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.
Australian firm to lend Vietnam refinery US$720 million for upgrade
S&P Global is reporting that Australia’s Acuity Funding is set to lend US$720 million to Nam Song Hau Oil and Gas Investment Trading, for an upgrade. Of note, this is the second big announcement of funding in Vietnam-based projects from Acuity Funding in the last six months. In September it
VN-Index up, foreign traders net-sell US$4.08 million, March 5
Vietnam’s VN-Index closed up Tuesday, gaining points or .68 percent to finish the session at 1,269.98. Foreign traders, however, returned to net-selling after two days of net-buying. Foreign traders had net-sold stocks in excess of US$4.08 million by the time the markets closed. Foreign trader activity, last five trading days
Feb, Jan see abnormally high number of Vietnamese businesses close
In the first two months of this year there were 41,100 enterprises newly registered or that went back into operation after a hiatus, in Vietnam, according to Doanh Nhan Vietnam. There were, however, 63,000 businesses that withdrew from the market at the same time–a net-closure of 21,900 businesses. This is
Labour, electricity challenges weighing on Vietnam’s semiconductor ambitions
AlJazeera is carrying an article covering Vietnam’s semiconductor ambitions that identifies a lack of skilled labour and power shortages as key barriers for the industry’s development. There is not a lot new here–these issues have been well documented. It is, however, well written and balanced with a few good quotes.
Vietnam’s Economy, February 2024: Snapshot
February kicked off in Vietnam with coverage of comments made at an online press briefing in which US Under Secretary of State Jose Fernandez insisted that the Department of Commerce’s review of Vietnam’s non-market economy status would not be politicised. This was after a letter surfaced a few days earlier
VN-Index up, foreign traders net-buy US$4.1 million, March 4
The VN-Index closed up Monday, gaining 3.13 points or .25 percent to finish the session at 1,261.41 points. Foreign traders started the week net-buying back into the market to the tune of US$4.13 million. See also: Vietnam Stock Market Indexes: Quick Guide 2024 Foreign trader activity last five trading sessions
Vietnam’s Industrial Production Index falls 18 percent in February
Vietnam’s General Office of Statistics has found that Vietnam’s Industrial Production Index decreased by 18 percent in February compared to January and 6.8 percent compared the February of 2023. Note that last year the Lunar New Year, for which there are five public holidays, was in January in 2023 but
US$10.46 billion of Vietnam’s corporate bonds fall due this year
About VND 258.2 trillion or US$10.46 billion worth of corporate bonds in Vietnam are set to mature before the end of this year, The Saigon Times is reporting. The real estate industry will account for about US$4 billion or 38 percent with the banking sector a distant second account for
Provisions added to Vietnam’s Law on Bidding for sports betting operations
From February 27 of this year, firms looking to take bets on international soccer in Vietnam will need to go through a bidding process, VN Express is reporting. Note that there are currently no legal sports betting businesses in Vietnam, however, there are provisions in several laws referring to the
VN-Index up, foreign traders net-buy US$8.07 million, March 1
Vietnam’s main stock market index, the VN-Index finished the last trading session of the week up 5.55 points or 0.44 percent, clocking out Friday at 1,258.28. Foreign traders net-bought back into the market to the tune of US$8.07 million after shedding almost US$15.7 million worth of stocks Thursday. Foreign trader
Starlink launch in Vietnam put on ice over foreign ownership limits
Elon Musk’s SpaceX has put plans to launch its satellite service on hold in Vietnam due to Vietnam’s foreign ownership limits in the telecommunications industry, Reuters is reporting. Foreign ownership in telecommunications services that include infrastructure are capped at 51 percent in Vietnam for most countries. Members of the Comprehensive
Vietnam manufacturing grows for second month in a row: S&P
S&P Global’s Purchasing Managers Index–or PMI–has recorded a second consecutive month of growth in February increasing from 50.3 in January to 50.4 in February. Anything above 50 is considered a signal the sector is growing less than 50 and it is shrinking. Key takeaways Business optimism reached a 12-month high–55
Vietnam FDI in January broken down by industry/type
Vietnam’s FDI in January reached just over US$2.23 billion. Real estate attracted the most new foreign capital accounting for a little more than half of the total FDI received. It was followed by manufacturing and processing which also had a healthy January recording 63 new projects worth just under US$716
Vietnam set to ratify key UN trade union convention this year
Vietnam is set to ratify the UN’s Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention this year, Reuters is reporting citing UN officials and diplomats.This would essential give workers the right to organise their own trade unions independent of the government–currently, all trade unions must be affiliated
VN-Index up, foreign traders net-buy US$1.8 million, February 27
The VN-Index closed up 13.39 points or 1.09 percent to finish the session at 1,237.46. Foreign traders net-bought into the market to the tune of US$1.8 million continuing to buy back into the HoSE after exiting the market to the tune of just under US$60 million last week. Trading history,
Vietnam overnight interest rates nearly double overnight
Vietnam’s overnight interest rates went from 2.15 percent February 20 to 4.14 percent on February 21, Vietnam Plus is reporting. The publication says this is connected to a spike in lending in December, however, that was over a month and a half ago (see credit growth table for 2023 here:
Expansion of Vietnam’s tourist visa options under discussion
Vietnam’s Prime Minister has proposed visa waivers for foreign nationals from developed countries of between six to 12 months, VN Express is reporting. If enacted this would signify a huge shift in visa policy for one of Southeast Asia’s fast growing economies. A little background–Vietnam revised its immigration laws in
Vietnam agriculture firms grappling with increased logistics costs
Logistics costs are becoming an increasing challenge for Vietnam’s agricultural exports, Vietnamnet is reporting. The publication claims that 60 percent of logistics costs are transport-related and compares this to 30 percent ‘in other countries’ (no source provided). One of the key gripes in this article is that foreign transport firms,
This analysis of Vietnam’s ‘blazing furnace’ corruption crackdown
The Diplomat is carrying an article by Mai Truong, an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Marquette University in the USA in which she argues that the current corruption ‘crackdown’ in Vietnam may backfire. Truong argues that the ‘crackdown’: Could encourage citizens to become more political engaged; Could expose internal
VN-Index up, foreign traders net-buy US$1.3 million, February 26
The VN-Index has started the week with a 12.17 point or 1 percent gain to finish the day at 1,224.17 points. Foreign traders returned to net-buying after a huge sell-off Friday, though only marginally, net-buying US$1.3 million worth of stock. Trading history, foreign investors, last five trading days Buy Sell
In today’s Vietnam news: GS TL on AI, Saigon Economic Times last issue, Fuel prices cut, Vinhomes issuing more bonds, Counterfeit Korean cosmetics store,
In today’s Vietnam news: Power supply imports, Hanoi boulevard project protests, Antidumping duties coming for boxes, Maersk container terminal project Hanoi, Vinpearl foreign investment,
In today’s Vietnam news: Credit limits removed for some major projects, Estonian web security company market entry, Vingroup’s Vuong becomes major shareholder LP Bank,
This is an interview with Chris Walker, a Vietnam Sourcing Expert with Vietnam Factory Tours how rising oil prices and the Middle East crisis are
This is an interview with John Gardner, CEO and Founding Partner, at Optimum Hospitality in Ho Chi Minh City. It covers fuel price impacts on:
This is an interview with Dr Nuno F. Ribeiro, Associate Professor, International Tourism & Hospitality Management at Copenhagen Business College, formerly of RMIT Vietnam. It