FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT CONTINUES TO POUR INTO VIỆT NAM
Việt Nam has attracted US$13.82 billion in newly registered foreign direct investment (FDI) since the beginning of this year, marking a nearly 40 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, while disbursed capital has reached $6.74 billion, the highest level recorded in the past five years, reflecting strong investor confidence in the Vietnamese market.
HCM CITY AIMS TO MATCH SINGAPORE IN STARTUP GROWTH, INNOVATION
HCM City aims to develop a startup and innovation environment on par with Singapore’s, so that investors no longer need to go abroad to launch their ventures, its Department of Science and Technology has said. Lâm Đình Thắng, its director, said fostering entrepreneurship and innovation requires the coordinated involvement of four key groups: investors, academia, banks, and government.
MARITIME TRANSPORT MAINTAINS STRONG GROWTH
The nation's maritime and inland waterway transport sectors have continued to demonstrate robust growth during the first four months of 2025, signalling a steady recovery in trade and logistics activities after a period of economic uncertainty. According to the Vietnam Maritime and Waterway Administration (VIMAWA), under the Ministry of Construction, total cargo via ports reached 370.5 million tonnes, up 11 per cent compared to the same period last year.
E-COMMERCE TO SUPPORT FARMERS WITH MARKET ACCESS
The Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Centre for E-commerce and Digital Technology (eComDX) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with leading e-commerce enterprises, including Shopee and TikTok Việt Nam, along with departments of industry and trade from Lai Châu, Thái Nguyên, Lạng Sơn, Yên Bái and Điện Biên provinces.
VIỆT NAM’S COFFEE EXPORTS REACH $4.2 BILLION IN FIRST FIVE MONTHS
As of mid-May 2025, Việt Nam exported over 736,000 tonnes of coffee, earning US$4.2 billion, according to the Department of Customs. While export volume declined by 5.5 per cent year-on-year, export value surged by 56 per cent thanks to a sharp rise in average prices. Domestically, coffee prices in the Central Highlands reversed course on May 24, falling by VNĐ2,500 ($0.096) - VNĐ3,300 per kilogramme.
PUBLIC FUNDING A LIFELINE FOR CONSTRUCTION AMBITIONS
Public investment is being deemed a lifeline for construction materials manufacturers such as cement and steel producers, which are currently under mounting pressure from fierce competition and shrinking export markets. Vietnam’s construction sector was anticipated to enter a more promising growth phase this year, following two challenging years marked by a stagnant real estate market, legal bottlenecks, and capital shortages.
VIETNAM INCREASINGLY CENTRAL TO MAJOR FDI STRATEGIES
Vietnam continues to sharpen its edge as a preferred destination for foreign investment across key sectors. A government delegation led by Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien held direct talks last week with four of America’s top global players – Excelerate Energy, Lockheed Martin, SpaceX, and Google - each representing a critical pillar of energy, aerospace, connectivity, and digital services.
