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
Retail fuel prices go up
Dan Tri is reporting that fuel prices were raised from 3pm on May 21, with RON95 increasing to VND 25,540 (US$0.97) per litre and E5 RON92 to VND 24,340 (US$0.92).
The Ministry of Industry and Trade said global fuel prices were affected by tensions and easing in United States-Iran negotiations, Russia-Ukraine conflict developments, and declining oil inventories reported by the International Energy Agency. View source→
Fines for “false information” set at VND 50m
VnExpress is reporting that fines of VND 30-50 million (US$1,139-1,897) will be issued from July 1 to social media users who share false information that causes public panic or disrupts socio-economic activity.
The new Decree 174 also applies the same penalty range to content deemed to distort history, undermine national unity, insult religions, discriminate by gender or race, or disclose state and personal secrets.
Lower fines of VND 20-30 million (US$759-1,139) apply to fabricated, defamatory, obscene, or otherwise prohibited content, including unauthorised copyrighted material and misleading maps of Vietnam. View source→
Malaysian flour mill expands VN operations
World-Grain is reporting that Malaysia’s Malayan Flour Mills Berhad has said it intends to invest US$20.2 million to add a new milling line at Vimaflour Ltd. in northern Vietnam.
The expansion will increase Vimaflour’s production capacity from 2,000 tonnes to 2,500 tonnes per day. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Vietnam imported about US$289 million in wheat in April.
Some bondholders repaid Truong My Lan scandal
Bloomberg is reporting that convicted property developer Truong My Lan has repaid more than VND 12 trillion (US$455 million) to around 42,000 bondholders as the government continues efforts to recover losses tied to Vietnam’s largest fraud case.
Ho Chi Minh City’s Civil Judgment Enforcement Agency said further repayments are expected, with Truong My Lan still owing bondholders around VND 18 trillion (US$683 million). View source→
Another SBV economy risk warning
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that the State Bank of Vietnam has warned that rising oil prices, exchange rate pressure, and limited room for monetary easing are increasing risks for Vietnam’s economy and banking system.
Nguyen Phi Lan, Director General of the State Bank of Vietnam’s Forecasting, Statistics and Monetary-Financial Stability Department, said Vietnam’s economy remains heavily dependent on bank credit, with widening gaps between credit growth and deposit mobilisation increasing risks to liquidity and financial system stability.
Ed.’s notes: These warnings are becoming repetitive, but the point is that they are all coming from different people in different departments.
Conflicting transport infrastructure plans
Thanh Nien is reporting that Vietnam’s planned expansion to 32 airports by 2030 is facing growing scrutiny as more than 5,000 kilometres of expressways and future high-speed rail projects threaten demand for short-haul flights. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Noted because it points to people questioning how all of the planned infrastructure fits together – whereas there is a lot of short term thinking around, there are people out there trying to see the bigger picture and question whether it makes sense.
US$13m debt up for auction for 11th time
Vietnamnet is reporting that VietinBank has launched its 11th auction attempt of a VND 356 billion (US$13.5 million) debt linked to Phuong Quang Import Export Trading.
VietinBank has set the starting auction price at more than VND 220 billion (US$8.3 million), around 38 percent below the estimated outstanding debt tied to a loan agreement signed in August 2022.
Collateral includes multiple land-use rights and attached assets in Ho Chi Minh City and Tay Ninh. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Having bad debts isn’t good, but not being able to get rid of those bad debts seems worse.
Vinpearl exchanges foreign bonds for Vingroup shares
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vinpearl has delisted its entire US$150 million international bond issuance from the Singapore Exchange after converting the outstanding bonds into Vingroup shares.
The article notes that Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) received the transferred VIC shares. View source→
Vingroup foreign selling yesterday
VnExpress is reporting that Vingroup shares were the main focus of foreign selling yesterday, with the stock seeing net outflows of VND 517 billion (US$19.6 million).
