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Key Challenges in Vietnam-US Trade Negotiations: Unpacked
Vietnam’s Private Sector Development Push: Unpacked
Vietnam’s Aviation Industry: State of Play 2025
Vietnam and the Middle Income Trap: Unpacked
Vietnam’s 8 Percent GDP Growth Target: Unpacked
Buy More, Sell Less: Tackling Vietnam’s Trade Surplus with the US
Is Vietnam the Next Asian Tiger Economy?
What Recent Traffic Reforms Say About Doing Business in Vietnam
Building An International Financial Centre in Vietnam: Unpacked
Vietnam’s Economy in 2024: A Brief Recap
What to Watch Now Google Has An Office in Vietnam
Does Vietnam Have a Private Consumption Problem Too?
The 8th Session of Vietnam’s National Assembly: Key Takeaways
Rethinking Financing Vietnam’s Clean Energy Transition
Vietnam’s New Social Media ID Regulations: Unpacked
Category: Manufacturing & Industry
This category focuses on industrial production, from electronics and textiles to automotive and heavy industry. It covers FDI trends, supply chain developments, factory expansions, and government regulations shaping the industrial landscape. As a key driver of economic growth, manufacturing plays a crucial role in global supply chains, technological advancements, and industrial competitiveness.
Trade: Vietnamese exporters warn of collapse if US tariffs return: “We could not survive”
Two Vietnamese entrepreneurs, whose firms depend almost entirely on exports to the United States, have voiced grave concern about the impact of the proposed 46 percent US tariff. Speaking to BBC News, SHDC Electronics founder Le Song Hao and KPY Interior CEO Hoang Thi Nhu Yen said their businesses are already under pressure and may not survive if punitive tariffs are reinstated after the current 90-day suspension.
Automotive: VinFast shifts focus to Asia amid widening losses
Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) maker VinFast reported a US$1.26 billion loss in Q4 2024, an 81 percent increase year-on-year. The company will deprioritise North America and Europe, turning instead to Asia, including India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, Bloomberg has reported.
Garments and textiles: H&M-backed Syre to invest US$1 billion in Vietnam
Garment manufacturing in Vietnam is set to receive a significant boost with Syre Group—a subsidiary of H&M Group and Vargas—announcing a US$1 billion investment in building a high-tech polyester recycling complex in Binh Dinh province. The project aims to turn Vietnam into the first global hub for fabric recycling using renewable energy and advanced EU–US standards, VN Express is reporting.
Vietnam toys market to hit US$1 billion by 2033, driven by education, sustainability: Report
The Vietnam toys market reached US$570 million in 2024 and is forecast to grow to US$1 billion by 2033, posting a CAGR of 5.6%. The surge is underpinned by rising disposable income, a youthful demographic, and increasing interest in educational, interactive, and sustainable toys.
Vietnam’s machinery exports rise by 22.19 percent in March
Vietnam’s exports of machinery, equipment, tools and instruments climbed 22.19 percent in March compared to February, reaching US$4.67 billion, according to data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s clothing and footwear prices edge up in March on labour-driven service costs
The consumer price index (CPI) for garments, hats, and footwear rose by 0.05 percent in March 2025 compared to the previous month, reflecting modest price increases in clothing-related services and textiles, partially offset by a decline in footwear and sock prices, according to the General Statistics Office.
Vietnam’s paper product imports surged 37 percent in March
Vietnam imported US$104.80 million worth of paper products in March, a 37.03 percent increase from February, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This brought total imports for the year to US$256.34 million.
Vietnam’s iron and steel exports rise by 20.05 percent in March
Vietnam’s iron and steel exports rose by 20.05 percent in March compared to February, reaching US$642.87 million, according to data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s iron and steel product imports rose over 26 percent in March
Vietnam imported US$621.18 million worth of iron and steel products in March, up 26.28 percent from February, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This brought the total import value for the first three months of the year to US$1.63 billion.
Vietnam’s iron and steel imports decline by 12.67 percent in March
Vietnam’s iron and steel imports totalled US$910.90 million in March, representing a 12.67 percent decrease from February. Year-to-date (YTD) imports reached US$2.65 billion, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s plastic exports rise 8.88 percent in March, led by gains to China and Italy
Vietnam exported US$224.52 million worth of plastics in March 2025, up 8.88 percent month-on-month, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s insulated wire and cable exports rise by 19.47 percent in March
Vietnam’s exports of insulated wires and cables rose by 19.47 percent in March compared to February, reaching US$349.67 million, according to data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s Revised Power Development Plan 8: A Missed Opportunity
Last week, the Government of Vietnam issued a Decision significantly revising the Power Development Plan 8 (PDP8). However, whereas this could have been an opportunity to redesign the PDP8 to align more closely with on-the-ground realities, this opportunity looks to have been missed.
Vietnam’s imports of insulated wires and cables rise by 21.22 percent in March
Vietnam’s imports of insulated wires and cables surged to US$373.16 million in March, marking a 21.22 percent increase from February. Year-to-date (YTD) imports for this category reached US$994.38 million, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s chemical exports inch up in March, with sharp surge to India
Vietnam exported US$241.43 million worth of chemicals in March 2025, a modest rise of 2.09 percent from February, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Equitization of state-owned enterprises stalls as Vietnam looks set to miss 2025 targets
Despite a plan to equitize 30 state-owned enterprises (SOEs) during the 2023–2025 period, none have been equitized as of Q1 2025, raising concerns about the feasibility of Vietnam’s SOE reform targets, VN Economy is reporting. The plan had expected to raise VND 36.82 trillion (approx. US$1.47 billion) from equitizations.
Aviation: VietJet Vietnam stock market disclosure skims over latest court ruling, puts focus on appeal
In a release to the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange, Vietnamese budget airline, VietJet, has acknowledged a ruling last week in the UK courts. It has not, however, detailed what happened or how it might respond but rather has suggested an appeal in the originating case will be won, negating last week’s ruling. That ruling was that the airline is liable for just over US$180 million in missed lease payments.
Vietnam’s handbag and accessory exports surge by 42.10 percent in March
Vietnam’s exports of handbags, purses, suitcases, headgear, and umbrellas increased by 42.10 percent in March compared to February, reaching US$366.64 million, according to data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Steel: India imposes 12% duty on flat steel imports from Vietnam and China
India has imposed a 12 percent duty on flat steel imports from Vietnam and China for 200 days, aiming to shield its domestic steel sector from surging low-cost shipments of steel, according to The Hindu’s Business Line.
Vietnam’s insecticide and rodenticide imports rise by 25.79 percent in March
Vietnam’s imports of insecticides, rodenticides, and materials reached US$97.97 million in March, reflecting a 25.79 percent increase compared to February. Year-to-date (YTD) imports totalled US$241.64 million, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.