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.
Chemicals: Vietnam chemical imports up 5.9 percent in April, China top supplier
Vietnam imported US$711.91 million worth of chemicals in April 2025, marking a 5.9 percent increase from March, according to the latest data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Total year-to-date imports reached US$2.58 billion.
Plastic products: Vietnam imports rise .55 percent in April, China dominates
Vietnam’s imports of plastic products reached US$861.54 million in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a slight increase of 0.55 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) import value of US$3.09 billion.
10 Key Manufacturing Hubs in Vietnam 2025: Key Locations & Industries
Vietnam has emerged as a prominent manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia, attracting significant foreign direct investment (FDI) and driving economic growth. The country’s strategic location, competitive labour costs, and supportive government policies have contributed to its manufacturing prowess. Several key locations have emerged as focal points for industrial development and production.
Phones: Vietnam imports climb .07 percent in April, China dominates source countries
Vietnam’s imports of telephones, mobile phones, and their parts reached US$867.60 million in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a negligible increase of 0.07 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) import value of US$3.42 billion.
Cameras: Vietnam exports up 6.07 percent in April, China top destination
Vietnam’s exports of still image and video cameras and parts thereof reached US$646.50 million in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents an increase of 6.07 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) export value of US$2.37 billion.
Trade: Vietnam pushes domestic firms to pressure US policy makers on tariffs
Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, in a conference last week, urged businesses to send letters of protest to US agencies with respect to the “reciprocal tariffs” announced last month to help put pressure on the Trump administration. This is part of a series of broader moves to see those tariffs reduced to a more manageable level.
Electricity: Vietnam raises average power price by 4.8 percent from May 10
The average retail electricity price in Vietnam will rise from VND 2,103.11 to VND 2,204.07 per kWh, a 4.8 percent increase from today, according to a press release from state power provider Electricity Vietnam (EVN). The move has been driven by rising input costs—notably coal, gas, oil, LNG, and the exchange rate—with low-cost hydropower only expected to supply 25 percent of total demand in 2025, the release says.
Footwear: Vietnam exports up 16.94 percent in April, USA top destination
Vietnam’s exports of footwear reached US$2.23 billion in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a substantial increase of 16.94 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) export value of US$7.60 billion.
Plastics: Vietnam imports fall 2.3 percent in April, China main source
Vietnam’s imports of plastics reached US$1.06 billion in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a slight decrease of 2.30 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) import value of US$4.09 billion.
Iron & steel: Vietnam imports up 5.71 percent in April, China remains top supplier
Vietnam’s imports of iron and steel reached US$962.88 million in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a 5.71 percent increase compared to the import value in March, with a year-to-date import value of US$3.61 billion for this category.
Footwear: Crocs warns Vietnam tariffs could pose major disruption to global sourcing strategy
Tariffs on Vietnam would be more disruptive than those on China for Crocs due to its deep reliance on Vietnam for manufacturing, Crocs CEO Andrew Rees has told an investor call.
Textiles & garments: Vietnam exports slightly up 0.24 percent in April, USA top destination
Vietnam’s exports of textiles and garments reached US$3.07 billion in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a marginal increase of 0.24 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) export value of US$11.76 billion.
Machines & equipment: Vietnam exports up 0.88 percent in April, USA top destination
Vietnam’s exports of machine, equipment, tools and instruments reached US$4.71 billion in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a marginal increase of 0.88 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) export value of US$17.09 billion.
Fabrics: Vietnam imports up 5.68 percent over March, China lead supplier
Vietnam’s imports of fabrics reached US$1.42 billion in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a 5.68 percent increase compared to the import value in March, with a year-to-date import value of US$4.87 billion for this category.
Computers & electrical products: Vietnam exports down 4.91 percent in April, USA top destination
Vietnam’s exports of computers, electrical products, spare-parts and components thereof reached US$8.15 billion in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a decrease of 4.91 percent compared to March, although the year-to-date (YTD) export value remains substantial at US$29.26 billion.
Phones: Vietnam exports down 22.04 percent in April, China top destination
Vietnam’s exports of phones reached US$3.76 billion in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a significant decrease of 22.04 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) export value of US$17.80 billion.
Electronics: Vietnam imports sees slight dip in April, still strong YTD
Vietnam’s imports of computers, electrical products, spare parts, and components thereof reached US$11.24 billion in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a 2.18 percent decrease compared to the import value in March. However, the year-to-date import value for this sector remains substantial at US$42.88 billion.
Machinery, equipment, tools & instruments: Vietnam imports up slightly in April, China dominates
Vietnam’s imports of machinery, equipment, tools, and instruments reached US$4.93 billion in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a marginal 1.76 percent increase compared to the import value in March, with a year-to-date import value of US$17.58 billion for this category.
Food & beverage: Vietnam wine consumption set to hit US$2.8 billion by 2033: Report
Vietnam’s wine market reached US$2.0 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.73 percent to reach US$2.8 billion by 2033, according to a report from IMARC Group.
Defense: Experts weigh in on Vietnam’s shift from Russian to Western arms
Vietnam’s push to modernise its military and reduce dependence on Russian arms has opened the door to Western defence firms, but experts have told Breaking Defense that unclear procurement processes, political risks, and capacity gaps in logistics and maintenance could complicate their path into the market
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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