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.
High production costs are holding Vietnam’s economy back: state media
Many businesses have had to downsize and many others have been forced to shut down altogether, partly due to high production costs, according to Vietnamnet. In particular the publication notes that: Capital costs are higher in Vietnam on the back of bigger risks; Transport infrastructure is haphazard and missing crucial
Vietnam banks expected to lend US$82 billion this year
With a credit growth limit of 15 percent in place for 2024, Vietnam’s Banks are expected to issue loans to the tune of US$82 billion this year, VN Express is reporting. The publication also notes that credit growth for 2023 reached 13.71 percent in 2023. Food for thought: Credit growth
Vietnam outbound foreign direct investment tops US$421 million
This was a drop of 21.2 percent over 2022, according to the General Office of Statistics and reported by Vietnam Plus. Key takeaways Vietnam invested US$156.9 million in projects in the wholesale and retail, and repair of cars, motorcycles, motorbikes and motor vehicles; A further US$120.6 million in information and
World Economic League Table ranks Vietnam 34th out of 190
Vietnam was 34th in terms of economic success in the world in 2023, sandwiched between the Philippines at 33 and Malaysia in 35th place, according to the Centre for Economics and Business Research’s World Economic League Table. The CEBR says: This was partly due to a lack of a growth-inflation
C.bank grants Vietnam’s banks 15 percent credit growth limit for 2024
The State Bank of Vietnam has set a 15 percent credit growth limit for Vietnam’s banks in 2024, Tuoi Tre is reporting. Note that this is higher than the usual 14 percent a year probably due to a failure to hit 14 percent in 2023. Credit growth mid-December was just
Vietnam’s 2023 exports largely powered by foreign firms
Almost three quarters of Vietnam’s exports are from foreign-invested enterprises, Vietnam Plus is reporting. In fact, US$259.95 billion (73.1 percent) of Vietnam’s exports were facilitated by foreign operators in 2023. The state media agency goes on to say foreign direct investment is ‘crucial’ to Vietnam’s economy. Note that, there have
Vietnam records GDP growth of 5.05 percent, misses target
Vietnam’s General Statistics Office has released its fourth quarter economic report which says GDP is likely to reach 5.05 percent this year. This is a scrape above the minimum 5 percent the government said would be likely back in October, but well below the 6.5 percent target set at the
Vietnam issues draft decree re: global minimum tax support fund
Vietnam’s Ministry of Planning and Investment has released a draft decree outlining the establishment of a support fund to compensate foreign firms subjected to the Global Minimum Tax initiative, The Investor is reporting. Key points The fund will support businesses making high-tech goods or applying advanced technology in their operations
American shrimpers fight redesignation of Vietnam as market economy
The American Shrimp Processors Association (ASPA) has said Vietnam should maintain its non-market economy status, and has made overtures to the US Department of Commerce (DOC) to that effect, according to a statement on its website. This is after a review of the country’s NME status was launched by the
Vietnam to see minimum wage hike from July 2024
Vietnam’s National Wage council has approved a 6 percent pay raise for Vietnam’s minimum wage workers from July 1, 2024, VN Express is reporting. The Vietnam General Confederation of Labor had been pushing for between 6.48 percent and 7.3 percent whereas the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a peak
Vietnam gains three points in English proficiency rankings
Education First’s English Proficiency Index has found a slight improvement in English levels in Vietnam in 2023, VietnamNet is reporting. The report found the highest levels of English in the Red River Delta around Hanoi and that it sits around the middle among its key foreign direct investment competitors in
ADB cuts Vietnam growth forecast
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has cut its growth forecast from 5.8 to 5.2 percent, VN Express is reporting. Data is from the Asian Development Bank Outlook December 2023. Key reasons for the downgrade listed include: falling external demand; weak budget execution, particularly at the provincial level; and and a
Data: Vietnam’s imports by country, November 2023
Vietnam recorded imports of just over US$29.5 billion in November of 2023 according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. It’s top five market for imports were China, Republic of Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the United States of America which collectively accounted for just over two thirds of Vietnam’s imports. Vietnam
Data: Vietnam Exports by Country, November 2023
Vietnam recorded exports of just over US$30.5 billion in November of 2023 according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. The United States of America continues to buy the most of Vietnam’s exports followed by China, Japan, and then the Republic of South Korea. Those four markets accounted for nearly two
British diplomatic cables raise series of concerns about Vietnam’s JETP
British diplomatic cables seen by Political reveal a number of concerns about how Vietnam’s Just Energy Transition Partnership Resource Mobilisation Plan was put together, the publication reported December 8. Politico’s article has a number of choice quotes that reveal the development of the plan and its implementation may not be
Fitch Ratings gives Vietnam a BB+ rating with a stable outlook
Rating agency Fitch Ratings has upgraded Vietnam’s rating from BB to BB+ and said the outlook is stable, according to a press release December 8. The upgrade was based on: robust foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows; and confidence… property-sector stresses, weak external demand and delays in policy implementation owing to
US senators call for halt of Vietnam non-market economy status review
A handful of US senators have called for a halt to a review of Vietnam’s designation as a non-market economy (NME), Politico is reporting. It cites this letter signed by US senators JD Vance, Josh Hawley, and Tom Cotton which says “the recently announced process defies both normal order and
Singapore bank predicts Vietnam interest rates steady in 2024
Singapore’s United Overseas Bank (UOB) has said it believes the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) will keep rates on hold next year to boost growth, Vietnam Plus is reporting. The UOB predicted back in September that rates would be cut before the end of this year, but this has not
Japan to process scallops in Vietnam after China bans seafood imports
Japanese scallop producers are considering shifting their processing operations from China to Vietnam after China banned the import of Japanese seafood over the release of treated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, The Japan News is reporting. An estimated 30,000 to 40,000 tons of scallops from Japan were processed
European insurance firm predicts Vietnam top-up tax to have minimal impact on FDI
Vietnam’s recently passed top-up tax, a response to the Global Minimum Tax, should not impact how attractive Vietnam is to foreign firms, according to Raphaël Cecchi, an analyst with European credit insurer, Credendo. It may, however, “slightly hit Vietnam’s reputation” as a low-tax jurisdiction for foreign firms, he says. He
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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