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.
Vietnam’s Stock Market, December 2023: Snapshot
December began with the government of Vietnam tapping the United Arab Emirates on the shoulder for support turning Ho Chi Minh City into a financial hub in Southeast Asia. Whereas the UAE was mum on whether it would provide support, the request was also scant on details, and it was
VN-Index drops, foreign traders net-buy US$700K, January 12
The VN-Index fell on the last trading day of the week by 7.54 points or 0.65 percent to finish the session at 1,154.70. Foreign traders net-bought US$700,000 worth of stocks after engaging in US$90.8 million in trade. Trading history, foreign investors, last five trading days Buy Sell Change Date VND*
Vietnam-Europe freight rates spike on Red Sea conflict
The price for shipping a forty-foot container from Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) to Northern Europe has hit an average of US$3,700, 90 percent higher than in December of 2023, Tuoi Tre is reporting. This is as a result of conflict in the Red Sea which is seeing cargo ships
Summer power shortages likely for northern Vietnam this year, too
Vietnam’s Northern Power Service Company is predicting a shortfall in electricity over summer of 1,200 to 2,500 megawatts, DTI News is reporting. This is after power shortages in 2023 saw households and businesses without power for hours at a time including a number of big multinationals. It was estimated to
Vietnam car sales jump 20 percent year-on-year in December
In December 36,350 cars were sold by members of the Vietnam Automotive Manufacturers Association (VAMA), representing a 20 percent increase on December of 2022, Just Auto is reporting. The publication goes on to say that this is the first positive month in over a year. Of note, Vietnamese banks engaged
VN-Index up, foreign traders net-buy US$6.2 million, January 11
Vietnam’s VN-Index has closed up .68 points or .06 percent Thursday to finish the session at 1,162.22. Also of note foreign traders appeared to have marginally changed their tune, net-buying US$6.2 million worth of stocks on the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange. Trading history, foreign investors, last five trading
Hanoi considering building US$420 million horse racetrack
The People’s Committee of Soc Son district on the outskirts of Hanoi (near the airport) is asking for opinions with respect to building a racetrack and entertainment complex in the area, Nha Dau Tu (the Vietnamese language version of The Investor) is reporting. The project would cover 125 hectares and
Global Minimum Tax ‘not a risk’ for Vietnam FDI: Economist
VinaCapital has released an Economist’s Note Looking Ahead at 2024, in which the firm’s Chief Economist, Michael Kokalari, says the introduction of the global minimum tax should have limited impact on Vietnam’s FDI inflows. His key points are Vietnam will find away to work around it and rebate some of
Vietnam online piracy raid sees three arrested
Three men in Vietnam’s Quang Binh province have been arrested for pirated content they allegedly disseminated online, Torrent Freak is reporting. The allegations are related to three websites that reportedly brought in VND 80 to VND 100 million (US$3,300 to US$4,100) a month. How significant is this raid? Probably not
VN-Index closes up, foreign traders net-sell US$8.85 million, January 10
The VN-Index has finished up 2.95 points or .25 percent in Wednesday trade, bringing the index to 1,161.54 points. Foreign traders, however, are still exiting the market. A further US$8.85 million was net-withdrawn from the market in the day’s trade, bringing the total net-sold by foreign investors to US$41.9 million
Vietnam’s Economy, December 2023: Snapshot
December in Vietnam began with state media announcing the wave of lay-offs that had plagued the manufacturing sector in Ho Chi Minh City was drawing to an end. This conclusion was reached based on just 13,300 people registered to receive unemployment benefits in November, a drop of nearly 25 percent
Vietnam goods stopped at US border top US$220 million, suspected forced labour
A total of 1,197 shipments of goods from Vietnam into the US have been denied entry to the USA under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), according to The Investor. The Vietnamese publication says this data covers June 2022 to November 2023. Of note, it has become common for
Vietnam’s economy likely to see 5.5 percent growth in 2024: World Bank
The World Bank is estimating Vietnam’s GDP growth will cap-out at 4.7 percent for 2023, with 5.5 percent growth expected in 2024 next year, according to the World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects–January 2024 report. This is slightly less than official data provided by Vietnam’s General Office of Statistics which estimated
Vietnam’s loan-deposit ratio reaches 104 percent
Deposits at Vietnamese banks hit US$554.53 billion at the end of 2023, VN Express is reporting. Also at the end of 2023, it was announced that credit growth had hit 13.7 percent making total credit to the economy at around US$555.07 billion. This puts Vietnam’s loan-deposit ratio at 104 percent.
Nestle to double processing capacity at southern Vietnam plant
Nestle intends to drop an additional US$100 million on its plant in Vietnam’s Tri An province to double its processing capacity, Vietnam News is reporting. The factory currently processes Vietnamese coffee for export to 29 countries. Notably Nestle is the biggest buyer of coffee in Vietnam, buying up around US$700
VN-Index falls, foreign traders net-withdraw US$4.8 million, January 9
The VN-Index fell marginally Tuesday losing 1.6 points or 0.14 percent to close at 1,158.59. Foreign traders also continued to divest from the market. They net-sold US$4.8 million worth of stocks bringing the total net-sold by foreign traders in the last five trading sessions to US$41.8 million. Trading history, foreign
Vietnam’s market economy status push receives push-back in US
An opinion piece in the Washington Times has suggested the redesignation of Vietnam as a market-economy from a non-market economy by the US Department of Commerce would be a ‘huge mistake’ for US stakeholders. The article is penned by Michael Stumo the CEO of the Coalition for a Prosperous America,
High production costs are holding Vietnam’s economy back: state media
Many businesses have had to downsize and many others have been forced to shut down altogether, partly due to high production costs, according to Vietnamnet. In particular the publication notes that: Capital costs are higher in Vietnam on the back of bigger risks; Transport infrastructure is haphazard and missing crucial
Vietnam’s garment and textile sector to have ‘difficult’ 2024
The year 2023, was the most difficult year in 30 years for the textile and garment industry in 30 years, according to Le Tien Truong, vice chairman of the Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group, and reported by Vietnam News. Key takeaways Garment and textile turnover dropped by 10 percent
VN-Index up, foreign traders net-sell US$10.2 million, January 8
The VN-Index has finished the first day of the trading week up 5.51 points or 0.48 percent to close at 1,160.19. Whereas its steady climb upward has been welcomed locally, foreign traders have continued to net-sell out of the market to the tune of US$10.2 million. Trading history, foreign investors,
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