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Vietnam News Roundup: April 18 to April 24
This week’s Vietnam news roundup covers the latest: updates in the FW Aviation vs VietJet UK court case, rising bad debt data, a new factory for Nestle, skyrocketing gold prices, State Bank open market operations, and more…
Vietnam’s paper product imports surged 37 percent in March
Vietnam imported US$104.80 million worth of paper products in March, a 37.03 percent increase from February, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This brought total imports for the year to US$256.34 million.
Vietnam’s LPG imports surge 188 percent in March
Vietnam imported liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) worth US$183.18 million in March, rising 188.42 percent from February. Total imports for the year-to-date reached US$403.62 million, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s rubber product exports up 21.26 percent in March, led by USA and Japan
Vietnam exported US$121.02 million worth of rubber products in March 2025, a 21.26 percent increase compared to February, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s iron and steel exports rise by 20.05 percent in March
Vietnam’s iron and steel exports rose by 20.05 percent in March compared to February, reaching US$642.87 million, according to data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s iron and steel product imports rose over 26 percent in March
Vietnam imported US$621.18 million worth of iron and steel products in March, up 26.28 percent from February, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This brought the total import value for the first three months of the year to US$1.63 billion.
Vietnam’s aquaculture feed output up 7 percent year-on-year in March
Vietnam’s aquaculture feed production reached 674,900 tons in March, down from 725,800 tons in February. Year-to-date output totalled 2,073,600 tons, marking a 112.3 percent month-on-month increase and a 107.4 percent rise compared to the same period last year, according to data from the General Statistics Office.
Vietnam’s iron and steel imports decline by 12.67 percent in March
Vietnam’s iron and steel imports totalled US$910.90 million in March, representing a 12.67 percent decrease from February. Year-to-date (YTD) imports reached US$2.65 billion, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s plastic exports rise 8.88 percent in March, led by gains to China and Italy
Vietnam exported US$224.52 million worth of plastics in March 2025, up 8.88 percent month-on-month, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s insulated wire and cable exports rise by 19.47 percent in March
Vietnam’s exports of insulated wires and cables rose by 19.47 percent in March compared to February, reaching US$349.67 million, according to data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Gold price hits new record in Vietnam
Vietnam’s domestic gold prices surged to a new record on April 22, with gold bars from Saigon Jewelry Company (SJC) reaching VND 122.5 million (US$4,767) per tael or approximately US$3,973–US$3,972 per troy ounce, driven by soaring global prices and rising demand for safe-haven assets, the Vietnam News Agency is reporting.
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.
Vietnam’s Revised Power Development Plan 8: A Missed Opportunity
Last week, the Government of Vietnam issued a Decision significantly revising the Power Development Plan 8 (PDP8). However, whereas this could have been an opportunity to redesign the PDP8 to align more closely with on-the-ground realities, this opportunity looks to have been missed.
Vietnam’s imports of insulated wires and cables rise by 21.22 percent in March
Vietnam’s imports of insulated wires and cables surged to US$373.16 million in March, marking a 21.22 percent increase from February. Year-to-date (YTD) imports for this category reached US$994.38 million, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s animal feed output up 6.3 percent year-on-year in March
Vietnam’s animal feed production reached 1,182,600 tons in March, up from 1,113,700 tons in February. Year-to-date output for the first quarter totalled 3,465,700 tons, showing an 8.7 percent increase compared to March 2024 and a 6.3 percent rise year-on-year, according to data from the General Statistics Office.
Vietnam’s chemical exports inch up in March, with sharp surge to India
Vietnam exported US$241.43 million worth of chemicals in March 2025, a modest rise of 2.09 percent from February, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Equitization of state-owned enterprises stalls as Vietnam looks set to miss 2025 targets
Despite a plan to equitize 30 state-owned enterprises (SOEs) during the 2023–2025 period, none have been equitized as of Q1 2025, raising concerns about the feasibility of Vietnam’s SOE reform targets, VN Economy is reporting. The plan had expected to raise VND 36.82 trillion (approx. US$1.47 billion) from equitizations.
Aviation: VietJet Vietnam stock market disclosure skims over latest court ruling, puts focus on appeal
In a release to the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange, Vietnamese budget airline, VietJet, has acknowledged a ruling last week in the UK courts. It has not, however, detailed what happened or how it might respond but rather has suggested an appeal in the originating case will be won, negating last week’s ruling. That ruling was that the airline is liable for just over US$180 million in missed lease payments.
April 2025
Labour Market Report
Q1 2025
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