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.
Australia’s Commonwealth Bank sells 5 percent of Vietnam International Bank
This comes after it was announced back in June that the Australian bank would be divesting from the company which VIB’s board of directors reportedly only learned about after the State Bank of Vietnam approved the move. The Commonwealth Bank held a 20 percent stake in the bank at the time.
Why More Foreign Films Aren’t Made in Vietnam
Vietnam’s Ministry of Tourism, Sports, and Culture is headed to Hollywood to pitch Vietnam as a film set in the hopes that Vietnam’s appearance on the silver screen will boost tourist numbers. It will, however, likely take more than simply raising awareness to see more films made in Vietnam with censorship weighing heavily on foreign film productions.
Vietnam’s aquaculture industry takes US$100 million hit from Typhoon Yagi
Vietnam’s aquaculture industry has experienced significant growth in recent years, becoming a major contributor to the country’s economy through Vietnam’s billion-dollar seafood export industry. This damage to the sector will likely see Vietnam’s seafood exports take a significant hit in the near-term.
Vietnam embedded finance market to reach US$2.73 billion by 2029: Report
The rise of embedded finance is significantly reshaping the financial landscape in Vietnam by integrating financial services into non-financial platforms, making them more accessible and user-friendly. This transformation is particularly impactful in a country where traditional banking penetration remains relatively low, but digital adoption is rapidly increasing.
Vietnam non-wood furniture exports up 6.31 percent August over July
Vietnam has emerged as a significant global player in the furniture manufacturing industry. The country’s strategic geographic location, coupled with a relatively skilled workforce and competitive production costs, has positioned it as a key location for furniture production and export…
Vietnam cosmetics imports down 11.2 percent August over July
Vietnam’s imports of essential oils and resinoids, perfumes, cosmetics, and toilet preparations climbed by 11.2 percent in August over July from US$119.7 million to US$133.1 million. Vietnam’s cosmetics imports for the year now stand at US$932 million which represents an increase of 16.7 percent over the same period last year.
Bao Viet Holdings (Insurance): Vietnam Stock Overview
Notably, this month the non-life insurance market experienced a spike in compensation claims due to losses from Typhoon Yagi. Bao Viet received nearly 700 claims, with an estimated total value of nearly VND 1 trillion or US$40.6 million…
Credit growth in Vietnam hovering at 7.26 percent
Of note, it’s not clear that all of the credit entering the Vietnam economy is good. Notably, bad debts are rising among Vietnam’s banks with one analysis of 29 of Vietnam’s biggest banks earlier this year, finding that 27 had recorded an increase in bad debt by the end of June. Between them there was VND 46,719 billion or US$1.86 billion in bad debts, an increase of 20.8 percent compared to the end of 2023.
US$260 million Chinese circuit board factory slated for northern Vietnam
Over the past decade, Vietnam has attracted significant investments from global electronics giants such as Samsung, LG, and Intel, which have established large production facilities here. They have also helped to develop Vietnam’s electronics manufacturing industry which, in turn, is now attracting even greater investment, the aforementioned circuit board factory, for example…
Vietnam launches strategy for semiconductor industry development
Of note, Vietnam has been pursuing a greater role in semiconductor supply chains for sometime. However, it’s never been made clear exactly what a win would be in terms of Vietnam’s role in semiconductor manufacturing… It does, however, already have a place at the end of semiconductor supply chains in assembly, testing, and packaging. Low-value work to be sure but it does give Vietnam a foot in the door. Whether it can leverage this to move its way up semiconductor supply chains remains to be seen.
Vietnam medicines and medical services costs rise .18 percent in July over August
The cost of medicines and medical services in Vietnam went up by .18 percent in August over July, according to the General Department of Statistics’ Consumer Price Index data. This was in line with a year-on-year increase in the cost of medicines and medical services of 8.3 percent.
Vietnam’s richest man wants more English education in Vietnam
English language proficiency has been a priority in Vietnam for some time, crystallised in 2008, with the Foreign Language Teaching and Learning in the National Education System in the 2008-2020 Period plan. This plan outlined a 10-year foreign language education program for all Vietnamese school students by 2020. This target, however, was a tall ask, and in 2017, with this goal still well out of reach, the project was extended to 2025.
Skoda assembly plant in northern Vietnam almost ready-to-go
A new assembly plant for the Czech Republic’s Skoda vehicles is set to go into operation later this year in northern Vietnam, The Investor is reporting. The plant in Quang Ninh province is 90 percent complete, according to the firm, and began a trial run back in May. Set on 36.5 hectares the factory will add a capacity of 120,000 vehicles a year to Vietnam’s automotive industry…
Cost of eating out in Vietnam rises .26 percent in August over July
Vietnam’s food and beverage industry has experienced huge growth in recent years, driven by a combination of factors including rapid urbanisation, rising disposable incomes, and a burgeoning middle class. That said, Vietnam recorded a fall in food and beverage outlets of 3.9 percent from the start of the year to the end of June, according to food and beverage point of sale technology provider iPOS. The bulk of this fall was in Ho Chi Minh City which recorded a contraction in the number of outlets of about 5.97 percent.
Vincom Retail: Vietnam Stock Overview
Notably, VRE has successfully opened three Vincom Plaza malls and one Vincom Mega mall so far this year. It had initially planned to open six malls this year, but one mall is set to be delayed until 2025…
Vietnam plastics exports up 14 percent in value August over July
Vietnam’s plastics exports climbed by 14 percent in August over July from US$181 million to US$207.3 million. Vietnam’s plastics exports for the year now stand at US$1.75 billion which represents an increase of 27 percent over the same period last year.
Century Synthetic Fiber Corporation: Vietnam Stock Overview
In the first half of 2024, STK’s revenue declined by 18.2 percent year-over-year to US$23 million due to lower sales. In response, STK stopped a number of machines and instead focused on reducing excess inventory. The company also recorded a net loss of US$2.2 million reportedly due to a surge in financial expenses, the result of unrealized exchange rate losses of US$1.7 million on a US dollar-denominated loan used to invest in a new factory…
Vietnam News Roundup: September 13 to September 19
This week’s Vietnam news roundup covers the latest State Bank foreign currency purchases, the lifting of pre-fund requirements for foreign institutional investors, the latest car sales figures, an update on Vietnam’s pursuit of nuclear power, beer production data, and more…
Vietnam Ministry wants to target car sales of 1 million units a year by 2030
Of note, Vietnam’s cities are already straining to accommodate the rise in car ownership and the penetration rate is only around 5 percent. If the country is to reach car sales of 1 million units a year, there will need to be some fairly big investments in infrastructure. It’s not clear how or if this will be addressed…
Japanese clothing brand UNIQLO to expand presence in central Vietnam
Thua Thien-Hue province, particularly its capital Hue, has a growing retail sector that blends modern shopping experiences with traditional markets. Hue is known for its rich cultural heritage, but the rise of tourism has spurred the development of retail spaces, including shopping malls, supermarkets, and convenience stores…
In today’s Vietnam news: MB Bank expanding lending to Novaland, MB Bank Sungroup lending, Bond reform proposed, Net-zero financing needs, Fuel price changes, Black
In today’s Vietnam news: Foxconn expansion, No GMT for BOT projects proposed, Land prices falling, Cassava chip export restrictions proposed, Diamond trade as conditional
In today’s Vietnam news: VAT cut extension proposal, FDI recorded Jan – July, Bamboo Airways adds flights, Carbon market stalls, HCMC data centre capacity,
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