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.
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
Construction: Vietnam’s construction sector secures US$12 million in March FDI commitments
The construction sector received US$12.41 million in foreign direct investment in March. This included 3 new projects worth US$2 million, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Automotive: Vietnam’s auto-trade and repairs sector records US$123 million in March FDI
The wholesale and retail trade sector, including the repair of cars, motorcycles and motorbikes, recorded US$123.46 million in foreign direct investment in March 2025. This comprised 103 new projects worth US$19 million, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Manufacturing: Vietnam March new manufacturing FDI tops US$2 billion
Vietnam’s processing and manufacturing industry recorded a total of US$2,077.01 million in foreign direct investment in March, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Planning and Investment. This included 123 new projects valued at US$1,174 million, accounting for more than half of total inflows.
Manufacturing: Vietnam April PMI sees sector contract sharply as US tariffs hit
Vietnam’s manufacturing sector shrank in April as newly announced US tariffs triggered a sharp drop in orders, production, and sentiment, according to a press release from S&P Global Vietnam Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index. Vietnam’s PMI fell to 45.6, down from 50.5 in March, signalling the steepest monthly contraction since May 2023, largely as a result of the US tariffs announced at the start of the month, the press release says.
Banking and finance: Vietnam’s finance and insurance sector sees US$142 million in March FDI commitments
The finance, banking and insurance sector attracted US$141.94 million in foreign direct investment in March, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Industry and Trade. This included just 1 new project valued at US$2 million.
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