May 17, 2025
Doing Business in Hanoi: Opportunities, Challenges, & FDI trends in 2025
Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, offers a dynamic business environment for companies seeking to tap into the Southeast Asian market. As the country’s political, economic, and cultural hub, Hanoi provides access to a relatively skilled workforce and a growing consumer market. The city’s strategic location within the region facilitates trade and logistics, making it an attractive location for businesses across various sectors.
Cashew nut: Vietnam exports surge 28.60 percent in April, China sees massive growth
Vietnam’s exports of cashew nuts reached US$494.06 million in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a substantial increase of 28.60 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) export value of US$1.33 billion.
Pharmaceutical products: Vietnam imports down 3.08 percent in April, imports from US jump
Vietnam’s imports of pharmaceutical products reached US$334.74 million in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a slight decrease of 3.08 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) import value of US$1.29 billion.
Ores and other minerals: Vietnam imports up in April, Australia leads
Vietnam’s imports of ores and other minerals reached US$334.55 million in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents an increase of 8.63 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) import value of US$1.08 billion.
Vietnam Residential Real Estate 2025: Prices, Trends & Key Players
Vietnam’s residential real estate market is shaped by urbanisation, economic growth, and rising demand for diverse housing options. Major cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi dominate the sector, with developments ranging from affordable apartments to luxury villas. That said, there are challenges in the sector such as affordability issues and rising land prices. Regardless, the residential market remains a vital component of Vietnam’s real estate landscape.
Fertilizers: Vietnam imports up 10.03 percent over March, China remains top supplier despite decrease
Vietnam’s imports of fertilizers reached US$158.61 million in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a 10.03 percent increase compared to the import value in March, with a year-to-date import value of US$586.61 million for this category.
Manufacturing: US furniture to open Vietnam warehouse, exit Georgia operations
US firm Hooker Furnishings is opening a new warehouse in Vietnam, part of a broader logistics overhaul. The move is part of the company’s strategy to shift more inventory storage closer to its suppliers, reducing US safety stock needs, and improving responsiveness to shifting tariff policies, company leaders have told an earnings call.
News media: Vietnam police accuse local editor of 82 counts of extortion
Dong Xuan Thu, former editor-in-chief of Vietnam Environment and Urban magazine, has been accused of involvement in 82 cases of property extortion, by the Thai Binh Police, as reported by Dan Tri. He allegedly directed reporters to write negative articles about local businesses, then used those articles as leverage to pressure subjects to pay to have them taken down.
Education: Vietnam university over-enrollment concerns in spotlight at education conference
The current scale of university admissions in Vietnam—over 550,000 students across 200 universities in 2024—is “very unreasonable,” Dang Viet Xo, Principal of the Vietnam College of Industry and Trade has told an education conference, VN Express has reported.
In today’s Vietnam news: More land for Trump golf course, Hanoi metro awarded Vingroup, Rising bank bond interest rates, GE contract stalled power plant
In today’s Vietnam news: MSCI market review, Russia’s Gazprom abandons LNG plant project, Horror movie making warning, Banking risk analysis, Denmark-VN ethanol cooperation, Work
In today’s Vietnam news: Thailand vs Vietnam tourism, India missile purchase final stages, Airport rail connections Long Thanh, BESS development Northern Vietnam, New US
This is an interview with Chris Walker, a Vietnam Sourcing Expert with Vietnam Factory Tours how rising oil prices and the Middle East crisis are
This is an interview with John Gardner, CEO and Founding Partner, at Optimum Hospitality in Ho Chi Minh City. It covers fuel price impacts on:
This is an interview with Dr Nuno F. Ribeiro, Associate Professor, International Tourism & Hospitality Management at Copenhagen Business College, formerly of RMIT Vietnam. It