Outstanding Vietnamese economic events

Review of Vietnam's outstanding economic events last week.

• The State Bank of Vietnam announces adjustments to the credit growth target.
• Stocks continue to reach new highs, VN-Index surpasses 1,550 points.

Export activities at the Cai Mep - Thi Vai port cluster, Phu My town, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province.

1. The Ministry of Industry and Trade provides information on reciprocal trade negotiations between Vietnam and the United States . Specifically, on the afternoon of August 1st, the Ministry of Industry and Trade announced that in the early morning of August 1st, 2025 (Vietnam time), the White House published President Donald Trump's Executive Order on adjusting reciprocal tariffs, according to which the United States decided to adjust reciprocal tariffs for 69 countries and territories listed in Appendix I. According to this Appendix, the reciprocal tariff rate for Vietnam decreased from 46% to 20%.

2. On July 28th, the VN-Index surged (26.29 points) to a new record high of 1,557.42 points . After reaching its historical peak, investor caution seemed to have completely dissipated. A surge in capital flowed into the market, helping the indices continue to break through to new highs without much resistance.

3. On the afternoon of July 31st, the State Bank of Vietnam announced an upward adjustment to the 2025 credit growth target for credit institutions, based on specific principles and ensuring transparency. This adjustment was made under conditions where inflation is controlled, in line with the targets set by the National Assembly and the Government, and in accordance with the Government and Prime Minister's directives on managing credit growth appropriately, promptly, and effectively to meet the capital needs of the economy.

4. From August 1st, the Vietnam Oil Corporation (PVOIL) will conduct a pilot program selling E10 bioethanol fuel at gas stations in Hanoi, Hai Phong, and Ho Chi Minh City. After the pilot phase, PVOIL will continue to upgrade, convert, and develop E10 fuel sales points; ready to implement the roadmap for using E10 fuel from January 1st, 2026.

Buying and selling gasoline at a Petrolimex gas station on Tran Hung Dao Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.

5. Binh Son Petrochemical Joint Stock Company (BSR) has successfully exported its first shipments of diesel fuel (DO) to Laos . Specifically, BSR exported 420 m³ of DO to Lao Petroleum and Gas Company Limited (PVOIL Laos) - a subsidiary of Vietnam Oil Corporation (PVOIL). These DO shipments, after being received from the Dung Quat refinery, will be transported through the Bo Y international border gate in Quang Ngai province for consumption in the Lao market. The estimated transit time for this shipment is approximately 3-4 days.

6. HDBank has just signed a syndicated loan agreement worth US$215 million with three international financial institutions : Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), the Canadian Development Finance Institution (FinDev Canada), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). This capital will be allocated by HDBank to areas with a positive impact on the community and the economy, including: financing green projects, promoting sustainable agricultural development, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), women-owned businesses, and low-income customer groups through social housing credit programs.

7. Ho Chi Minh City adds 27 electric bus routes . The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction and Phuong Trang Passenger Transport Joint Stock Company - FUTA Bus Lines announced 35 subsidized bus routes operating in the city from August 1st; including 27 purely electric EV bus routes and 8 diesel bus routes. From August 1st, with the addition of 443 electric buses on 27 routes, the number of electric buses operating in the city is 613, accounting for 26.2% of the vehicle fleet.

Electric buses operate in the central area of ​​Ho Chi Minh City.

8. On July 29th, Quang Ngai province approved the investment plan for the 10,000 billion VND railway rail production project . According to the Management Board of Dung Quat Economic Zone and Industrial Parks of Quang Ngai province, the project will complete legal procedures and land clearance work between the third quarter of 2025 and the second quarter of 2026. Basic construction will be completed and put into operation between the third quarter of 2026 and the third quarter of 2028.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202508/su-kien-kinh-te-viet-nam-noi-bat-tuan-qua-3924c3b/