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.
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.
Manufacturing: Vietnam’s Index of Industrial Production rises 4.3 percent in May
Industrial output maintained strong momentum in May, with the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) rising 4.3 percent month-on-month and 9.4 percent year-on-year, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Aviation: VietJet Air calls in government to shut down online critics
Vietnam budget airline, VietJet Air, has asked Hanoi’s mayor to clamp down on social media users spreading what it calls “false information”, Radio Free Asia has reported.
Manufacturing: Philippines PMI falls in May as output and exports decline
The Philippines Manufacturing PMI fell to 50.1 in May from 53.0 in April, signalling a broad stagnation in operating conditions, according to the latest data from S&P Global. Output contracted and export orders declined at the fastest pace since November 2023, reversing April’s growth momentum.
Manufacturing: Indonesia new orders plunge, but PMI jumps .7 points
Indonesia’s Manufacturing PMI stood at 47.4 in May, rising from 46.7 in April but still well below 50, indicating continued contraction, according to the latest data from S&P Global. New orders fell at the sharpest rate since August 2021, while exports also declined — notably in shipments to the US.
Manufacturing: Vietnam PMI climbs in May but still in contraction
Vietnam’s Manufacturing PMI rose to 49.8 in May from 45.6 in April, remaining below the 50 threshold that signals contraction, according to the latest data from S&P Global.
New export orders fell sharply for the second straight month, linked to the impact of US tariffs on demand. However, output returned to growth as tariff policy appeared more stable than in April.
Automotive: Vietnam introduces separate electricity tariff for EV charging stations
Vietnam has introduced a separate electricity pricing mechanism for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations under Decision 14/2025, effective May 29, Nguoi Quan Sat has reported. This is as opposed to being charged at either the retail or business price.
Dairy: Vietnam’s Nutifood and Australia’s ViPlus launch premium milk brand
Vietnam’s Nutifood and Australia’s ViPlus Dairy signed a joint venture on May 8 in Melbourne to launch GippsNature, a premium international dairy brand, VnEconomy has reported. The brand will debut in Q3 2025, targeting Vietnam and global markets with products ranging from infant formula to functional foods.
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