Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has directed the mobilization of diverse resources for a national oil refinery and energy center project in Dung Quat, with an estimated investment of $16.1-20.5 billion. This strategic initiative aims to enhance national energy security, meet 30% of domestic fuel demand, and boost regional economic development.
Global oil prices, including WTI and Brent, surged significantly due to fears of supply disruption in the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, with Brent reaching $109.03 and WTI $111.5. This rise fuels concerns about increasing global inflation and hindering economic growth.
Vietnamese businesses are facing severe pressure from rapidly increasing input costs, especially energy and logistics, which are rising daily. Despite soaring production expenses, companies are struggling to pass these costs onto consumers due to reduced purchasing power, leading to potential losses and strained financial capacity.
Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is drafting regulations to define green projects and ESG standards, allowing businesses to self-assess for eligibility for green loan interest rate support. This policy aims to promote sustainable growth across sectors like renewable energy, EVs, and sustainable agriculture.
Vietcombank plans to issue over 1 billion bonus shares to boost its capital base, support business operations, and restructure weak credit institutions. The bank also targets over 44 trillion VND in pre-tax profit for 2025 and plans to establish a new subsidiary bank.
Singapore fuel prices have returned to peak levels, with petrol and diesel prices rising significantly. This surge is attributed to global oil price increases, which soared over 11% due to concerns about prolonged oil supply disruptions following US-Iran tensions.
Foreign investors recorded their strongest net selling in half a month on HoSE, totaling 1,571 billion VND, which pressured market sentiment and led to a nearly 11-point drop in the VN-Index. Major large-cap stocks, especially in banking and real estate, were heavily sold, prompting caution from securities firms.
TikTok plans to invest $125 million in Ho Chi Minh City, establishing three companies, contributing to the city's significant 220% year-on-year increase in Q1 foreign direct investment. This investment reflects growing foreign investor confidence in HCMC's business environment.
ROX Group is integrating cultural experiences into its urban development strategy to differentiate projects, enhance customer value, and contribute to a more diverse urban economy. This move reflects a shift towards human-centric ecosystems and long-term value creation beyond physical infrastructure.
Domestic gold bar prices, including SJC and PNJ, increased by 1 million VND per tael, reaching 171-174.5 million VND, despite a decline in world gold prices due to geopolitical tensions and a stronger USD. This divergence is attributed to high local demand and limited supply in Vietnam.
Former President Trump announced new tariffs, including a 100% levy on certain imported pharmaceuticals unless foreign manufacturers agree to price reductions and move production to the US, alongside adjustments to tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper products. These policies aim to support US industries but are criticized for potentially increasing drug prices and impacting global trade.
The US dollar gained 0.3% against the Vietnamese dong on the black market, reaching VND27,012, while official exchange rates from Vietcombank and the State Bank of Vietnam remained stable. Globally, the US Dollar Index traded near 100.00 amid Middle East concerns and anticipation of the US jobs report.
Ba Na Hills Cable Car Company (Banacab) announced a record after-tax profit of VND 1,484.5 billion for 2025, nearly 3.5 times higher than 2024, averaging over VND 4 billion in daily profit. This strong performance was driven by core business growth and increased financial gains, with equity also growing significantly.
Vietnamese companies across various sectors are increasingly adopting remote work policies in response to surging fuel prices, aiming to reduce operational costs and aligning with government energy-saving encouragement. Firms like Sacombank and VNG are implementing or considering flexible work arrangements to manage rising expenses.
Information provided for educational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Data sourced from public Vietnamese market feeds.