Author: the-shiv
Trade: US pushes Vietnam to cut reliance on China amid tariff talks
The US has submitted a detailed annex of “tough” trade requests to Vietnam with key demands that include reducing imports from China and tightening control over supply chain origins, Reuters has reported.
Market Wrap: Vietnam stock market rises, foreign investors return to net buying
The VN-Index advanced 10.95 points to close at 1,347.25, up 0.82 percent on June 3. Total market trading reached VND 25.73 trillion or US$990.57 million. The mood was upbeat as large-caps and banking stocks supported the gain.
Labour: Vietnam Ministry proposes cutting foreign work permit processing time to 10 days
Vietnam’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) is proposing to reduce the processing time for issuing work permits to foreign workers in Vietnam from 36 days to 10 days, English language news site, Vietnam News has reported.
Trade: Vietnam’s imports from China climb 2.19 percent in April
In April, Vietnam imported goods worth US$15.06 billion from China, representing a 2.19 percent increase compared to March. This brought the year-to-date total to US$53.16 billion, according to the latest data from Vietnam’s General department of Customs.
Banking & Finance: South Korea’s IBK clears key hurdle for Vietnam entry after eight-year wait
The State Bank of Vietnam has issued a confirmation letter to the Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK), signalling the official start of the review process for the Korean policy lender’s long-pending subsidiary application, The Korean Herald has reported.
Vietnam Market Wrap: VN-Index edges up as foreign investors return to net selling
The VN-Index inched up 3.70 points to close at 1,336.30 on Thursday, gaining 0.28 percent as investor sentiment remained cautiously positive. Total market trading value reached VND 20,843.81 billion, or approximately US$802 million.
Manufacturing: Philippines PMI falls in May as output and exports decline
The Philippines Manufacturing PMI fell to 50.1 in May from 53.0 in April, signalling a broad stagnation in operating conditions, according to the latest data from S&P Global. Output contracted and export orders declined at the fastest pace since November 2023, reversing April’s growth momentum.
Manufacturing: Indonesia new orders plunge, but PMI jumps .7 points
Indonesia’s Manufacturing PMI stood at 47.4 in May, rising from 46.7 in April but still well below 50, indicating continued contraction, according to the latest data from S&P Global. New orders fell at the sharpest rate since August 2021, while exports also declined — notably in shipments to the US.
Manufacturing: Vietnam PMI climbs in May but still in contraction
Vietnam’s Manufacturing PMI rose to 49.8 in May from 45.6 in April, remaining below the 50 threshold that signals contraction, according to the latest data from S&P Global.
New export orders fell sharply for the second straight month, linked to the impact of US tariffs on demand. However, output returned to growth as tariff policy appeared more stable than in April.
Policy: Vietnam GS calls for national culture of thrift to drive sustainable development
General Secretary To Lam has called for greater thrift and efforts at fighting waste in Vietnam, in a wide-ranging article published Sunday. This, however, comes amid a push to grow Vietnam’s economy through domestic consumption.
Automotive: Vietnam introduces separate electricity tariff for EV charging stations
Vietnam has introduced a separate electricity pricing mechanism for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations under Decision 14/2025, effective May 29, Nguoi Quan Sat has reported. This is as opposed to being charged at either the retail or business price.
Dairy: Vietnam’s Nutifood and Australia’s ViPlus launch premium milk brand
Vietnam’s Nutifood and Australia’s ViPlus Dairy signed a joint venture on May 8 in Melbourne to launch GippsNature, a premium international dairy brand, VnEconomy has reported. The brand will debut in Q3 2025, targeting Vietnam and global markets with products ranging from infant formula to functional foods.
Garments & textiles: Vietnam textile, footwear firms shift focus to emerging markets on tariff challenges
Vietnamese textile and footwear exporters are expanding into Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and India, while maintaining core markets in Japan, Europe, and the US, English language news site, Vietnam News is reporting.
Tourism: Vietnam’s Asian arrivals fall sharply in April, but YTD growth signals recovery
Vietnam recorded 1.25 million tourist arrivals from Asia in April, marking a sharp 22.5 percent drop compared to March. Despite this decline, year-to-date (YTD) figures remain positive, with 4.71 million Asian arrivals, up 3.0 percent over the same period in 2024, according to the latest data from the General Department of Tourism.
Aviation: Vietnam aviation authority defends Vietjet’s use of Chinesee Comac aircraft
Vietnam’s Civil Aviation Authority has formally defended Vietjet’s decision to operate Chinese-made Comac ARJ21 aircraft, responding to concerns raised by a member of the Vietnam Fatherland Front about potential safety risks, Lao Dong has reported. The concerns cited Comac’s lack of FAA and EASA certification, minimal global flight hours, and limited operational history compared to legacy aircraft such as the Airbus A320
Pharmaceutical materials: Vietnam imports down 15.34 percent in April
Vietnam’s imports of pharmaceutical materials reached US$44.55 million in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a decrease of 15.34 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) import value of US$172.91 million.
Trade: Vietnam ramps up commodity imports from Australia in April
Vietnam’s imports from Australia rose to US$688.85 million in April, up 3.24 percent from March, bringing the year-to-date total to US$2.44 billion, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. The growth was driven by surging coal shipments and strong gains across key industrial and agricultural commodities.
Insurance: Cathay Life under fire in Vietnam for marketing life insurance as ‘savings books’
Cathay Life (Vietnam) is facing scrutiny for marketing its life insurance products as “super savings” schemes or “savings books”, misleading consumers about the true nature of the product, local news outfit, Tuoi Tre has alleged.
Gold: Vietnam jeweler under investigation for possible criminal law violations
Vietnam’s State Bank Inspectorate has referred Phu Nhuan Jewelry (PNJ) to the Ministry of Public Security amid allegations it has violated multiple regulations related to gold trading, tax compliance, and anti-money laundering, VietnamNet has reported.
HSBC’s 2025 Global Trade Pulse Survey: Key Takeaways for Businesses in Vietnam
A total of 80 percent of Vietnamese firms have already faced rising costs due to tariff and trade uncertainty, according to HSBC’s 2025 Global Trade Pulse Survey. A further 82 percent expect this to continue in the short term.
In today’s news: SBV raises loan-to-deposit cap, Fuel tax cut extension, Denmark jewellery factory opens, Taiwan cooling system manufacturer expansion, SK firm gas power
In today’s news: HNX stocks to transfer to HSX, Exit block VN-Aus. re: tax, MWG employee embezzlement, US-VN patrol boat contract awarded, SK carpet
In today’s news: Long Thanh passenger fees, Violent short film producers fined, Innovation index improvement, Hanoi pilotless aircraft sandbox under consideration, Power project Japan
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