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.
Banking: Credit growth boosts Q1 profits, but deposit costs and provisioning rise
Vietnam’s system-wide credit grew 3.93 percent by March 31, nearly triple the pace in Q1 2024, Kinh Te Saigon is reporting. This supported high profit growth at banks like SeABank (+189 percent), MBBank (+45 percent), HDBank (+33 percent), and Sacombank (+38 percent), however, the publication also notes that rising bad debts led to increased credit risk provisioning, with rising deposit interest costs also putting pressure on banks’ margins.
Tourism & hospitality: Vietnam’s accommodation and food services sees US$37 million in March FDI
The accommodation and food services sector recorded US$36.61 million in foreign direct investment in March 2025. This included 4 new projects with a total value of US$33 million, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
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Finance: Vietnam’s insurance market grows 5.6 percent in Q1 2025
Vietnam’s Total insurance premium revenue in Q1 2025 reached VND 56.58 trillion or US$2.26 billion, up 5.62 percent year-on-year. Non-life insurance recorded VND 22.01 trillion or US$880.4 million, rising 10 percent, with life insurance reaching VND 34.56 trillion or US$1.38 billion, growing 3 percent, according to data from the Ministry of Finance.
Public transport: Vietnam’s metro targets at risk without unified standards
Vietnam lacks a complete, harmonised framework for metro construction, making it harder to train engineers, approve designs, and maintain infrastructure over time, engineer Le Van Cuong, who consulted on Ho Chi Minh City’s Metro Line 1, has told VN Express. Moreover, he has warned that inconsistent standards lead to higher costs, longer build times, and difficulties in operations and maintenance.
Tourism and hospitality: Vietnam tourist arrivals from Oceania up 12 percent in March
Vietnam welcomed 46,383 tourists from Oceania in March 2025, up 11.9 percent from February, according to data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Moreover, total arrivals from the region in the first quarter reached 160,090, an 11.4 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024, providing a significant boost to Vietnam’s tourism industry.
Education: Vietnam’s education and training sector records US$44 million in March FDI
The education and training sector attracted US$43.57 million in foreign direct investment in March. No new projects were launched during the month, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Transport & infrastructure: Vietnam’s logistics sector March FDI tops US$156 million
The warehouse and transportation sector received US$156.66 million in foreign direct investment in March, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Of this, 11 new projects were licensed with a combined value of US$21 million.
Tourism and hospitality: Vietnam tourist arrivals from the Americas down 10 percent in March
Vietnam welcomed 104,874 tourists from the Americas in March 2025, down 10.3 percent from February, according to data from Vietnam’s General Department of Statistics. However, total arrivals in the first quarter reached 341,501, a 13 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024, marking a significant boost to Vietnam’s tourism industry from the Americas.
Gambling: FIFA demotes Vietnam’s Phu Tho FC over match-fixing
Vietnamese club Phu Tho FC has been demoted to the Third Division—the lowest tier in Vietnam’s football league system—after being found guilty of manipulating match results, according to a FIFA disciplinary ruling issued on May 2, and reported by VN Express.
Markets: Vietnam stocks among worst global performers in April amid tariff shock
Vietnam’s VN-Index dropped 6.2 percent in April, falling from 1,306 to 1,226 points, according to IndexQ, marking the steepest monthly decline in a year, VN Express has reported. This placed Vietnam second on the list of the world’s worst-performing stock markets, behind only Argentina, which saw a 10.8 percent drop.
Healthcare: Vietnam’s health and social assistance sector records US$92 million in March FDI
The health and social assistance sector saw US$92 million in foreign direct investment in March. No new projects were reported during the month, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
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.
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.
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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