Business News

Against a rapidly changing geopolitical and economic backdrop, global wealth flows continue to evolve as high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and businesses take a more holistic approach to location. Vietnam is emerging as a promising destination, but it must seize the moment with improved policy framework, infrastructure, and living standards.

The combination of e-commerce and artificial intelligence (AI) will be an important tool to help start-ups optimise sales processes and improve the customer experience. AI is not just a support tool, but also a key driver in optimising marketing strategies, analysing data and crafting effective advertising campaigns, said Vũ Minh Ngọc, a representative of the Centre for E-commerce and Digital Technology (eComDX), at a recent seminar on e-commerce applications for young entrepreneurs.

Business activity showed signs of recovery in the first five months of this year, with the number of newly established and returning businesses rising by 11.3% year-on-year. According to the General Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance, nearly 111,800 enterprises were newly established or resumed operations nationwide between January and May, up 11.3% compared to the same period in 2024.

The Việt Nam Bond Market Association (VBMA) reported that real estate firms issued seven separate bond lots in May with a combined value of more than VNĐ10.5 trillion (US$403.5 million). Of which, Vingroup led the pack, issuing three batches totaling VNĐ6 trillion, according to the association. Other notable issuers in May included Viet Minh Hoang Construction and Real Estate Investment JSC (about VNĐ3.47 billion), AAC Vietnam JSC (VNĐ500 billion), Song Phuong Industry - Real Estate and Construction LLC (VNĐ388.5 billion), and Van Phu Real Estate Development JSC (VNĐ150 billion).

Việt Nam’s total import-export turnover from May 16 to 31 reached nearly US$42.5 billion, marking a 17.6 per cent increase compared to the first half of the month. Thanks to a strong surge in exports, the trade balance for this period posted a surplus of $2.94 billion, raising the total trade surplus for the first five months of this year to $4.7 billion.

Việt Nam saw nearly 111,800 newly established and reactivated enterprises in the first five months of 2025, reflecting an 11.3 per cent year-on-year increase, according to the National Statistics Office (NSO). On average, approximately 22,400 businesses entered or re-entered the market each month. In May alone, over 15,100 new enterprises were set up, registering a total capital of VNĐ156.7 trillion (around US$6.02 billion) and 98,100 workers.

The southern province of Đồng Nai had lured over US$1.218 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) as of early June, achieving 152.3 per cent of its annual target, according to the Đồng Nai Industrial Zones Authority (DIZA). This figure, encompassing both new and added capital, not only exceeds the province’s 2025 goal of $800 million by 52.3 per cent but also marks a 39 per cent leap from the 874.7 million recorded in the same period last year.

With key agricultural products such as lychee, durian, mango, longan and dragon fruit entering the peak harvest season, Vietnamese authorities are stepping up efforts to streamline customs clearance at border gates to prevent congestion and market oversupply. In a recent directive, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính urged the Ministry of Finance to instruct the customs force to prioritise the swift clearance of fresh farm produce for export.