Vietnam’s Private Sector Development Push: Unpacked
March 26, 2025
A different perspective on Vietnam’s economy and doing business in Vietnam. Make sure to subscribe.
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
Temu in Vietnam: What’s Fair in Free Trade?
November 6, 2024
Media Relations in Vietnam: Lessons from VinFast
October 29, 2024
It’s Time to Talk About Vietnam’s Credit Growth Policy…
October 22, 2024
Vietnam’s Economy in Q3 Beyond GDP Growth: Unpacked
October 15, 2024
HDBank: Vietnam Stock Overview
Huong Nguyen
September 29, 2024
In the first half of 2024, HDB saw a significant uptick in its performance, with total operating income and pre-tax profit increasing by 32.9 percent and 48.9 percent year-over-year, respectively. This growth was primarily attributed to a more stable macroeconomic environment and a rebound in credit demand compared to 2023 during which banks in general faced a challenging financial environment with rising interest costs on deposits outpacing lending income…
US furniture firm bails on Vietnam, leaves local workers unpaid
the-shiv
September 28, 2024
Notably, there are channels of recourse for workers in Vietnam, however, these can be difficult to access in the event a foreign business owner has left the country. That said, foreign firms should keep in mind that internet penetration is very high in Vietnam and reputational damage is therefore not restricted to the Vietnam market.
Vietnam seafood exports up 7.3 percent in value August over July
the-shiv
September 28, 2024
Vietnam’s seafood exports climbed by 7.3 percent in August over July from US$916 million to US$983.2 million. Vietnam’s seafood exports for the year now stand at US$6.3 billion which represents an increase of 9 percent over the same period last year.
Australia’s Timezone video game arcade chain opens 13th Vietnam location
the-shiv
September 28, 2024
Video games are played widely around Vietnam. There are cyber cafes in the big cities on just about every corner. These are generally long rooms chock full of computers and almost always filled with young Vietnamese playing a broad range of video games. With this in mind, Vietnam’s consumers are well primed for more classic video game experiences like video game arcades.
Buy Now Pay Later market in Vietnam could grow by US$5 billion by 2029: Report
the-shiv
September 28, 2024
BNPL services are an attractive option for young and budget-conscious shoppers. Major players like Fundiin, Kredivo, and Atome are expanding their presence in Vietnam, partnering with retailers to offer flexible payment options. This trend is expected to continue as digital adoption and consumer demand for flexible credit solutions increase…
Vietnam’s Wind Power Industry: Overview 2024
the-shiv
September 27, 2024
To fully realise its wind power potential, Vietnam will need to address several challenges, including regulatory uncertainties, grid infrastructure limitations, and financing hurdles. The transition from feed-in tariffs to a competitive bidding mechanism for new projects is expected to create a more stable and transparent investment environment, attracting both domestic and foreign investors.
Vietnam’s Solar Power Industry: Overview 2024
the-shiv
September 27, 2024
Vietnam’s solar power industry has experienced rapid growth in recent years, driven by favourable government policies and increasing demand for renewable energy. With abundant solar potential due to its geographical location, the country has become a significant player in the Southeast Asian renewable energy market. However, regulatory uncertainty has become a key bug-bear for foreign firms and this has slowed the industries development.
Social Security Insurance in Vietnam for Business 2024
the-shiv
September 27, 2024
Social security in Vietnam is a comprehensive system designed to provide financial support and protection to individuals and families against life’s uncertainties, such as illness, unemployment, and old age.
Vietnam’s Advertising industry: Overview 2024
the-shiv
September 27, 2024
The future of Vietnam’s advertising industry is set to be shaped by several key trends and developments. Digital transformation will continue to play a crucial role, with online advertising expected to lead the market due to the rising penetration of smartphones and increased internet usage. This shift is driven by the growing influence of social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, which are becoming primary channels for brands to connect with consumers.
Vietnam’s Life Insurance Industry: Overview 2024
the-shiv
September 27, 2024
Life insurance in Vietnam has experienced significant growth and transformation over the past decade, driven by an expanding middle class and increasing awareness of financial planning and risk protection. The life insurance market in Vietnam is diverse, with a range of products offered by both local and international insurers.
