Bánh Mì Brief

Markets, deals and policy from the last 24 hours.

◆  Top 3

1 ▸ Japan visit ends with about 60 business deals

Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung said To Lam's 8-11 November visit, the first to Japan by a Party general secretary in 11 years, produced a Joint Vision Statement, 11 agreements between ministries and localities, and about 60 business cooperation deals. Priority areas include science and technology, supply chains, finance, energy, digital transformation and semiconductors. Agencies are to turn the commitments into projects with roadmaps.

→ VietnamPlus · 11 Nov

2 ▸ PM Le Minh Hung faces first Assembly grilling

The National Assembly is spending all of 12 November on questions, broadcast live, with Prime Minister Le Minh Hung taking the floor for the first time in the afternoon. Finance Minister Ngo Van Tuan answers on slow public-investment disbursement, ODA, PPP capital and e-commerce taxation. Science Minister Vu Hai Quan covers Resolution 57, delayed science funding, data sharing and AI rules.

→ VietnamPlus · 12 Nov

3 ▸ VN-Index edges up to 1,746.90 on VIC

The VN-Index rose 3.83 points (+0.22%) to 1,746.90 on 11 November, with VIC adding 5.21 points, while the VN30 fell 5.66 to 1,855.27. HoSE turnover dropped 18% to VND13.8tn. Foreign investors net bought VND52.3bn for a second session, led by VIC, POW and VHM, while selling FPT, NVL and ACB.

→ VietnamPlus · 11 Nov

→ Sources differ: Nhan Dan puts foreign net buying at VND74.8bn · Nhan Dan · 11 Nov

◆  Economy & Markets

▸ SJC gold falls to VND139m

SJC bars fell VND1m to VND136m buying and VND139m selling per tael on the morning of 12 November, down over VND2m since early in the week and about VND52m below the March peak. World gold closed 11 November at $3,987 an ounce, down nearly $45, leaving domestic bars about VND15m above world parity.

→ VnExpress · 12 Nov

▸ SBV lifts central rate to 25,623

The State Bank set the central rate at VND25,623 per dollar on 12 November, up from 25,611 a day earlier. Commercial banks moved dollar quotes by 10-60 dong. Globally, the dollar index rose 0.63% to 102.85, its highest since 14 October, and the yen weakened to 159.58 per dollar.

→ Thoi bao Ngan hang · 12 Nov

◆  Business & Deals

▸ Sojitz, Shin-Etsu, Iwatani eye Vietnam minerals

Industry and Trade Minister Le Manh Hung met Sojitz, Shin-Etsu and Iwatani on 10 November on investing in Vietnam's mineral sector, including deep processing of critical minerals, chemicals and permanent magnets. He also urged Honda to deepen local supply chains and develop hybrids, citing tax incentives effective 1 January 2026. No investment figures were given.

→ VietnamPlus · 11 Nov

▸ Finance minister courts Daiwa on capital market

Finance Minister Ngo Van Tuan met Daiwa Securities Group leaders in Japan on 10 November on capital market development, long-term investment and links between the two markets. He asked Daiwa for technical help, training and ways to diversify international capital raising. Daiwa said its institutional investors see prospects in infrastructure, energy transition, green growth and the digital economy.

→ VIR · 11 Nov

◆  Politics & Policy

▸ Russian upper-house chief visits Hanoi

Valentina Matviyenko, chair of Russia's Federation Council, arrived in Hanoi on 11 November for an official visit to 13 November at the invitation of NA President Tran Thanh Man, her third after 2012 and 2017. The visit aims to implement the joint statement from To Lam's September state visit to Russia, with priorities in science, technology, education and tourism.

→ VietnamPlus · 11 Nov

◆  Worth Knowing

▸ Vietnam ranks 37th in IMD digital and AI index

Vietnam ranked 37th of 70 economies in IMD's first World Digital and AI Ranking, scoring 78.09 points, third among six Southeast Asian economies assessed. It placed 13th in AI application and 15th in digital and AI governance. IMD cited high AI tool costs, a talent shortage and cybersecurity risks; the science ministry will review the methodology and propose fixes.

→ VietnamPlus · 11 Nov

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