Business News

Import-export turnover through border gates in the northern province of Lào Cai rose by more than 60 per cent year-on-year in the first half of 2026, driven by a sharp increase in agricultural exports, particularly durian. Export value reached US$636 million during the six-month period, up 62 per cent from a year earlier and accounting for more than half of the province's total border trade. Agricultural products remained the dominant export category, making up over 90 per cent of outbound shipments.

Industrial developer Becamex IDC on Friday broke ground on four social housing projects in HCM City, adding more than 6,200 apartments as Việt Nam's largest metropolis aims to tackle a shortage of affordable housing. The four projects, comprising 6,229 apartments, will be developed in Chánh Hiệp and Thuận Giao wards and are intended for low-income residents, industrial workers and other beneficiaries of government housing support programmes.

Developing smart energy infrastructure will be critical for Việt Nam to achieve its green growth ambitions, as the global energy transition has entered a new phase that requires more flexible, resilient and digitally enabled energy systems. At the Smart Energy Infrastructure Development Forum in Hà Nội, experts said that countries must move beyond simply expanding renewable power generation and focus on building smarter energy systems.

With its extensively expanded economic space, Can Tho now possesses a range of strategic advantages, including an extensive road transport network with both north-south and east-west expressways; an inland waterway transport system; an international airport; a network of ports along the Hau River; a large concentration of industrial parks and agricultural and seafood processing facilities; and connectivity to the Mekong development corridor.

The HCMC People’s Council has approved a series of major transport and urban redevelopment projects under public-private partnership (PPP), with preliminary investment estimated at nearly VND155 trillion. Resolutions passed at the closing session of the council’s third meeting for the 2021-2026 term on June 19 included two flagship transport projects.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Construction has proposed expanding 15 sections of the eastern North-South Expressway, instead of prioritizing upgrades on the busiest stretches, with construction on eligible projects expected to start in early 2027. Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh on June 2 approved a plan to expand 15 component projects along the eastern North-South Expressway that were initially built under a phased investment approach.

Hanoi City will hold an international market consultation next month for the over-US$1.5-billion extension of Metro Line 2A linking the city center with the satellite urban area of Xuan Mai, the Hanoi Metropolitan Railway Management Board (MRB) said. The Early Market Engagement (EME) event will take place in Hanoi on June 18-19 ahead of formal bidding procedures for the project.

The HCMC Department of Construction has proposed a list of 58 priority infrastructure projects for implementation in the 2026-2030 period to address four major urban challenges, including traffic congestion, flooding, canal-side housing upgrades, and the city’s growing demand for social housing. The largest share of the proposed projects, with 27 in total, is focused on easing traffic congestion and enhancing regional links.