Author: the-shiv
Tourism & hospitality: Vietnam’s accommodation and food services sees US$37 million in March FDI
The accommodation and food services sector recorded US$36.61 million in foreign direct investment in March 2025. This included 4 new projects with a total value of US$33 million, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Banking and finance: Vietnam’s finance and insurance sector sees US$142 million in March FDI commitments
The finance, banking and insurance sector attracted US$141.94 million in foreign direct investment in March, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Industry and Trade. This included just 1 new project valued at US$2 million.
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Finance: Vietnam’s insurance market grows 5.6 percent in Q1 2025
Vietnam’s Total insurance premium revenue in Q1 2025 reached VND 56.58 trillion or US$2.26 billion, up 5.62 percent year-on-year. Non-life insurance recorded VND 22.01 trillion or US$880.4 million, rising 10 percent, with life insurance reaching VND 34.56 trillion or US$1.38 billion, growing 3 percent, according to data from the Ministry of Finance.
Public transport: Vietnam’s metro targets at risk without unified standards
Vietnam lacks a complete, harmonised framework for metro construction, making it harder to train engineers, approve designs, and maintain infrastructure over time, engineer Le Van Cuong, who consulted on Ho Chi Minh City’s Metro Line 1, has told VN Express. Moreover, he has warned that inconsistent standards lead to higher costs, longer build times, and difficulties in operations and maintenance.
Tourism and hospitality: Vietnam tourist arrivals from Oceania up 12 percent in March
Vietnam welcomed 46,383 tourists from Oceania in March 2025, up 11.9 percent from February, according to data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Moreover, total arrivals from the region in the first quarter reached 160,090, an 11.4 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024, providing a significant boost to Vietnam’s tourism industry.
Footwear: Nike, Adidas warn Trump tariffs threaten Vietnam-made US shoe supplies
A coalition of 76 brands including Nike, Adidas, Skechers, and Under Armour has warned the White House that recently announced import tariffs are an “existential threat” to their businesses. In a letter penned by the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America, the brands have claimed that many firms cannot absorb or pass on the new costs, particularly those selling to low- and middle-income consumers, CNBC has reported.
Education: Vietnam’s education and training sector records US$44 million in March FDI
The education and training sector attracted US$43.57 million in foreign direct investment in March. No new projects were launched during the month, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Transport & infrastructure: Vietnam’s logistics sector March FDI tops US$156 million
The warehouse and transportation sector received US$156.66 million in foreign direct investment in March, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Of this, 11 new projects were licensed with a combined value of US$21 million.
Renewables: Vietnam’s Boviet Solar opens US$294 million solar module plant in North Carolina
Vietnamese firm Boviet Solar has opened its first US manufacturing facility in Greenville, North Carolina, with an investment of US$294 million. The plant will produce photovoltaic modules for residential, commercial, and utility-scale markets, Energy Tech has reported.
Tourism and hospitality: Vietnam tourist arrivals from the Americas down 10 percent in March
Vietnam welcomed 104,874 tourists from the Americas in March 2025, down 10.3 percent from February, according to data from Vietnam’s General Department of Statistics. However, total arrivals in the first quarter reached 341,501, a 13 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024, marking a significant boost to Vietnam’s tourism industry from the Americas.
Gambling: FIFA demotes Vietnam’s Phu Tho FC over match-fixing
Vietnamese club Phu Tho FC has been demoted to the Third Division—the lowest tier in Vietnam’s football league system—after being found guilty of manipulating match results, according to a FIFA disciplinary ruling issued on May 2, and reported by VN Express.
Markets: Vietnam stocks among worst global performers in April amid tariff shock
Vietnam’s VN-Index dropped 6.2 percent in April, falling from 1,306 to 1,226 points, according to IndexQ, marking the steepest monthly decline in a year, VN Express has reported. This placed Vietnam second on the list of the world’s worst-performing stock markets, behind only Argentina, which saw a 10.8 percent drop.
Energy: Vietnam cuts LNG import tariff to 2 percent to spur transition and investment
Vietnam has lowered its preferential LNG import tariff from 5 percent to 2 percent under Decree No. 73/2025/ND-CP. The reduction boosts cost competitiveness of LNG-fuelled power and incentivises investment across the LNG value chain, from importers to generators, the Vietnam News Agency has reported.
Steel: Hoa Phat says U.S. tariffs unlikely to impact Vietnam exports directly
US Section 232 tariffs already apply to Vietnamese steel and will not be expanded, Hoa Phat CEO Nguyen Viet Thang has told Financial Street as reported by The Investor.
Semiconductors: Vietnam begins construction of first fully locally led chip factory
CT Semiconductor has broken ground on Vietnam’s first chip plant developed entirely with Vietnamese technology. The factory aims to produce 100 million chips annually by 2027, with operations starting in Q4 2025, VietnamNet has reported.
Healthcare: Vietnam’s health and social assistance sector records US$92 million in March FDI
The health and social assistance sector saw US$92 million in foreign direct investment in March. No new projects were reported during the month, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Technology: Vietnam’s science and technology sector sees over US$235 million in March FDI commitments
The professional, scientific and technological activities sector attracted US$235.95 million in foreign direct investment in March, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Industry and Trade. This included 46 new projects worth just US$12 million, indicating modest initial capital commitments.
Tourism and hospitality: Vietnam tourist arrivals from Europe up 19 percent in March
Vietnam received 285,526 European visitors in March, up 19.1 percent from February, according to data from Vietnam’s General Department of Tourism. Year-to-date arrivals reached 791,872, a 19.6 percent increase compared to the first quarter of 2024, marking a significant boost to Vietnam’s tourism industry.
Agriculture: Vietnam’s agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector records US$3 million in March FDI
The agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector attracted US$3.07 million in foreign direct investment in March. This included 1 new project worth US$2 million, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
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