A different perspective on Vietnam’s economy and doing business in Vietnam. Make sure to subscribe.
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
JETP agreement financing mostly market-rate lows, few grants
The US$15.5 billion Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) agreement developed by the G7 and a handful of other countries to help Vietnam wean itself off coal is mostly market-rate loans that Hanoi didn’t really want and only US$300 million worth of grants, Reuters is reporting. Why it matters: Vietnam was
Aussie coffee chain opens first store in Vietnam
Australian coffee chain Ten Thousand has opened a store in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi, VF Franchise Consulting is reporting. This is the group’s seventh store, with just one in Australia, three in the USA, and two in Taiwan. For a relatively small and new company, that is not well established
Up to 80 percent of Vietnam garment makers impacted by US green manufacturing regs
Green textile and garment manufacturing regulations introduced in the US this year have created problems for 80 percent of Vietnamese textile and garment exporters, Saigon Giai Phong is reporting. Similar regulations in the EU, require garment and textile imports to meet ecological design criteria, which have seen 90 percent of
Thailand cosmetics firm enters Vietnam market with retail store in Hanoi
Harnn, a Thai cosmetics brand, has opened its first store in Vietnam in Hanoi, selling personal care and beauty products, Inside Retail is reporting. The brand is also planning to open a second store in Ho Chi Minh City later this year. Vietnam’s retail and cosmetics sectors have experienced high
UK-Vietnam trade growth slows due to UK trade policy changes
Vietnam’s exports to the United Kingdom this year have stagnated as a result of the UK signing onto the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) and more free trade agreements, Vietnam Plus is reporting. This is creating more competition among the UK’s suppliers and giving UK importers more options, which is
Starlink pursuing Vietnam market access, but clear challenges exist
Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink, is currently on show in Hanoi at the Vietnam International Innovation Expo 2023, VN Express is reporting. This is on the back of SpaceX representatives making overtures to the government last month with respect to making the service accessible in Vietnam. Point of note:
US to officially review Vietnam’s non-market economy status
The US Department of Commerce has announced it will officially review Vietnam’s status as a non-market economy for the purposes of anti-dumping measures, according to the Federal Register. This will be done in the context of anti-dumping measures applied to raw honey from Vietnam and is in response to an
VN-Index -18.22 points (1,042.40) at close, October 30
The HOSE slid 18.22 points or 1.72 percent in the first trading session of the week, according to HOSE data. This comes after a troubling week in which the local bourse fell over forty points in one day and rounded out the week 47 points down on a week earlier.
Interbank interest rates drop as T-bills continue to expire, not replaced
Inter-bank interest rates have started to decrease after reaching a three-month high last week, Vietnam Biz is reporting. Last Thursday they hit 1.89 percent, down from 2.22 percent the Monday before. Why it matters: Inter-bank interest rates were one measure that was being used to assess the success of the
Industrial rents have jumped significantly in northern Vietnam
Land rents for industrial projects have increased by as much as 48 percent (Bac Ninh) in northern Vietnam in the past year on the back of increased interest from electronics firms, according to Savills and reported by The Leader. Vietnam’s rising star as a manufacturing hub is seeing demand rise
Was HOSE 40-point drop Thursday really a result of ‘rumours and tricks’?
The VN-Index ended last week 47.41 points down on its close Friday of the week before, and this was partly a result of ‘rumours and tricks’, Tuoi Tre is reporting. This, however, is not exactly true. The drop of 40 points last Thursday appears to have been driven by a
Data center development may not be keeping pace with demand in Vietnam
An ‘investment rush’ into data centre development has not been enough to keep pace with growing demand, The Investor is reporting. The publication estimates Vietnam will need to build at least five new facilities each year with at least 2000 racks. Note that recently passed data localisation laws require firms
VN-Index up 5.17 points (1,060.62 ) at close, October 26
It’s been swings and roundabouts this week for the HOSE but it has managed to finish the week on a positive note, up 5.17 points or 0.49 percent at close of business today, according to HOSE data. This was credited to domestic traders, however, with foreign traders net withdrawing VND
Analysis of yesterday’s big VN-Index drop: it was Vingroup
Yesterday the VN-Index dropped 40 points straight-up on the back of Vingroup announcing it would issue more bonds to cover bonds that were maturing, Reuters has reported. Reuters is referencing ‘traders and stock brokers’ as saying this reworking of bond debt may have ‘raised concerns about Vingroup’s financial status. Note
Heineken records drop in beer sales in Vietnam first 9 months of this year
Heineken’s organic sales fell by 5.2 percent in the first nine months of the year, 2.6 percent of that fall attributed to the Vietnam and Nigerai markets, The Investor is reporting. According to the article, Heineken is saying that it is because of a broader economic slowdown, however, there have
VN-Index 🡇 46.21 points (1,055.45) at close, October 26
The HOSE was hit hard today by a huge sell-off which saw the VN-Index drop 46.21 points or 4.19 percent, according to HOSE data. A lot of the sell off was confined to domestic traders with foreign firms net selling just VND 99 billion or US$4 million. Foreign investor trades
Banks deposits in Vietnam highest ever in latest State Bank data
Total funds in savings accounts at Vietnamese banks topped VND 12.4 million billion or US$504 billion in August, according to State Bank of Vietnam data and reported by Tuoi Tre. This is reportedly the highest bank deposits have ever reached and is in spite of record low savings interest rates.
Vietnam interbank interest rates hit four-month high of 2.22 percent
The overnight interbank interest rate in Vietnam hit 2.22 percent on Monday (three days ago), the highest it has been in four months, Doanh Nhan Vietnam reported today. The publication is saying that this signals that the excess liquidity problem may have improved and suggests this is a result of
Taiwanese auto-parts maker to build new factory in northern Vietnam
Taiwan’s Waffer Technology wants to build a US$50.9 million plant in northern Vietnam’s Hai Duong province, The Investor is reporting. Wafer Technolgy intends to use the plant to make up to 10 million car parts and repair machines for export to the US and the EU.
Chinese solar cell maker to build new factory in northern Vietnam
China’s Boway intends to build a 20-hectare, US$114 million solar cell factory in northern Vietnam’s Hai Duong province, The investor is reporting. This is part of a number of major investments in its manufacturing operations across northern Vietnam. All-up it reportedly has plans to invest US$350 million Hai Dunong alone.
Labour Market Report
Q1 2025
We’re looking for a self-starting freelance Business Development Manager to help shape and grow the-shiv’s commercial strategy. You’ll be responsible for identifying new revenue opportunities, pitching services, and building partnerships.