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.
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.
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.
Vietnam’s handbag and accessory exports surge by 42.10 percent in March
Vietnam’s exports of handbags, purses, suitcases, headgear, and umbrellas increased by 42.10 percent in March compared to February, reaching US$366.64 million, according to data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
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.
Coffee: Nestlé invests additional US$73 million in southern Vietnam coffee plant
Nestlé Vietnam has announced an additional investment of nearly VND1.9 trillion (US$73.4 million) into its Tri An coffee factory in Dong Nai province, boosting its total investment in the country to nearly VND20.2 trillion (US$780.83 million), The Investor is reporting.
Steel: India imposes 12% duty on flat steel imports from Vietnam and China
India has imposed a 12 percent duty on flat steel imports from Vietnam and China for 200 days, aiming to shield its domestic steel sector from surging low-cost shipments of steel, according to The Hindu’s Business Line.
In today’s Vietnam news: Vinhomes to stop expanding landbank, 38 percent of businesses paying informal charges, SBV governor meets USTR delegation, Fitch affirms BB+
In today’s Vietnam news: Counterfeit ice cream store, Business bank deposits falling, SBV interest rates advertised versus reality, Gold content import regulations, Foreign investors
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
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