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
Power sector executive prosecution
The Investor is reporting that PC1 Group, an energy infrastructure firm, has announced that its chairman and chief executive, Trinh Van Tuan and several employees are under investigation over alleged accounting violations and embezzlement.
PC1 said it is cooperating with authorities and plans to hold an extraordinary shareholder meeting in July to reorganise its senior leadership structure, the article says. View source→
Ed.’s notes: This is another in a string of high-profile, private sector corruption prosecutions (See: Duc Giang Chemicals and VNG).
Funding secured for floating storage
Splash247 is reporting that Singapore-based Yinson Productions has secured US$131.5 million in senior secured financing for a floating storage and offloading vessel destined for Vietnam’s Block B project.
Yinson Productions and Vietnam’s Petrovietnam Technical Services Corporation jointly own the vessel, which can store 350,000 barrels of condensate and operate for 25 years without drydocking. View source→
Congo oil for VN refinery
Hydro Carbon Processing is reporting that Petrovietnam has received Vietnam’s first cargo of Djeno crude oil from the Republic of the Congo for the Nghi Son refinery.
The 950,000-barrel shipment was unloaded at the Nghi Son refinery, which can process about 200,000 barrels per day, the article says. View source→
Hong Kong wood processing project approved
The Investor is reporting that Gia Lai authorities have granted a Hong Kong-invested wood processing project a VND 315.6 billion investment certificate, equivalent to about US$12 million. View source→
Vingroup stock price analysis
Thanh Nien is reporting that funds managed by Dragon Capital and Vietnam Enterprise Investments Limited raised their exposure to Vingroup-related shares during April, citing momentum and future growth expectations.
Analysts interviewed in the article linked investor optimism to Vietnam’s private-sector growth policies, Vingroup’s restructuring tied to VinFast, and expectations surrounding stock market reclassification.
Commentators also pointed to Vingroup’s infrastructure, energy, urban development, and electric vehicle ambitions, alongside stronger first-quarter 2026 business results across the group’s ecosystem. View source→
Securities chief on bank funding pressures
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that LP Bank Securities’ chief executive Hoang Viet Anh has warned Vietnam’s banks are facing mounting funding pressure.
He said proposed Basel III-aligned banking rules could intensify competition for deposits and place further upward pressure on interest rates across the system, the article says. View source→
VN refinery expecting ‘stable’ operations to June
Bloomberg is reporting that Vietnam’s Nghi Son refinery expects stable operations through June on diversified crude imports.
Nghi Son said it was expanding procurement beyond the Middle East through tenders and spot purchases, targeting suppliers from West Africa, Guyana, the North Sea, and the United States. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Not clear what ‘stable’ means – details on output capacity expectations not included.
VN dairy firm secures US patent
IB Times is reporting that Vietnamese dairy producer Nutifood has secured a United States patent for its proprietary FDI Formula and has launched a United States-focused nutrition brand.
Vice chairman Tran Bao Minh said the patent reflected Nutifood’s long-term investment in nutrition science research, while the company positioned the move as part of a broader international expansion strategy. View source→
Japan biomass MoU
Biomass Magazine is reporting that Japan’s Erex Co. Ltd. and Vietnam’s Vinacomin Power Holdings have signed a memorandum of understanding to study biomass cofiring at two coal-fired power plants in Vietnam.
The companies previously completed cofiring tests at the Na Duong and Cao Ngan power plants, achieving biomass substitution rates of 20 percent using wood chips and 30 percent using wood pellets. View source→
Rare earths exporter arrested
VnExpress is reporting that authorities in Lang Son province have stopped an attempt to illegally export 84 tonnes of radioactive monazite ore, containing high concentrations of rare earth oxides. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Noted for broader narrative around rare earth development in Vietnam.
Vietnam’s Airlines’ Unique Vulnerabilities Amid Rising Jet Fuel Prices
Unlike larger regional competitors with stronger balance sheets and greater pricing flexibility, Vietnam’s airlines are entering the latest fuel shock carrying heavy debt loads, operating under domestic airfare caps, and facing tighter funding conditions. Read the full article →
Exchange rates Monday
On May 18, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,480, and the sell rate was VND 26,530, a change of 120 and 140, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 26,505 (up 0.49 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Read the full article →
Stock market Monday
The VN-Index closed at 1,927.94, up 6.34 points or 0.33 percent, with a total trading value of VND 26,658.42 billion or US$1011.70 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$23.42 million worth of equities, Monday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange. Read the full article →
Plastic product imports April
Vietnam imported plastic products to the tune of US$1,027 million in April, up from US$940 million in March, a change of 9.21 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Chemicals imports April
Vietnam imported chemicals to the tune of US$991 million in April, up from US$892 million in March, a change of 11.02 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Milk and dairy product imports April
Vietnam imported milk and dairy products to the tune of US$142 million in April, down from US$150 million in March, a change of -5.53 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Fruit and vegetable imports April
Vietnam imported fruit and vegetables to the tune of US$258 million in April, up from US$230 million in March, a change of 11.81 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Yesterday’s news roundup
In yesterday’s Vietnam news: CAAV on airline impact fuel prices, Vietnam Airlines fuel price impacts, Electricity use hits new peak, Vietnam Airlines salary cuts + workforce trimming, State Bank relaxes loan-deposit ratio rules, Shoppee misleading promotion fine, MPS to tighten oversight of foreigners, PM on reducing fire safety / environment regulations, China pulls out of ore mine, MoF pushes back on consumers absorbing EVN losses, Party member bonuses, Nghi Son oil shipment clears US Hormuz blockade, 13 bidding for stake in beer maker, and more. Read the full article →