monday, and more. Read the full article →