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 garment and textile exports down 26.5 percent in value September over August
Vietnam’s garment and textile exports fell by 26.5 percent in September over August from US$4.1 billion to US$2.98 billion. Vietnam’s garment and textile exports for the year now stand at US$27.3 billion which represents an increase of 8.9 percent over the same period last year…
Vietnam insurance premium revenue falls .41 percent January to September
Of note, last year allegations emerged bank customers were allegedly being told by staff at several, banks they were depositing money into high-interest savings products, but in reality, they were being sold insurance policies. This did broad reputational damage to the insurance industry from which it looks to still be struggling to recover…
Vietnam power prices rise an average of 4.8 percent, still below cost
Of note, EVN has been running at a loss for some time and banking huge losses with no retail power prices increases in the four years to November 2023. For reference, the average electricity price for the world is 15.5 US cents per kilowatt-hour with electricity in Vietnam running at about 7.5 US cents per kilowatt-hour…
Beer production in Vietnam climbs 4.5 percent in September over August
Beer production is now up 6.7 percent year-on-year, a welcome sign for Vietnam’s beer industry which has been struggling since COVID on the back of a change in consumer behaviour, broader economic challenges that have reduced spending power, an increase in beer imports, and stronger enforcement of drink-driving laws…
Vietnam needs change in ‘thinking and vision’ for economic development: Economist
Vietnamese economist Tran Dinh Thien, has told local news outlet Vietnamnet that Vietnam’s ‘socialist-oriented market economy’ model needs a revamp, with its progress hindered by an over emphasis on the ‘socialist-oriented’ part rather than the ‘market economy’ part. “…Development inclines to ‘socialist orientation’, while the ‘market’ factor has been somewhat restrained which makes it unable to develop in [sic] the right track,” he told the publication…
Vietnam Ministry of Planning and Investment sets 2025 growth target at 7-7.5 percent
Vietnam’s Ministry of Planning and Investment has set a target for GDP growth for Vietnam in 2025 of 7 to 7.5 percent in 2025, aiming to become one of the top 33 global economies, Tuoi Tre has reported. The goal includes achieving a GDP of US$500 billion and increasing per capita income to around US$4,900, up from US$4,284 in 2023. The article does not detail the Ministry of Planning and Investment’s rationale for setting this target…
Vietnam car sales jump 50 percent September over August
Year on year sales are also up about 2 percent, on the back of the jump in sales in September. Car imports are also up averaging 13,820 units a month so far this year which is up from an average of 9,612 in 2023…
Vietnam’s PM asks Japan for ODA support for North-South railway
This comes after the Ministry of Transport announced that it intended to avoid foreign loans to pay for the project in favour of utilising domestic finances…
Vietnam International Bank: Vietnam Stock Overview
In the first half of 2024, VIB’s total operating income rose by 0.6 percent year-over-year to reach US$417 million, while profit before tax dropped by 18.4 percent to US$185.4 million…
Vietnam News Roundup: October 4 to October 10
This week’s Vietnam news roundup covers the latest growth forecasts; data updates re: tourist arrivals, and imports and exports; the latest breakdown of Vietnam’s key power sources; a corporate bond issuances update; the possibility of a Trump hotel and resort in northern Vietnam, and more…
Vietnam growth risks ‘tilted toward the downside’: AMRO
Risks to growth are tilted towards the downside due to weaker-than-expected consumer demand in the U.S., a sharp growth slowdown in Europe, and slower growth in China among several other challenges, according to the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office.
Vietnam corporate bond issuances halve month-on-month in September
Vietnam’s corporate bond market saw 25 bond issuances–24 private and 1 public–worth a collective VND 23,800 billion, US$958 million, in September, according to data from the Vietnam Bond Market Association. This was a sizable fall compared to August…
Saigon – Hanoi Commercial Bank: Vietnam Stock Overview
Net interest income declined by 3.7 percent, in contrast to the broader trend where banks like VPBank, HDBank, and VietinBank saw significant growth in net interest income during the first half of the year. Of note, SHB’s credit growth declined slightly by 0.3 percent in the first quarter of 2024. In response, the bank reduced lending interest rates in late March to compete for credit demand, however, this led to a drop in its net interest margin…
Trump Organisation signs MOU on golf course, hotel development in Vietnam
The Trump Organisation and Vietnam’s Hung Yen Investment Group which is owned by Vietnam developer Kinhbac, have signed a memorandum of understanding with respect to developing a golf course and hotel complex in Vietnam’s Hung Yen province. Kinh Bac, in a press release, has said the total investment will be in the vicinity of US$1.5 billion. Of note, it’s not clear that any of these funds will come from the Trump Organisation. The press release specifically states that it will be developed by a ‘consortium of investors selected by the Trump Organization’.
Vietnam risking “one-way connector” role in global trade: World Bank
“Countries like Vietnam have benefited from “connecting” major trading partners as global tensions rose, but the scope for playing such a role may be shrinking,” according to the World Bank.
Vietnam National Petroleum Group: Vietnam Stock Overview
Recent growth has been fueled by stable petroleum business operations and a 0.6 percent increase in PLX’s output compared to 2023. Additionally, PLX opened 60 new fuel stations during the first seven months of the year…
EVN Reports 10.9 percent increase in power output from January to September 2024
The bulk of this power has been produced by burning coal which accounted for 49.6 percent of Vietnam’s electricity supply in the third quarter of the year, though notably this was down from about 57 percent in the first half of the year…
‘Destination Vietnam’ campaign kicks into gear with Directors Guild of America event
Of note, however, is that the business environment in Vietnam has changed significantly in terms of regulatory oversight and censorship, both of which have proven key obstacles for foreign studios looking to make films in Vietnam…
German fitness chain Fit24 halts operations in Vietnam, reasons unclear
Of note, Opening a gym in Vietnam for foreign firms or individuals, however, is not always easy. Not only are there several technical and licensing requirements that need to be met, but Vietnam has also developed its own very distinct gym culture. This can take a little getting used to and may make penetrating Vietnam’s gym-going consumer class challenging…
Paying For Vietnam’s High-Speed Rail: Unpacked
Vietnam’s Transport Ministry has said that Vietnam’s high-speed railway project connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will utilise domestic finances and technology, as opposed to support from abroad. It is, however, expensive and financing it alone will be challenging.
In today’s Vietnam news: Crypto transfers to VN not necessary, Novaland bond changes, Perspectives on garment industry, Working hours cut proposed, Adding political component
In today’s Vietnam news: Fuel prices cut, Double-digit growth target reinforced, New airport services delay approval requested, TikTok VN investment, Bybit in Vietnam, LG
In today’s Vietnam news: VN renews antidumping tariffs on Thai sugar, Power supply challenges continue, USTR tariffs forced labour, AMRO growth forecast downgrade, Foreign
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