Hanoi, Jan. 23 -- Fitch Ratings has upgraded Vietnam's senior secured long-term debt instruments from BB+ to BBB-, according to the Ministry of Finance. In a statement released on January 22, the ministry said the rating for Vietnam's secured long-term debt was raised to BBB-, equivalent to investment grade, one notch higher than the country's long-term foreign-currency rating on unsecured debt, which remains at BB+. The upgrade followed Fitch's review under its revised Sovereign Rating Criteria issued in last September. The decision reflects its expectations regarding recovery prospects on unsecured sovereign bonds, combined with additional recovery benefits arising from the secured or guaranteed portions of the debt instruments. The rat...