Vietnam Economic News: 11 - 18.4.2026
Summary of Vietnam Economic News: 11 - 18.4.2026
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Summary of Vietnam Economic News: 11 - 18.4.2026 ---
CHINA OFFERS VIETNAM RAILWAY LOANS, TECHNOLOGY
Reuters News – 17 April 2026
China has offered to deepen its relationship with Vietnam by expanding cooperation on rail infrastructure, including loans, technology transfer, and training, as Vietnamese leader To Lam concluded a high-profile visit to China marked by multiple high-speed rail journeys. A joint statement highlighted railway development as a “new bright spot” in bilateral ties, reinforcing earlier discussions between Lam and Xi Jinping, who stressed the importance of strategic alignment and political security. The visit underscored China’s growing focus on infrastructure - especially rail - as part of its broader Belt and Road Initiative, with Vietnam already a key partner. During the trip, Lam travelled extensively by high-speed train, including routes between Beijing, Nanjing, and the developing city of Xiongan, symbolizing China’s technological capabilities. The two countries signed 32 agreements covering areas such as railway feasibility studies and workforce development, though analysts note that effective implementation will be the real test. Alongside economic cooperation, both sides agreed to strengthen security collaboration, including joint efforts against terrorism, transnational crime, and perceived political threats, while also expanding partnerships in aviation, 5G, big data, energy, and critical minerals.
VIETJET SIGNS FINANCE LEASE DEAL WITH SPDB FOR 10 CHINESE-MADE COMAC AIRCRAFT
Reuters News – 15 April 2026
Vietnam's budget airline Vietjet has signed a finance lease agreement for 10 COMAC C909 narrow body aircraft with China's SPDB Financial Leasing, it said on Thursday. The announcement was made during a visit last week to China by Vietnam's President To Lam, his first overseas trip since being elected state president, as part of broader efforts to deepen economic and aviation ties between the two countries. The airline did not disclose the financial terms of the agreement, which will allow it to expand operations that were previously based on two COMAC jets under an arrangement with Chengdu Airlines. Vietnam last year approved the operation of the C909 following a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Hanoi. Vietjet said the deal would enable the introduction of Chinese-made COMAC aircraft on Vietnam-China routes. It is in the process of opening up five new routes connecting Vietnam's Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with Chinese cities such as Hangzhou, Enshi, Guilin, and Huangshan. The carrier currently operates 135 aircraft, mostly Airbus models, and has nearly 600 aircraft on order from Boeing and Airbus, including a mix of narrow-body and wide-body planes.
SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT LEE TO MAKE STATE VISITS TO INDIA AND VIETNAM
Reuters News – 16 April 2026
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will visit Vietnam from April 21–22, where he is set to hold a summit with Vietnam’s top leader To Lam. Their talks will focus on strengthening bilateral ties in key areas such as energy, global supply chains, and critical minerals, alongside efforts to expand cultural cooperation. The visit will also include a large business delegation featuring leaders of major South Korean conglomerates like Samsung, Hyundai, SK, and LG, reflecting strong economic interest in Vietnam. This builds on earlier commitments between the two countries to boost trade to $150 billion by 2030 and encourage increased South Korean investment in Vietnam.
VINUNIVERSITY LAUNCHES GLOBAL ACADEMIC RECRUITMENT TOUR 2026 TO ENGAGE LEADING SCHOLARS WORLDWIDE
Dow Jones Newswires – 15 April 2026
VinUniversity has launched its Global Academic Recruitment Tour 2026 across 10 countries to attract top international scholars, alongside introducing the VinUniversity Assistant Professorships (VAP), which offer up to $1 million in research funding for early-career academics, particularly in AI and emerging technologies. Running from April to August, the tour includes engagement at major academic hubs and global conferences such as IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing, Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, and International Conference on Machine Learning, aiming to build collaborations and recruit high-calibre talent. The VAP programme provides strong institutional support, including funding, lab access, and research infrastructure, with additional grant opportunities from organisations like Vingroup Innovation Foundation and National Foundation for Science and Technology Development. Backed by Vingroup and partnered with institutions such as Cornell University and University of Pennsylvania, VinUni aims to strengthen its global academic standing while fostering research with real-world impact.
VIETNAM ZEROS OUT FUEL TAXES AMID SURGING OIL PRICES
Dow Jones Newswires – 15 April 2026
Vietnam will reduce fuel taxes to 0% under a resolution effective from April 16 till June 30, according to an official document released by the National Assembly. Resolution No. 19/2026/QH16, which was adopted on Sunday, is aimed at mitigating rising global crude prices by reducing the environmental protection taxes for gasoline (excluding ethanol), diesel, kerosene, fuel oil and aviation fuel to zero VND, and by reducing the excise tax on all types of gasoline to 0%. The policy also allows businesses to continue deducting their input value-added tax despite the 0% output rate, thereby protecting liquidity for distributors and retailers. Vietnam's retail fuel prices are expected to drop under the resolution, which grants the government flexibility to adjust these rates based on real-time global shifts. Hence, further adjustments may be made if energy markets remain destabilized through the summer, as indicated by the resolution.