Vietnam Economic News: 19.9 - 26.9.2026
Summary of Vietnam Economic News: 19.9 - 26.9.2026
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Summary of Vietnam Economic News: 19.9 - 26.9.2026 ---
VIETNAM JOINS FTSE RUSSELL EMERGING MARKET BENCHMARK
Reuters News – 21 September 2026
Vietnamese stocks were added to FTSE Russell’s emerging-market indexes on Monday, marking a major milestone after years of reforms aimed at improving market access and attracting foreign investment. FTSE Russell estimates the upgrade could redirect up to $6 billion into Vietnam, which has been on its watchlist since 2018. Anticipation of the inclusion has already boosted foreign interest, with overseas investors buying a net 2.7 trillion dong ($104 million) of shares last week, although they remain net sellers by about 91 trillion dong. The inclusion will be phased in through four stages until 2027, with larger allocations expected from March next year. Vanguard plans to increase its Vietnam investments to about $2.5 billion over the next few years. However, foreign ownership limits and free-float constraints remain challenges. The upgrade has also renewed expectations of a future MSCI emerging-market classification, with investors highlighting Vietnam’s planned central counterparty clearing mechanism in 2027 as an important step toward meeting MSCI’s market-access requirements.
VIETNAM TO GAUGE INVESTOR INTEREST IN SOVEREIGN BONDS, GOVERNMENT SAYS
Reuters News – 21 September 2026
Vietnam’s government is preparing to host a roadshow for foreign investors to gauge interest in Vietnamese government bonds, the Finance Ministry said, stressing that the annual event does not signal an immediate bond issuance. The roadshow will allow the country’s debt management authority to gather market feedback and assess investor demand. The ministry’s announcement follows reports that it is considering issuing offshore US dollar-denominated bonds after discussions with investment banks, although no final decision has been made as the government weighs borrowing costs amid rising global yields. Vietnam last issued a dollar bond in 2014. The ministry said any future issuance, including its size, maturity and timing, would be considered and decided by the government at an appropriate time. It also plans to meet international credit rating agencies as Vietnam seeks to achieve an investment-grade sovereign credit rating by the end of the decade.
VIETNAM REFINERY SIGNS CRUDE OIL DEAL WITH EXXONMOBIL ASIA PACIFIC
Reuters News – 25 September 2026
Petrovietnam Refining and Petrochemical Corp, also known as BSR, has signed a framework agreement with ExxonMobil Asia Pacific for crude oil supplies to its refinery. The agreement was signed in New York earlier this week during a meeting between Vietnamese leader To Lam and US business executives, and follows a Reuters report last week. BSR said it is seeking to diversify its crude oil sources, including supplies from the United States, to ensure sufficient feedstock for its 130,000-barrel-per-day refinery. The refinery can currently process 40 types of crude oil, including 28 imported varieties. Imported crude, mainly sourced from West Africa, the Mediterranean and Southeast Asia, accounted for more than 30% of the refinery’s feedstock last year.
VIETNAM EASES REGULATIONS TO BOOST RICE EXPORTS
Reuters News – 25 September 2026
Vietnam has cut market entry requirements and streamlined licensing procedures for rice businesses, the Industry and Trade Ministry said on Friday, in a move aimed at boosting exports. A government decree issued this week and taking effect next month will reduce business requirements for rice exporters by one-third, while licensing times will be shortened and exporters will be required to submit only one regular report per month, compared with three under the current rules. The changes are intended to simplify administrative procedures, reduce compliance costs and encourage the production and export of higher-value rice products. The decree also revises rules on export entrustment, strengthens penalties for traders that fail to maintain required inventory levels or comply with export regulations, establishes a framework for centralised government-to-government rice contracts, and allows authorities to adjust export activity or introduce export price frameworks when necessary to stabilise the market. Vietnam, one of the world's top rice exporters, has seen declines in both shipment volumes and export earnings, with rice exports falling 5.1% year on year to 6 million tons in the first eight months of this year, while export earnings dropped 10.8% to $2.9 billion, according to customs data.