People wait for gas in Hanoi on June 19. The recent surge in global energy prices will weigh on Vietnam's economy in the near future, as the country is a net importer of oil.
Economy

Solid exports and consumer spending lift Vietnam GDP 7.72% in Q2

Post-COVID recovery is strong but could be hit by rising crude oil prices

29 June 2022
Rescuers work at the site of a Ukrainian mall in the Poltava region on June 28 after the shopping center was hit by a Russian missile strike.
Ukraine war

U.S. accuses 5 firms in China of supporting Russia's military

Washington also adds companies from Singapore, Vietnam to trade blacklist

29 June 2022
During his trip to the U.S., Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met representatives from Apple, Google, and other California tech giants.
Technology

As Silicon Valley welcomed Vietnam leader, Hanoi tightened tech laws

One-party state ushers in Big Tech with one hand, reins in internet with other

28 June 2022
Vietnam's Loship delivers everything from coffee to medicine. (Source photo from Loship website)
DealStreetAsia

Vietnam delivery startup Loship said to be seeking debt financing

Move marks shift from previous equity funding plans at 'uncertain time'

28 June 2022
Men drink beer on the street in Hanoi. Vietnam is Southeast Asia's largest consumer of beer.
Food & Beverage

From Thailand to Vietnam, Asia acquires taste for buzz-lite alcohol

COVID and rising incomes fuel demand for healthier, low-proof alternatives

28 June 2022
Group of Seven leaders gather for a dinner event at Castle Elmau in Kruen, near Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, on June 26.
Indo-Pacific

G-7 infrastructure investment to target Indo-Pacific's clean-energy transition

India, Indonesia and Vietnam stand to benefit from Belt and Road alternative

27 June 2022
People pile into Ta Hien Street, Hanoi's biggest drinking district, after the government ended tough anti-coronavirus rules. (Photo by Tomoya Onishi)
Food & Beverage

Vietnam's brewers toast rising beer sales in wake of COVID

Sabeco ramps up output to meet growing demand after restrictions lifted

25 June 2022
Vietnam is the world's second-largest clothing exporter after China.
Trade

Vietnam textile and apparel exports hit record high in first half

Southeast Asian country's trade pacts contribute to 23% on-year increase

24 June 2022
Bangkok's Don Mueang International Airport is expected to welcome many more tourists now that Thailand has dropped strict COVID restrictions.
Coronavirus

ASEAN tourism on the road to business as usual

Thailand to relax mask and alcohol rules; Indonesia drops mandatory insurance

21 June 2022
A semi-autonomous "Interceptor" boat hoovers up garbage in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam, a top source of the world's ocean plastic. (Photo courtesy of U.S. embassy in Hanoi)
Environment

Robot boats gobble plastic waste from Vietnam to Malaysia

Coldplay, Coca-Cola, Kia funding trash-hunting vessels in Asian rivers

20 June 2022
Pola's tax-free shop in the Sydney international airport features its upscale B.A brand.
Consumer

Japan beauty brand Pola looks overseas to tap post-COVID travel boom

Supplier opens tax-free shops in Australia, Vietnam and Malaysia

20 June 2022
Chinese mobile payment apps WeChat Pay and Alipay are gaining users throughout Southeast Asia, prompting interest in government-issued digital currencies.
Economy

Philippines, Vietnam study digital currencies as Alipay, WeChat Pay spread

More Southeast Asian countries moving in the direction of early issuer Cambodia

17 June 2022
Abortion laws in Asia reflect demographic trends, the sway of religion and social traditions. In South Korea (pictured), abortion was illegal until 2019, when it was decriminalized despite opposition from the Christian community.
The Big Story

Abortion in Asia: The limits of choice

The overturning of Roe v. Wade could be a watershed for U.S. women's rights. Is the same true in Asia?

15 June 2022
Sources say that Shopee has stopped hiring as the company continues to lose money.
DealStreetAsia

Sea's e-commerce arm Shopee to cut staff across Southeast Asia

Startup faces headwinds as rising inflation weakens consumption

14 June 2022
Industry groups, such as those representing Vietnam's mainstay textile sector, had objected to the wage increase.
Economy

Vietnam's minimum wage to rise 6% in July after pandemic freeze

First increase in over 2 years could be followed by another hike in January

13 June 2022
Funding Societies CEO and co-founder Kelvin Teo says he would be happy to see a well-regulated fintech sector in Southeast Asia. (File photo by Shinya Sawai)
Technology

Singapore fintech learns from debt blowup of China, Greensill

After crowdfunding scams and meltdowns, Softbank-backed startup welcomes regulation

13 June 2022
Speaking in Ho Chi Minh City on June 11, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said Russia rejected diplomatic solutions to head off the Ukraine war. (Photo by Lien Hoang)
Ukraine war

Putin didn't want diplomacy, U.S. tells neutral Vietnam

Senior State Department official to share details of failed talks with Moscow

11 June 2022
The apparel industry dumps 92 million tons of textiles a year. The European Union hopes new rules will increase recycling, repair and second-hand retail. (Source photos by Ken Kobayashi and AFP/Jiji)
Business Spotlight

From China to India, Asia braces for EU plan to kill fast fashion

Supply chains may have to shift to recyclable, durable clothes -- with uncertain consequences

10 June 2022
A health care worker takes a nasal swab sample for a COVID-19 test in Hanoi during October 2021. The corruption allegations include pricing of coronavirus test kits.
Politics

Vietnam health minister, Hanoi chief arrested in anti-graft drive

Allegations include helping company overstate prices of COVID-19 test kits

7 June 2022
Passengers at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi: Vietnam has stripped away many of its COVID-19 rules, including travel restrictions.
COVID-19 Recovery Index

Vietnam, Philippines jump up COVID Recovery Index after easing rules

Cambodia and South Korea lead Asia while Taiwan slips to 113th place

3 June 2022
An Apple store in Shanghai. Apple is leaning on its suppliers to make extra components, a request that would be risky for any supplier to fully comply with.
Supply Chain

Apple to shift iPad capacity to Vietnam amid China supply chain woes

U.S. tech giant asks suppliers to build up extra inventory as contingency plan

1 June 2022
Intel's bid to catch up to rivals TSMC and Samsung includes making chips for car brands, though its deal with Vingroup focuses on developing technologies like driver assistance.
Technology

Intel deal with Vietnam's Vingroup reflects shared EV ambitions

U.S. chip titan hobnobs with Asia tech players amid push to secure supply chain

1 June 2022
A GS25 store in downtown Ho Chi Minh. (Photo by Tomoya Onishi)
Retail

South Korea convenience stores seek fresh growth in Southeast Asia

Japanese incumbents like FamilyMart face new challenge in Vietnam and Malaysia

28 May 2022
Roadblocks in Ho Chi Minh City were common in October, but now Vietnam has eliminated almost all COVID restrictions for foreign and domestic travel. (Photo by Lien Hoang)
Coronavirus

Vietnam an easier destination after return to pre-COVID rules

A Nikkei reporter reflects on a milestone in the country's path out of pandemic

24 May 2022
Even though Vietnam reopened to foreign tourists in March, international traffic has been slow to recover at Vietnam Airlines.
Transportation

Vietnam Airlines risks delisting after 9 straight quarterly losses

Flag carrier reports $104m loss for Q1 together with negative equity

24 May 2022