VIETNAM HOLDS FIRM ON 2025 GDP GROWTH TARGET OF 8% OR HIGHER
The Government of Vietnam has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving a GDP growth rate of 8% or higher in 2025, with a strong focus on macroeconomic stability and restructuring. The Government on April 10 issued Resolution No. 77/NQ-CP in this regard following the monthly cabinet meeting for March and a teleconference with provincial authorities.
RETAIL SALES OF GOODS, SERVICES UP ALMOST 10% IN Q1
Total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue in the first quarter of 2025 were estimated at VNĐ1.7 quadrillion (US$65.5 billion), up 9.9 per cent year-on-year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO). GSO director Nguyễn Thị Hương stated that high domestic consumption demand during the holidays, such as Tết, as well as the significant number of international visitors to Việt Nam, are key factors contributing positively to the growth of the trade and service sector.
AGRO-FORESTRY-AQUATIC PRODUCT EXPORTS INCREASE OVER 13% IN FIRST QUARTER
Việt Nam's agro-forestry-aquatic product exports reached US$6.14 billion in March, bringing the total export value in the first quarter of this year to $15.72 billion, a year-on-year increase of 13.1 per cent. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Việt Nam recorded a trade surplus of $4.4 billion in agro-forestry-aquatic products in the first quarter, up 13.1 per cent compared the same period last year.
VIỆT NAM'S FOREIGN INVESTMENT SURGES 35% IN Q1
Việt Nam recorded approximately US$10.98 billion in foreign investment during the first quarter of this year, marking a 35 per cent year-on-year increase, according to the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) under the Ministry of Finance. A total of 401 operating projects registered for investment capital adjustments in the first quarter of 2025, marking a 50 per cent increase. The total additional capital reached nearly $5.16 billion, a fivefold increase compared to the same period last year.
VIỆT NAM'S GDP EXPANDS BY 6.93 PER CENT IN Q1
According to the NSO, the agro-forestry-fishery, industry-construction, and service sectors expanded by 3.74 per cent, 7.42 per cent and 7.7 per cent, contributing 6.09 per cent, 40.17 per cent, and 53.74 per cent to the total GDP expansion during January–March, respectively. Việt Nam’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew 6.93 per cent in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, the highest Q1 rate since 2020, the National Statistics Office (NSO) reported at a press conference in Hà Nội on Sunday.
MONG CAI BORDER TRADE SURGES 45% IN Q1
Cross-border trade through the Mong Cai international border gate in northern Vietnam surged 45% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year. Customs data showed that total import-export revenue reached over US$1.31 billion between January and March. Exports accounted for US$754.4 million, while imports stood at US$557.7 million, the Vietnam News Agency reported.
MANUFACTURING SECTOR REBOUNDS IN MARCH
Vietnam’s manufacturing sector rebounded in March after three months of contraction, according to the latest S&P Global Vietnam Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI). The PMI climbed above the 50.0 threshold for the first time in four months, reaching 50.5 in March from 49.2 in February. This improvement signals a modest uptick in overall manufacturing conditions at the close of the first quarter of this year.
HCMC’S GRDP GROWTH HITS FIVE-YEAR HIGH IN Q1
HCMC’s gross regional domestic product (GRDP) in the first quarter of this year expanded by over 7.51% year-on-year to more than VND457.6 trillion, the highest Q1 growth rate since 2020. The data was released by the HCMC People’s Committee at a meeting held today, April 2, to review the socio-economic performance in January-March.
