Focus: Unlocking Mobile Money: A decision by the prime minister in early 2021 ushered in a pilot phase for mobile money services, allowing telecommunications companies to enter the payment intermediary sector without having to immediately comply with the full set of stringent regulations under the Law on Credit Institutions. The pilot phase, which has been extended through the end of 2025, has largely fulfilled its purpose of testing technical feasibility and gauging market acceptance of the telecom-account-based payment model. Mobile money is now entering a new stage, with a revised legal framework being proposed by the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV).
Inside Vietnam
Special Mechanisms For HCMC: During National Assembly discussions on amending Resolution 98 for HCMC, deputies stressed the urgent need to expand the institutional space for a megacity whose population size, economic concentration, and pace of development have far outgrown the current legal framework. A broader institutional framework would not only give HCMC its own room to innovate and grow, but also serve as a testing ground for development models with nationwide impact.
Strategic Policies For A Global Megacity: For HCMC to truly become a “megacity—a regional and global hub for finance, manufacturing, logistics and innovation,” and to realize its development goals for 2030 with a vision to 2045, it is necessary to implement far more comprehensive and breakthrough reforms in institutions, policies and legislation than the current special mechanisms and policies.
New Growth Drivers For HCMC: With the expansion of special mechanisms under the amended Resolution 98, HCMC is set to gain new growth drivers to attract investment and accelerate the rollout of major infrastructure projects as it enters the next phase of its development.
Business
Capital Buffer Priority For Banks: Circular 14/2025/NHNN reflects the central bank’s commitment to strengthening capital adequacy and enhancing risk management across the banking system.
Monetary Policy Deposit Rate Spike: The upward trend in deposit interest rates has become a significant concern, not only posing risks to macroeconomic stability but also constraining the central bank’s monetary easing aimed at supporting credit growth.
Living
Accents Of Belonging: She was born in the south of France, raised in Paris, and spent years travelling the world—from the polite streets of Japan to the sprawling campuses of the United States. Yet, for My Holland, Vietnam was never a place she left behind. In her own words, Vietnam is not a return, but a homecoming—a place where her mission takes root, ideas bloom, and curiosity is never at rest.
Tea Festival In The Ancient Citadel: The Hue International Tea Festival 2025 showcased an impressive cultural milestone, marking the first time the ancient imperial capital of Hue hosted a specialized tea festival at an international level. Held last week in the historic citadel, the event became a global hub for tea culture, where artisans, experts, producers, and tea enthusiasts gathered to celebrate the essence of Vietnamese and international tea arts.
Travel
The Untouched Appeal Of Ta Gia Bay In Lai Chau: Ta Gia Bay in Lai Chau Province is gaining recognition as a nature-based tourism spot, thanks to its limestone mountains, caves, and crystal-clear reservoir waters.
Corn Pho Adds A Highland Twist To Vietnam’s Signature Dish: Corn is the main crop of the Mong ethnic group on the rocky plateau of the former Ha Giang Province (now Tuyen Quang Province) in northern Vietnam. From this grain, locals have created a variety of foods, including corn pho, a regional twist on the country’s most iconic dish.
