Business News

Vietnam’s economy in the first four months of 2026 showed solid gains in industrial production, consumption and investment, but structural bottlenecks in the business sector and pressures on the trade balance persisted. Industrial production remained a central pillar of growth, according to the National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance. 

Vietnam’s overseas investment reached US$713.9 million in the first four months of 2026, up 2.3 times year-on-year, according to the Foreign Investment Agency. The agency reported 74 newly licensed projects with total registered capital of US$691.1 million, 2.6 times higher than a year earlier. Four existing projects adjusted their capital, adding US$22.8 million. Capital reductions accounted for 43.2% of the total adjusted value.

Passenger traffic through Vietnam’s airports exceeded 46 million in the first four months of 2026, up nearly 18% year-on-year, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam reported. International passengers reached 19 million, increasing more than 22%. Domestic traffic totaled over 27 million, up 15%. Cargo volume handled at airports rose 17% from a year earlier to about 616,000 tons.

Hanoi City’s state budget revenue reached an estimated VND293.4 trillion in the first four months of 2026, equivalent to 45.1% of its full-year target, city statistics data showed. Domestic revenue remained the main contributor, totaling VND279 trillion, or 45.7% of the estimate, according to the Hanoi Statistics Office.Revenue from import-export activities was estimated at VND13.1 trillion, meeting 35.9% of the target and rising 21.2% from a year earlier. 

Speaking before Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, and other top Party and State officials, Quang described the targets as a strong political commitment. Breaking down the revenue goal, Quang said the city has set a baseline target of VND964 trillion, up about 20% against 2025. To reach the VND1 quadrillion mark, the city will need to mobilize an additional VND36 trillion. 

Việt Nam’s fruit and vegetable exports have made a strong start to the year, with rising shipments and tighter compliance with international standards helping producers tap robust global demand, according to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetables Association. The association reported export earnings of nearly US$532 million in April, bringing total export value to $2.06 billion in the first four months of the year, up 22 per cent year-on-year.

Convenience stores, mini supermarket chains and small to medium-sized supermarkets are seeing strong growth amid shifting consumer trends as retailers race to bring shopping closer to home in a rapidly expanding modern retail market. According to market analysis data from VNDIRECT Securities Corporation, economic experts said the retail market has recovered strongly since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Red River Basin cooperation mechanism is emerging as a platform for deeper economic integration between Việt Nam and China’s Yunnan Province, particularly in the development of the aluminium industry. The initiative links seven localities in Yunnan with eight northern provinces of Việt Nam, aiming to streamline trade, logistics and industrial development along a shared economic corridor.