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
Traveler data compromised
Bleeping Computer is reporting that a database containing more than 220 million passenger and crew travel records linked to Vietnam was exposed online through security misconfigurations, according to Kinryu Labs.
The records span 2017 to April 2026 and include names, passport details, nationalities, flight information, seat assignments and baggage references.
Kinryu Labs said the database was hosted in Viettel-assigned IP space in Hanoi, but researchers could not identify the organisation operating it.
The researchers reported the exposure in June and said access was secured on June 8, while finding no evidence showing whether malicious actors had obtained the data. View source→
*I cannot find any reporting on this anywhere in the Vietnamese press.
KOL summit party commitments
The BBC is reporting that hundreds of influencers signed commitments at the KOL Summit 2026 to follow standards requiring content to comply with Communist Party and state policies.
The Ministry of Public Security-backed event attracted more than 1,500 influencers, artists, content creators, government representatives and digital-platform businesses. View source→
*Firstly, I think this article strays a little into editorialising rather than reporting (I’m not sure which it is supposed to be). That said, it offers a very different perspective to this VOV article, which frames it as an effort to improve the quality of information KOLs disseminate under the banner of creating “digital trust”.
Vingroup ownership VinFast Australian arm
Tuoi Tre is reporting that Vingroup will take full ownership of VinFast Engineering Australia and repurpose the company to develop its Australian real estate and technology businesses.
Vingroup’s board approved the transfer of the Australian subsidiary from VinFast Vietnam on September 8, saying it currently has no significant business operations. View source→
Vingroup loans guaranteed by VN banks
RFA is reporting that four Vietnamese banks guaranteed US$860 million in international loans to VinFast during 2025, according to the electric vehicle manufacturer’s regulatory filings.
Techcombank provided the largest guarantees, covering US$380 million, followed by VietinBank with US$195 million and MB Bank and SHB with US$285 million combined. View source→
*Presumably, those debts are then backed by the Vietnamese state, which is funded by Vietnamese taxpayers.
Keppel VN land holdings
The Investor is reporting that Vietnam remains Keppel’s second-largest residential land market after China, accounting for 32 percent of the Singapore group’s global residential pipeline.
Keppel had 10,109 residential units in its Vietnam pipeline at the end of June, alongside 401,210 square metres of commercial property. View source→
WHA share purchase dispute update
In a release, Thailand’s WHA has said that a Vietnamese appeals court has rejected WHA’s latest attempt to enforce a share purchase agreement involving the Duong River Surface Water Plant.
The dispute began after WHA’s subsidiary won arbitration requiring Aqua One and Do Tat Thang to repurchase its shares, but a Hanoi court annulled the award.
WHA subsequently sought enforcement through the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court, which dismissed the case, with the appellate court now upholding that decision.
WHA can seek a cassation review by Vietnam’s Supreme People’s Court within one year and said it is considering its next course of action. View source→
Tungsten export ban floated
Technode is reporting that the Ministry of Industry and Trade has proposed temporarily removing tungsten from the list of minerals permitted for export to preserve supplies for domestic processing.
The ministry said the measure would not constitute a permanent export ban and could be changed, although it did not specify how long restrictions would apply. View source→
VinMetal scrap steel imports
Recycling Today is reporting that Vingroup’s VinMetal plans to import up to 950,000 tonnes of steel scrap annually for its planned US$3.2 billion steel complex in Ha Tinh.
The proposed plant is designed to produce up to five million tonnes of steel annually, including hot-rolled coil, steel bars, and wire. View source→
MUFG currency forecast
MUFG Research, in a release, has revised its Vietnam currency outlook, forecasting a more stable dong and no State Bank of Vietnam interest-rate changes through 2027.
Senior Currency Analyst Michael Wan expects USD/VND around 26,000-26,100 through end-2026, substantially below MUFG’s previous forecast of 26,700 by mid-2027, the release says. View source→
VPN registrations jump
TechRadar is reporting that Proton VPN registrations in Vietnam surged 450 percent above normal levels on September 1 following the introduction of tighter internet regulations.
Proton VPN General Manager David Peterson said the increase followed an earlier 170 percent spike associated with new penalties for false information online. View source→
Exchange rates
As of 8.15am this morning, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 25,730, and the sell rate was VND 25,760, a change of 10 and 20, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 25,745 (down 0.06 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD.
Meanwhile, the State Bank of Vietnam’s central exchange rate was set at VND 25,594, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 25,977.
Stock market Tuesday
The VN-Index closed at 1,830.44, up 8.80 points or 0.48 percent, with a total trading value of VND 14,184.93 billion or US$538.33 million, and foreign traders net-selling US$15.26 million worth of equities, Tuesday, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Yesterday’s news
In yesterday’s news: VIFC remuneration proposal, November deadline VIFC deals, Lobster seed shortages, Virtual power plants framework, Iran-VN exploring circumventing sanctions, New e-commerce regulations, GS state visit to Russia, Real estate borrowings, Foreign currency lending, Exchange rates, Stock market yesterday, Yesterday’s news, and more. View source→