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.
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 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.
Indonesia: 2025 growth outlook cut to 4.7 percent in latest IMF forecast
Indonesia’s economic growth is now projected to slow to 4.7 percent in 2025, down from the 5.1 percent forecast made just six months ago, according to the International Monetary Fund’s April 2025 World Economic Outlook. The IMF has also projected this 4.7 percent growth rate to hold steady in 2026.
Philippines: IMF trims 2025 GDP growth forecast to 5.5 percent
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised down the Philippines’ GDP growth forecast for 2025 in its April 2025 World Economic Outlook, while inflation expectations have been nudged upward. The new projections show real GDP expanding by 5.5 percent in 2025, a modest downgrade from 5.8 percent in October 2024, with a forecast of 5.8 percent for 2026.
GDP: IMF forecasts Vietnam growth to reach just 4 percent in 2026
Vietnam’s near-term economic outlook has dimmed slightly, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) lowering its GDP growth forecast for 2025 and 2026 in its latest April 2025 World Economic Outlook. Real GDP is now projected to grow 5.2 percent in 2025 and 4.0 percent in 2026, compared to 6.1 percent and 6.1 percent in the October 2024 forecast. This marks a downward revision of 0.9 percentage points for 2025 and a sharp 2.1 points for 2026.
Banking: Vietnam’s bad debt jumps 3.3 percent in first two month of 2025
Nguyen Quoc Hung, General Secretary of the Vietnam Banking Association, has raised concerns about the speed at which bad debt is rising in Vietnam, Tuoi Tre is reporting. Total bad debt stood at VND 1,030 trillion (US$41.18 billion) at the end of 2024, rising by VND 34 trillion (US$1.36 billion), or about 3.3 percent, in the first two months of 2025.
Vietnam stock market jumps as foreign investors net-sell US$185 million
Vietnam’s benchmark indices saw modest gains on April 16, supported by strong liquidity across the board. Foreign investors, however, were heavy net sellers, offloading over VND 4.6 trillion (US$185 million) in shares. The bulk of the sell-off by foreign investors was in Vingroup (VIC), it’s not immediately clear why.
Vietnam injects nearly US$305 million via repos as central exchange rate hits VND 24,899
On April 15, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) conducted two repo operations totalling over VND 7.9 trillion (US$305.5 million), offering liquidity at 4 percent interest as the dong weakened to VND 24,899 against the US dollar, according to data from the SBV.
Stock market: VNIndex down 1.42 percent as foreign investors sell US$11 million in shares
Vietnam’s stock market fell sharply on April 16, with all major indices closing lower and foreign investors turning net sellers. The VNIndex shed 1.42 percent to close at 1,210.30, according to data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Eating out prices in Vietnam decrease slightly in March
The price index for eating out in Vietnam saw a slight decrease of 0.03 percent in March 2025 compared to the previous month, according to Vietnam’s Consumer Price Index. This minor decline had a negligible impact on the overall CPI.
Drinks and tobacco prices in Vietnam rise in March 2025
In March 2025, the price index for drinks and tobacco in Vietnam saw an increase of 0.69% compared to the previous month, according to Vietnam’s Consumer Price Index. This contributed to a 0.09 percentage point rise in the overall CPI for March 2025.
Exchange rate edges up as Vietnam C.bank injects over US$560 million via repo operations
The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) injected VND 15.3 trillion (over US$562 million) into the banking system through three repo auctions on April 15, as the dong continued to weaken slightly against the US dollar, Tuesday.
Key Challenges in Vietnam-US Trade Negotiations: Unpacked
The US-China tit-for-tat trade war has seen tariffs on China rise to 145 percent and tariffs on the US reach 125 percent. As a key link between these two economies, this puts Vietnam in a tricky situation entering trade negotiations with the United States. Add to that the often contradictory objectives of its foreign-invested and domestically owned sectors and this should make for some very interesting negotiations.
Banking: Vietnam’s compulsory bank transfers only effective with real capital, experts warn
The compulsory transfer of four underperforming Vietnamese banks to stronger commercial lenders has been met with some skepticism at an April 11 workshop on bank restructuring in Hanoi. This comes in the context of several of the four underperforming banks being rebranded and relaunched as digital banks, VN Express is reporting.
Bonds: Vietnam sees March jump in corporate bond issuances
Vietnam recorded a jump in corporate bond issuance in March 2025, with VND 10.7 trillion (US$428 million) raised, according to data from the Vietnam Bond Market Association. The spike in issuance comes despite a heavy redemption calendar for the remainder of the year and some continued default activity.
In today’s Vietnam news: MB Bank expanding lending to Novaland, MB Bank Sungroup lending, Bond reform proposed, Net-zero financing needs, Fuel price changes, Black
In today’s Vietnam news: Foxconn expansion, No GMT for BOT projects proposed, Land prices falling, Cassava chip export restrictions proposed, Diamond trade as conditional
In today’s Vietnam news: VAT cut extension proposal, FDI recorded Jan – July, Bamboo Airways adds flights, Carbon market stalls, HCMC data centre capacity,
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