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.
Thailand launches anti dumping probe into steel from Vietnam
This adds to a growing list of investigations into steel import from Vietnam that includes South Korea, India, and the European Union and comes as cheap Chinese steel floods markets around the world. Of note there has been some suspicion that Chinese steel makers may be using Vietnam as an intermediary to circumvent trade tariffs in other countries on their own steel products…
Vietnam’s outbound investment still sluggish in September 2024
Vietnamese investors had launched 105 new projects and adjusted investment capital 18 times for the year to Septemberty. While the mining sector remained dominant, its share of investment dropped from 39.8 percent in August to 33 percent in September. Meanwhile, the electricity production and distribution sector accounted for 13.2 percent of total capital invested.
Vietnam’s GDP growth hits 7.4 percent in Q3 2024 [with table breakdown]
Vietnam’s GDP grew by 7.4 percent in the third quarter of 2024 compared to 2023, according to data from the General Office of Statistics. A total of 4.08 percent of Vietnam’s GDP this year has come from the forestry and fishery sector; with industry and construction accounting for a further 48.88 percent and the service sector accounting for the remaining 47.04 percent.
Vietnam Prosperity Commercial Bank: Vietnam Stock Overview
Notably, VPBank’s bad debt ratio is higher than many other banks, largely due to its high-risk business model. Unsecured loans and real estate made up 20 percent and 22 percent of its total credit, respectively…
AMRO lowers ASEAN growth forecast on Vietnam, Indonesia downward revisions
ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office–AMRO–has lowered its growth forecast for the ASEAN region from 4.8 percent to 4.7 percent after revising down the GDP growth forecasts of Vietnam and Indonesia by a tenth of a point each, according to the body’s ASEAN+3 Regional Economic Outlook Update, October 2024. “The sharp but
Vietnam News Roundup: September 27 to October 3
This week’s Vietnam news roundup covers consumer bank deposits, an update on the Mercedes-Benz plant in HCMC, Vietnam’s latest GDP forecasts, and more…
Vietnamese consumer bank deposits continue to climb
Of note, over the last two years in the wake of a broader economic downturn brought on by higher interest rates in key export markets and the near-collapse of Vietnam’s real estate market, everyday Vietnamese have turned to saving rather than spending their excess income. This is problematic in that local consumption has been an important growth driver over the last decade or so. Retail sales, month on month, however, have been more or less stagnant since the beginning of the year. This latest data from the SBV suggests this could last a while longer…
Vietnam to self-fund high-speed rail, avoid ‘strings attached’ foreign loans
Notably, debt-diplomacy has become common in recent years particularly in developing nations and given Vietnam’s precarious position in the world in terms of geopolitics, a reluctance to be indebted to external creditors is understandable. That said, this is a huge and very expensive project that really needs to be done right and Vietnam has no existing high-speed rail and therefore no experience installing and using the technology to speak of.
PetroVietnam Gas Corporation: Vietnam Stock Overview
Amid declining domestic natural gas production, imported LNG is slated to play a crucial role as a long-term alternative energy source. Currently, GAS is the first and only enterprise in Vietnam authorized to officially distribute LNG. GAS is involved in several key LNG projects, including the Thi Vai and Son MY LNG port warehouse and the Block B – O Mon gas pipeline projects…
VietinBank: Vietnam Stock Overview
Non-interest income fell by 12.6 percent to US$333.2 million, driven by a drop in bancassurance operations, in line with a broader decline in bancassurance revenue following negative publicity in 2023. In addition, securities trading revenue decreased 72.6 percent in contrast to the VN Index which increased by 10.2 percent and other financial institutions like MB Bank which had an eightfold increase in securities revenue year-over-year…
US announces preliminary subsidy rates on solar panels from Vietnam, others
This comes on the back of a series of trade remedies investigations into imports from Vietnam under suspicion that they are actually mostly made in China and simply shipped through Vietnam to avoid anti-dumping duties on Chinese imports…
Vietnam Mercedes-Benz plant lease extended after months of uncertainty
The joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and local firm SAMCO had requested an extension of its land lease as far back as 2021, however, the request was never actioned due to the aforementioned regulatory challenges (the can was kicked down the road). This came to a head earlier this year, however, when the company said it was considering shutting down its operations in Vietnam altogether as a result of the lolly-gagging…
Vietnam Purchasing Managers Index records 5.1 point fall in September
The S&P Global Vietnam Purchasing Managers’ Index has recorded a 5.1 point fall in September, from 52.4 in August to 47.3 a month later, according to a press release from the firm. This moved the index below the 50-point break even mark which means that Vietnam’s manufacturing industry, according to the index, contracted in September.
Should Vietnam Be Worried About Indonesia Joining the CPTPP?
Last week, Indonesia officially applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement. Whereas the benefits to Indonesia are clear, for Vietnam, a founding member of the agreement, it could be problematic. This article looks at the risks and opportunities for Vietnam if Indonesia’s accession is approved…
Military Commercial Bank: Vietnam Stock Overview
MBB’s total operating income increased by 11.3 percent year over year in the first half of 2024 with the banking industry benefiting from a more stable macroeconomic environment than in 2023 and a rebound in credit demand. Net interest income, however, increased by only 1 percent…
Buy Now Pay Later service debuts on petrol station app in Vietnam
Of note, the Buy Now, Pay Later–BNPLY–market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 29.2 percent from 2024 to 2029, according to a report from Markets and Research. The gross merchandise value of buy now pay later in Vietnam is expected to rise from US$1.32 billion in 2023 to US$6.89 billion by 2029…
Vietnam-made tyres subject of South African anti–dumping investigation
This announcement is in line with a growing narrative around Chinese producers using third-countries, particularly in Southeast Asia to circumvent trade remedies. Of note, genuine Vietnamese producers and exporters often get caught up in these investigations. Whereas they can apply for separate antidumping rates, this still consumes time and resources that many local firms, on the back of broader economic challenges, may not have.
IMF-Vietnam consultation report forecasts GDP growth of 6.1 percent 2024
The International Monetary Fund has released its Vietnam: 2024 Article IV Consultation report which breaks down the performance of Vietnam’s economy over the last 12 months. Notably, it forecasts GDP growth for this year and 2025 of 6.1 percent. The 97 page report also includes a number of recommendations…
S&P Global raises GDP growth outlook for Vietnam 0.4 points
The report notes that Vietnam and Malaysia in particular are experiencing strong growth in electronics exports and attracting substantial foreign direct investment in the electronics sector. However, it also notes that the electronics industry is known for its cyclical nature, and any decline in global demand could impact this momentum, leading to potential fluctuations in production and investment.
Vietnam skin care market to reach US$2.35 billion by 2032: Report
This is inline with a self-care market on the rise. The health and supplements market in Vietnam, for example, has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by increasing health awareness, rising disposable incomes, and a rapidly growing middle class.
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