Covering a combined area of over 7,240 hectares, they are part of a broader urban development strategy aiming at modernizing infrastructure and enhancing connectivity with rural areas.

Hanoi has recently approved the planning tasks for the urban subdivisions E5-1A, E5-1B, and XB-5, covering a combined area of over 7,240 hectares.

These subdivisions are part of a broader urban development strategy aimed at modernizing infrastructure and enhancing connectivity with rural areas.

The E5-1A and E5-1B subdivisions are located in the northeastern part of the capital city, within the administrative boundaries of Dong Anh and Phu Dong communes. The research area spans 3,272 hectares, with a projected population of 220,000 to 230,000 by 2045.

This area is envisioned as a new development zone for the central urban area, featuring modern infrastructure and serving as a crucial gateway to the northeast of Hanoi. It will host high-quality logistics and commercial service centers, leveraging the national railway and waterway transport systems. Additionally, the area will develop regional-level science and technology research centers, educational institutions, high-quality healthcare complexes, international-standard recreational centers, and thematic parks, creating a new highlight for the region.

The XB-5 subdivision, located around Noi Bai International Airport, with a research scale of approximately 3,971 hectares, encompasses the communes of Noi Bai, Soc Son, Quang Minh, and Phuc Thinh.

This area is designated as a green buffer zone and serves as a tourism corridor along the Ca Lo River, featuring traditional craft villages, low-density ecological residential areas, and centers for airport services, commerce, logistics, and international cargo transshipment. It is also a national and regional aviation transport hub, including Noi Bai International Airport.

VnEconomy-Hoàng Bách

In the first 10 months of the year, total state budget revenue increased sharply, but the cumulative disbursement of public investment capital only reached about 52 per cent of the plan...

As of October 31, 2025, the cumulative state budget revenue reached  VND2.18 quadrillion (nearly $82.7 billion), equivalent to 110.97 per cent of the assigned estimate, according to a recent report from the State Treasury. 

In terms of structure, domestic revenue continues to be the main driver, reaching over VND1.8 quadrillion (more than $68 billion), equivalent to 112.4% of the estimate. These figures indicate that domestic business and production activities are recovering, along with the effectiveness of anti-tax evasion measures and the expansion of the tax base.

Revenue from import-export activities also achieved positive results, reaching VND264.6 trillion (more than $10 billion), equivalent to 112.6 per cent of the estimate. This result was attrituted to the clear recovery momentum of international trade activities in the third quarter and the early weeks of the fourth quarter of 2025, contributing to increasing revenue for the state budget in the year's final stage.

However, the progress of development investment expenditure remains slow, with the cumulative disbursed public investment capital in the ten-month period reaching over VND447 trillion ($16.9 billion), equivalent to 51.9 per cent of the 2025 plan assigned by the National Assembly and the Prime Minister. Compared to the total public investment capital plan for 2025, the disbursement rate has only reached 43.7 per cent.

The State Treasury stated that the period from now until the end of the year is the peak phase for controlling and disbursing budget capital. The entire system will focus on key tasks to ensure the effective use of budget capital, such as completing projects, policies, and legal documents; updating and reporting on the budget revenue-expenditure situation and public investment disbursement progress.

In addition, the State Treasury continues to mobilize capital for the budget and development projects through issuing  government bonds. 

-Hoàng Sơn

The central province attracting 36 domestically invested projects with a total registered capital of over VND107.78 trillion ($4.09 billion) in the first ten months of 2025.

Ha Tinh province in central Vietnam has rapidly become an attractive destination for private investors, with strong capital inflows poured into a wide range of strategic projects.

In the first ten months of the year, provincial authorities approved investment policies for 36 domestically invested projects with a total registered capital of more than VND107.78 trillion ($4.09 billion) — an increase of seven projects year-on-year and a seven-fold rise in capital value compared to the same period last year.

A standout feature of Ha Tinh’s investment landscape is the growing momentum of renewable energy projects, a sector the province has prioritised as a foundation for green and sustainable economic development. Among them, the Ky Anh Wind Power Plant, approved in September, has drawn significant public and investor interest. The project has a total investment capital of over VND17 trillion ($646 million) and includes 47 turbines, each with a capacity of 5–8.5 MW.

From January to October, the province also attracted five foreign direct investment (FDI) projects, further highlighting its rising appeal to both domestic and international investors.

VnEconomy-Nguyễn Thuấn

While the number of new enterprises remained relatively stable in the first ten months of the year, combined new and additional capital almost doubled.

Vietnam recorded 162,900 newly-established enterprises in the first ten months of 2025, with total registered capital of VND1,590 trillion ($61.2 billion) and 967,600 registered employees, according to the National Statistics Office at the Ministry of Finance.

All key indicators increased year-on-year, with the number of new businesses up 19.7 per cent, total registered capital 21.4 per cent, and registered jobs 18.6 per cent. Average registered capital per new enterprise stood at VND9.8 billion ($377,000); a slight increase of 1.4 per cent, suggesting that the number of newly-established enterprises remains stable.

