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Can LNG really save Vietnam-US trade?
Key Challenges in Vietnam-US Trade Negotiations: Unpacked
Vietnam’s Private Sector Development Push: Unpacked
Vietnam’s Aviation Industry: State of Play 2025
Vietnam and the Middle Income Trap: Unpacked
Vietnam’s 8 Percent GDP Growth Target: Unpacked
Buy More, Sell Less: Tackling Vietnam’s Trade Surplus with the US
Is Vietnam the Next Asian Tiger Economy?
What Recent Traffic Reforms Say About Doing Business in Vietnam
Building An International Financial Centre in Vietnam: Unpacked
Vietnam’s Economy in 2024: A Brief Recap
What to Watch Now Google Has An Office in Vietnam
Does Vietnam Have a Private Consumption Problem Too?
Category: Services & Trade
This category includes the service sector, retail, logistics, finance, e-commerce, and tourism, alongside trade policy and investment trends. It covers import/export dynamics, banking regulations, stock market movements, and infrastructure development. With increasing integration into regional and global trade, this section provides insights into consumer behavior, foreign investment, and evolving service industries.
Tourism and hospitality: Vietnam tourist arrivals from Europe up 19 percent in March
Vietnam received 285,526 European visitors in March, up 19.1 percent from February, according to data from Vietnam’s General Department of Tourism. Year-to-date arrivals reached 791,872, a 19.6 percent increase compared to the first quarter of 2024, marking a significant boost to Vietnam’s tourism industry.
Real Estate: Vietnam’s March real estate sector FDI over US$915 million
Foreign direct investment into real estate projects in Vietnam totalled US$915.70 million in March, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The sector saw 12 new projects valued at US$759 million, accounting for more than 80 percent of the total inflow into real esate.
ICT: Vietnam’s information and communication sector recordsUS$103 million in March FDI
The information and communication sector attracted US$102.93 million in foreign direct investment in March. This included 22 new projects valued at just US$2 million, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Tourism and hospitality: Vietnam March tourist arrivals from Asia top 2 million
Vietnam welcomed 2.05 million tourists from Asia in March 2025, up 8 percent from February, according to data from Vietnam’s General Department of Tourism data. For the first quarter, tourist arrivals from Asia reached 4.71 million, marking a 34 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024 and a significant boost for Vietnam’s tourism industry.
Tourism & Hospitality: Dusit Hotels and Resorts set to make Vietnam capital debut
Thai hospitality group Dusit Hotels and Resorts will open Dusit Le Palais Tu Hoa Hanoi on May 9, 2025, marking its firs foray into the capital with a 207-room luxury property overlooking West Lake, Hospitality Net has reported.
Consumer goods: Vietnam’s online premium cosmetics market to triple by 2033
Vietnam’s online premium cosmetics market is set to surge from US$265.15 million in 2024 to over US$643.86 million by 2033, driven by Gen Z consumers, tech innovation, and eco-conscious spending, according to a report from Astute Analytica
Telecom prices edge up slightly in March despite drop in smartphone and tablet costs
The consumer price index (CPI) for the postal and telecommunications group rose 0.02% in March 2025, as minor increases in phone equipment and repair services were mostly offset by lower prices for smart devices and accessories, according to data from the General Statistics Office.
Vietnam Airports 2025: Foreign Ownership Limits, Main Airports & More
Vietnam’s airports have been a critical component in Vietnam’s economic development. They are the main entry point for most foreign investors, they facilitate millions of dollars of trade via air freight every day, and they have commanded huge amounts of public investment spurring the country’s economic growth. But Vietnam’s key airports are near, if not over capacity, and expansions are sorely needed. This, however, will take huge amounts of money as well as expertise and support. With this in mind, this guide runs through Vietnam airports, including their needs and development plans…
Tax: Hanoi presser hears Vietnam’s sugary drink tax plan falls short of WHO recommendations
Vietnam plans to introduce a new excise tax on sugary drinks starting at 8 percent, but health officials and WHO experts have told a press conference in Hanoi a much higher rate is needed to curb rising obesity and non-communicable diseases, as reported in by Dan Tri.
