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.
Chocolate in the Philippines 2026: Market Trends, Opportunities, Challenges, & Key Players
The Philippines’ chocolate market is expanding steadily, driven by rising incomes, urbanisation, and wider access through modern retail and e-commerce.
Vietnam iron and steel products exports down 25.83 percent MoM in February 2026 / USA -31.15%, Japan -22.05%
Vietnam exported iron and steel products to the tune of US$353 million in February, down from US$475 million in January, a change of -25.83 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam wood and wood products exports down 39.64 percent MoM in February 2026 / USA -44.08%, China -29.00%
Vietnam exported wood and wood products to the tune of US$969 million in February, down from US$1,606 million in January, a change of -39.64 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Mobile phone production in Vietnam up 1.73 percent in February / year-on-year -5.36%, YTD -4.43%
Vietnam produced 15.32 million mobile phones in February, up 1.73 percent from 15.06 million units in January, according to the National Statistics Office.
Vietnam exports to Indonesia down 16.97% February 2026 MoM / textiles & garments -19.66% , iron and steel +11.02%
In February, Vietnam exported US$407 million worth of goods to Indonesia, down 16.97 percent over January, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam cotton imports down 33.40 percent in February 2026 / USA -34.70%, Brazil- 34.24%
Vietnam imported cotton to the tune of US$162 million in February, down from US$243 million in January, a change of -33.40 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam phones exports down 3.13% MoM in February 2026 / China -21.36%, USA -23.21%
Vietnam exported phones to the tune of US$5,485 million in February, down from US$5,662 million in January, a change of -3.13 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam car production February 2026 +49.18% / year-on-year +8.97, YTD +24.01%
Vietnam produced 51.70 thousand motor vehicles in February, up 49.18 percent from 34.66 thousand units in January, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Vietnam computers exports down 15.22% MoM in February 2026 / USA -19.73%, China +0.79%
Vietnam exported computers to the tune of US$8,105 million in February, down from US$9,560 million in January, a change of -15.22 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam beer output up 30.99 percent in February / +15.27% YoY, +18.08% YTD
Vietnam produced 420.39 million litres of beer in February, up 30.99 percent from 320.94 million litres in January, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Vietnam iron and steel exports down 20.82% MoM in February 2026 / USA -15.55%, India -7.97%
Vietnam exported iron and steel to the tune of US$515 million in February, down from US$650 million in January, a change of -20.82 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam LPG imports up 37% in February 2026 / Qatar -18.65%, Malaysia- 6.21%
Vietnam imported liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) to the tune of US$175 million in February, up from US$128 million in January, a change of 37 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Can Vietnam’s Biofuel Mandate Deliver Energy Security?
As part of ambitious clean energy transition and energy security goals, from June 1, petrol will need to contain a minimum of 5 percent ethanol. This may, however, not be the boon biofuels firms are hoping for.
Vietnam motor vehicles imports down 6.84 percent in February 2026 / China -44.70%, Indonesia 87.18%
Vietnam imported motor vehicles to the tune of US$359 million in February, down from US$385 million in January, a change of -6.84 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam gasoline and oil production up 4.26 percent in February
Vietnam produced 1,496.11 thousand tons of gasoline and oil in February, up 4.26 percent from 1,434.97 thousand tons in January, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Vietnam crude oil imports down 19.62 percent in February 2026 / Kuwait -24.25%, Brunei Darussalam- 1.26%
Vietnam imported crude oil to the tune of US$481 million in February, down from US$598 million in January, a change of -19.62 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam textile & footwear materials exports down 36.51% MoM in February 2026 / Cambodia -35.55%, Indonesia -40.19%
Vietnam exported textile and footwear materials to the tune of US$160 million in February, down from US$253 million in January, a change of -36.51 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam petroleum products exports up 32.22% MoM in February 2026 / Thailand +9.89%, Singapore +153.37%
Vietnam exported petroleum products to the tune of US$32 million in February, up from US$24 million in January, a change of 32.22 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
LPG production in Vietnam up 21.82 percent in February
Vietnam produced 75.15 thousand tons of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in February, up 21.82 percent from 61.69 thousand tons in January, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Vietnam fertilizers imports up 7.98% in February 2026 / China -21.07%, Russia +1,393.59%
Vietnam imported fertilisers to the tune of US$81 million in February, up from US$75 million in January, a change of 7.98 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Petrol stations run dry in parts of Vietnam as falling fuel prices squeeze retailers’ margins, despite petrol dropping below US$0.76 per litre. Meanwhile, the
Financial difficulties at two major gym chains raise questions about consumer spending and household finances in Vietnam. Meanwhile, a Chinese contractor joins Vingroup’s US$3.9
Vietnam’s central bank moves to rebuild foreign exchange reserves despite mounting inflation pressures, raising questions about the government’s economic strategy. Meanwhile, reports of Vingroup-linked
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