Key Challenges in Vietnam-US Trade Negotiations: Unpacked
April 15, 2025
A different perspective on Vietnam’s economy and doing business in Vietnam. Make sure to subscribe.
Vietnam’s Private Sector Development Push: Unpacked
March 26, 2025
Vietnam’s Aviation Industry: State of Play 2025
March 12, 2025
Vietnam and the Middle Income Trap: Unpacked
February 26, 2025
Vietnam’s 8 Percent GDP Growth Target: Unpacked
February 20, 2025
Buy More, Sell Less: Tackling Vietnam’s Trade Surplus with the US
February 12, 2025
Is Vietnam the Next Asian Tiger Economy?
February 4, 2025
What Recent Traffic Reforms Say About Doing Business in Vietnam
January 22, 2025
Building An International Financial Centre in Vietnam: Unpacked
January 14, 2025
Vietnam’s Economy in 2024: A Brief Recap
January 8, 2025
What to Watch Now Google Has An Office in Vietnam
December 18, 2024
Does Vietnam Have a Private Consumption Problem Too?
December 11, 2024
The 8th Session of Vietnam’s National Assembly: Key Takeaways
December 3, 2024
Rethinking Financing Vietnam’s Clean Energy Transition
November 27, 2024
Vietnam’s New Social Media ID Regulations: Unpacked
November 19, 2024
How Well Prepared Is Vietnam for a Trump Presidency?
November 12, 2024
Japan wine distributor enters Vietnam market
the-shiv
October 23, 2023
Enoteca, a wine distributor from Japan, has officially registered a subsidiary in Vietnam, Vino Joy News is reporting. Details on their market entry plans are limited, however, Vina Joy notes that the company intends to operate in both the retail and wholesale spaces. Good wine is becoming increasingly popular in
VN-Index 🡅 20.18 points (1,108.03) at close, October 20
the-shiv
October 20, 2023
After a week spent on a downward slope the VN-Index has seen its fortunes turn around finishing the week at 1,108.03 points, a 1.86 percent improvement on yesterday, according to HOSE data. Foreign investor trades on HOSE October 16 to 20 Buy Sell Change Date VND US$ VND US$ VND
Vietnam requests financing support for infrastructure projects from Saudi Arabia
the-shiv
October 20, 2023
The Vietnamese PM, in Saudi Arabia for the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit, has requested the wealthy middle east country lend Vietnam funds to build new infrastructure projects including railways and urban infrastructure, VN Express is reporting. Why it matters: This is inline with Vietnam earlier this week requesting funds from
VN-Index 🡇 33.8 points (1,087.85) at close, October 19
the-shiv
October 19, 2023
The VN-Index has fallen again for its fourth straight session finishing the day at 1,087.85 points, 1.41 percent below yesterday’s close, according to HOSE data. Of note, however, is that for a second day in a row, foreign traders have bucked the trend by net-buying US$11 million worth of stocks.
IMF forecasts GDP growth for Vietnam of 4.7 percent, 2023
the-shiv
October 19, 2023
In its Fall 2023 Regional Economic Outlook: Asia and Pacific report the IMF has forecast GDP growth of 4.7 percent for Vietnam in 2023 and 5.8 percent in 2024, Vietnam News is reporting. It goes on to cite the report as finding that Vietnam’s measures to contain inflation have been
Taiwan electronics maker to build new factory in central Vietnam
the-shiv
October 19, 2023
Foxlink International is set to build a US$135 million factory to produce touch pens, wireless earphones, battery packs, charging stations, and printed circuit boards Danang in central Vietnam, The Investor is reporting. When it’s completed the factory will cover 11.35 hectares and employ 2,000 people.
