Alex Tran
Global Economy Correspondent
Writes on macro trends, Fed policy, trade flows, and emerging market dynamics. MA in International Economics from SOAS London. Previously worked at a Singapore-based hedge fund research desk. Focused on how global macro shifts ripple into Vietnamese business decisions.
Recent articles
Ho Chi Minh City Startup Boom 2026: Record VC Flooding In
HCMC attracted record venture capital in 2026 as Vietnam tech ecosystem hit $1B+ in deals. Hottest sectors, top investors, and which startups to watch now.
business
How Many Highlands Coffee Stores in Vietnam? 800+ (2026)
Highlands Coffee has 800+ stores in Vietnam in 2026 — the nation's #1 chain, ahead of Starbucks (90+) and Phuc Long (130+). See full breakdown.
business
Vietnam Airlifts 98 Tonnes Fresh Produce to UAE via Lulu Group
Lulu Group buys 98 tonnes of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables via airlift to UAE markets.
business
Vietnam Jet Fuel Crisis: Airlines Cut 18-26% of Flights
Vietnamese airlines cut 18-26% of flights due to Iran war jet fuel shortage. Airfares surge.
business
Vietnam's Vung Ang II: $2.2B Power Plant Inaugurated
Vung Ang II thermal power plant inaugurated in Ha Tinh. $2.2B Japan-backed project for energy security.
business
VN-Index April 21 2026: 1837 Peak, Foreign Net Selling 615B
VN-Index climbs 1.1% to 1,837.11 on April 21, 2026. Foreign investors net sell 615B VND. Resistance at 1,850 looms as liquidity drops 8.1%.
finance
US-Iran Peace Talks Hit Impasse — Ceasefire Expires April 22
No date for second round of talks. Iran demands nuclear recognition. US demands Hormuz reopening. Oil at risk if talks fail.
world
Zelenskyy Secures $13.7B Arms Pledges from Germany and Norway
Germany pledges $10.7B, Norway $3B in defense deals as Zelenskyy tours Europe after Russia's deadliest 2026 attack.
world
Israel-Lebanon 10-Day Ceasefire — Trump Brokers Deal
Trump announced 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon Apr 16 after calling Netanyahu and Aoun directly.
world
Pope Leo XIV in Cameroon: 'I Am Not Afraid of Trump'
First American pope defies Trump during Africa tour. Leo condemned Iran war funding. Trump called him 'weak on crime.'
world
Russia's Deadliest 2026 Attack: 704 Drones and Missiles, 18 Dead
Russia launched 660 drones + 44 missiles at Ukraine killing 18. Odesa 9 dead, Kyiv 4 including 12-year-old. 95% intercepted.
world
S&P 500 Closes Above 7,000 for First Time — Record High
S&P 500 at 7,022.95, Nasdaq at 24,016.02. 10-session rally erased all Iran war losses. Bank earnings and peace hopes drove gains.
finance
Hezbollah Rejects Lebanon-Israel Washington Talks
Hezbollah chief Qassem urged Lebanon to reject Washington talks with Israel, calling disarmament goal a red line.
world
30 Dead in Easter Stampede at Haiti's Citadelle Laferrière
A deadly Easter stampede at Haiti's historic fortress killed at least 30. Overcrowding and tear gas cited as causes.
world
IMF April 2026: 3.3% Global Growth — Upgrade With Warning
IMF raised global GDP to 3.3% but flagged Iran war, inflation, trade fragmentation and defense spending as severe risks.
finance
US-Indonesia Sign Major Defence Partnership for Asia-Pacific
Hegseth and Indonesia's defence minister signed cooperation agreement at Pentagon focusing on maritime and autonomous systems.
world
Super Typhoon Sinlaku Batters Guam — Strongest of 2026
Category 5 Sinlaku with 278 km/h winds bore down on Guam and Northern Mariana Islands on April 14.
world
Pope Leo XIV: 'I Have No Fear of Trump' Over Iran War
First US-born pope defied Trump's attacks over Iran war peace appeals. Trump posted AI Jesus image. Leo begins Africa tour.
world
Oil at $103+ as US Navy Blockades Strait of Hormuz
Brent crude surged past $103/barrel as Trump's US Navy blockade of Iranian ports began April 14. Tanker traffic fell 87%.
world
FIIs Yank $18B From India in 2026, Sensex Loses 7 Lakh Cr
Foreign institutional investors pulled a record $18B from Indian markets in early 2026, erasing INR 7 lakh crore in market cap. Sensex and Nifty 50 enter bear territory — here's what's next.
business
Iran Ceasefire Day 1: Lebanon Dispute Threatens 2-Week Deal
The US-Iran two-week ceasefire showed cracks on Day 1 as Lebanon was excluded by the US while Iran and Pakistan said otherwise. Hormuz shipping paused amid Israeli strikes.
geopolitics
Kim Ju Ae Confirmed as North Korea's Next Leader — South Kor
South Korea's NIS director confirmed on April 6, 2026 that it is "fair to view" Kim Jong Un's teenage daughter Kim Ju Ae as his heir. Recent KCNA photos sh
world
Iran War Day 39: Iran Rejects 45-Day Ceasefire as Trump's Mi
Iran rejected a 45-day ceasefire proposal on April 7, 2026 as Trump set an 8PM deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes on power plants and
world
Iran War Day 38: Both F-15 Crew Rescued, Trump's Hormuz Tuesday Deadline
US special forces rescued both F-15E crew members from Iranian mountains. Trump threatens to bomb power plants unless Hormuz reopens by Tuesday. Oil $114.
world
Iran War Day 36: US Airman Rescued, Trump's Hormuz Deadline Arrives
US Air Force officer rescued after 30+ hours evading capture in Iran. Trump's April 6 Hormuz ultimatum expires — threatening strikes on Iranian power plants.
world
Section 301 Trade Probes: April 15 Deadline, Vietnam $50B at Risk
USTR Section 301 probes targeting 16 Asian economies. April 15 comment deadline 10 days away. Vietnam $50B+ electronics exports at risk.
finance
Venezuela 3 Months After Maduro: Freedom, Inflation, Uncertainty
Three months since Maduro's capture. 700 prisoners freed but 600% inflation persists, $0.28/month minimum wage, no election date set.
world
Pope Leo XIV's First Easter: Peace Message in a World at War
Pope Leo XIV delivers his first Easter Urbi et Orbi from St. Peter's Basilica. The first American pope calls for peace amid the Iran war.
world
March 2026 Jobs Report: 178K New Jobs, Unemployment 4.3%, Fed Frozen
US economy added 178,000 jobs in March 2026, beating 60K forecast. Healthcare led gains. Fed 99.5% expected to hold rates all year — stagflation fears persist.
finance
China's $213B Surplus in 2026: The Tariff Rush Explained
Exports surged 21.8% — fastest growth in 4 years — as factories raced to ship before US tariff hikes. China's Jan-Feb 2026 surplus hit $213.62B. We break down who wins and who loses.
business