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
Grab response proposed industrial action
Tuoi Tre is reporting that Grab has responded to reports that drivers are planning stop-work action on the weekend over low pay by saying its services remain operational.
It has also said that it is “seriously assessing the situation” and considering measures to protect drivers’ legitimate interests, though has not announced any policy changes, the article says. View source→
Vingroup founder + wife LP Bank ownership
CafeF is reporting that Pham Nhat Vuong, chairman of Vingroup, and his wife Pham Thu Huong, Vingroup vice chairwoman, have emerged as major shareholders in LPBank, together holding about 9.86 percent of the bank.
The development comes as LPBank plans public and private bond issues totalling nearly VND 12 trillion (US$455 million), primarily to increase Tier 2 capital and support lending. View source→
*The concern here is that there might be a conflict of interest if Vingroup or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries (and there are a lot) look to borrow from LP Bank.
Mortgage rates under pressure
Bloomberg is reporting that Vietnam’s rising mortgage rates are putting homeownership increasingly out of reach, particularly for younger buyers, according to Bloomberg.
Mortgage rates have risen to around 12-14 percent, while floating rates can reach 15-16 percent, compared with introductory rates of 5-7 percent last year. View source→
*In a nutshell, what seems to be happening is that developers are increasing their borrowing to roll over debts, which is pushing up interest rates, which is deterring homebuyers, which is reducing sales, which means that real estate developers need to borrow more, and so on in a vicious cycle.
New chemical plant HCMC
The Investor is reporting that Hong Kong-listed Lee & Man Chemical is building its first manufacturing facility outside mainland China in Vietnam, with trial production targeted by the end of 2027.
The US$203.6 million chemical plant is under construction at the Phu My 3 Specialized Industrial Park in Ho Chi Minh City. View source→
Russia looking to VN for aircraft
The New Voice of Ukraine is reporting that Russia has asked Vietnam to provide aircraft to Russian airlines under wet-lease arrangements that would include Vietnamese crews and maintenance.
The article notes that Ethiopia rejected a similar proposal in 2025 because the government said it didn’t have the authority to tell Ethiopian Airlines what to do with respect to aircraft leasing alongside the risk of attracting secondary US sanctions. View source→
Masan on tungsten export ban
Technode is reporting that Masan High-Tech Materials says its refined tungsten products will not be covered by Vietnam’s proposed restrictions on tungsten exports.
The draft restrictions target tungsten ore and concentrate, while Masan produces higher-value refined products, the company told Technode. View source→
Proposed low-value import duty changes
VIR is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance has proposed lowering the import and export duty exemption threshold for low-value shipments to US$4.
Postal and express imports are currently exempt if worth no more than US$40 or if the payable import duty is no more than US$4. View source→
Russia VN intelligence sharing
The Insider is reporting that Russia and Vietnam have agreed to deepen defence and security cooperation, including intelligence sharing on what their joint statement calls “hostile forces” and foreign intelligence agencies.
The two countries agreed to exchange information on activities they consider attempts to interfere in domestic affairs or influence political and state institutions. View source→
*Note that “hostile forces” in Vietnam is a phrase generally used by the government for groups or individuals with goals that clash with its own.
Central Retail Vietnam revenue falls
The Investor is reporting that Central Retail Corporation’s revenue in Vietnam fell 2.4 percent year-on-year to THB 24.03 billion (US$736 million) in the first half of 2026.
The decline was mainly driven by its exit from electronics retailing, with hardline revenue falling 34.9 percent following the sale of electronics retailer Nguyen Kim. View source→
Fuel price update
Tuoi Tre is reporting that the Ministry of Industry and Trade has raised fuel price caps, with E5 RON92 petrol increasing VND 1,258 per litre to VND 23,744 (US$0.90), and E10 RON95 increasing by VND 965 to VND 24,239 (US$0.92).
The diesel price also increased by VND 742 per litre to VND 28,485 (US$1.08), with fuel oil rising by VND 516 per kilogram to VND 18,157 (US$0.69).
The government also resumed using the fuel price stabilisation fund for biofuels at VND 500 per litre. View source→
Stock market Thursday
The VN-Index closed at 1,829.23, up 2.11 points or 0.12 percent, with a total trading value of VND 13,565.93 billion or US$514.84 million, and foreign traders net-buying US$13.93 million worth of equities, Thursday.
Exchange rates
As of 7.30am today, the black market US dollar buy rate was VND 25,720, and the sell rate was VND 25,760, a change of 10 and 0, respectively, for a mid-market rate of VND 25,740 (down 0.02 percent), according to prices quoted by Ty Gia USD. Meanwhile, the State Bank of Vietnam’s central exchange rate was set at VND 25,591, while the Google Finance mid-market rate stood at VND 25,925.
Yesterday’s news
In yesterday’s news: Thai floating solar project, ABS-CBN equity injection, BYD car sales, Small business impacts waste collection fee changes, Electricity spot price record, PPP acceleration, Gov’t strategy tackling unemployment, Palm oil production expansion plans, Tax incentives mining suggestion, and more. View source→