Business News

Southeast Asia’s total e-commerce gross merchandise volume (GMV) reached $145.2 billion in 2024, including platform and non-platform transactions, according to a report released by Momentum Works on June 26. The report revealed that platform-based e-commerce in the region reached $128.4 billion in GMV in 2024, representing 12 per cent on-year growth.

Việt Nam’s domestic petrol market remained broadly stable in H1 2025, despite challenging global geopolitical conditions, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT). Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyễn Hồng Diên chaired a conference on Wednesday in Hà Nội to review petrol supply in the first half of the year and outline priorities for the remaining six months.

The majority of Vietnamese businesses expect intra-ASEAN trade to grow following the announcement of US tariffs, according to the 2025 UOB (United Overseas Bank) Business Outlook Study released on June 25. Following the US announcement of 46 per cent reciprocal tariffs in April, Vietnamese businesses have been taking steps to manage the impact. 

PwC’s Global M&A Industry Trends: 2025 Outlook reveals that CEOs around the world are optimistic about mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in 2025. Accordingly, 81 per cent of CEOs who have completed at least one major M&A deal in the past three years, plan to pursue one or more deals in the next three years. Notably, companies in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors are actively engaging in M&A to accelerate business model transformation.

Despite domestic and global economic challenges, Kiên Giang Province’s industrial production and exports have risen by 14 per cent year-on-year in the first half of the year. According to its Department of Industry and Trade, manufacturing output was worth VNĐ29 trillion (US$1.1 billion), up 13.89 per cent. Exports amounted to $474 million, a 7 per cent increase, with the key items being rice ($151.39 million), leather and footwear ($117.37 million) and seafood ($114.7 million).

Việt Nam’s stock market continued its upward momentum on Tuesday, with the VN-Index surpassing the 1,365-point mark. Trading liquidity improved significantly compared to Monday, while foreign investors shifted to net buying after four consecutive sessions of net selling. The market appeared to react positively to signs of easing tensions in the Middle East.

Việt Nam’s aviation sector witnessed a strong recovery in the first half of 2025, with marked growth in both passenger and cargo transport, particularly in international markets, according to a recent report by the Civil Aviation Authority of Việt Nam. Total passenger volume across the sector reached 41.3 million during the six months, up 10 per cent year-on-year.

Franchising abroad is emerging as an effective strategy for businesses — especially start-ups — to rapidly scale up their operations, enhance brand recognition and open new channels to sell raw materials and services in international markets. While the opportunities are significant, experts said that success hinges on the internal capabilities and readiness of each business to capitalise on these prospects.