Vietnam ceramics exports up 11.3 percent in value August over July
the-shiv
September 27, 2024
Vietnam’s ceramics exports climbed by 11.3 percent in August over July from US$51.1 million to US$56.9 million. Vietnam’s ceramics exports for the year now stand at US$425 million which represents an increase of 9.2 percent over the same period last year.
Vinhomes (real estate): Vietnam Stock Overview
the-shiv
September 27, 2024
According to reports by CBRE, in the second quarter of 2024, average selling prices of condominiums in the primary markets of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City reached approximately US$2,438 and US$2,560 per square meter, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 25 percent and 6 percent, respectively. Furthermore, they are expected to rise by approximately 22 percent and 5 percent year-on-year by the end of 2024…
Vietnam News Roundup: September 20 to September 26
Mark Barnes
September 27, 2024
This week’s Vietnam news roundup covers the latest cosmetic, furniture, and dairy trade data; the State Bank’s latest open market operations; foreign trading on the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange; several key large-scale foreign direct investment projects; an update on the Skoda assembly plant in Quang Ninh; and more.
Vietnam tourist arrivals increase 24.45 percent July over August
the-shiv
September 26, 2024
Vietnam’s tourism industry welcomed 1.43 million tourist arrivals in August, an increase over July of 24.45 percent. The biggest growth was seen in visitors from Asia which were up 26.77 percent with 248,606 more Asian visitors in August than in July. Visitors from Europe also saw a significant boost of about 44.64 percent, however, notably this was from a low base. In real numbers visitors from Europe reached 149,102, up from 103,084 in July.
Indonesia officially applies to join Vietnam, others in CPTPP
the-shiv
September 26, 2024
Of note, the Indonesian and Vietnamese economies are relatively similar. They are both export oriented and have developed quickly by providing abundant low-cost abundant labour to global manufacturing. As such, the two countries often compete for foreign direct investment projects. In this context, Indonesia’s ascension to the agreement could chip away at Vietnam’s edge over its neighbour to the south.
Lack of bilingual reports ‘major barrier’ for foreign investors in Vietnam: HDCapital Exec.
the-shiv
September 26, 2024
Of note, Vietnam is currently courting an upgrade from FTSE Russell and MSCI from a frontier market to a secondary emerging market and an emerging market, respectively. One issue raised has been disclosure standards…
Vietnam garment and textile exports up 9.1 percent in value August over July
the-shiv
September 26, 2024
Vietnam’s garment and textile exports climbed by 9.1 percent in August over July from US$3.7 billion to US$4.1 billion. Vietnam’s garment and textile exports for the year now stand at US$24.4 billion which represents an increase of 8.1 percent over the same period last year.
BIDV (banking): Vietnam Stock Overview
the-shiv
September 26, 2024
In the first half of 2024, BIDV achieved improved performance, with total operating income and net profit rising by 8.3 percent and 12.1 percent year-over-year respectively. This growth was primarily driven by a significant increase in corporate loans for commercial production and mortgage loans, as well as gains in trading and forex-related income.
ADB holds on Vietnam GDP forecast but ‘significant uncertainties on the horizon’
the-shiv
September 25, 2024
The Asian Development Bank has released its Asian Development Outlook report for September in which it keeps its growth forecast for Vietnam for this year at 6 percent. It also forecasts 6.2 percent for 2025. The publication notes that there are ‘significant uncertainties on the horizon’ alongside several key observations…
Becamex IDC (real estate): Vietnam Stock Overview
Huong Nguyen
September 25, 2024
Industrial land rental prices are on the rise. According to a report by CBRE, in the second quarter of 2024, Tier 1 industrial land rents in the North and the South reached US$134 and US$173 per square meter, up 4.5 percent and 1 percent year-over-year, respectively. This trend is expected to continue, which could provide a significant boost to BCM’s business results as demand for industrial space increases…