Author: the-shiv
Electronics: Vietnam imports sees slight dip in April, still strong YTD
Vietnam’s imports of computers, electrical products, spare parts, and components thereof reached US$11.24 billion in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a 2.18 percent decrease compared to the import value in March. However, the year-to-date import value for this sector remains substantial at US$42.88 billion.
Stock market: VNIndex edges up 0.15 percent amid mixed sector performance
The VNIndex closed at 1,241.95 today, gaining 1.90 points or 0.15 percent with a total trading value of VND 17.85 trillion, or US$686.54 million, according to a release from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange. The VN30 index conversely dipped slightly by 0.06 percent, while VNSmallCap gained 0.07 percent and VNMidCap fell 0.19 percent.
Machinery, equipment, tools & instruments: Vietnam imports up slightly in April, China dominates
Vietnam’s imports of machinery, equipment, tools, and instruments reached US$4.93 billion in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a marginal 1.76 percent increase compared to the import value in March, with a year-to-date import value of US$17.58 billion for this category.
Private sector development: Vietnam government issues resolution aimed at private sector boost
Vietnam’s Politburo has released Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW, a directive that repositions the private sector as “the most important driving force” of its socialist-oriented market economy. It calls for sweeping reforms to remove systemic barriers and elevate the private economy’s share of GDP beyond 60 percent by 2045.
Sanctions: EU to target Vietnamese companies aiding Russian sanctions evasion
For the first time, the European Union plans to sanction a Vietnamese company for allegedly assisting Russia in bypassing trade restrictions, as part of its 17th sanctions package since the Ukraine invasion, the Financial Times is reporting.
Cryptocurrency: Vietnam tax on digital assets feasible, but legal clarity needed
In an opinion piece in the Vietnam Investment Review, Nguyen Tien Hoa, Senior Partner at ASL Law, has argued that taxing crypto assets in Vietnam is legally feasible but requires foundational legal clarity and a phased implementation.
Food & beverage: Vietnam wine consumption set to hit US$2.8 billion by 2033: Report
Vietnam’s wine market reached US$2.0 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.73 percent to reach US$2.8 billion by 2033, according to a report from IMARC Group.
Trade: US-Vietnam trade grows in April post-US tariff announcement
Vietnam’s exports to the United States in April reached US$12.02 billion, up 1.5 percent from US$11.85 billion in March, according to the latest data from Vietnam Customs. Imports from the US were also up, reaching US$1.57 billion, an increase 4.3 percent from US$1.50 billion in March.
Tourism and hospitality: Vietnam receives 7.67 million international visitors in first four months of 2025
Vietnam’s April 2025 tourist arrivals hit 1.65 million, down 19.5 percent from March, but up 6.3 percent year-on-year, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office (NSO). Year-to-date (Jan–Apr 2025) total arrivals reached 7.67 million, up 23.8 percent compared to the same period in 2024.
Trade: Vietnam’s import-export turnover up 15.7 percent year-to-date, surplus narrows
Vietnam’s April trade turnover reached US$74.32 billion, down 1.4 percent from March, up 21.3 percent year-on-year, according to the latest data from the National Office of Statistics. Year to date, total trade reached US$276.89, up 15.7 percent year-on-year.
Inflation: Vietnam’s CPI up 3.2 percent year-to-date in April 2025
Vietnam’s April 2025 CPI rose 0.07 percent month-on-month and 3.12 percent year-on-year and was up 1.37 percent since December 2024, according to the latest data from the National Office of Statistics. Year-to-date CPI (Jan–Apr) also increased 3.2 percent with core inflation up 0.21 percent month-on-month and 3.05 percent year to date.
Securities: Vietnam’s long delayed KRX trading system finally goes live
Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange (HoSE) has officially launched its new KRX trading system, ten years after it was first conceived, VietnamNet has reported. It’s hoped the new system will improve liquidity, trading efficiency, and pave the way for a market status upgrade.
Gold: Vietnam demand slips despite investor interest and regional resilience: WGC
Gold jewellery demand in Vietnam fell by 15 percent year-on-year to 3.5 tonnes in Q1 2025, though it rose 5 percent from the previous quarter, according to the World Gold Council (WGC) Gold Demand Trends: Q1 2025. Bar and coin investment demand also dropped by 15 percent year-on-year to 12 tonnes, despite a 46 percent quarter-on-quarter rise.
Defense: Experts weigh in on Vietnam’s shift from Russian to Western arms
Vietnam’s push to modernise its military and reduce dependence on Russian arms has opened the door to Western defence firms, but experts have told Breaking Defense that unclear procurement processes, political risks, and capacity gaps in logistics and maintenance could complicate their path into the market
Economy: Vietnam PM holds steady on 8 percent growth target despite US tariff threat
In a report delivered to the National Assembly, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has outlined a sweeping economic agenda centred on sustaining growth, diversifying markets, and negotiating a resolution to the proposed US “reciprocal” tariffs. He has said the government intends to maintain its growth target of 8 percent for 2025, even as it faces rising trade tensions with the United States.
Construction: Vietnam’s construction sector secures US$12 million in March FDI commitments
The construction sector received US$12.41 million in foreign direct investment in March. This included 3 new projects worth US$2 million, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Automotive: Vietnam’s auto-trade and repairs sector records US$123 million in March FDI
The wholesale and retail trade sector, including the repair of cars, motorcycles and motorbikes, recorded US$123.46 million in foreign direct investment in March 2025. This comprised 103 new projects worth US$19 million, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Manufacturing: Vietnam March new manufacturing FDI tops US$2 billion
Vietnam’s processing and manufacturing industry recorded a total of US$2,077.01 million in foreign direct investment in March, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Planning and Investment. This included 123 new projects valued at US$1,174 million, accounting for more than half of total inflows.
Banking: Credit growth boosts Q1 profits, but deposit costs and provisioning rise
Vietnam’s system-wide credit grew 3.93 percent by March 31, nearly triple the pace in Q1 2024, Kinh Te Saigon is reporting. This supported high profit growth at banks like SeABank (+189 percent), MBBank (+45 percent), HDBank (+33 percent), and Sacombank (+38 percent), however, the publication also notes that rising bad debts led to increased credit risk provisioning, with rising deposit interest costs also putting pressure on banks’ margins.
Manufacturing: Vietnam April PMI sees sector contract sharply as US tariffs hit
Vietnam’s manufacturing sector shrank in April as newly announced US tariffs triggered a sharp drop in orders, production, and sentiment, according to a press release from S&P Global Vietnam Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index. Vietnam’s PMI fell to 45.6, down from 50.5 in March, signalling the steepest monthly contraction since May 2023, largely as a result of the US tariffs announced at the start of the month, the press release says.
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