🇻🇳 Dong-stabilising t-bills set to start maturing today, next steps unclear
the-shiv
October 19, 2023
US$409 million worth of treasury bills issued by the State Bank of Vietnam in September as a means to stymie the devaluation of the dong are set to mature today, VN Express is reporting. Why it matters: The SBV has issued nearly US$10 billion worth of T-bills since September 21
A new oil refinery slated for central Vietnam has officially been canned
the-shiv
October 19, 2023
An investment certificate granted in 2007 for a new oil refinery in Vietnam’s Phu Yen province has been rescinded 16 years later after the investors decided not to go ahead with the project, The Investor is reporting. It is not clear why the investors pulled out, however, the two firms
🇻🇳 Trade turnover down 11 percent year-on-year
the-shiv
October 19, 2023
Vietnam has posted a trade turnover of US$496.30 billion for the first nine months of the year, an 11.2 percent drop over the same period in 2022, Dan Tri International is reporting. The publication notes that foreign-invested firms accounted for US$341.65 billion of said turnover whereas local firms accounted for
VN-Index down 18 points to close at 1,103.40, October 18
the-shiv
October 18, 2023
The VN-Index continued its downward slide Tuesday, losing 1.64 percent to finish the day at just 1,103.40 points, according to HOSE data. The index has now fallen just over 50 points since its close Friday. Foreign investors, however, seem to have changed their tune with a considerable uptick in the
🇻🇳 Quarterly bank financial reports reveal broad falls in profits
the-shiv
October 18, 2023
A number of banks including BacABank, VPBank, and PG Bank, have all recorded drops in third-quarter profits year-on-year, VietnamBiz and Mekong ASEAN are reporting. There is speculation that this will be common among banks this reporting period, with reduced income from interest payments weighing heavily on balance sheets. Why it
Increase to minimum wage in Vietnam pushed back beyond January 2024
the-shiv
October 18, 2023
The National Wage Council has said it will not recommend increasing the minimum wage from the start of 2024, Tuoi Tre is reporting. Lai Van Tong, the Deputy Director of the Department of Labour Relations and Wages, at the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs, says this is
🇻🇳 Global minimum tax legislation delayed, alt. support for business not ready
the-shiv
October 18, 2023
Legislation that would see a number of multinationals in Vietnam pay at least 15 percent tax in Vietnam under the OECD’s Global Minimum Tax (GMT) initiative, has been delayed, Reuters is reporting. State-controlled media is saying that the legislation has not been submitted to the National Assembly, which starts sitting
Vietnam industrial land rent to become 10 percent more expensive
the-shiv
October 18, 2023
Whereas this is ‘good news’ for industrial real estate developers, according to Vietnamnet, it will mean increased costs for leasees. Vietnamnet cites data from CBRE which shows occupancy rates at 80.2 percent, with an average lease price in the primary market of US$131 per square meter. It’s not clear what
🇻🇳 Garment exports drop in September after four months of increases
the-shiv
October 18, 2023
Vietnam Plus is reporting that garment and textiles exports increased in August for the fourth month in a row, with US$3.4 billion exported, up 5.5% month on month. Customs data from September, however, reveals that this upward run was short-lived with textile and garment exports reaching just US$2.57 billion in
VN-Index down 20 points to close at 1,121.65, October 17
the-shiv
October 17, 2023
The VN-Index fell again on Tuesday continuing a rocky start to the week, according to Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange data. The local bourse ended the day at 1,1121.65 points down 20 points on Monday’s close. Banking and securities were the most traded stocks of the day. Note: There was
🇻🇳 PM requests up to US$7 billion for infrastructure projects from World Bank
the-shiv
October 17, 2023
The World Bank has agreed in principal to a request for between US$5-7 billion requested to build infrastructure projects including railways, roads, and urban infrastructure, but with caveats, Doang Nhan Viet is reporting. Specifically, the WB wants more details including specific details of the projects and deadlines for the projects
Vietnam rare earth mining firm find Australian development partner
the-shiv
October 17, 2023
The owners of Vietnam’s only rare earth processing plant, Vietnam Rare Earth JSC (VTRE), has announced it is partnering with Australia’s Blackstone Minerals to arrange an auction for a mining licence for Vietnam’s Dong Pao mine, The Investor is reporting. The Dong Pao mine is a 132-hectare site in northern
Vietnam fuel imports have increased 23.1 percent so far this year
the-shiv
October 17, 2023
Vietnam spent US$793 million on imported fuel bringing its total imports of petrol products to US$6.65 billion, which is a 23.1 percent increase year-on-year, Vietnamnet is reporting. This is at least in part a result of challenges at Vietnam’s Nghi Son refinery that have seen capacity cut and huge financial
Amazon Prime Video set to exit Vietnam market
the-shiv
October 17, 2023
Amazon Prime Video has decided to exit the Vietnam market at the end of the month, VN Express is reporting. Amazon doesn’t seem to have explained exactly why but the speculation is that Vietnam’s regulations on cross-border media providers may be the reason. More detail: In recent years Vietnam has