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.
Stock market: Vietnam’s VN-Index extends gains, foreigners net sell US$45 million
The VN-Index closed at 1,667.26 on September 12, up 9.51 points or 0.57 percent, with total trading value reaching VND 34.17 trillion (US$1.31 billion), according to the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange.
Thailand Trade 2025: Exports, Imports & FTAs
Thailand occupies a central position in Southeast Asia’s trade landscape, acting as a bridge between fast-growing regional economies and global markets. This article explores Thai trade including its free trade agreements, main imports and exports, and key trade data.
Digital assets: Vietnam launches five-year pilot to regulate crypto assets
Vietnam has just put in place its first structured rules for crypto, with a five-year pilot programme now underway. Resolution No. 05/2025/NQ-CP, signed on 9 September by Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc, sets the framework for how issuance, trading, custody and service provision will be handled, The Government Newspaper has reported
Currency: Vietnam central dong rate—black market spread narrows to 6.66 percent, Thursday
The State Bank of Vietnam kept its central exchange rate unchanged at VND 25,221 per US dollar, while the Google Finance mid-market rate edged to 26,402.50.
Stock market: Vietnam’s VN-Index gains 14.49 points but foreign traders net-sell US$42 million
Vietnam’s stock market maintained upward momentum as the VN-Index gained 14.49 points, or 0.88 percent, to finish at 1,657.75 on 11 September 2025, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Plastics: China, South Korea top suppliers of Vietnam’s plastic imports in August
Vietnam’s imports of plastics fell to US$1.02 billion in August, down 5.87 percent from July, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Year-to-date imports reached US$8.35 billion.
Banking & finance: Vietnam corporate bond market steady in August
Vietnam’s corporate bond market remained active in August, with 37 private placements totalling VND 39,357 billion (US$1.51 billion) and 6 public offerings worth VND 6,332 billion (US$243 million), according to the Vietnam Bond Market Association (VBMA).
Currency: Vietnam dong central exchange rate—black market premium widens, Wednesday
On September 10, the State Bank of Vietnam set the central exchange rate at VND 25,221 per US dollar, a drop of 15 dong from the previous day.
Electronics: Vietnam phone imports up 20.22 percent in August, led by China and South Korea
Vietnam’s imports of telephones, mobile phones, and parts climbed to US$1.11 billion in August, a 20.22 percent increase from July, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Year-to-date imports reached US$6.99 billion.
Tourism: Vietnam records 1.68 million foreign visitors in August
Vietnam welcomed 1,684,972 international arrivals in August, an increase of 7.8 percent from July, bringing the year-to-date total to 13.91 million, 16.5 percent higher than the same period in 2024, according to the latest data from Vietnam’s National Statistics Office.
Energy: Vietnam petrol output up 6.6 percent in first eight months of 2025
Vietnam’s gasoline and oil production was estimated at 1.60 million tons in August 2025, slightly higher than 1.58 million tons in July. Output in August rose 1.6 percent year-on-year.
Philippines Trade 2025: Exports, Imports & FTAs
Trade in the Philippines is a cornerstone of its economic activity, linking the archipelago’s domestic industries to regional and global markets. This article explores the Philippines’ imports, exports, free trade agreements, and more.
Stock market: Vietnam’s VN-Index gains .79 percent, foreign traders net-sell US$33.9 million
Vietnam’s stock market closed higher on 9 September with the VN-Index rising 12.79 points to 1,637.32, supported by gains in large-cap and financial stocks, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Economy: Vietnam currency market update, September 8
The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) set the central exchange rate at VND 25,236 per US dollar on September 8, down 12 dong from September 5. On the same day, Google Finance quoted the mid-market rate at VND 26,414.98 per US dollar, 15 dong higher than the previous session.
Stock Market: Vietnam’s VN-Index falls but foreign investors return to strong net buying
Vietnam’s benchmark VN-Index closed at 1,624.53 on September 8, down 42.44 points or 2.55 percent, with total trading value reaching VND 53.17 trillion or US$2.04 billion, according to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Trade: Vietnam’s August exports up 2.6 percent over July on strong electronics, farm goods
Vietnam’s exports increased to US$43.39 billion in August, up 2.6 percent from July, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Year-to-date exports reached US$305.96 billion, with foreign-invested enterprises contributing nearly 75 percent.
Trade: Vietnam’s August imports dip 0.8 percent despite stronger electronics inflows
Vietnam’s imports edged down 0.8 percent month-on-month to US$39.67 billion in August, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Year-to-date imports reached US$291.97 billion, with foreign-invested enterprises accounting for US$197.19 billion.
Trade: Vietnam’s exports to Japan jump 4.4 percent in July
Vietnam exported US$2.34 billion worth of goods to Japan in July, up 4.4 percent from June and bringing total exports in the first seven months of 2025 to US$15.15 billion, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Indonesia Trade Guide 2025: Exports, Imports, FTAs & More
Indonesia’s trade is anchored in its role as one of the world’s largest commodity exporters, supplying markets with coal, palm oil, natural gas, and rubber. This article explores Indonesia trade including its main imports and exports, free trade agreements, tariff and non-tariff barriers, and more.
Imports: Vietnam’s shipments from Australia dip 3 percent in July
Vietnam imported US$566.51 million worth of goods from Australia in July, down 3 percent from June, though year-to-date imports remained steady at US$4.20 billion, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
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,
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