Vietnam needs Japan ODA for high-speed railway, semiconductor development: PM
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to provide more preferential official development assistance (ODA) loans for Vietnam, with priority given to high-speed railways and the semiconductor sector.
At a meeting with JICA president Tanaka Akihiko in Tokyo on Monday, PM Chinh highlighted the role of ODA between the two countries and proposed JICA closely coordinate efforts with Vietnamese government agencies and localities to carry out projects and programs more effectively.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets with JICA president Tanaka Akihiko in Tokyo, Japan, December 18, 2023. Photo courtesy of the government's news portal.
Vietnam is looking for Japanese ODA in five game-changing sectors, namely: strategic infrastructure development (transport, healthcare, education, especially high-speed railways, ports, airports, highways); emerging industries, green transformation, climate change response, new energies, semiconductor chips; human resource training and labor cooperation; (iv) healthcare and education; and environmental protection.
The PM ordered Vietnamese government agencies to work with JICA to remove hurdles, finalize current projects, and launch new ones.
He proposed JICA join hands with Vietnamese partners to study high-speed railway projects and establish a center for ODA studies at Vietnam’s National Innovation Center.
For his part, JICA president Tanaka welcomed new bilateral ODA agreements during Chinh’s visit, including a fourth loan worth JPY41.2 billion ($287 million) for the first metro line in Ho Chi Minh City which has been severely delayed and suffered cost overruns.
JICA has been working on new-generation ODA projects since June to suit Vietnam’s new context, Tanaka said, pledging to work with Vietnamese agencies to deploy projects more effectively.
Vietnam and Japan upgraded their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership last month during Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong’s Tokyo visit. Japan has committed to providing ODA loans totaling more than JPY100 billion ($674 million) in its 2023 fiscal year.
- Read More
Coteccons dismisses concerns over executive departure, competition from Vingroup's arm
Vietnam's leading contractor Coteccons (HoSE: CTD) said a recent change in senior management was unrelated to the company's share price performance, as executives highlighted record order backlog and accelerating earnings growth amid a recovery in Vietnam's construction industry.
Companies - Tue, June 16, 2026 | 5:26 pm GMT+7
VinaCapital lists 2 strategic ETFs as Vietnam fund market broadens
Vietnam’s leading investment management firm VinaCapital has listed two strategic exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange, expanding investment options for investors seeking targeted exposure to Vietnam's long-term economic growth themes.
Finance - Tue, June 16, 2026 | 4:39 pm GMT+7
Oil & gas industry gives Vietnam edge in offshore wind supply chain: Global Wind Energy Council CEO
Vietnam is well positioned to play a significant role in the offshore wind power supply chain thanks to its established manufacturing base and expertise developed through its oil & gas industry and existing wind power projects, according to Ben Backwell, CEO of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).
Energy - Tue, June 16, 2026 | 4:31 pm GMT+7
Vietnam banking, retail, oil stocks well placed for market recovery: brokerages
Vietnamese banking, retail and oil-gas stocks are among the sectors best positioned to benefit from a potential market recovery after months of pressure from geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic headwinds, according to local brokerages.
Finance - Tue, June 16, 2026 | 1:04 pm GMT+7
Petrovietnam, Huawei discuss cooperation in digital transformation, AI, energy technologies
State-owned Petrovietnam and China's Huawei Technologies discussed potential cooperation in digital transformation, artificial intelligence and digital energy infrastructure during a meeting last week, as the Vietnamese giant seeks to modernize its operations and expand into new energy sectors.
Companies - Tue, June 16, 2026 | 12:20 pm GMT+7
Over 38% of Vietnamese businesses still face informal costs despite reforms: survey
More than 38% of businesses in Vietnam still pay informal charges, highlighting persistent gaps between regulatory reforms and their implementation, according to a survey by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).
Economy - Tue, June 16, 2026 | 11:26 am GMT+7
China ready to expand railway, power connectivity with Vietnam: PM
China is prepared to strengthen railway cooperation and enhance power grid connectivity with Vietnam, thereby expanding logistics corridors, trade links, and energy cooperation, said Chinese Premier Li Qiang during a phone talk with his Vietnamese counterpart Le Minh Hung on Monday.
Economy - Tue, June 16, 2026 | 8:52 am GMT+7
VN-Index approaches 1,800-point mark as easing Middle East tensions lift sentiment
Vietnam's benchmark VN-Index edged closer to the 1,800-point threshold on Monday as improving sentiment over easing tensions in the Middle East boosted risk appetite, driving gains in brokerage stocks while oil and Vingroup-related stocks weighed on the market.
Finance - Mon, June 15, 2026 | 8:34 pm GMT+7
Japanese products dominate Vietnamese consumer trust, but younger shoppers rewriting rules
Japanese products continue to enjoy the highest level of trust among Vietnamese consumers, reinforcing the country’s position as the benchmark for quality and reliability in one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing consumer markets, according to a new survey by market research firm Q&Me.
Economy - Mon, June 15, 2026 | 6:48 pm GMT+7
VinEnergo ramps up renewable energy push with 4 new subsidiaries
VinEnergo, the energy arm of Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup, has accelerated its expansion into the power sector, establishing four new subsidiaries within a week as it builds a growing portfolio of renewable energy and infrastructure projects across Vietnam.
Companies - Mon, June 15, 2026 | 4:52 pm GMT+7
Thaco deepens ties with Hyundai Rotem to localize railway manufacturing in Vietnam
Vietnamese conglomerate Thaco and South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem have signed a detailed technology transfer and localization agreement for railway rolling stock production.
Industries - Mon, June 15, 2026 | 4:01 pm GMT+7
UOB Vietnam appoints Pham Hong Hai as deputy country CEO
Singapore's United Overseas Bank (Vietnam) Limited on Monday appointed Pham Hong Hai, former CEO of HSBC Vietnam and later Vietnamese bank OCB, as deputy country CEO, effective immediately.
Banking - Mon, June 15, 2026 | 2:26 pm GMT+7
Shinhan Bank Vietnam launches AI translation desk, strengthening customer experience, digital innovation
Shinhan Bank Vietnam has officially launched AI Translation Desk, an AI-powered interpretation solution designed to help foreign customers communicate more easily while using banking services in Vietnam.
Banking - Mon, June 15, 2026 | 12:03 pm GMT+7
FDI listings a missing piece in Vietnam's stock market development
As Vietnam's stock market moves closer to its long-awaited upgrade to secondary emerging market status and seeks to attract higher-quality capital, allowing more foreign-invested companies to list on domestic exchanges could broaden the pool of investable assets and support the next phase of capital market development.
Finance - Mon, June 15, 2026 | 11:14 am GMT+7
Chinese robot 'eyes' manufacturer builds 10-hectare factory in northern Vietnam
Orbbec Inc., a Chinese company specializing in 3D vision sensors and robotic hardware, is building an over-10-hectare manufacturing center in the northern province of Bac Ninh to serve international markets.
Industries - Mon, June 15, 2026 | 8:00 am GMT+7
Long Thanh airport project faces shortage of 2,000 workers
The Long Thanh International Airport project in the southern province of Dong Nai is still short nearly 2,000 workers compared to actual requirements during its final acceleration phase.
Infrastructure - Sun, June 14, 2026 | 6:08 pm GMT+7
