Vietnam Market Daily Report — September 18, 2026
Vietnam's benchmark VN-Index closed at 1,829.04 on September 18, 2026, largely unchanged from the previous session.
The US Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate for the first time since 2023, lifting the target range to 3.75-4%, with officials signaling another hike may come this year. Investors worry the tightening stance will increase volatility in stocks and bonds, particularly for rate-sensitive small-cap equities.
VnExpress - Kinh doanhThe Bank of Japan raised its benchmark interest rate from 1% to 1.25%, the highest in 31 years, continuing its monetary policy normalization cycle. The yen weakened 0.45% to 156.6 per USD after the decision.
VnExpress - Kinh doanhResidential deposits at Vietnamese banks reached over 11.2 quadrillion VND by end-July, up nearly 9% from end-2024, as deposit rates remain elevated. Analysts from Techcombank, SSI and Yuanta expect deposit rates to stay high or move sideways through year-end due to liquidity pressures and rising credit demand.
VnExpress - Kinh doanhHo Chi Minh City hosted an investment connectivity conference with seven provinces in the Southeast and Mekong Delta regions, shifting from isolated investment promotion to value-chain-linked cooperation across high-tech industry, agriculture-aquaculture, and energy/circular economy.
CafeF - Vĩ mô đầu tưThe State Bank of Vietnam announced that 19 commercial banks have launched preferential credit packages totaling over 407 trillion VND for SMEs and priority sectors, with interest rates 1-2% lower than average lending rates.
CafeF - Tài chính ngân hàngMe Linh commune has temporarily suspended land-related administrative procedures within the planning boundary of the Red River Boulevard mega-project while public consultation is conducted. The project spans over 11,000 hectares with an initial investment of about VND 855 trillion under a PPP/BT model, targeting completion by 2030.
CafeF - Bất động sảnThe State Bank of Vietnam has directed credit institutions to exclude additional credit outstanding for restaurants, hotels, resorts, and eco-tourism from the real estate credit growth cap, effectively freeing up room for real estate lending. Experts say this will directly benefit tourism-linked real estate projects and residential segments with clear legal status.
CafeF - Bất động sảnAt a conference on improving credit access for SMEs, the State Bank of Vietnam reported outstanding SME credit of over 4 quadrillion VND, up 12.4% since end-2025, with 19 banks offering preferential programs worth over 407 trillion VND at rates 1-2% below average. Officials stressed that credit standards will not be lowered, but assessment methods should shift toward cash flow and orders.
CafeF - Doanh nghiệpResident deposits at Vietnamese credit institutions hit a record above 11.2 quadrillion VND in July, up 8.56% since end-2025, as high savings rates continue to attract households despite recent rate cuts.
CafeF - Tài chính ngân hàngHanoi will review all delayed projects, clarify causes and responsibilities, and reclaim land used for wrong purposes or left idle, with a goal to basically resolve backlogged projects in 2027-2030.
CafeF - Vĩ mô đầu tưVietnam attracted 40.63 billion USD in registered FDI in the first 8 months of 2026, up 55.4% year-on-year, with Singapore the largest investor at 10.9 billion USD. Manufacturing and real estate were the leading sectors.
CafeF - Vĩ mô đầu tưUOB expects the State Bank of Vietnam to keep its policy rates unchanged through the rest of 2026 and into 2027, despite the Fed's 25bp hike widening the USD-VND rate gap and pressuring the exchange rate. UOB argues monetary tightening would be ineffective against inflation and favors fiscal policy measures instead.
VnExpress - Kinh doanhVietnam's tax incentive policy is being reviewed to better support technology innovation, R&D, and supply chain upgrading, as the current Law on Corporate Income Tax No. 67/2025/QH15 still has limitations in encouraging domestic firms to move beyond assembly and processing.
CafeF - Vĩ mô đầu tưSBV Governor Pham Duc An met with FTSE Russell CEO Fiona Bassett, highlighting Vietnam's official upgrade from Frontier to Secondary Emerging Market status effective September 21, 2026, and pledging continued market reforms.
CafeF - Thị trường chứng khoánThe Ministry of Construction established an appraisal council for the detailed planning of Can Tho International Airport, targeting a capacity increase to 4.5 million passengers per year by 2050.
CafeF - Bất động sản