Business News

Phu Tho Province aims to attract more than US$1.1 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) and about VND70 trillion in domestic capital in 2026. The northern province sees investment attraction as a key growth driver, with a shift from volume to project quality. In 2025, Phu Tho drew about US$1.51 billion in FDI and nearly US$10 billion in domestic investment. It is currently home to 735 FDI projects worth around US$13.2 billion from 27 countries and territories.

Vietnamese travelers are leading Asia in efforts to reduce carbon footprints in tourism, with 81% considering sustainability and responsibility important, according to a 2026 survey by Agoda. The survey found that 43% of Vietnamese respondents expect sustainability to become more important over the next three years. Across Asia, 77% of travelers consider sustainability in travel planning, up from 68% a year earlier.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered ministries, local authorities and state-owned enterprises to step up exports, diversify markets and strengthen logistics to support Vietnam’s 2026 growth target. Official Dispatch No. 23/CD-TTg issued on March 16 calls for coordinated measures to maintain macroeconomic stability, control inflation and address bottlenecks in import-export activities.

This strategic shift, focusing on high-impact infrastructure and technology transfer, is the centerpiece of a newly approved master plan for the 2026-2030 period under Decision No. 441/QD-TTg. The Government aims to move toward “New Generation ODA” models, including budget support and result-based disbursements, to fuel sustainable development goals.

The HCMC People’s Committee has approved a VND1.6-trillion plan to develop ecotourism, resort tourism, and entertainment services in the Can Gio protected forest. The project, which covers 34,800 hectares, of which 93.31% is forested, is intended to promote sustainable tourism and preserve the local ecosystem. Under the plan, development activities must comply with regulations in line with national and sectoral planning as well as the city’s socio-economic development goals.

Vietnam’s film industry is aiming to become one of the world’s top 10 cinema markets as ticket sales reached more than 70 million and box office revenue approached VND5.6 trillion in 2025, according to data released by CJ CGV Vietnam. The figures were presented at a strategic partner conference held by CJ CGV Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City on March 11, which brought together producers, directors, filmmakers and cinema operators, reported the Vietnam News Agency.

Cargo traffic through the Tan Thanh – Po Chai dedicated freight route on the Vietnam – China border has experienced a significant surge, with daily truck volume doubling since late February, mainly with transportation of agro products. Over 37,000 trucks have been cleared at the border gate since the beginning of 2026, according to the Dong Dang – Lang Son Border Gate Economic Zone Authority. 

At a time when Vietnam’s auto sector has been spending nearly US$10 billion on imported components, export competitiveness remains limited and underdeveloped, and the global economy is reshaping supply chains, the industry stands at a major turning point with clear opportunities to move toward technological and manufacturing self-reliance.