HCMC EXPECTS US$8.9 BILLION FDI IN Q2
Some of projects include the Can Gio International Transshipment Port (US$4.9 billion), an AI data center (US$2.1 billion), and capital expansions for GS Metrocity Nha Be (US$2.2 billion). City authorities are now focusing on supporting investors to translate these registered commitments into reality. With the current momentum, total FDI for 2026 is projected to reach US$13 billion by year-end.
HCMC SCALES UP SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES
The HCMC government is committed to further refining its investment environment and accelerating administrative reforms to help businesses achieve double-digit growth. Speaking at the High-quality Vietnamese Goods 2026 program announcement event on March 31, Bui Minh Thanh, vice chairman of the HCMC People’s Committee, said the city is focusing on supporting innovation, digital transformation, and green development to bolster the competitiveness of local businesses.
AGRO-FORESTRY-FISHERY EXPORTS EXPAND 5.9% IN Q1
Vietnam’s agro-forestry-fishery exports reached an estimated US$16.69 billion in the first quarter of 2026, up 5.9% from a year earlier, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. The sector posted a trade surplus of US$4.78 billion, up 12% year-on-year. Exports in March were estimated at US$6.02 billion, rising 47.8% from February but slipping 1.5% year-on-year.
FACTORY PRICES POST FASTEST RISE IN NEARLY 15 YEARS
Selling prices in Vietnam’s manufacturing sector rose at the fastest pace in nearly 15 years in March, driven by a sharp increase in input costs linked to the U.S.-Israel war effort against Iran in the Middle East, according to S&P Global. The S&P Global Vietnam Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to 51.2 in March from 54.3 in February, indicating slower growth in operating conditions while remaining above the 50-point threshold for a ninth consecutive month.
VIETNAM’S FOREST COVERAGE REACHES 42% IN 2025
Data released on April 1 by the Forestry and Forest Protection Department showed natural forests accounted for over 10 million hectares, while replanted forests covered more than 4.9 million hectares. About 13.92 million hectares met the criteria for calculating forest coverage, including 10.08 million hectares of natural forest and 3.85 million hectares of replanted forest.
VIETNAM’S RICE EXPORTS TO SENEGAL SURGE 30-FOLD
More than 160,000 tons of Vietnamese rice were exported to Senegal in 2025 with total revenue of US$52.57 million, a 30-fold increase compared to 2024, according to the latest report by the Vietnam Trade Office in Algeria (covering Senegal). As a major West African importer, Senegal consumes an average of one million tons of rice annually, primarily low-cost 100% broken rice, with a per capita consumption of 117kg, among the highest in the region.
HUNG YEN PROPOSES US$18-BILLION FREE ECONOMIC ZONE
The northern province of Hung Yen has proposed developing a free economic zone (FEZ) on over 60,000 hectares at an estimated cost of US$18 billion. According to the proposal to be submmited to the central Government, the Hung Yen FEZ will be developed as a strategic hub for high-tech manufacturing, new energy, and advanced logistics based on the operational 30,583-hectare Thai Binh economic zone.
PHU THO TARGETS US$1.1 BILLION FDI IN 2026
Phu Tho Province aims to attract more than US$1.1 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) and about VND70 trillion in domestic capital in 2026. The northern province sees investment attraction as a key growth driver, with a shift from volume to project quality. In 2025, Phu Tho drew about US$1.51 billion in FDI and nearly US$10 billion in domestic investment. It is currently home to 735 FDI projects worth around US$13.2 billion from 27 countries and territories.
