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.
Context: FDI vs. Domestic in 500 most profitable enterprises report, 2023
FDI firms are leading domestic firms in VIentam on return on assets by 2.5 percentage points and return on equity by 4.9 percent, according to the PROFIT500 rankings released earlier this week. Whereas these differences are marginal, it’s worth noting that the key local companies making the top of the
US sees Vietnam at bottom end of semiconductor supply chain?
The US will support Vietnam to attract investment in semiconductor production and developing technical skills necessary to participate in semiconductor production, according to a US Department of State press release. Of note in the state departments release is a reference to ‘building on Vietnam’s existing strengths in assembly, testing, and
Intellectual property, skilled human resources key challenges to US investment in Vietnam
Despite US FDI into Vietnam topping US$11.4 billion there is still room for more investment with key obstacles yet to be resolved, Tuoi Tre is reporting. The article specifically mentions human resources and intellectual property protections as being inadequate–see comments below. Mai Nguyen, president of the Association of Foreign Investment
Vietnamese English education app gets US$20 million from Singapore investment firm
UOB Venture Management has invested US$20 million in ELSA, an English education app, made in Vietnam, Deal Street Asia is reporting. The apps primary focus is improving English pronunciation through what it claims is AI. Why it matters: There is a huge appetite for learning foreign languages in Vietnam, particularly
Vietnam Airlines to sign deal for 50 Boeing 737 Max
Vietnam Airlines is considering a US$10 billion deal with Boeing for 50 737 Max aircraft, VN Express is reporting. The article says that the deal will see the national carrier replace its ageing fleet of A321 aircraft. There is no mention in the article of the two fatal crashes involving
Netherlands furniture firm invests US$31.7 in south-central Vietnam
Dutch furniture firm VidaXL is building a factory in the Nhon Hoi economic zone in Vietnam’s Binh Dinh province, according to VN Express. The project will cover 213,000 m2 of land and will produce an array of components and parts for VidaXL home furnishings. The project is expected to be
What Vietnamese businesses want from President Biden’s Hanoi stopover
VN Express is covering what Vietnamese businesses are looking for from US President Joe Biden’s trip to Hanoi. Key takeaways: Eds note: Whereas the geopolitics of Biden’s visit to Hanoi are well documented, in Vietnam there seems to be little interest. The focus domestically is on trade with the United
US product transfer firm opens factory in southern Vietnam
US firm Kurz, which specialises in thin-film transfers and decorative producs, has opened a factory in Vietnam’s Quy Nhon province, Plastics Technology is reporting. In the original press release, the company says it’s investing 35 million euros (US$37.5 million) in the new facility. It is slated to produce plastic finishings
Vietnam’s offshore wind (OSW) targets in doubt
“To meet the PDP8 scheduled target, the OSW projects should have been identified, investors selected, and permits issued by now,” according to a blog post from the law firm Shearman and Sterling. The law firm points out that the typical lead time for OSW projects is 5 to 7 years
Anticipated technology transfers from FDI to local firms not happening in Vietnam
Technology transfers from foreign to local firms are not happening, Tung Dinh Dang, Deputy Director of the Department of Technology Assessment, via Tuoi Tre. Instead, foreign firms are only transferring technology to their Vietnamese subsidiaries. Dang says, the workers often using the technology do not have the skills or education
Banks can now offer customers refinancing loans
Vietcombank and BIDV are among the first banks in Vietnam to allow customers to borrow in order to pay loans at other banks, The Investor is reporting. Regulations that restricted taking out loans to pay off other loans were rolled back earlier this month. Why it matters: By giving customers
Vietnam’s credit growth languishes, businesses don’t want to borrow
Vietnam’s credit growth has reached just 5.33 percent as of the end of August, The Investor is reporting. This is slightly up from July’s 4.56 percent but substantially far away from the 14 percent target for the year. Consider this: The article notes that businesses are reluctant to borrow and
Malaysian real estate firm enters Vietnam market with HCMC land purchase
Malaysia’s Skyworld Development is set to invest US$14.15 million in land in HCMC on which it intends to build an apartment building, the New Straight Times is reporting. Context: The real estate sector has found itself almost frozen after several high-profile arrests related to bond issuances. The economy is also
Australia is chasing stronger ties with Vietnam
Australia wants a comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam, an upgrade from the current strategic partnership, according to VN Express. Vietnam and Australia have drawn much closer in recent years as trade friction with China has seen the land downunder look for alternative markets for its products. Cotton exports from Australia
International school in Hoi An shuts down unexpectedly, owner does a runner
VN Express is covering the closure of an international school in Hoi An whereby the foreign owner closed down the school and left the country rather than declaring bankruptcy. The article says a report has been lodged with the local police but if there is money to be refunded it
Vietnam’s 2023 growth target ‘extremely difficult’ to reach says deputy minister
Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Phuong Quoc Tran has told Vietnam News that reaching the government’s 6.5 percent GDP growth target by the end of the year will be challenging–at the end of June growth was at 3.72 percent. He says low demand is weighing heavily on exports and
Coffee price decline likely temporary
The Ministry of Industry and Trade’ Import-Export Department is anticipating that a recent decline in coffee prices will slow down, according to Vietnambiz. Vietnam is the world’s second largest coffee producer after Brazil. In the first half of 2023, coffee exports earned Vietnam US$2 billion.
Lack of, slow policy development may hinder wind power development in Vietnam
The Investor has a write-up of the Global Offshore Wind Report 2023 in which it highlights that a lack of timely supporting policy can be off putting to investors. Specifically, Vietnam introduced a policy a few years ago that would see wind farms completed by the end of 2020 paid
Japanese to build biomass plant in northern Vietnam
Japanese firm Erex is considering building a 50 megawatt biomass plant in Vietnam’s Bac Kan province, according to The Investor. This is alongside a number of other biomass power projects in neighbouring provinces. Under Vietnam’s Power Development Plan 8, approved earlier this year, biomass is slated to account for 2,270
Spanish football league to help develop football in Vietnam
Vietnamnet is reporting that the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and the Spanish football league (La Liga) have signed an MOU in a first step toward the Spaniards providing training and talent development to the local league. Why it matters: Vietnam loves football but the local league has been plagued by
In today’s Vietnam news: Research prosecution exemption, Fuel retailer losses, Semiconductor degree requirements, Eurocham BCI, Government bond auction Wednesday, Australia tourist visa problems, Coffee
In today’s Vietnam news: Accor-Sun Group agreement, US largest ethanol supplier, Demographic dividend to end 3 years early, Maritime economy development, ACV looking to
In today’s Vietnam news: Vietnam Airlines trading restrictions removed, Insurance payouts VSS, Car sales June, 23+ years prison term recommended counterfeit supplements, Counterfeit shoes
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