HIGHLIGHTED NEWS
According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), seafood exports in August 2026 reached US$1.14 billion, a 6% increase year-on-year. Accumulated exports for the first eight months totaled US$8 billion, up 11.8%. By product category, shrimp remained the key driver with a turnover of US$3.29 billion (up 12.3%); pangasius reached US$1.5 billion (up 9%); squid and octopus reached US$524 million (up 14.4%); crabs reached US$304.9 million (up 34%); and bivalve mollusks reached US$209.6 million (up 30.8%). Regarding markets, China and Hong Kong continued to lead with US$2.03 billion in exports, a 33.4% increase. Exports to the US stood at US$1.24 billion—remaining virtually flat—as shrimp faced Section 301 tariffs and trade defense risks, while pangasius was impacted by increased anti-dumping duties during the POR21 review period. Exports to Japan reached US$1.11 billion (up 2%); the EU reached US$749.9 million (down 1.6%); South Korea reached US$566.3 million (up 4.9%); and ASEAN reached US$544.9 million (up 20%). Nevertheless, the goal of exceeding US$12 billion in exports for 2026 remains feasible, though performance in the fourth quarter will heavily depend on demand from China and Hong Kong and developments in US trade policy.
TRADING STRATEGY
The stock market returned to positive territory, closing at 1,853.08 points with liquidity below the 20-session average. Market divergence persisted. Selling pressure intensified among small- and mid-cap stocks in the financial services, industrial services, and oil & gas sectors. Conversely, large-cap VN30 stocks continued to attract capital flows and support the broader index. Foreign trading activity remained balanced. The VN-Index is maintaining a short-term uptrend around the 1,850-point resistance level. However, the fact that the index's rise is driven primarily by a select few stocks may foster a more cautious market sentiment. Consequently, the market is likely to experience continued choppy trading amidst divergence as it seeks to rebuild a base and solidify the recovery trend.
The VN-Index may fluctuate within the 1,845–1,870 point range today. Short-term investors might consider concentrating their portfolios, prioritizing stocks with strong fundamentals that are supported by capital inflows. Meanwhile, medium- and long-term investors could continue holding stocks with promising business growth prospects for the second half of 2026.
Investor can see the full Newsletter below:
