Focus: The rising presence of Chinese retail brands in Vietnam reflects a shift in retailing beyond traditional goods distribution. Experiential spaces and consumer behavior data have become the cornerstone for these brands to shape their expansion strategies and sustain long-term operations.
Inside Vietnam:
WHEN EMISSION RIGHTS PRICED BY FINANCIAL DISCIPLINE: Government Decree No. 29/2026/ND-CP, which took effect on January 19, 2026, has moved Vietnam’s domestic carbon market from the stage of outlining a roadmap to establishing an operational regulatory framework. Unlike earlier policy-oriented instruments such as Decree No. 06/2022/ND-CP or Decree No. 119/2025/ND-CP, this new decree concretizes the “rules of the game” for the pilot phase through the end of 2028 by clearly delineating the powers and responsibilities of each stakeholder, while firmly establishing principles for supervision and systemic risk management.
FROM LIVING LABORATORY TO INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL HUB: As Vietnam steps up efforts to fulfil its Net Zero commitment by 2050, carbon credit markets and green finance have become topics of unprecedented interest. The Saigon Times spoke with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hong Quan, director of the Institute for Circular Economy Development Research (ICED) at Vietnam National University–Ho Chi Minh City, about key concepts, opportunities for businesses, and the pilot “Living Lab” model at VNU-HCM.
Business:
BOOSTING SAVINGS FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH: Following the National Statistics Office’s announcement that Vietnam’s economic growth reached 8.02% in 2025, economic forecasts for 2026— particularly the issue of “savings”—have drawn considerable attention from economists and policymakers. In this article, the authors offer an additional perspective on this important factor through the lens of the United Nations System of National Accounts (SNA) and macroeconomic policy.
FOREIGN INVESTORS POISED TO RETURN: There is good reason to anticipate that the net selling trend among foreign investors will soon come to an end, paving the way for Vietnam’s stock market to welcome a return of foreign capital inflows and a shift back to net buying in 2026
Living:
VOCATIONAL TRAINING STILL COMES SECOND: In 2025, more than 80% of the 2.2 million students enrolled in vocational institutions nationwide graduated and found employment, with about 70–75% having jobs aligned with their training.
PHO STEPS INTO GALLERY: Once a humble street food staple, pho (Vietnamese beef or chicken noodle soup) is now being reimagined as a cultural symbol within a modern exhibition space. The official opening of the Pho Museum in downtown HCMC offers a new cultural landmark where visitors can explore pho as a “living heritage” through a journey that combines histori – cal archives, digital technology, and culinary artistry.
Travel:
SAVORY PANCAKES ON THOI SON ISLET: While banh khot is a familiar Vietnamese savory pancake, the version found on Thoi Son Islet offers a distinct rural twist that captures the essence of the Mekong Delta life
WINDING THROUGH THE CLOUDS: Perched at an elevation of 1,300 meters, Violak Pass is a gateway connecting the coastal and mountain regions of the central province of Quang Ngai. This winding mountain road remains a top destination for adventurers seeking Vietnam’s ethereal beauty.
