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Vietnam News Roundup: May 9 to May 15
Vietnam Car Sales Tracker: April Update [data]
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Author: the-shiv
Textiles and footwear materials: Vietnam imports down 5.26 percent in April
Vietnam’s imports of textile, leather, and footwear materials and auxiliaries reached US$642.95 million in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a decrease of 5.26 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) import value of US$2.34 billion.
Iron & steel products: Vietnam imports up 3.43 percent in April, China dominates
Vietnam’s imports of iron and steel products reached US$642.50 million in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a 3.43 percent increase compared to the import value in March, with a year-to-date import value of US$2.28 billion for this category.
Plastic products: Vietnam exports down 3.57 percent in April, USA top destination
Vietnam’s exports of plastic products reached US$609.31 million in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a slight decrease of 3.57 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) export value of US$2.32 billion.
Consumer goods: Vietnam retail market projected to double by 2032
Vietnam’s retail sector is forecast to grow from US$180 billion in 2025 to US$350 billion by 2032, representing a compound annual growth rate of 8.5 percent, according to a report from HTF Market Intelligence.
Trade: Dry cargo shortage insurance claims surge in Vietnam ports
Dry cargo shortage insurance claims in Cai Mep and Phu My ports have nearly tripled between 2020 and 2024, according to Gard P&I Club and reported by Safety4Sea. Affected cargoes include soybean meal, corn, and fertilisers, with claims are generally low value but high frequency, raising cumulative risk
Iron & steel: Vietnam exports up 10.44 percent in April, India top destination
Vietnam’s exports of iron and steel reached US$709.99 million in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents an increase of 10.44 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) export value of US$2.49 billion.
Wires & cables: Vietnam exports up 4.72 percent in April, USA top destination
Vietnam’s exports of insulated wires and cables reached US$366.18 million in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents an increase of 4.72 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) export value of US$1.31 billion.
Seafood: Vietnam exports slightly up 2.02 percent in April, China top destination
Vietnam’s exports of fishery products reached US$900.88 million in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a slight increase of 2.02 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) export value of US$3.21 billion.
Energy: Vietnam coal imports up 9.1 percent in April
Vietnam imported US$706.29 million worth of coal in April 2025, up 9.1 percent from March, according to the latest data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Year-to-date imports reached US$2.52 billion, with April accounting for nearly 28 percent of that total.
Chemicals: Vietnam chemical imports edge down 4 percent in April
Vietnam imported US$656.78 million worth of chemical products in April 2025, down 3.98 percent from March, according to the latest data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Total year-to-date imports reached US$2.47 billion, with China, South Korea and Japan the top suppliers.
Gaming: Hoiana counsel critiques Vietnam’s gaming laws as incomplete and unclear
Vietnam’s gaming regulatory system is underdeveloped and struggling to balance commercial needs with state control, Luís Mesquita de Melo, General Counsel at Hoiana Integrated Resort, has told a panel discussion, as reported by Asia Gaming Brief.
Crude oil: Vietnam imports down 6.88 percent over March, Kuwait lead supplier
Vietnam’s imports of crude oil reached US$698.05 million in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a 6.88 percent decrease compared to the import value in March, with a year-to-date import value of US$2.88 billion for this category.
Chemicals: Vietnam chemical imports up 5.9 percent in April, China top supplier
Vietnam imported US$711.91 million worth of chemicals in April 2025, marking a 5.9 percent increase from March, according to the latest data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Total year-to-date imports reached US$2.58 billion.
Coffee: Vietnam exports down 9.20 percent in April, Germany top destination
Vietnam’s exports of coffee reached US$965.83 million in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a decrease of 9.20 percent compared to March, although the year-to-date (YTD) export value remains high at US$3.80 billion.
Plastic products: Vietnam imports rise .55 percent in April, China dominates
Vietnam’s imports of plastic products reached US$861.54 million in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a slight increase of 0.55 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) import value of US$3.09 billion.
10 Key Manufacturing Hubs in Vietnam 2025: Key Locations & Industries
Vietnam has emerged as a prominent manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia, attracting significant foreign direct investment (FDI) and driving economic growth. The country’s strategic location, competitive labour costs, and supportive government policies have contributed to its manufacturing prowess. Several key locations have emerged as focal points for industrial development and production.
Phones: Vietnam imports climb .07 percent in April, China dominates source countries
Vietnam’s imports of telephones, mobile phones, and their parts reached US$867.60 million in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a negligible increase of 0.07 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) import value of US$3.42 billion.
Wood and wooden products: Vietnam exports slightly down 1.80 percent in April, USA top destination
Vietnam’s exports of wood and wooden products reached US$1.45 billion in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a slight decrease of 1.80 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) export value of US$5.39 billion.
Cameras: Vietnam exports up 6.07 percent in April, China top destination
Vietnam’s exports of still image and video cameras and parts thereof reached US$646.50 million in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents an increase of 6.07 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) export value of US$2.37 billion.
Trade: Vietnam pushes domestic firms to pressure US policy makers on tariffs
Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, in a conference last week, urged businesses to send letters of protest to US agencies with respect to the “reciprocal tariffs” announced last month to help put pressure on the Trump administration. This is part of a series of broader moves to see those tariffs reduced to a more manageable level.
April 2025
Labour Market Report
Q1 2025
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