Three negotiated block trades in VIC shares totalled more than VND 1.4 trillion (US$53.1 million), involving 6.4 million shares changing hands as the stock fell 3.5 percent below VND 220,000 (US$8.35) per share. View source→
Interbank funding
Dau Tu Kien Thuc is reporting that Vietnam’s interbank market expanded to around VND 6.419 quadrillion (US$243.6 billion) by the end of the first quarter of 2026.
The article says the spike reflects short-term liquidity imbalances between banks rather than a broader long-term funding shortage, with interbank funding now accounting for around 29.6 percent of total assets across 27 listed banks. View source→
1 in 10 vehicles in VN incompatible with E10 biofuel
Znews is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade has said that E10 biofuel gasoline is compatible with more than 90 percent of petrol-powered vehicles currently operating in Vietnam. View source→
Ed.’s notes: From June 1, all petrol sold in Vietnam is supposed to be mixed with biofuels, with regular petrol no longer available. It’s not clear what will happen to the ten percent of vehicles that are not compatible.
VN enters top 50 startup ecosystems
VnExpress is reporting that Vietnam entered the global top 50 startup ecosystems for the first time in 2026, rising five places to rank 50th in StartupBlink’s annual Startup Ecosystem Index.
StartupBlink said Vietnam and Thailand recorded some of the strongest growth rates among countries ranked between 21st and 50th globally, with Ho Chi Minh City also entering the world’s top 100 startup ecosystems for the first time. View source→
Ed.’s notes: Source report.
Exports to USA April
In April, Vietnam exported US$15,075 million worth of goods to the USA, down 0.76 percent over March, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Read the full article →
Stock exchange Thursday
The VN-Index closed at 1,896.89, down 16.34 points or 0.85 percent, with a total trading value of VND 22,036.62 billion or US$836.30 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$64.25 million worth of equities, Thursday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange. Read the full article →
Exchange rates Thursday
On May 21, in Vietnam, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 26,500, and the sell rate was VND 26,550, unchanged from yesterday, according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Read the full article →
Vietnam Fuel Prices Tracker: May 21, Update
This article tracks developments in Vietnam’s energy sector in the context of the emerging conflict in Iran and its impact on energy resources moving through the Strait of Hormuz. Read the full article →
Thailand approves jet fuel exports to Vietnam, Philippines
Thailand’s National Security Council has approved aviation fuel exports to Vietnam and the Philippines after both governments requested support from Thailand, Nation Thailand has reported. This comes as jet fuel supply disruptions weigh heavily on Vietnam’s aviation industry. Read the full article →
Tax support to drive Vietnam biofuels uptake proposed
This is an interesting proposal in that from June 1, this year, all unleaded petrol is mandated to contain at least 10 percent biofuel, which would make pricing biofuels lower than regular fuels to drive uptake redundant. Read the full article →
Vietnam US trade agreement: PM meets US trade rep., outcome vague
The Prime Minister of Vietnam Le Minh Hung met with United States Deputy Trade Representative Ambassador Rick Switzer Wednesday, using the opportunity to call for an early conclusion to a reciprocal Vietnam-United States trade agreement. Read the full article →
Petrol mixed with diesel but sold anyway raises questions RE: Vietnam fuel market regulation
Police allegations that a Petrolimex manager diluted contaminated diesel and continued selling it raise broader questions about financial pressure inside Vietnam’s regulated fuel market. Read the full article →
Yesterday’s Vietnam news roundup
In yesterday’s Vietnam news: Petrolimex manager arrested for fuel fraud, Vietnam US trade talks, Vietnam biofuel tax proposal, Government-run executive training program proposal, Thailand approves aviation fuel exports, US approves new ambassador to Vietnam, Vietnam motorcycle sales surge through April, Vietnam to adjust domestic fuel prices, Vietnam bond yields rise on May 20, VN-Index closes higher on Wednesday, Vietnam black market USD rates rise, and more. Read the full article →