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
National cloud platform plan approved
The Register is reporting that Prime Minister Le Minh Hung last week approved plans for Vietnam to develop a national cloud platform to replace foreign cloud services used by state agencies.
The decision lists the domestic cloud initiative among 20 strategic technologies Vietnam aims to develop by 2030 to strengthen technological self-reliance and cybersecurity. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Last line of article reads “What a time to be alive.”
Aviation foreign ownership increase proposal
VIR is reporting that the Ministry of Construction has renewed a proposal to raise the foreign ownership cap in Vietnamese airlines from 34 percent to 49 percent to improve access to international capital.
Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet reportedly proposed keeping the current 34 percent limit, while the Ministry of Justice also recommended maintaining the existing ceiling. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Not clear why the Ministry of Justice is weighing in. This proposal comes up all the time. Note AirAsia has been looking at expanding into Vietnam through a stake in Vietravel Airlines.
Biofuel nationwide rollout prices
Vietnamnet is reporting that Petrolimex and Vietnam Oil Corporation have announced nationwide E10 (10 percent ethanol) gasoline pricing ahead of plans to begin broad retail sales of the fuel from May 15.
Petrolimex said E10 RON95-V biofuel gasoline will be sold at VND 24,630 per litre (US$0.93) across its retail network from May 12.
Vietnam Oil Corporation listed E10 RON95-III gasoline at VND 23,730 per litre (US$0.90) during the latest fuel price adjustment on May 7.
Under Ministry of Industry and Trade Circular 50, all unleaded gasoline sold in Vietnam must be blended into E10 gasoline nationwide from June 1, 2026. View source→
VinFast restructuring
Vietstock is reporting that VinFast Auto has announced it plans to separate its Vietnam manufacturing assets into a separate unit before selling it for more than VND 13.3 trillion (US$504.7 million).
The new company will continue operating vehicle manufacturing facilities in Vietnam and produce VinFast-branded vehicles under a long-term supply agreement.
VinFast said the restructuring would reduce future capital expenditure needs and support a shift toward a more asset-light operating model focused on international expansion. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Here is the SEC filing.
Vingroup debt after VinFast factory sale
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that VinFast has said the sale of VinFast factories in Hai Phong and Ha Tinh provinces for VND 13.31 trillion (US$505.1 million) to NC Investment and Future Development Joint Stock Company and Vingroup founder Pham Nhat Vuong will see debt and liabilities worth VND 182 trillion (US$6.91 billion) transferred as well.
VinFast said the transaction would prevent parent company Vingroup from continuing to bear around 50 percent of VinFast’s total debt burden through its ownership stake. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Hmmmm…
Visa violations foreign workers Khanh Hoa
Tuoi Tre is reporting that police in Khanh Hoa province have found 20 foreigners in Nha Trang suspected of working in unlicensed occupations and violating their visas. View source→
MPS takeover tech-telco firm
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that state-owned technology and telecommunications firm GTEL will now operate directly under Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security.
GTEL was established in 2007 and operates in technology, telecommunications and security industry services linked to Vietnam’s national digital transformation programme, the article says. View source→
Adding EVN debt to power prices
VnExpress is reporting that the Ministry of Industry and Trade has proposed gradually incorporating previously unrecovered electricity production costs into future power price adjustments to address Electricity Vietnam’s (EVN) accumulated losses.
The ministry said Electricity Vietnam’s parent company still carried accumulated losses of around VND 44.79 trillion (US$1.70 billion) after losses surged during 2022 and 2023. View source→
Ed.’s notes: This happened because input costs exceeded government-regulated retail prices. Note that retail fuel prices are also regulated.
Hanoi sidewalk rent plan
VnExpress is reporting that Hanoi authorities are considering a pilot programme allowing businesses and households to rent sections of sidewalks and roads for commercial activities and night economy operations.
Under the proposal, rental fees in central districts, including Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh, Hai Ba Trung and Dong Da could reach VND 45,000 (US$1.71) per square metre per month. View source→
Calls for long term IP strategy
Vietnamnet is reporting that Vietnam Anti-Counterfeit and Brand Protection Association chairman Nguyen Dang Sinh has bemoaned attempts to combat intellectual property violations through short-term enforcement campaigns alone.
He called for a permanent 24/7 monitoring system in major counterfeit trading areas alongside integrated data sharing between customs, market surveillance and police authorities. View source→
Government bond auction results
Vietnam’s State Treasury raised VND 7.65 trillion (US$290.3 million) in government bond auctions on May 13, with demand concentrated in shorter tenors as longer-dated bonds saw limited investor appetite, according to data from the Vietnam Bond Market Association. Read the full article →
Stock market Wednesday
The VN-Index closed at 1,898.37, down 2.73 points or 0.14 percent, with a total trading value of VND 29,704.52 billion or US$1,127.31 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$55.86 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 May 13, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,330, and the sell rate was VND 26,360, a change of 20 and 20, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,345 (down 0.08 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Read the full article →
Aquaculture feed production April
Vietnam produced 895.40 thousand tonnes of aquaculture feed in April, up 4.67 percent from 855.42 thousand tonnes in March 2026, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Animal feed production April
Vietnam produced 1,354.73 thousand tonnes of animal feed in April, up 1.21 percent from 1,338.55 thousand tonnes in March 2026, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Processed seafood production April
Vietnam produced 685.45 thousand tonnes of processed seafood in April, up 3.07 percent from 665.04 thousand tonnes in March 2026, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Aluminium production April
Vietnam produced 126.50 thousand tonnes of aluminium in April, up 9.13 percent from 115.91 thousand tonnes in March 2026, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office. Read the full article →
Vietnam car sales April
Vietnam’s total car sales fell to 24,479 units in April 2026 from 31,351 units in March, according to Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers’ Association data. Read the full article →
Yesterday’s Vietnam news roundup
In yesterday’s Vietnam news: VN oil ship turned back US Hormuz blockade, Possible power shortage response plans, VN employers hiring prioritising retention, SBV on complexity of monetary policy management, HBO Max coming to Vietnam, Qualcomm R&D centre Hanoi, Vinfast April sales, Crypto exchanges to choose digital assets for listing, Bank bad debt growth, US Vietnam shrimp anti-dumping duties, Stock market Tuesday, Exchange rates Tuesday, and more. Read the full article →