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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 25 to May 1
This week’s Vietnam news roundup covers Vietnam’s response to the proposed 46 percent US tariff, VinFast’s latest earnings, World Bank forecasts, SBV market activity, and more.
Marx to the Market: A Brief History of Vietnam’s Post-Reunification Economic Development
Fifty years ago this month, the citizens of Ho Chi Minh City were watching the skies as US military helicopters evacuated the last of their personnel. Conversely, this month, in 2025, the citizens of Ho Chi Minh City looking skyward are unlikely to see US helicopters and instead more likely to see the VN Pay logo made up of tens of hundreds of drones. An advertisement for a banking and finance app to be sure, this is also largely emblematic of just how far Vietnam’s economic ideology has shifted in the last 50 years.
Telecom prices edge up slightly in March despite drop in smartphone and tablet costs
The consumer price index (CPI) for the postal and telecommunications group rose 0.02% in March 2025, as minor increases in phone equipment and repair services were mostly offset by lower prices for smart devices and accessories, according to data from the General Statistics Office.
Transport costs fall sharply in March on lower fuel prices and post-holiday demand drop
Vietnam’s transport consumer price index (CPI) fell by 1.41% in March 2025, contributing significantly to the overall decline in inflation. The drop was led by falling fuel prices and lower public transport demand following the Lunar New Year, according to data from the General Statistics Office.
Economy: World Bank cuts Philippines growth outlook for 2025
The World Bank has downgraded its growth forecast for the Philippines to 5.3 percent for 2025, down from the 6.1 percent projection made in October 2024, according to its April 2025 World Bank East Asia and the Pacific Economic Update.
Economy: World Bank cuts Vietnam’s 2025 growth forecast
Vietnam’s growth outlook for 2025 has been significantly downgraded by the World Bank, with projections falling to 5.8 percent from 6.5 percent forecast in October 2024, according to its April 2025 World Bank East Asia and the Pacific Economic Update.
Economy: World Bank trims Indonesia growth forecast for 2025
The World Bank has downgraded Indonesia’s economic growth forecast for 2025 to 4.7 percent, down from the 5.1 percent projected in October 2024, according to its April 2025 World Bank East Asia and the Pacific Economic Update.
Vietnam’s healthcare costs rise slightly in March amid seasonal illness and pricing updates
Vietnam’s consumer price index (CPI) for drugs and medical services rose by 0.13% in March 2025, contributing 0.01 percentage point to overall inflation. The increase was driven by updated public service pricing and higher demand for common medicines amid seasonal illness in the north, according to data from the General Statistics Office.
Household appliance prices rise modestly in March, led by washing machines and air conditioners
The consumer price index (CPI) for household equipment and appliances rose by 0.13% in March 2025 compared to the previous month, reflecting slight increases across both essential electronics and home goods, according to data from the General Statistics Office.
Vietnam foreign exchange market to reach US$7.9 billion by 2033: Report
Vietnam’s foreign exchange market reached US$3.4 billion in 2024 and is forecast to more than double to US$7.9 billion by 2033, with an expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.61 percent during 2025–2033. The sector is expanding on the back of robust exports, foreign direct investment, and growing financial market sophistication, according to a report from IMARC Group.
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…
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.
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.
Vietnam’s food prices dip in March despite rise in pork, processed goods
Vietnam’s consumer price index (CPI) for food and catering services in March fell by 0.05 percent compared to the previous month, slightly easing overall inflation. Lower rice and vegetable prices outweighed a sharp increase in pork prices linked to seasonal demand and supply constraints, according to the General Statistics Office of Statistics.
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.
In today’s Vietnam news: South Korea – Vietnam leaders meeting, Vietjet COMAC lease agreement, EVN FiT eligibility problems proposed resolution, FDI firms fined over
In today’s Vietnam news: Vietnam-flagged LPG tanker passes Hormuz Strait, To Lam in China, Coffee concerns dry weather in VN, Coal mining output increase
In today’s Vietnam news: SBV ready to intervene in Forex market, US firm approved for wind power site survey, SBV to push for lower
This is an interview with Hugo Bosch, host of Ho Chi Minh Securities’ Emerging Asia Podcast, about the impact the conflict in the Middle East is having on Vietnam’s stock market.
In this interview, Michael Kokalari discusses how escalating tensions in the Middle East and disruptions in global energy flows could impact Vietnam’s economy, markets, and investment outlook.
This is a short interview with Vicente Nguyen, Chief Investment Officer at Asia Frontier Capital, regarding the Middle East conflict and its impact on Vietnam’s economy.