US tariffs: insights from US-based Vietnam Trade Counselor
The US will prioritize negotiations with several countries, including Vietnam, India, the UK, Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia in tariff talks, Do Ngoc Hung, Trade Counselor at the Vietnam Trade Office in the US has told a conference, as reported by Cafe F. This comes as the end of a 90-day pause on a 46 percent import tariff on Vietnamese goods draws uncomfortably nearer.
Economy: World Bank cuts Philippines growth outlook for 2025
The World Bank has downgraded its growth forecast for the Philippines to 5.3 percent for 2025, down from the 6.1 percent projection made in October 2024, according to its April 2025 World Bank East Asia and the Pacific Economic Update.
Economy: World Bank cuts Vietnam’s 2025 growth forecast
Vietnam’s growth outlook for 2025 has been significantly downgraded by the World Bank, with projections falling to 5.8 percent from 6.5 percent forecast in October 2024, according to its April 2025 World Bank East Asia and the Pacific Economic Update.
Economy: World Bank trims Indonesia growth forecast for 2025
The World Bank has downgraded Indonesia’s economic growth forecast for 2025 to 4.7 percent, down from the 5.1 percent projected in October 2024, according to its April 2025 World Bank East Asia and the Pacific Economic Update.
Retail: Mobile World confident of growth in Vietnam despite tariff headwinds
Vietnamese retail giant Mobile World Investment Corporation (MWG) expects to continue growing even if the market stagnates or retreats, chairman Nguyen Duc Tai told shareholders at the company’s 2025 AGM on Saturday, English language news site, The Investor has reported.
Vietnam’s healthcare costs rise slightly in March amid seasonal illness and pricing updates
Vietnam’s consumer price index (CPI) for drugs and medical services rose by 0.13% in March 2025, contributing 0.01 percentage point to overall inflation. The increase was driven by updated public service pricing and higher demand for common medicines amid seasonal illness in the north, according to data from the General Statistics Office.
Vietnam’s housing and construction costs rise in March amid strong rental demand
The consumer price index (CPI) for housing, electricity, water, fuel, and construction materials rose by 0.5 percent in March 2025, contributing 0.09 percentage points to overall CPI growth. The increase was largely driven by higher rents and input material costs, while declines in utility and fuel prices provided some offset, according to data from the General Statistics Office.
Cosmetics: Vietnam market set to reach US$2.8 billion by 2033: Report
Vietnam’s cosmetics market is undergoing a rapid transformation, with the market size projected to grow from US$1.7 billion in 2024 to US$2.8 billion by 2033, according to IMARC Group. The industry is expected to record a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3% during 2025-2033.
Vietnam’s News Media Industry 2025: Digital Trends, Censorship, and Market Outlook
The Vietnamese news media industry in 2025 continues to evolve rapidly, influenced by technological advancements, economic growth, and changing consumer preferences. While state-owned media still dominate the landscape, independent outlets and digital platforms have gained significant traction, offering a more diverse range of perspectives and news coverage.
Vietnam foreign exchange market to reach US$7.9 billion by 2033: Report
Vietnam’s foreign exchange market reached US$3.4 billion in 2024 and is forecast to more than double to US$7.9 billion by 2033, with an expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.61 percent during 2025–2033. The sector is expanding on the back of robust exports, foreign direct investment, and growing financial market sophistication, according to a report from IMARC Group.
Vietnam medical tourism market to reach US$3.7 billion by 2033: Report
Vietnam’s medical tourism sector is surging, projected to grow from US$722.3 million in 2024 to US$3.7 billion by 2033, driven by affordable, high-quality healthcare and increasing international demand for cosmetic, dental, and surgical procedures, according to a report from IMARC group.
April 2025
Labour Market Report
Q1 2025
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