economy
The Economy category covers macroeconomic trends, fiscal policies, trade performance, and financial markets. It explores GDP growth, inflation, employment, investment flows, and regulatory changes, providing insights into economic stability, global trade relations, and policy impacts. This section serves as a resource for businesses, investors, and analysts monitoring economic developments.
Vietnam News Roundup: April 11 to April 17
This week’s Vietnam news roundup covers the latest: EU trade remedies against Vietnamese steel, how industry is responding to the Trump Tariff turmoil, car sales data, electricity output, foreign trader activity, State Bank open market operations, and more…
Vietnam injects nearly US$305 million via repos as central exchange rate hits VND 24,899
On April 15, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) conducted two repo operations totalling over VND 7.9 trillion (US$305.5 million), offering liquidity at 4 percent interest as the dong weakened to VND 24,899 against the US dollar, according to data from the SBV.
Eating out prices in Vietnam decrease slightly in March
The price index for eating out in Vietnam saw a slight decrease of 0.03 percent in March 2025 compared to the previous month, according to Vietnam’s Consumer Price Index. This minor decline had a negligible impact on the overall CPI.
Drinks and tobacco prices in Vietnam rise in March 2025
In March 2025, the price index for drinks and tobacco in Vietnam saw an increase of 0.69% compared to the previous month, according to Vietnam’s Consumer Price Index. This contributed to a 0.09 percentage point rise in the overall CPI for March 2025.
Food services prices in Vietnam rise 3.78 percent year-on-year in Q1 2025
Vietnam’s food and food services consumer price index (CPI) rose 3.78 percent in the first quarter of 2025 compared to Q1 2024, with prices up 3.83 percent year-on-year in March alone, according to the latest CPI tracker.
Tourism demand drives March rise in entertainment and culture prices in Vietnam
Vietnam’s consumer price index (CPI) for culture, entertainment, and tourism rose 0.18% in March 2025, primarily due to increased travel demand and higher associated service costs, according to data from the General Statistics Office.
Vietnam education prices edge up in March on higher stationery costs
The education consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.02% in March 2025 compared to February, driven entirely by a modest increase in stationery and school supply prices, according to data from the General Statistics Office.
ADB maintains strong growth forecast for Vietnam but flags structural risks: Report
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has maintained its 2025 GDP growth forecast for Vietnam at 6.0 percent, citing strong manufacturing, resilient domestic consumption, and increased public investment, according to its Asian Development Outlook (ADO) April 2024: Vietnam. Notably the report appears to have been compiled and completed prior to the tariff announcement made last week.
Vietnam’s coal imports rise by 5.98 percent in March 2025
Vietnam’s coal imports reached US$647.44 million in March 2025, representing a 5.98 percent increase from February. Year-to-date (YTD) coal imports totalled US$1.82 billion, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s chemical imports see 2.21 percent increase in March 2025
Vietnam’s imports of chemical reached US$672.37 million in March 2025, marking a 2.21 percent rise compared to February. Year-to-date (YTD) chemical imports stood at US$1.87 billion, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Vietnam’s chemical product imports surge by 18.16 percent in March
Vietnam’s imports of chemical products reached US$683.99 million in March 2025, marking an 18.16 percent increase from February. Year-to-date imports total US$1.81 billion. This rise is mainly driven by imports from China, which accounted for 41.33 percentof the total imports.
Vietnam credit growth hits 3.93 percent in Q1 2025
Vietnam’s banking system added nearly VND614 trillion (US$23.8 billion) in new credit during the first quarter of 2025, with total credit outstanding reaching VND16,230 trillion (US$629 billion), according to State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) Governor Nguyen Thi Hong. The quarterly growth rate of 3.93 percent outpaced the same period last year by more than double, The Investor is reporting.
VN-Index rises 3.2 percent in Q1 2025, but trading volume lags 2024 average
Vietnam’s stock market ended the first quarter of 2025 with modest index gains and a recovery in March trading value, though average Q1 volumes remained below 2024 levels, according to data from the General Statistics Office.
Vietnam’s CPI up 3.22 percent year-on-year in Q1 2025
Vietnam’s consumer price index (CPI) rose by 3.22 percent in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to the General Statistics Office. Core inflation for the quarter came in slightly lower at 3.01 percent.
Vietnam private sector uses HUBA workshop to call for equal treatment
Private business leaders voiced frustration over long standing inequalities in state policy, especially compared to state-owned enterprises, at a workshop hosted by the Ho Chi Minh City Business Association (HUBA), Friday. The leaders highlighted a need for institutional reform, transparency, and better access to land, finance, and international markets, VNExpress is reporting.
‘Other goods and services’ costs in Vietnam record February rise: CPI data
The cost of other goods and services in Vietnam increased by 0.18 percent in February, driven by rising prices in personal care and luxury items, according to the Vietnam’s Consumer Price Index.
Priority Customs Treatment in Vietnam for Foreign Firms
Earlier this month, the Dong Nai Department of Customs issued a decision suspending priority customs treatment for Panasonic. The decision does not specify exactly what the well known Japanese brand failed to do, only citing Article 45 of the Customs Law. The company has been suspended for 60 days from accessing priority customs treatment.
5,459 Vietnamese worth more than US$10 million: Frank Knight
The Frank Knight Wealth Report 2025 has found that Vietnam has 5,459 individuals worth more than US$10 million. Compared to the other ASEAN states in the report this has Vietnam ranked last, however, per 100,000 of population it would rank fourth above Indonesia and the Philippines.
Vietnam housing and utilities costs rise in February: CPI data
Housing, electricity, water, fuel, and construction materials costs in Vietnam increased by 0.55 percent in January, contributing 0.1 percentage points to the Vietnam’s Consumer Price Index. The rise was driven by increased housing demand and higher utility costs, according to Vietnam’s General Office of Statistics.
Vietnam’s trade turnover reaches US$127.07 billion in first two months of 2025
Vietnam’s total import and export turnover in February 2025 was US$63.77 billion, marking a 0.7 percent increase from the previous month and a 32.6 percent rise compared to February 2024. For the first two months of 2025, total trade turnover reached US$127.07 billion, up 12.0 percent year-on-year. Exports rose by 8.4 percent, while imports saw a stronger increase of 15.9 percent. The country recorded a trade surplus of US$1.47 billion.
In today’s Vietnam news: VN renews antidumping tariffs on Thai sugar, Power supply challenges continue, USTR tariffs forced labour, AMRO growth forecast downgrade, Foreign
In today’s Vietnam news: Fund outflows May, New HCMC airport trial operations to begin September, M&A HCMC 2026, Compensation for gas-to-electric bike switch Hanoi,
In today’s Vietnam news: Vietnam gene company planned Hong Kong IPO, Samsung signs DPPA, Oil delivery from Iraq, Bio-fuel mandate roll-out reaction, Stock market
This is an interview with Chris Walker, a Vietnam Sourcing Expert with Vietnam Factory Tours how rising oil prices and the Middle East crisis are
This is an interview with John Gardner, CEO and Founding Partner, at Optimum Hospitality in Ho Chi Minh City. It covers fuel price impacts on:
This is an interview with Dr Nuno F. Ribeiro, Associate Professor, International Tourism & Hospitality Management at Copenhagen Business College, formerly of RMIT Vietnam. It