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Vietnam’s Economy in May: Unpacked
Can LNG really save Vietnam-US trade?
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
Day: April 22, 2025
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.
Vietnam’s imports of insulated wires and cables rise by 21.22 percent in March
Vietnam’s imports of insulated wires and cables surged to US$373.16 million in March, marking a 21.22 percent increase from February. Year-to-date (YTD) imports for this category reached US$994.38 million, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s animal feed output up 6.3 percent year-on-year in March
Vietnam’s animal feed production reached 1,182,600 tons in March, up from 1,113,700 tons in February. Year-to-date output for the first quarter totalled 3,465,700 tons, showing an 8.7 percent increase compared to March 2024 and a 6.3 percent rise year-on-year, according to data from the General Statistics Office.
Vietnam’s chemical exports inch up in March, with sharp surge to India
Vietnam exported US$241.43 million worth of chemicals in March 2025, a modest rise of 2.09 percent from February, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Equitization of state-owned enterprises stalls as Vietnam looks set to miss 2025 targets
Despite a plan to equitize 30 state-owned enterprises (SOEs) during the 2023–2025 period, none have been equitized as of Q1 2025, raising concerns about the feasibility of Vietnam’s SOE reform targets, VN Economy is reporting. The plan had expected to raise VND 36.82 trillion (approx. US$1.47 billion) from equitizations.
Aviation: VietJet Vietnam stock market disclosure skims over latest court ruling, puts focus on appeal
In a release to the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange, Vietnamese budget airline, VietJet, has acknowledged a ruling last week in the UK courts. It has not, however, detailed what happened or how it might respond but rather has suggested an appeal in the originating case will be won, negating last week’s ruling. That ruling was that the airline is liable for just over US$180 million in missed lease payments.
Vietnam’s handbag and accessory exports surge by 42.10 percent in March
Vietnam’s exports of handbags, purses, suitcases, headgear, and umbrellas increased by 42.10 percent in March compared to February, reaching US$366.64 million, according to data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s food prices dip in March despite rise in pork, processed goods
Vietnam’s consumer price index (CPI) for food and catering services in March fell by 0.05 percent compared to the previous month, slightly easing overall inflation. Lower rice and vegetable prices outweighed a sharp increase in pork prices linked to seasonal demand and supply constraints, according to the General Statistics Office of Statistics.
Coffee: Nestlé invests additional US$73 million in southern Vietnam coffee plant
Nestlé Vietnam has announced an additional investment of nearly VND1.9 trillion (US$73.4 million) into its Tri An coffee factory in Dong Nai province, boosting its total investment in the country to nearly VND20.2 trillion (US$780.83 million), The Investor is reporting.
Steel: India imposes 12% duty on flat steel imports from Vietnam and China
India has imposed a 12 percent duty on flat steel imports from Vietnam and China for 200 days, aiming to shield its domestic steel sector from surging low-cost shipments of steel, according to The Hindu’s Business Line.
Labour Market Report
Q1 2025
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