CASHEW EXPORTS TO CHINA SURGE, OVERTAKING THE US AS VIỆT NAM’S TOP MARKET
China has overtaken the US to become Việt Nam's largest cashew export market, driven by the neighbouring country's recovering demand, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Statistics show that Việt Nam exported 96,000 tonnes of cashews worth US$608 million to China in the first seven months of 2025, up 29 per cent in volume and 47 per cent in value from a year earlier.
MAJOR LEAP FORWARD IN VIETNAM EXPORTS
From a formerly war-torn, impoverished, and embargoed country, Vietnam has risen to become one of the world’s Top 20 trading economies. In 2024, total import-export turnover reached US$786 billion, up 15.4% from 2023, with a record trade surplus of US$24.77 billion, demonstrating successful integration and Vietnam’s strengthened position in global trade.
HCMC, HANOI SEE SHARP TOURISM REVENUE RISE IN JAN-AUG
HCMC and Hanoi City saw strong growth in tourist arrivals and revenue in the first eight months of 2025, official data showed. HCMC welcomed nearly 5.2 million international visitors, up almost 50% from the same period in 2024, the city’s Department of Tourism said. Domestic tourist arrivals exceeded 25 million, a 7.5% increase, reported local media.
HCMC WELCOMES OVER 1.4 MILLION VISITORS DURING NATIONAL DAY HOLIDAY
HCMC attracted over 1.4 million visitors during the National Day holiday from August 30 to September 2, with the tourism sector recording total revenue of around VND4.1 trillion, official figures showed. Of the total, there were 45,600 international tourists. Local hotels and lodging facilities accommodated about 300,000 guests, with an average occupancy rate of 87%.
OVER TWO MILLION TOURISTS FLOCK TO HANOI FOR NATIONAL DAY HOLIDAY
Hanoi welcomed over two million visitors during the four-day National Day break, three times higher than a year earlier, with tourism revenue soaring 80% to VND4.5 trillion, official data showed. Of these, international arrivals exceeded 80,000, up 35% from the same holiday in 2024, according to the Hanoi Department of Tourism.
TRANSPORT SECTOR SHOWS STRONG DIVERGENCE IN H1 PERFORMANCE
The Vietnamese transport sector has witnessed significant divergence in performance during the first half of 2025, with leading companies reporting robust growth while others, particularly those with ageing fleets, facing declining profits. This trend reflects the broader dynamics of Việt Nam's trade landscape, which has seen a substantial increase in export and import activity.
VIỆT NAM’S PORTS SAIL INTO GLOBAL TOP 50
Việt Nam’s shipping industry is making waves, with three of its major ports docking firmly in the world’s top 50 busiest container ports, according to Dutch maritime consultancy DynaLiners — a sign of the country’s rising tide in global trade. HCM City Port led the Vietnamese trio, ranking 22nd with a throughput of 9.1 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in 2024.
VIỆT NAM SEES RISING FOREIGN INVESTMENTS DESPITE UNCERTAINTIES
Foreign investors continue to show strong interest in Việt Nam, with foreign investments in the first seven months up more than 27 per cent on-year despite geopolitical uncertainties and trade tensions. A recent highlight is ExxonMobil, the American oil and gas giant, conducting a site survey in the Nam Vân Phong area to explore investment opportunities.
