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
CAAV on airline impact fuel prices
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that Vietnamese airlines cut nearly 5,000 flights in April after jet fuel prices surged more than 100 percent during the Middle East conflict.
Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam Director Uong Viet Dung said airlines were also facing pressure from exchange rates, aircraft shortages, spare part constraints and overloaded airport infrastructure despite continued passenger growth. View source→
Vietnam Airlines fuel price impacts
VnExpress is reporting that Vietnam Airlines Deputy Chief Executive Officer Dinh Van Tuan expects the airline to record a second-quarter loss of more than VND4.5 trillion (US$170.8 million) on higher jet fuel prices.
Tuan said Jet A1 fuel prices have at times risen to three times the airline’s annual planning assumptions since March, with every US$1 increase adding roughly VND300 billion (US$11.4 million) in annual costs.
Vietnam Airlines said it could lose VND30 trillion (US$1.14 billion) in 2026 if fuel prices remain elevated. View source→
Electricity use hits new peak
Thanh Nien is reporting that the National System and Market Operation Company has said Vietnam’s electricity consumption exceeded 1.1 billion kWh on May 13, setting a new 2026 record amid rising temperatures nationwide.
Coal-fired power accounted for 53.4 percent of electricity generation during the day, followed by hydropower at 26 percent, while liquefied natural gas generation reached 3.25 million cubic metres. View source→
Vietnam Airlines salary cuts + workforce trimming
Nguoi Lao Dong is reporting that Vietnam Airlines has reintroduced COVID-19-era cost-cutting measures as jet fuel prices have surged.
Vietnam Airlines has implemented unpaid leave, rotating leave and executive salary cuts, with the chairman’s salary reduced by 50 percent and deputy chief executive salaries cut by 40 percent.
The airline said it was also reducing investment spending, shortening flight routes where possible, optimising landing procedures and refuelling in countries with lower fuel prices, the article notes. View source→
State Bank relaxes loan-deposit ratio rules
VnExpress is reporting that Vietnam’s State Bank will allow banks to include 20 percent of State Treasury term deposits in loan-to-deposit ratio calculations moving forward, whereas previously they were excluded.
The regulation change benefits state-owned banks, including Vietcombank, BIDV, Agribank and VietinBank, with the four banks’ loan-to-deposit ratios ranging from 82.9 percent to 84.5 percent, at the end of March, near the 85 percent ceiling. View source→
Shoppee misleading promotion fine
The Investor is reporting that Vietnam’s National Competition Commission fined Shopee VND200 million (US$7,590) over misleading free shipping promotions linked to an August 2025 campaign.
The regulator said slogans including “Free Shipping for All Orders” did not fully disclose conditions and exclusions across some communication interfaces. View source→
MPS to tighten oversight of foreigners
VnExpress is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security has said it will tighten oversight of foreigners as international arrivals reached record levels in 2025 and continued rising in 2026.
The ministry said Vietnam it would be increasing enforcement against alleged immigration offences, illegal work, fraud and overstays. View source→
PM on reducing fire safety / environment regulations
Tuoi Tre is reporting that Prime Minister Le Minh Hung has ordered further cuts to administrative procedures related to fire safety, industrial park licensing, environmental assessments and construction permits.
The government also ordered reviews of fire safety standards, industrial cluster licensing procedures and construction regulations to reduce compliance costs for businesses and investors. View source→
Ed.’s notes: There is a baby with the bathwater argument to be made here.
MoF pushes back on consumers absorbing EVN losses
Dan Tri is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance has said there should be amendments to the Electricity Law to prevent electricity companies from shifting business risks or inefficiency costs onto consumers or the state.
The ministry said electricity firms should operate under market principles, remain financially self-reliant and take responsibility for their own business performance rather than relying on state budget support. View source→
Ed.’s notes: EVN is state-owned, so…?
Party member bonuses
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that from July 1, Communist Party members who have their performance rated “excellent” will receive a reward equal to 0.3 times the base salary, equivalent to VND759,000 (US$28.80) per person.
Higher rewards will apply to party members receiving longer-term commendations, including bonuses equal to one or 1.5 times the base salary, depending on the award level. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Good news if you’re a party member. Interesting to hear what non-party taxpayers think.
Nghi Son oil shipment clears US Hormuz blockade
Bloomberg is reporting that a Vietnam-bound supertanker carrying 2 million barrels of Iraqi crude resumed its journey on May 17 after receiving clearance from United States authorities following a temporary halt near the Strait of Hormuz, in response to the US blockade.
The vessel resumed transit after a summit between United States President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where both leaders agreed the Strait of Hormuz should remain open, the article notes. View source→
13 bidding for stake in beer maker
The Investor is reporting that 13 domestic investors have registered to bid for a 51.04 percent state stake in Viet Ha Investment and Trading ahead of an auction scheduled for May 18.
Founded in 1966, Viet Ha produces beer and malt products and also owns legacy consumer brands including Trang An confectionery and Hanoi Candy. View source→
Fabric imports April
Vietnam imported fabric to the tune of US$1,462 million in April, up from US$1,083 million in March, a change of 35.01 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Soy bean imports April
Vietnam imported soy beans to the tune of US$104 million in April, down from US$150 million in March, a change of -30.25 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Machinery and tools imports April
Vietnam imported machinery and tools to the tune of US$5,928 million in April, up from US$5,555 million in March, a change of 6.72 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Computer imports April
Vietnam imported computers and electronics to the tune of US$18,763 million in April, up from US$17,672 million in March, a change of 6.17 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Iron and steel imports April
Vietnam imported iron and steel to the tune of US$1,008 million in April, up from US$891 million in March, a change of 13.08 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Car imports April
Vietnam imported cars to the tune of US$434 million in April, down from US$590 million in March, a change of -26.43 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
LPG imports April
Vietnam imported LPG to the tune of US$387 million in April, up from US$213 million in March, a change of 81.75 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Stock market Friday
The VN-Index closed at 1,921.60, down 3.86 points or 0.20 percent, with a total trading value of VND 23,053.15 billion or US$874.88 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$30.40 million worth of equities, Friday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange. Read the full article →
Exchange rates Friday
On May 15, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,360, and the sell rate was VND 26,390, a change of 10 and 10, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,375 (down 0.04 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Read the full article →
Fertiliser imports April
Vietnam imported fertiliser to the tune of US$152 million in April, up from US$148 million in March, a change of 2.79 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Coal imports April
Vietnam imported coal to the tune of US$971 million in April, up from US$601 million in March, a change of 61.44 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Friday’s Vietnam news roundup
In Friday’s Vietnam news: Vingroup launches surgical robots company, Fake Rolex Gucci Louis Vuitton seizure, Vingroup establishes mining company, Fuel prices lowered, Draft policy EV subsidies Hanoi, EVN cuts losses by US$1.5b in 2025, Secondary metals processing hub doubts, French air cargo firm begins Hanoi-Paris route, SK cable supplier VN data centre, SK fund sells VN construction firm, VN reiterates IP improvement efforts, Bank deposits data changes, Vietjet ranks 27 biggest airlines by market cap, and more. Read the full article →