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 plastic exports rise 8.88 percent in March, led by gains to China and Italy
Vietnam exported US$224.52 million worth of plastics in March 2025, up 8.88 percent month-on-month, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s insulated wire and cable exports rise by 19.47 percent in March
Vietnam’s exports of insulated wires and cables rose by 19.47 percent in March compared to February, reaching US$349.67 million, according to data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s Revised Power Development Plan 8: A Missed Opportunity
Last week, the Government of Vietnam issued a Decision significantly revising the Power Development Plan 8 (PDP8). However, whereas this could have been an opportunity to redesign the PDP8 to align more closely with on-the-ground realities, this opportunity looks to have been missed.
Vietnam’s imports of insulated wires and cables rise by 21.22 percent in March
Vietnam’s imports of insulated wires and cables surged to US$373.16 million in March, marking a 21.22 percent increase from February. Year-to-date (YTD) imports for this category reached US$994.38 million, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s chemical exports inch up in March, with sharp surge to India
Vietnam exported US$241.43 million worth of chemicals in March 2025, a modest rise of 2.09 percent from February, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Equitization of state-owned enterprises stalls as Vietnam looks set to miss 2025 targets
Despite a plan to equitize 30 state-owned enterprises (SOEs) during the 2023–2025 period, none have been equitized as of Q1 2025, raising concerns about the feasibility of Vietnam’s SOE reform targets, VN Economy is reporting. The plan had expected to raise VND 36.82 trillion (approx. US$1.47 billion) from equitizations.
Aviation: VietJet Vietnam stock market disclosure skims over latest court ruling, puts focus on appeal
In a release to the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange, Vietnamese budget airline, VietJet, has acknowledged a ruling last week in the UK courts. It has not, however, detailed what happened or how it might respond but rather has suggested an appeal in the originating case will be won, negating last week’s ruling. That ruling was that the airline is liable for just over US$180 million in missed lease payments.
Vietnam’s handbag and accessory exports surge by 42.10 percent in March
Vietnam’s exports of handbags, purses, suitcases, headgear, and umbrellas increased by 42.10 percent in March compared to February, reaching US$366.64 million, according to data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Steel: India imposes 12% duty on flat steel imports from Vietnam and China
India has imposed a 12 percent duty on flat steel imports from Vietnam and China for 200 days, aiming to shield its domestic steel sector from surging low-cost shipments of steel, according to The Hindu’s Business Line.
Vietnam’s insecticide and rodenticide imports rise by 25.79 percent in March
Vietnam’s imports of insecticides, rodenticides, and materials reached US$97.97 million in March, reflecting a 25.79 percent increase compared to February. Year-to-date (YTD) imports totalled US$241.64 million, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s yarn imports climbed over 15 percent in March
Vietnam imported US$244.78 million worth of yarn in March, an increase of 15.36 percent from February, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This pushed the total import value for the first three months of the year to US$650.88 million.
Vietnam’s yarn exports rise 11 percent in March, driven by strong demand from China
Vietnam’s yarn exports totalled US$385.15 million in March 2025, up 10.98 percent from February, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s glass and glassware exports increase by 22.37 percent in March
Vietnam’s glass and glassware exports rose by 22.37 percent in March compared to February, reaching US$111.72 million, according to data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s glass and glassware imports increase by 24.71 percent in March
Vietnam’s imports of glass and glassware totalled US$122.01 million in March, marking a 24.71 percent increase compared to February. Year-to-date (YTD) imports reached US$302.24 million, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s wood imports surged over 25 percent in March
Vietnam imported US$261.75 million worth of wood and wooden products in March, up 25.52 percent from February, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This brought the year-to-date total to US$667.68 million.
Vietnam’s Revised Power Development Plan 8 2025: What’s Changed?
Last week, the Government of Vietnam issued Decision 768/QD-TTg significantly revising the Power Development Plan 8 (PDP8). This comes less than two years after the first PDP8 was issued and makes some substantial changes to Vietnam’s goals and expectations. Notably, the PDP8 is a cornerstone of Vietnam’s electricity industry, and with this in mind, this article breaks down how this plan has changed.
Vietnam’s non-wood furniture exports rise by 35.65 percent in March
Vietnam’s exports of furniture made from materials other than wood climbed by 35.65 percent in March compared to February, reaching US$319.36 million, according to data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
VietJet found liable for US$181.8 million in UK court aircraft leasing dispute
The High Court of England and Wales has ruled in favour of FW Aviation, ordering VietJet Aviation to pay more than US$181.8 million in a dispute over four aircraft that VietJet failed to return after their leases were cancelled. The court upheld FW Aviation’s right to full termination payments and possession of the aircraft, rejecting VietJet’s penalty clause and title-based defences, according to the decision handed down by the court.
Vietnam’s exports of tyre cord and technical fabrics up 15 percent in March
Vietnam exported US$69.80 million worth of tyre cord fabrics and other technical textiles in March, up 15.20 percent from February, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s textile and leather material imports jumped over 28 percent in March
Vietnam imported US$678.64 million worth of textile, leather and footwear materials and auxiliaries in March, up 28.34 percent from February, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. The year-to-date total reached US$1.70 billion.
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