This is a brief rundown of what is being reported today in Vietnam 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 have anything to share, reach out: mark.barnes@the-shiv.com
VIFC remuneration proposal
VnExpress is reporting that HCMC officials have proposed paying the Vietnam International Financial Center’s chief executive up to VND 850 million (US$32,000) per month.
This would be part of a market-based salary scheme, with other senior executives potentially offered between VND 100-400 million monthly.
The city has said the centre’s existing salary system, capped at VND 11.6 million monthly, is insufficient to attract the required talent. View source→
*Beyond a propaganda tool, looking at these numbers, you have to wonder how serious this project really is. VND 11.6 million is only US$440, which is barely double the VND 5.3 million (US$202) minimum wage.
November deadline VIFC deals
Vietnam News is reporting that Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang has ordered the Vietnam International Financial Centre to have concrete financial products and investment deals in place by November. View source→
*Noted for the clash of priorities with the article above.
Lobster seed shortages
Seafood Source is reporting that Vietnam’s lobster industry is facing a worsening juvenile supply shortage as Indonesia and Malaysia tighten restrictions on exports of lobster seed.
Khanh Hoa, which requires 60-70 million juveniles annually, recorded no formal imports in the first half of 2026, while local wild stocks meet about 5 percent of the province’s needs. View source→
Virtual power plants framework
ESS-News is reporting on plans to develop virtual power plants in Vietnam that could combine rooftop solar, battery storage, and electric vehicles into flexible grid resources. View source→
Iran-VN exploring circumventing sanctions
The Tehran Times is reporting that Iran and Vietnam are exploring barter and alternative payment arrangements to expand bilateral trade, which remains constrained by sanctions and difficulties transferring money. View source→
*I wouldn’t think this would be something you would want to draw attention to on the Vietnam side, given the current challenges the country is facing with US trade policy and the current challenges the US is facing with Iran.
New e-commerce regulations
Fibre2Fashion is reporting that the government has set clearer licensing and market-access rules for foreign-invested trading and e-commerce businesses in a new decree. View source→
GS state visit to Russia
Vietnam Plus is reporting that Party General Secretary and President To Lam began a three-day state visit to Russia on September 7 at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin.
The visit is intended to deepen the Vietnam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and establish a longer-term direction for bilateral cooperation. View source→
*A lot of the coverage of Vietnam-Russia relations focuses on a shared communist past and the longstanding reliance on Russian armaments for national defence. What I think often gets overlooked is that they both share a border with China, with which, in the South China Sea, Vietnam has some very real national security concerns. Just some food for thought.
Real estate borrowings
VnExpress is reporting that the borrowings of Vietnam’s listed real estate companies reached VND 360.24 trillion (US$13.67 billion) at the end of June, up more than 20 percent from March, citing data compiled by S&I Ratings.
It goes on to note that the sector’s debt-to-equity ratio climbed from 0.61 to 0.72, its highest level in 15 quarters, with Vinhomes accounting for about 82 percent of the quarterly increase, adding more than VND 50 trillion (US$1.9 billion) in borrowings. View source→
*That’s a big jump from March to June.
Foreign currency lending
VnExpress is reporting that foreign-currency lending in Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai surged more than 40 percent in the first seven months of 2026 to VND 373.4 trillion (US$14.2 billion).
The State Bank of Vietnam Region 2 said foreign-currency loans accounted for 5.9 percent of total lending but contributed more than 20 percent of credit growth. View source→
*I harp on about this all the time, but I am going to say it again: foreign currency loans and pegged local currencies were a big part of the Asian Financial Crisis. That is to say, those loans can become very expensive to service if that peg breaks, and the knock-on effects can be significant.
Exchange rates
As of 7.30am this morning, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 25,740, and the sell rate was VND 25,780, a change of 30 and 30 from a day earlier, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 25,760 (down 0.12 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. The State Bank of Vietnam’s central exchange rate was sitting at VND 25,611 with the Google Finance mid-market rate standing at VND 26,060.
Stock market yesterday
The VN-Index closed at 1,821.64, down 31.44 points or 1.70 percent, with a total trading value of VND 17,153.01 billion or US$650.97 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$17.69 million worth of equities, Monday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Yesterday’s news
In yesterday’s news: Vingroup new international loan, Hanoi Ice cream store to close, Fire safety approvals reform floated, Vinhomes looking for investment from Malaysia, China’s Oh!Some scaling back in VN, Government bonds, Former Bamboo Airways exec barred from leaving country, Why Singapore as home base for VN companies, Heineken expansion plans, Proposed increase to health insurance contributions, Stock market Friday, Exchange rates, Friday’s news roundup, and more. View source→