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Vietnam’s Economy in May: Unpacked
Can LNG really save Vietnam-US trade?
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
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.
Industry: Vietnam chemicals imports down 5.70 percent in May
Vietnam’s imports of chemicals reached US$671.33 million in May 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a decrease of 5.70 percent compared to April, bringing the year-to-date (YTD) import value to US$3.25 billion.
Footwear: Vietnam exports dip 3.45% in May, but China and South Korea see massive gains
Vietnam’s exports of footwear reached US$2.15 billion in May 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a slight decrease of 3.45 percent compared to April, bringing the year-to-date (YTD) export value to US$9.76 billion.
Electricity: Vietnam generates 127.6 billion kWh in first five months of 2025, coal remains dominant
Vietnam’s total electricity output for the month of May was 28.6 billion kWh, with the system reaching a peak capacity of 49,759 MW, according to a press release from state power providers Electricity Vietnam. Notably, coal remains the key power source accounting for 56.8 percent of power generated.
Clinker & cement: Vietnam exports hold steady at 0.33% growth in May
Vietnam’s exports of clinker and cement reached US$112.83 million in May 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a modest increase of 0.33 percent compared to April, bringing the year-to-date (YTD) export value to US$523.17 million.
Industry: Vietnam chemical products imports up 2.92 percent in May
Vietnam’s imports of chemical products reached US$675.98 million in May 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a modest increase of 2.92 percent compared to April, bringing the year-to-date (YTD) import value to US$3.15 billion.
Textiles & garments: Vietnam exports up 7.14% in May
Vietnam’s exports of textiles and garments reached US$3.29 billion in May 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents an increase of 7.14 percent compared to April, bringing the year-to-date (YTD) export value to US$15.06 billion.
Machines & tools Vietnam exports grow 6.12% in May, Belgium and Norway lead massive surges
Vietnam’s exports of machine, equipment, tools, and instruments reached US$4.999 billion in May 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents an increase of 6.12 percent compared to April, bringing the year-to-date (YTD) export value to US$22.085 billion.
Plastics: Vietnam imports see modest 0.75 percent rise in May
Vietnam’s imports of plastics reached US$1.07 billion in May 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a modest increase of 0.75 percent compared to April, bringing the year-to-date (YTD) import value to US$5.17 billion.
Phones: Vietnam exports surge 22.56% in May, with strong growth to USA, UK, and Italy
Vietnam’s exports of telephones, mobile phones, and parts thereof reached US$4.61 billion in May 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a significant increase of 22.56 percent compared to April, bringing the year-to-date (YTD) export value to US$22.41 billion.
Garments & textiles: Vietnam fabric imports up 2.35 percent in May
Vietnam’s imports of fabrics reached US$1.45 billion in May 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a modest increase of 2.35 percent compared to April, bringing the year-to-date (YTD) import value to US$6.32 billion.
Automotive: China’s Geely factory freeze casts uncertainty over Tasco’s Vietnam assembly plans
China’s Geely has announced a global halt on new factory projects casting doubt on its planned US$168 million car assembly joint venture with Vietnam’s Tasco in Thai Binh, Tuoi Tre has reported.
Industry: Vietnam iron and steel products imports surge by 8.53 percent in May
Vietnam’s imports of iron and steel products reached US$697.32 million in May 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a significant increase of 8.53 percent compared to April, bringing the year-to-date (YTD) import value to US$2.98 billion.
Energy: Vietnam major hydropower dam just 5 metres from dead water level
Vietnam’s largest hydropower reservoir is running at a critically low level of 85.05 metres as of June 10, 2024, Tuoi Tre has reported. While officials insist generation remains unaffected, comparisons with 2023 data suggest the plant has just 3 days of full-capacity generation remaining before hitting its operational floor — underscoring the fragility of the energy supply heading into peak demand season.
Automotive: Vietnam’s VinFast sees losses widen in Q1 despite more deliveries, revenue growth
Vietnamese EV maker VinFast reported a Q1 net loss of US$712.4 million, widening 20 percent year-on-year as sales costs soared, despite a nearly 300 percent increase in vehicle deliveries and 150 percent revenue growth, Reuters has reported.
Computers & electrical products: Vietnam exports jump 12.36% in May
Vietnam’s exports of computers, electrical products, spare-parts, and components thereof reached an impressive US$9.15 billion in May 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This marks a substantial increase of 12.36 percent compared to April, bringing the year-to-date (YTD) export value to US$38.42 billion.
Industry: Vietnam machines and tools imports jump 7.89 percent in May
Vietnam’s imports of machine, equipment, tools, and instruments reached US$5.32 billion in May 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a significant increase of 7.89 percent compared to April, bringing the year-to-date (YTD) import value to US$22.90 billion.
Electronics: Vietnam phone imports plunge by 13.92 percent in May, China leads despite decline
Vietnam’s imports of telephones, mobile phones, and parts thereof reached US$746.79 million in May 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a significant decrease of 13.92 percent compared to April, bringing the year-to-date (YTD) import value to US$4.16 billion.
Industry: Vietnam iron & steel imports show slight dip of 2.39 percent in May
Vietnam’s imports of iron and steel amounted to US$939.85 million in May 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This marks a slight decrease of 2.39 percent compared to April, bringing the year-to-date (YTD) import value to US$4.54 billion.
Electronics: Vietnam computer & electrical imports surge by 18.61 percent in May
Vietnam’s imports of computers, electrical products, spare-parts and components thereof reached an astounding US$13.33 billion in May 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a substantial increase of 18.61 percent compared to April, bringing the year-to-date (YTD) import value to US$56.19 billion.
Vietnam Exports Tracker: May Update [data set]
Vietnam’s exports jumped to US$39.6 billion in May up 5.7 percent over April, according to the latest data from Vietnam Customs.
Labour Market Report
Q1 2025
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