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.
Electricity: Vietnam raises average power price by 4.8 percent from May 10
The average retail electricity price in Vietnam will rise from VND 2,103.11 to VND 2,204.07 per kWh, a 4.8 percent increase from today, according to a press release from state power provider Electricity Vietnam (EVN). The move has been driven by rising input costs—notably coal, gas, oil, LNG, and the exchange rate—with low-cost hydropower only expected to supply 25 percent of total demand in 2025, the release says.
Footwear: Vietnam exports up 16.94 percent in April, USA top destination
Vietnam’s exports of footwear reached US$2.23 billion in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a substantial increase of 16.94 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) export value of US$7.60 billion.
Plastics: Vietnam imports fall 2.3 percent in April, China main source
Vietnam’s imports of plastics reached US$1.06 billion in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a slight decrease of 2.30 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) import value of US$4.09 billion.
Iron & steel: Vietnam imports up 5.71 percent in April, China remains top supplier
Vietnam’s imports of iron and steel reached US$962.88 million in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a 5.71 percent increase compared to the import value in March, with a year-to-date import value of US$3.61 billion for this category.
Footwear: Crocs warns Vietnam tariffs could pose major disruption to global sourcing strategy
Tariffs on Vietnam would be more disruptive than those on China for Crocs due to its deep reliance on Vietnam for manufacturing, Crocs CEO Andrew Rees has told an investor call.
Textiles & garments: Vietnam exports slightly up 0.24 percent in April, USA top destination
Vietnam’s exports of textiles and garments reached US$3.07 billion in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a marginal increase of 0.24 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) export value of US$11.76 billion.
Vietnam News Roundup: May 2 to May 8
This week’s Vietnam news roundup covers CPI and trade data, SBV operations, credit growth, LNG tariffs, gold demand, a PMI drop, sanctions risk, the KRX system launch as well as foreign trader activity, tourism data, and more…
Machines & equipment: Vietnam exports up 0.88 percent in April, USA top destination
Vietnam’s exports of machine, equipment, tools and instruments reached US$4.71 billion in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a marginal increase of 0.88 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) export value of US$17.09 billion.
Fabrics: Vietnam imports up 5.68 percent over March, China lead supplier
Vietnam’s imports of fabrics reached US$1.42 billion in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a 5.68 percent increase compared to the import value in March, with a year-to-date import value of US$4.87 billion for this category.
Stock market: Vietnam’s VN-Index climbs 1.55 percent on May 8
The VNIndex closed at 1,269.80 today, gaining 19.43 points or 1.55 percent, with a total trading value of VND 19.22 trillion, or US$739.2 million. The VN30 index also rose, climbing 1.99 percent to close at 1,351.10.
Computers & electrical products: Vietnam exports down 4.91 percent in April, USA top destination
Vietnam’s exports of computers, electrical products, spare-parts and components thereof reached US$8.15 billion in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a decrease of 4.91 percent compared to March, although the year-to-date (YTD) export value remains substantial at US$29.26 billion.
Phones: Vietnam exports down 22.04 percent in April, China top destination
Vietnam’s exports of phones reached US$3.76 billion in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a significant decrease of 22.04 percent compared to March, with a year-to-date (YTD) export value of US$17.80 billion.
Retail: Japan’s Aeon plans eightfold store expansion in Vietnam by 2030
Japan’s Aeon aims to expand from 12 to 100 general merchandise stores and super-supermarkets in Vietnam by 2030, Nikkei Asia has reported. It also plans to grow its network of smaller grocery stores to around 200 locations.
Economy: Vietnam announces US$20 billion credit package to drive growth
A total of 21 commercial banks have registered to participate in a VND 500 trillion (US$20 billion) credit package to support businesses in infrastructure and digital technology, Deputy Governor Dao Minh Tu has told a press conference. The package will offer interest rates at least 1 percent lower than current commercial lending rates for a minimum of two years.
Electronics: Vietnam imports sees slight dip in April, still strong YTD
Vietnam’s imports of computers, electrical products, spare parts, and components thereof reached US$11.24 billion in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a 2.18 percent decrease compared to the import value in March. However, the year-to-date import value for this sector remains substantial at US$42.88 billion.
Stock market: VNIndex edges up 0.15 percent amid mixed sector performance
The VNIndex closed at 1,241.95 today, gaining 1.90 points or 0.15 percent with a total trading value of VND 17.85 trillion, or US$686.54 million, according to a release from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange. The VN30 index conversely dipped slightly by 0.06 percent, while VNSmallCap gained 0.07 percent and VNMidCap fell 0.19 percent.
Machinery, equipment, tools & instruments: Vietnam imports up slightly in April, China dominates
Vietnam’s imports of machinery, equipment, tools, and instruments reached US$4.93 billion in April 2025, according to figures released by Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. This represents a marginal 1.76 percent increase compared to the import value in March, with a year-to-date import value of US$17.58 billion for this category.
Can LNG really save Vietnam-US trade?
There has been a lot said about Vietnam buying more LNG in order to reduce its trade surplus with the United States. There has even been some suggestion that Vietnam could buy as much as US$35 billion worth a year and store it offshore. But is buying more LNG really a realistic option?
Sanctions: EU to target Vietnamese companies aiding Russian sanctions evasion
For the first time, the European Union plans to sanction a Vietnamese company for allegedly assisting Russia in bypassing trade restrictions, as part of its 17th sanctions package since the Ukraine invasion, the Financial Times is reporting.
Cryptocurrency: Vietnam tax on digital assets feasible, but legal clarity needed
In an opinion piece in the Vietnam Investment Review, Nguyen Tien Hoa, Senior Partner at ASL Law, has argued that taxing crypto assets in Vietnam is legally feasible but requires foundational legal clarity and a phased implementation.
In today’s news: Japan credit agency upgrades VN, Police investigate social media posts about Novaland, Property developers turn to bonds as bank lending slows,
In today’s news: VinFast derivatives issue, JICA lending forecasts, Fuel pricing reform monitoring, Fuel price forecasts, Bank foreign capital raising, Russia looking to wet
In today’s news: Abandoned property tax proposed, Novaland rejects bankruptcy rumours, Vietnamese trade delegation visits Iran, US duties Vietnamese air compressors, EVF plans US$300
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