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Vietnam’s Economy in May: Unpacked
Can LNG really save Vietnam-US trade?
Key Challenges in Vietnam-US Trade Negotiations: Unpacked
Vietnam’s Private Sector Development Push: Unpacked
Vietnam’s Aviation Industry: State of Play 2025
Vietnam and the Middle Income Trap: Unpacked
Vietnam’s 8 Percent GDP Growth Target: Unpacked
Sanctions: Three Vietnam firms added to EU Russia sanctions list named
Three Vietnamese companies have been added to the EU’s Russia sanctions list as of 21 May 2025. The firms are accused of supporting Russia’s military or energy sectors through trade facilitation or indirect circumvention of export controls, according to an EU Council Decision issued May 20.
Pepper: Vietnam exports up 31.08 percent in April, USA top destination
Vietnam’s exports of pepper reached US$184.14 million in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a significant increase of 31.08 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) export value of US$508.37 million.
Dairy: Vietnam milk powder output rises 3.4% in April, steady year-to-date
Vietnam’s milk powder production saw modest growth in April 2025, with an estimated output of 13.2 thousand tons, marking a 3.4 percent increase year-on-year, according to official estimates. This follows preliminary production of 12.2 thousand tons in March 2025.
Dairy: Vietnam fresh milk production up 8.9% in April, maintains positive year-to-date growth
Vietnam’s fresh milk production continued its upward trajectory in April 2025, with output estimated at 141.2 million litres, representing an 8.9 percent increase compared to April 2024, according to data from the National Office of Statistics.
Vietnam Market Wrap: VN-Index edges higher, foreign net-buying hits US$18.42 million
Vietnam’s stock market inched higher on Wednesday, with the VN-Index gaining 7.90 points to close at 1,323.05, a 0.60 percent increase. Total trading value on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) reached VND 25.24 trillion, or approximately US$970.77 million, reflecting resilient domestic sentiment.
Crude oil: Vietnam exports surge 20.19 percent in April, Australia top destination
Vietnam’s exports of crude oil reached US$154.42 million in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a substantial increase of 20.19 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) export value of US$512.43 million.
Crude oil: Vietnam extraction declines year-on-year in April and year-to-date
Vietnam’s crude oil extraction continued to soften in April 2025, with output down both month-on-month and compared to the same period last year, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office.
Coal: Vietnam’s output rises 6.4 percent year-on-year in first four months of 2025
Vietnam’s coal production reached an estimated 4.28 million tonnes in April 2025, slightly down from the 4.44 million tonnes recorded in March, according to preliminary data from the National Office of Statistics. Despite the month-on-month dip, the sector continues to show strong year-on-year growth.
Electricity: Vietnam power mix in early 2025 dominated by coal despite renewable gains
Coal remained Vietnam’s dominant power source in the first four months of 2025, accounting for over 57 percent of total generation, according to new data from Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN). Despite ongoing investment in renewables, hydropower and solar each contributed less than one-fifth, underscoring the country’s continued reliance on fossil fuels during the dry season.
Paper: Vietnam imports down in April, China remains top supplier
Vietnam’s imports of paper reached US$201.46 million in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a decrease of 7.21 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) import value of US$758.86 million.
Fruits & vegetables: Vietnam imports down 6.28 percent over March, China remains top supplier
Vietnam’s imports of fruits and vegetables reached US$186.75 million in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a 6.28 percent decrease compared to the import value in March, with a year-to-date import value of US$791.82 million for this category.
Aviation: Sun Group approved to launch new airline in Vietnam
Sun Phu Quoc Airways, a subsidiary of Sun Group, has been officially approved by the Prime Minister to establish an airline in Vietnam with registered capital of VND 2,500 billion (approximately US$98.81 million), Tuoi Tre has reported.
Vietnam’s US Tariff Threat Prompted Counterfeit Crackdown: Unpacked
Counterfeit goods have been highlighted as one non-tariff barrier that led to the recently announced US tariffs on Vietnamese goods. Vietnam is now responding to try to bring down those tariffs by launching a crackdown on counterfeits. So, how prevalent is the counterfeit goods trade in Vietnam? Can it be stopped? And if it can, why hasn’t it been already?
Coffee: Vietnam sector poised for rebound, but farmer behaviour keeps market tight: USDA Report
Vietnam’s coffee sector is expected to recover in 2025/26, driven by improved weather, better resource input, and renewed investment in replanting, according to forecasts from the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service post in Hanoi.
Vietnam Market Wrap: Foreign outflows weigh, but VN-Index holds firm with 1.45% gain
Vietnam’s stock market shrugged off foreign investor selling on Tuesday, with the VN-Index climbing 18.86 points to close at 1,315.15, marking a solid 1.45 percent advance. Total trading value on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) topped VND 22.93 trillion, underscoring continued domestic buying strength.
Paper & paper products: Vietnam exports up 6.84 percent in April, USA top destination
Vietnam’s exports of paper and paper products reached US$194.47 million in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents an increase of 6.84 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) export value of US$683.00 million.
Yarn: Vietnam imports slightly up in April, China remains top supplier
Vietnam’s imports of yarn reached US$250.44 million in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a slight increase of 2.31 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) import value of US$901.29 million.
Wood and wooden products: Vietnam imports down in April, China remains top supplier
Vietnam’s imports of wood and wooden products reached US$246.97 million in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a decrease of 5.65 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) import value of US$915.05 million.
Real estate: Vietnam’s Novaland plans debt for shares conversion
Novaland plans to issue additional shares to convert debts owed to major shareholders into equity. This follows years of shareholder-backed debt repayments, particularly by NovaGroup and Diamond Properties, The Investor has reported.
Insurance: Vietnam insurer fined for delays and underpayment amid rebranding push
VNI Insurance, now rebranded as DBV Insurance, has been fined VND 260 million (US$10,000) by the Ministry of Finance for multiple violations—including delayed compensation payments, inadequate reserve setting, and inaccurate reporting, Tuoi Tre has reported.
Labour Market Report
Q1 2025
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