Vietnam Economic News: 11.7 - 18.7.2026
Summary of Vietnam Economic News: 11.7 - 18.7.2026
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Summary of Vietnam Economic News: 11.7 - 18.7.2026 ---
VIETNAM PLANS TO RAISE MINIMUM WAGE BY 7.8% NEXT YEAR
Reuters News – 16 July 2026
Vietnam's National Wage Council will submit a proposal to increase the minimum wage by an average of 7.8% across the country's four regions in 2027. If approved, the monthly minimum wage would rise to between VND4.04 million and VND5.70 million (US$154–217), depending on the region. The minimum wage serves as the basis for salary negotiations between employers and employees working under labour contracts. Vietnam, a regional manufacturing hub known for its relatively low labour costs, last increased the minimum wage in January 2026. According to Ngo Duy Hieu, Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour, the proposed increase is intended to improve workers' living standards while supporting production and the government's goal of achieving double-digit economic growth.
NCB INTRODUCES SEAMLESS CROSS-BORDER QR PAYMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVELLERS IN VIETNAM
Dow Jones Newswires – 15 July 2026
National Citizen Commercial Joint Stock Bank (NCB) has launched VietQR Global, a cross-border QR payment solution that allows international visitors to make instant and secure payments in Vietnam using their home-country banking apps or e-wallets. The service currently supports users from major tourism markets, including China, South Korea, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, with plans to expand to Japan, Singapore, India and Malaysia. Available across a wide network of hotels, resorts, entertainment venues, airlines and merchants, VietQR Global aims to enhance the travel experience by providing a convenient, cashless payment option, reinforcing Vietnam's appeal as an increasingly accessible and tourist-friendly destination.
OPEC FUND PROVIDES USD50 MILLION TO SEABANK TO BOOST SMALL BUSINESS AND CLIMATE FINANCE IN VIET NAM
Dow Jones Newswires – 13 July 2026
The OPEC Fund for International Development has approved a US$50 million loan to Southeast Asia Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SeABank) to expand financing for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and climate-related investments in Vietnam. The funding will help address the financing gap faced by MSMEs while supporting projects in energy efficiency, green buildings, rooftop solar and electric mobility. The loan builds on the OPEC Fund's partnership with SeABank, which began in 2022, and supports SeABank's broader efforts to mobilise international capital for inclusive and sustainable economic development in Vietnam.
VINFAST PARTNERS WITH BESPOKE LOGISTICS TO STRENGTHEN ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE LOGISTICS CAPABILITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES
Dow Jones Newswires – 18 July 2026
VinFast has signed a strategic partnership with Philippine automotive logistics provider Bespoke Logistics to establish an integrated mobility processing centre and authorised service workshop for its electric motorcycles in the Philippines. The 20,000-square-metre facility in Cavite will handle vehicle storage, inspection, pre-delivery preparation, transportation and aftersales support, helping improve operational efficiency and delivery times. The partnership forms part of VinFast's strategy to expand its electric motorcycle ecosystem in the Philippines through enhanced logistics, service capabilities, distribution networks and battery-swapping infrastructure, supporting the company's broader international expansion in sustainable mobility.