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Key Challenges in Vietnam-US Trade Negotiations: Unpacked
Vietnam’s Private Sector Development Push: Unpacked
Vietnam’s Aviation Industry: State of Play 2025
Vietnam and the Middle Income Trap: Unpacked
Vietnam’s 8 Percent GDP Growth Target: Unpacked
Buy More, Sell Less: Tackling Vietnam’s Trade Surplus with the US
Is Vietnam the Next Asian Tiger Economy?
What Recent Traffic Reforms Say About Doing Business in Vietnam
Building An International Financial Centre in Vietnam: Unpacked
Vietnam’s Economy in 2024: A Brief Recap
What to Watch Now Google Has An Office in Vietnam
Does Vietnam Have a Private Consumption Problem Too?
The 8th Session of Vietnam’s National Assembly: Key Takeaways
Rethinking Financing Vietnam’s Clean Energy Transition
Vietnam’s New Social Media ID Regulations: Unpacked
Vietnam News Roundup: April 18 to April 24
This week’s Vietnam news roundup covers the latest: updates in the FW Aviation vs VietJet UK court case, rising bad debt data, a new factory for Nestle, skyrocketing gold prices, State Bank open market operations, and more…
Vietnam’s Revised Power Development Plan 8: A Missed Opportunity
Last week, the Government of Vietnam issued a Decision significantly revising the Power Development Plan 8 (PDP8). However, whereas this could have been an opportunity to redesign the PDP8 to align more closely with on-the-ground realities, this opportunity looks to have been missed.
Trade: Vietnamese exporters warn of collapse if US tariffs return: “We could not survive”
Two Vietnamese entrepreneurs, whose firms depend almost entirely on exports to the United States, have voiced grave concern about the impact of the proposed 46 percent US tariff. Speaking to BBC News, SHDC Electronics founder Le Song Hao and KPY Interior CEO Hoang Thi Nhu Yen said their businesses are already under pressure and may not survive if punitive tariffs are reinstated after the current 90-day suspension.
Automotive: VinFast shifts focus to Asia amid widening losses
Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) maker VinFast reported a US$1.26 billion loss in Q4 2024, an 81 percent increase year-on-year. The company will deprioritise North America and Europe, turning instead to Asia, including India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, Bloomberg has reported.
Garments and textiles: H&M-backed Syre to invest US$1 billion in Vietnam
Garment manufacturing in Vietnam is set to receive a significant boost with Syre Group—a subsidiary of H&M Group and Vargas—announcing a US$1 billion investment in building a high-tech polyester recycling complex in Binh Dinh province. The project aims to turn Vietnam into the first global hub for fabric recycling using renewable energy and advanced EU–US standards, VN Express is reporting.
Vietnam foreign exchange market to reach US$7.9 billion by 2033: Report
Vietnam’s foreign exchange market reached US$3.4 billion in 2024 and is forecast to more than double to US$7.9 billion by 2033, with an expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.61 percent during 2025–2033. The sector is expanding on the back of robust exports, foreign direct investment, and growing financial market sophistication, according to a report from IMARC Group.
Vietnam toys market to hit US$1 billion by 2033, driven by education, sustainability: Report
The Vietnam toys market reached US$570 million in 2024 and is forecast to grow to US$1 billion by 2033, posting a CAGR of 5.6%. The surge is underpinned by rising disposable income, a youthful demographic, and increasing interest in educational, interactive, and sustainable toys.
Vietnam medical tourism market to reach US$3.7 billion by 2033: Report
Vietnam’s medical tourism sector is surging, projected to grow from US$722.3 million in 2024 to US$3.7 billion by 2033, driven by affordable, high-quality healthcare and increasing international demand for cosmetic, dental, and surgical procedures, according to a report from IMARC group.
Vietnam’s machinery exports rise by 22.19 percent in March
Vietnam’s exports of machinery, equipment, tools and instruments climbed 22.19 percent in March compared to February, reaching US$4.67 billion, according to data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s clothing and footwear prices edge up in March on labour-driven service costs
The consumer price index (CPI) for garments, hats, and footwear rose by 0.05 percent in March 2025 compared to the previous month, reflecting modest price increases in clothing-related services and textiles, partially offset by a decline in footwear and sock prices, according to the General Statistics Office.
Vietnam’s paper product imports surged 37 percent in March
Vietnam imported US$104.80 million worth of paper products in March, a 37.03 percent increase from February, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This brought total imports for the year to US$256.34 million.
Doing Business in Vietnam: Events Directory 2025 | April 24 Update
This is a free directory of events for foreign firms doing business in Vietnam.
Vietnam’s LPG imports surge 188 percent in March
Vietnam imported liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) worth US$183.18 million in March, rising 188.42 percent from February. Total imports for the year-to-date reached US$403.62 million, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s rubber product exports up 21.26 percent in March, led by USA and Japan
Vietnam exported US$121.02 million worth of rubber products in March 2025, a 21.26 percent increase compared to February, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s iron and steel exports rise by 20.05 percent in March
Vietnam’s iron and steel exports rose by 20.05 percent in March compared to February, reaching US$642.87 million, according to data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s iron and steel product imports rose over 26 percent in March
Vietnam imported US$621.18 million worth of iron and steel products in March, up 26.28 percent from February, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This brought the total import value for the first three months of the year to US$1.63 billion.
Vietnam’s aquaculture feed output up 7 percent year-on-year in March
Vietnam’s aquaculture feed production reached 674,900 tons in March, down from 725,800 tons in February. Year-to-date output totalled 2,073,600 tons, marking a 112.3 percent month-on-month increase and a 107.4 percent rise compared to the same period last year, according to data from the General Statistics Office.
Vietnam’s iron and steel imports decline by 12.67 percent in March
Vietnam’s iron and steel imports totalled US$910.90 million in March, representing a 12.67 percent decrease from February. Year-to-date (YTD) imports reached US$2.65 billion, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s plastic exports rise 8.88 percent in March, led by gains to China and Italy
Vietnam exported US$224.52 million worth of plastics in March 2025, up 8.88 percent month-on-month, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s insulated wire and cable exports rise by 19.47 percent in March
Vietnam’s exports of insulated wires and cables rose by 19.47 percent in March compared to February, reaching US$349.67 million, according to data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Gold price hits new record in Vietnam
Vietnam’s domestic gold prices surged to a new record on April 22, with gold bars from Saigon Jewelry Company (SJC) reaching VND 122.5 million (US$4,767) per tael or approximately US$3,973–US$3,972 per troy ounce, driven by soaring global prices and rising demand for safe-haven assets, the Vietnam News Agency is reporting.