Business News

The Netherlands remained Vietnam’s largest trade surplus market in Europe in 2025, with Vietnam posting a surplus of US$12.7 billion, while also retaining its status as Vietnam’s biggest trading partner in the European Union for the second consecutive year. Total bilateral trade between Vietnam and the Netherlands amounted to US$14.3 billion in 2025, up 3.8% from 2024, reported the Vietnam News Agency, citing data from the Vietnam Trade Office in the Netherlands.

Vietnam’s gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 8.02% in 2025, prompting major international media outlets to describe the country as one of Asia’s standout performers amid ongoing global trade uncertainties. Following the National Statistics Office’s announcement, Nikkei Asia, The Diplomat and the Associated Press highlighted Vietnam’s strong economic resilience despite headwinds such as high U.S. tariffs and volatile global trade conditions.

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The 13th edition of the Ho Chi Minh City Marathon officially returns, welcoming nearly 11,000 local and international runners to compete across the 42KM, 21KM, and 10KM distances. Taking place in the first days of the new year, HCMC Marathon is the only marathon with both its start and finish lines located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, offering an early-year running experience filled with energy and inspiration.

With 2026 themed “Improving governance quality, unlocking institutions, making infrastructure breakthroughs and enhancing public service delivery,” HCMC has developed three economic growth scenarios. Under the baseline scenario, the city targets growth of 8.5–9%, with total social investment equivalent to 24% of GRDP. A more ambitious scenario aims for 9.5% growth and investment of 25.8% of GRDP.

Total investments in HCMC reached an estimated VND684.88 trillion last year, up 11.9% against 2024, according to the city’s Statistics Office. The increase came as Vietnam’s economic recovery gained traction, with infrastructure spending continuing to act as a key driver for capital inflows into industry, services and real estate.

Quang Ninh posted gross regional domestic product (GRDP) growth of 11.89%, while Haiphong gained growth of 11.81%. Both exceeded the national average as six localities reported double-digit expansion. Vietnam’s gross domestic product rose 8.02% in 2025 from a year earlier. At the local level, GRDP growth ranged from 5.84% to 11.89%, showing wide divergence across regions.

Vietnam’s total import-export turnover reached a record high of more than US$920 billion last year, up 16.9% year-on-year, lifting the country into the world’s top 15 trading economies, Nguyen Anh Son, director general of the Agency of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said. The achievement highlighted the crucial role of external trade in driving economic growth and underscored Vietnam’s deepening integration into global value chains, Son said in an interview with Tuoi Tre newspaper.