Business News

The capital has considerable advantages in workers, science and technology, universities and research institutes, consumer demand, service infrastructure and its position as a regional connectivity hub. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Hà Nội are being encouraged to tap into opportunities arising from public investment, infrastructure development, digital transformation and the green economy as the capital seeks to mobilise the private sector in pursuit of sustainable double-digit growth.

Listed seaport operators posted strong earnings growth in the first half of 2026, supported by expanding import-export activity, higher cargo volumes and improved operating efficiency, while the year-end peak season is expected to provide further room for growth. Gemadept Corporation recorded consolidated revenue of VNĐ3.12 trillion (US$120 million) in the first six months, up 16 per cent year-on-year, while net profit surged 71 per cent to VNĐ1.94 trillion.

Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee plans to begin construction on four metro lines by the end of 2026, which is part of the plan to complete 255km of metro lines by 2030. The first line, which connects Binh Duong New City with Suoi Tien, covers a length of over 32km, with an estimated investment of $2.18 billion. The line will pass through seven wards.

British investors have proposed an US$18-billion deep-sea port and eco-industrial urban complex in the northern province of Quảng Ninh as local authorities reaffirmed their commitment to facilitating strategic, high-value investment projects. Representatives of Thai An Holdings JSC and their British partners presented the proposal during a working session with Permanent Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Vũ Văn Diện on August 7 to discuss potential investment opportunities.

The effective use of new-generation free trade agreements (FTAs) has enabled Vietnamese businesses to expand into new markets, strengthen their competitiveness and integrate more deeply into global value chains. According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, as of July this year, more than 1.2 million certificates of origin (C/Os) had been issued under various FTAs, covering exports worth nearly US$100 billion, equivalent to 28 per cent of Việt Nam’s total export value.

The conclusion of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, set out in Notice No.125-TB/VPTW dated July 18, marks a new approach to the development of Vietnam’s maritime industry, with the aim of building a comprehensive maritime industrial ecosystem, strengthening national self-reliance, and supporting the country’s ambition to become a strong maritime nation.

HCM City aims to increase the proportion of imports and exports handled directly through its seaports, airports, railway terminals and inland container depots (ICDs) to more than 80 per cent during the 2026-30 period. With measures revolving around investment in integrated logistics infrastructure, multimodal transport expansion and digital transformation acceleration, the strategy is intended to reduce logistics costs, enhance competitiveness and support sustainable growth in external trade.

The EVFTA acts as a vital economic highway to boost trade between Vietnam and EU. In 2019, the Vietnam – EU two-way trade stood at $49.8 billion. This figure rose to $74 billion by the end of 2025. In the first six months of 2026, two-way trade between Vietnam and the EU totalled $41.7 billion. Vietnam's exports to the EU reached $31.8 billion, while imports from the bloc stood at $9.9 billion.