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.
Import-Export: Vietnam trade turnover tops US$78.6 billion in May
Vietnam’s total import-export turnover in May reached US$78.64 billion, up 5.8 percent month-on-month and 15.5 percent year-on-year, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office. In the first five months of 2025, total trade hit US$355.79 billion, up 15.7 percent compared to the same period last year.
Vietnam Market Wrap: VN-Index dips slightly as foreign investors remain net sellers
The VN-Index fell by 3.65 points to close at 1,342.09, down 0.27 percent from the previous session. Total trading value reached VND 19.17 trillion, or about US$737 million, reflecting moderate investor activity.
Advertising: Vietnam’s digital advertising market to reach US$2.88 billion by 2030: Report
Vietnam’s digital advertising industry was worth US$1.29 billion in 2024, and is forecast to grow to US$2.88 billion by 2030, according to a report from Research and Markets. This would give the sector a compounded annual growth rate of 14.38 percent.
Vietnam Market Wrap: VN-Index edges down slightly as foreign investors return to net selling
The VN-Index closed at 1,345.74, down 1.51 points or 0.11 percent on Wednesday, with total trading value reaching VND 23.49 trillion (approximately US$903 million). The market showed mild fluctuations with cautious investor sentiment prevailing.
Could A Trump Tower Really Break Ground in Vietnam Next Year?
Last week, it was widely reported that work could start on a Trump Tower in Ho Chi Minh City as soon as next year. However, Vietnam’s real estate sector is not flush with cash, and this could make it challenging to get this project off the ground.
Technology: US think tank says Vietnam’s content rules undermine US tech firms’ competitiveness
Vietnam’s sweeping content moderation law, Decree 147/2024, is reshaping the digital playing field in ways that heavily disadvantage US tech giants, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) has said in a statement.
Trade: US pushes Vietnam to cut reliance on China amid tariff talks
The US has submitted a detailed annex of “tough” trade requests to Vietnam with key demands that include reducing imports from China and tightening control over supply chain origins, Reuters has reported.
Market Wrap: Vietnam stock market rises, foreign investors return to net buying
The VN-Index advanced 10.95 points to close at 1,347.25, up 0.82 percent on June 3. Total market trading reached VND 25.73 trillion or US$990.57 million. The mood was upbeat as large-caps and banking stocks supported the gain.
Trade: Vietnam’s imports from China climb 2.19 percent in April
In April, Vietnam imported goods worth US$15.06 billion from China, representing a 2.19 percent increase compared to March. This brought the year-to-date total to US$53.16 billion, according to the latest data from Vietnam’s General department of Customs.
Banking & Finance: South Korea’s IBK clears key hurdle for Vietnam entry after eight-year wait
The State Bank of Vietnam has issued a confirmation letter to the Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK), signalling the official start of the review process for the Korean policy lender’s long-pending subsidiary application, The Korean Herald has reported.
Vietnam Market Wrap: VN-Index edges up as foreign investors return to net selling
The VN-Index inched up 3.70 points to close at 1,336.30 on Thursday, gaining 0.28 percent as investor sentiment remained cautiously positive. Total market trading value reached VND 20,843.81 billion, or approximately US$802 million.
Tourism: Vietnam’s Asian arrivals fall sharply in April, but YTD growth signals recovery
Vietnam recorded 1.25 million tourist arrivals from Asia in April, marking a sharp 22.5 percent drop compared to March. Despite this decline, year-to-date (YTD) figures remain positive, with 4.71 million Asian arrivals, up 3.0 percent over the same period in 2024, according to the latest data from the General Department of Tourism.
Aviation: Vietnam aviation authority defends Vietjet’s use of Chinesee Comac aircraft
Vietnam’s Civil Aviation Authority has formally defended Vietjet’s decision to operate Chinese-made Comac ARJ21 aircraft, responding to concerns raised by a member of the Vietnam Fatherland Front about potential safety risks, Lao Dong has reported. The concerns cited Comac’s lack of FAA and EASA certification, minimal global flight hours, and limited operational history compared to legacy aircraft such as the Airbus A320
Trade: Vietnam ramps up commodity imports from Australia in April
Vietnam’s imports from Australia rose to US$688.85 million in April, up 3.24 percent from March, bringing the year-to-date total to US$2.44 billion, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. The growth was driven by surging coal shipments and strong gains across key industrial and agricultural commodities.
Insurance: Cathay Life under fire in Vietnam for marketing life insurance as ‘savings books’
Cathay Life (Vietnam) is facing scrutiny for marketing its life insurance products as “super savings” schemes or “savings books”, misleading consumers about the true nature of the product, local news outfit, Tuoi Tre has alleged.
HSBC’s 2025 Global Trade Pulse Survey: Key Takeaways for Businesses in Vietnam
A total of 80 percent of Vietnamese firms have already faced rising costs due to tariff and trade uncertainty, according to HSBC’s 2025 Global Trade Pulse Survey. A further 82 percent expect this to continue in the short term.
Retail: Vietnam cracks down on counterfeit goods at Saigon Square
housands of items suspected of violating intellectual property laws were seized during a surprise inspection at Saigon Square on May 29, VN Express has reported. Brands targeted included Rolex, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, Hermès, Dior, and more, with counterfeit goods ranging from watches and handbags to eyewear and suitcases.
Vietnam Market Wrap: VN-Index steady as foreign investors turn net sellers
The VN-Index closed nearly unchanged at 1,341.86 on 29 May 2025, down just 0.01 points. Trading value reached VND 20.97 trillion or approximately US$807.39 million. Market sentiment was mixed, with no decisive upward or downward momentum.
Real estate: Business leaders say Vietnam’s social housing plan risks failure without reform
Regulatory delays, vague income definitions, and inflexible financing are stalling Vietnam’s goal to build 1 million social housing units by 2030, a cohort of real estate developers told a seminar Wednesday, The Investor has reported.
Healthcare: Vietnam’s telemedicine market set to nearly double by 2030: Report
Vietnam’s telemedicine market was valued at US$360 million in 2024 and is projected to reach US$660 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 10.52 percent, driven by chronic disease burdens, digital infrastructure upgrades, and strong government support, according to a report from MarkNtel Advisors.
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,
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