vietnam
The Vietnam category covers economic developments, investment trends, and policy updates specific to the country. It explores market opportunities, trade relations, industry growth, and government initiatives, providing insights into Vietnam’s role in global supply chains, emerging sectors, and foreign business expansion.
Energy: Vietnam major hydropower dam just 5 metres from dead water level
Vietnam’s largest hydropower reservoir is running at a critically low level of 85.05 metres as of June 10, 2024, Tuoi Tre has reported. While officials insist generation remains unaffected, comparisons with 2023 data suggest the plant has just 3 days of full-capacity generation remaining before hitting its operational floor — underscoring the fragility of the energy supply heading into peak demand season.
Real estate: Vietnam’s Novaland seeks second deferral on US$50 million bond repayment
Vietnamese property developer Novaland (NVL) has requested another delay on a VND 1.3 trillion (US$50 million) bond lot—just one month before it is due—despite already securing a two-year extension in 2023, VN Express has reported.
Automotive: Vietnam’s VinFast sees losses widen in Q1 despite more deliveries, revenue growth
Vietnamese EV maker VinFast reported a Q1 net loss of US$712.4 million, widening 20 percent year-on-year as sales costs soared, despite a nearly 300 percent increase in vehicle deliveries and 150 percent revenue growth, Reuters has reported.
Finance: Vietnam mulls stricter cap on private bond issuers’ debt levels to curb risk
Vietnam’s Finance Minister Nguyen Van Thang has called for stricter rules on private placement bond issuance, proposing a cap that would bar companies with liabilities more than five times their equity from raising capital through this channel. It would, however, exclude key sectors like real estate, banking, and insurance, The Investor has reported
Agriculture: Vietnam’s pivot to US grain imports on tariff threat raises concerns for current suppliers
Vietnam’s deepening trade engagement with the United States could reduce Argentina’s longstanding dominance as a grain supplier, according to a report by the Rosario Grain Exchange.
Computers & electrical products: Vietnam exports jump 12.36% in May
Vietnam’s exports of computers, electrical products, spare-parts, and components thereof reached an impressive US$9.15 billion in May 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This marks a substantial increase of 12.36 percent compared to April, bringing the year-to-date (YTD) export value to US$38.42 billion.
Industry: Vietnam machines and tools imports jump 7.89 percent in May
Vietnam’s imports of machine, equipment, tools, and instruments reached US$5.32 billion in May 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a significant increase of 7.89 percent compared to April, bringing the year-to-date (YTD) import value to US$22.90 billion.
Vietnam Market Wrap: VN-Index slides as foreign investors resume selling
The VN-Index fell 19.32 points, or 1.45 percent, to close at 1,310.57 on June 9, with total trading value reaching VND 17.82 trillion (US$685.38 million). The market faced strong selling pressure in the afternoon session, dragging major stocks lower across multiple sectors.
Electronics: Vietnam phone imports plunge by 13.92 percent in May, China leads despite decline
Vietnam’s imports of telephones, mobile phones, and parts thereof reached US$746.79 million in May 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a significant decrease of 13.92 percent compared to April, bringing the year-to-date (YTD) import value to US$4.16 billion.
Vietnam’s Economy in May: Unpacked
Last Friday, the National Statistics Office (NSO) released its May economic update. For the most part, the data was on trend, however, it comes amidst broad trade uncertainty and a generally hazy global economic picture. Against this backdrop, this article breaks down the key data points and policy factors that shaped Vietnam’s economic landscape in May.
Industry: Vietnam iron & steel imports show slight dip of 2.39 percent in May
Vietnam’s imports of iron and steel amounted to US$939.85 million in May 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This marks a slight decrease of 2.39 percent compared to April, bringing the year-to-date (YTD) import value to US$4.54 billion.
Electronics: Vietnam computer & electrical imports surge by 18.61 percent in May
Vietnam’s imports of computers, electrical products, spare-parts and components thereof reached an astounding US$13.33 billion in May 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a substantial increase of 18.61 percent compared to April, bringing the year-to-date (YTD) import value to US$56.19 billion.
Energy: Vietnam signs EPC contract for long-delayed O Mon IV gas power plant
Vietnam has signed an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the O Mon IV thermal power plant in Can Tho, awarding it to a consortium of Doosan Enerbility (South Korea) and PECC2 (Vietnam), English language news site, The Investor has reported. The deal is part of the much-delayed Block B–O Mon power-gas chain.
Trade: Vietnam’s monthly surplus with US grows 16 percent May over April
Vietnam’s trade surplus with the United States expanded significantly in May, according to the latest customs data. Notably, the growing US–Vietnam trade surplus does not bode well for the intensified scrutiny from Washington amid ongoing concerns over bilateral trade imbalances.
Currency: Vietnam avoids ‘manipulator’ tag but still under scrutiny per Treasury FX report
The US Treasury has stopped short of naming Vietnam a currency manipulator, but has continued to flag several key concerns over how the dong is managed, according to its June 2025 Report to Congress on Macroeconomic and Foreign Exchange Policies.
Banking & finance: Japan’s AEON seeks to void Vietnam finance acquisition over false accounting
AEON Financial Service (AFS) has declared its acquisition of Vietnamese lender Post and Telecommunication Finance Company (PTF) invalid, citing serious accounting irregularities prior to the deal, the firm has said in a statement.
Agriculture: AFIA secures US$242,600 for Vietnam export push
The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) has secured US$242,600 in funding from the US Department of Agriculture’s Emerging Markets Program (EMP) to expand its market development efforts in Vietnam, World Grain has reported.
Vietnam Market Wrap: VN-Index dips as foreign investors continue selling
The VN-Index fell 12.20 points, or 0.91 percent, to close at 1,329.89 on 6 June 2025, with total market trading value reaching VND 24.02 trillion (approximately US$924 million). The decline came amid continued caution from both domestic and foreign investors.
Technology: US think tank says Vietnam’s cloud service framework unfair on US providers
Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) has issued a technical framework for e-government cloud services that, while voluntary on paper, effectively restricts market access for foreign providers, US think tank, the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, has said in a statement.
Wood: New Forests makes first Vietnam investment with Tavico Group partnership
New Forests has announced its first investment in Vietnam via its Tropical Asia Forest Fund 2 (TAFF2), acquiring a stake in Tavico Group, one of the country’s largest suppliers of solid wood lumber and logs. The move marks TAFF2’s fourth acquisition and its first in timber processing infrastructure in Vietnam, New Forests has said in a statement.
In today’s Vietnam news: Garment and textile orders slow, China arbitration liaison office HCMC, Taiwan bike maker VN factory, Nat. immunisation system hacked, Automotive
In today’s Vietnam news: Offshore wind development, PM public holiday powers extension proposed, Cybersecurity firm identifies VN hack, HoSE liquidity lowest level since April
In today’s Vietnam news: Push for removal US D1 D3 export control lists, Coal output increase approved, Philippines-Vietnam integration challenges, Renewables development, M&A transactions
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