HÀ NỘI'S IMPORTS SURGE 41% IN FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF 2026
Hà Nội's goods imports rose 41 per cent from a year earlier to an estimated US$42.66 billion in the first eight months of 2026, the city's Statistics Office said. Imports of machinery, equipment and spare parts increased 45 per cent to $8.78 billion in the period, reflecting stronger production activity, investment and demand for production inputs among businesses.
HÀ NỘI ROLLS OUT NEW FRAMEWORK TO ATTRACT STRATEGIC INVESTORS
Hà Nội has introduced a series of new mechanisms and policies aimed at attracting strategic investors, particularly those with advanced technologies, strong intellectual resources and substantial financial capacity. The measures are intended to create a more favourable investment environment while channelling capital into sectors aligned with the capital’s long-term development priorities.
VIỆT NAM'S RURAL MARKET OFFERS MAJOR GROWTH OPPORTUNITY FOR RETAILERS
Việt Nam's rural areas are emerging as a major growth opportunity for the retail sector, with more than 60 million people, or about 65 per cent of the population, still relying largely on traditional markets and small grocery shops. Citing data from the Statistics Department under the Ministry of Finance, economists estimate that total retail sales of goods and consumer services could reach US$305 billion in 2026.
VIETNAMESE COFFEE EXPORTS POISED FOR STRONG FINISH TOWARD YEAR-END
Vietnamese coffee has favourable prospects for strong increases in both export volume and prices in the final months of the year, as low inventories, weather-related disruptions to global supply and higher product standards among importers provide favourable conditions, with the quality and reputation of Vietnamese coffee increasingly established.
VIỆT NAM SPENDS OVER $4 BILLION ON MEAT, FISHERY IMPORTS IN EIGHT MONTHS
Việt Nam spent more than US$4 billion importing meat, meat products and fishery products in the first eight months of 2026, with meat imports rising 26.3 per cent year on year, according to the Customs Department. Imports of meat and meat products reached more than $1.91 billion during the January-August period, up 26.3 per cent from the same period last year, while fishery imports stood at $2.13 billion, down slightly by 1 per cent.
FOREIGN CAPITAL SEEKS STRONGER FOOTHOLD IN VIỆT NAM THROUGH M&A
Foreign investors carried out 1,815 capital contribution and share purchase transactions in Việt Nam in the first seven months of 2026, with total capital exceeding $6.5 billion. While the number of transactions fell 8.4 per cent year-on-year, their value rose 61.6 per cent. Rather than investing from scratch to build new production facilities, many foreign investors are choosing to acquire stakes in existing Vietnamese companies as a faster way to establish a foothold in the market.
AGRICULTURAL, FORESTRY AND FISHERY EXPORTS REACH NEARLY $49.3 BILLION AFTER EIGHT MONTHS
Asia remained Việt Nam’s largest export market, accounting for 45.5 per cent of total market share, with exports to the region increasing 11.3 per cent year on year. Việt Nam’s agricultural, forestry and fishery exports totaled nearly US$49.3 billion in the first eight months of this year, up 7 per cent year on year, maintaining growth momentum despite divergent trends among major product groups.
VIỆT NAM SEAFOOD EXPORTS MAINTAIN GROWTH IN AUGUST
Việt Nam's seafood exports rose by 6 per cent in August compared to last year, supported by strong demand from mainland China, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, which helped offset weaker shipments to the US. Seafood exports reached over US$1.1 billion in August, taking total exports in the first eight months of this year to $8 billion, up 11.8 per cent from a year earlier, according to the Việt Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
