Business News

Vietnam imported 16,343 automobiles in October, down 5.5% from September, but total imports in the first 10 months climbed to 171,364 units, up around 20% year-on-year, data from the General Department of Vietnam Customs showed. The import value of automobiles reached nearly US$4 billion in the January-October period, the highest level in three years.

The National Assembly has approved the 2026 socio-economic development plan, setting an economic growth target of at least 10%. The resolution, passed on November 13 with more than 90% of lawmakers in favor, also aims for per capita GDP of US$5,400-5,500 and an inflation rate of around 4.5%, according to the National Assembly’s website (quochoi.vn). These targets are higher than the projected outcomes for 2025.

Vietnam has captured the second-largest share of China’s imported fruit market, accounting for 20% of purchases worth over US$4 billion in the first nine months of 2025, with durian and bananas driving strong growth. China spent a total of US$20.3 billion on fruit imports during this period. Thailand led with US$6.7 billion in exports, up 10% year-on-year and holding a 33% market share. 

According to the Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance, in the first ten months of 2025, Vietnam continued to attract strong inflows of FDI, with total registered capital reaching $31.52 billion, an increase of 15.6 per cent on-year. Of this, 3,321 new projects were licensed with $14.07 billion in newly registered capital, marking a 21.1 per cent increase in project count but a 7.6 per cent decrease in registered capital on-year.

Speaking at the first meeting of the Executive Committee of the 2025-2030 Party Committee of the HCMC People’s Committee today, Nguyen Van Duoc, chairman of the HCMC People’s Committee, said the city would absolutely obtain higher budget revenue than expected for this year if each individual or each organization showed a sense of responsibility for getting their jobs done.

The index of industrial production (IIP) rose 9.2% in the first ten months of the year, supported by strong gains in manufacturing, according to the National Statistics Office. The IIP in October was estimated to increase 2.4% from September and 10.8% from a year earlier. October’s growth exceeded the 7.1% rise recorded in the same month of 2024.

Vietnam’s consumer price index (CPI) in the first 10 months of 2025 rose 3.27% year-on-year, while core inflation increased 3.2%, according to the National Statistics Office (NSO). In October alone, the CPI inched up 0.2% from the previous month, and 3.25% higher year-on-year. Ten of 11 commodity groups recorded price increases, led by food and catering services, which climbed 0.59% and contributed 0.2% to the overall rise.

Vietnam’s pangasius exports in the first nine months of 2025 reached nearly $1.6 billion, up 9% year-on-year, signaling a recovery after a prolonged downturn. The market landscape is shifting notably with CPTPP countries, Brazil and Thailand emerging as growth drivers while China - Hong Kong and the U.S show signs of stagnation.