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 & 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.
Vietnam Market Wrap: VN-Index edges up as foreign investors maintain net selling stance
The VN-Index inched up 2.06 points to close at 1,341.87 on 28 May, marking a 0.15 percent increase. Total trading value reached VND 22.42 trillion, equivalent to approximately US$863.85 million. Market sentiment remained cautious, with gains in select large-cap stocks offset by ongoing foreign outflows.
Trans shipping: To What Extent is Vietnam China’s backdoor to the U.S.?
Vietnam’s role as a transshipment hub for Chinese goods has become a key point of contention between the US and Vietnam. While there seems to be little question that this practice is taking place, there does seem to be some debate as to what extent. With this in mind, this article looks at a few key data points worth considering.
Logistics: Vietnam, France firms team up on US$492 million Hai Phong port expansion
Saigon Newport Corporation (SNP), under the Ministry of National Defense, will partner with France’s CMA CGM to build berths 7 and 8 at Lach Huyen, Hai Phong, with operation targeted for 2028, Cafe F has reported. The deep-water project is valued at VND 12.79 trillion or US$492 million, including VND 1.92 trillion or US$73.8 million in equity from SNP and VND 10.87 trillion or US$418.2 million in mobilised capital.
VN-Index edges higher, foreign investors remain net sellers
The VN-Index rose 7.30 points to close at 1,339.81 on May 27, up 0.55 percent from the previous session. Market sentiment remained steady throughout the day, with trading value reaching VND 25.03 trillion or around US$963 million, reflecting moderate investor participation.
Trade & investment: US$10 billion in deals signed during Macron visit to Vietnam
Vietnam and France have signed 14 agreements covering aviation, defence, space, healthcare, transport, and energy, during the first official trip by a French president to Vietnam in nearly a decade, Reuters is reporting.
Vietnam Market Wrap: VN-Index gains 1.37 percent as foreign investors slightly net sell
The VN-Index closed higher on Monday, rising 18.05 points, or 1.37 percent, to end at 1,332.51, supported by strong gains in blue-chip stocks. Total market trading value reached VND 23.18 trillion or approximately US$891 million.
Creative industries: Vietnam horror flick gets global release after local box office success
Vietnam’s top-grossing horror film, Detective Kien: The Headless Horror, a supernatural thriller set in the Nguyen Dynasty, is set to roll out in 12 international markets this month, Deadline has reported.
Cosmetics: Vietnam imports down 2.80 percent over March, Singapore lead supplier
Vietnam’s imports of essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations reached US$125.31 million in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a slight 2.80 percent decrease compared to the import value in March, with a year-to-date import value of US$478.05 million for this category.
Publishing: Vietnam Education Publishing House posts record profit despite textbook price cuts
Vietnam Education Publishing House reported a record pre-tax profit of VND 384 billion (US$14.77 million) in 2024, up 12 percent from 2023, despite cutting textbook prices for key series, VN Express has reported.
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