Companies listed on Vietnam’s stock exchange have released their financial statements and shareholder meeting documents for the first quarter of 2026. A key highlight emerging from these reports is the mounting pressure from input costs, which is increasingly weighing on business performance. Not only are the prices of essential raw materials—such as gasoline, coal, ore, and agricultural products—experiencing sharp fluctuations, but import costs have also surged, driven by unfavorable exchange rate movements. To evaluate this impact, we can examine three key cost pillars. First, energy products (gasoline and natural gas): In the global market, Brent crude oil prices fluctuated between US$80 and US$90 per barrel during the first four months of 2026, occasionally spiking above US$100. Persistent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, coupled with OPEC+ production curbs, have kept energy prices elevated. Domestically, retail gasoline and industrial gas prices have been continuously adjusted in line with international movements, amplifying cost pressures on businesses. Secondly, concerning the costs of transportation (logistics), the repercussions of the Middle East tensions, which have been dragging on since late 2024, have kept global shipping rates, especially on routes to Europe and North America, at a very high level, making import and export companies experience […]