Mixed landscape

The business landscape over the first ten months saw a record VND5,200 trillion ($200 billion) in additional registered capital injected into the economy. The figure including both new registrations and capital increases from existing enterprises surged 98.2 per cent year-on-year, reflecting growing confidence among businesses about expanding investment and production.

Along with the rise in new enterprises, the number of those resuming operations after a period of suspension also climbed sharply, to 92,900, up 40.3 per cent. In total, 255,900 new and returning enterprises joined the market in the first ten months, an increase of 26.5 per cent year-on-year. On average, 25,600 businesses entered or re-entered the market each month.

By sector, services continued to dominate, with 124,800 new enterprises, up 21 per cent, followed by industry and construction with 36,600, up 16 per cent, and agriculture, forestry, and fisheries with 1,534, an increase of 11.7 per cent.

Beneath the upbeat numbers, however, the business environment remained highly competitive. In the period, 105,400 enterprises temporarily suspended operations, up 14.4 per cent, while another 26,800 completed dissolution procedures, up a substantial 54.5 per cent, and 58,400 halted operations pending dissolution, down 8.3 per cent.

On average, 19,100 enterprises withdrew from the market each month. In October, 6,065 suspended operations, 6,771 awaited dissolution, and 4,536 completed dissolution, for an increase of 128.3 per cent compared to October 2024.

The contrasting trends show that while entrepreneurial energy remained strong, mounting competitive pressures and persistent barriers in the business environment continued to force many enterprises to exit the market.

Sustaining business growth

Vietnamese businesses face mounting challenges, from longstanding structural problems to newly-emerging legal barriers. The Vietnam Industrial Park Finance Association (VIPFA) pointed to overlapping and inconsistent regulations across core laws such as those on Investment, Land, Construction, and Environmental Protection. These inconsistencies in procedures and authority often force investors to duplicate paperwork and repeat approval steps, delaying projects, especially in land access, environmental assessment, and fire safety certification.

Operational hurdles remain equally pressing. Tax incentives are often unclear and inconsistently applied, while extended VAT refunds continued to strain cash flow, particularly for newly-launched FDI projects. Customs procedures, though being reformed, still suffer from inconsistent goods classification and HS code application, leading to disputes and potential tax arrears. Overlapping specialized inspections further delayed clearance at ports, adding to logistics costs.

Even in the food and health sectors, the business community has voiced concern. EuroCham’s Nutritional Foods Group Sector Committee warned that draft amendments to Decree No. 15/2018/ND-CP will significantly increase procedural complexity, requiring up to 600 per cent more documentation and prolonging appraisal times by 1,400 per cent. Proposed changes risk both the exposure of proprietary technical information and product spoilage, such as fresh milk requiring a 21-day review despite a 10-day shelf life.

Beyond external barriers, many small and medium-sized Vietnamese enterprises also struggle internally with limited financial transparency and compliance capacity, especially amid digital transformation. The root of these challenges often lies in business owners’ attitudes towards governance and legal responsibility.

To meet ambitious GDP growth targets of more than 8 per cent this year and double-digit growth in subsequent years, with 2 million active enterprises contributing 55-58 per cent of GDP by 2030, as set by Politburo Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW, removing these bottlenecks is essential.

The business community’s top priority is a more coherent and predictable legal framework. Laws governing land, investment, and construction must be harmonized to remove overlaps. Administrative reform should move towards a genuine one-stop, interconnected digital process that reduces face-to-face interactions and paperwork.

Enterprises also urge a shift from pre-approval to post-inspection based on risk management; an approach widely adopted internationally. Instead of complicated pre-checks, the State should set clear technical standards, grant greater autonomy to businesses, and focus enforcement efforts on surprise audits and strict penalties for violations.

At the same time, companies must take greater responsibility for strengthening their own management and financial systems. The ongoing digital transformation in the tax sector exemplifies this shift. In the first nine months of 2025, the number of inspections fell 21.6 per cent thanks to AI and big data, but total tax revenue rose 22.1 per cent. This underscores the growing need for transparency, proactive compliance reviews, and internal risk control in areas such as invoicing, transfer pricing, and contractor taxation.

To succeed, businesses need a clear roadmap and stronger institutional support to modernize operations, comply with the law, and build long-term competitiveness in an increasingly demanding environment.

VET-Ngan Ha

It is expected that approximately 500-700 domestic and international delegates will attend the forum.

Under the theme "Vietnam Logistics Reaches for a New Era," the Vietnam Logistics Forum 2025 will take place on November 28-29, in central Vietnam's Da Nang city.

The forum aims to establish a mechanism for regular coordination and dialogue between state management agencies and logistics service businesses, as well as manufacturing, import-export, and service enterprises.

It seeks to broaden its scope, attracting participation from domestic and international businesses and investors, and fostering connections between logistics companies and manufacturing, import-export, and service enterprises.

This will contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of logistics businesses in Da Nang and other localities on the Central and Central Highlands region, and the overall development of the logistics industry nationwide.

It is expected that approximately 500-700 domestic and international delegates will attend the forum, including leaders from the Government, ministries, and agencies; leaders of provincial and city People's Committees; representatives of foreign organizations in Vietnam (World Bank, AmCham, EuroCham, JETRO, KOTRA, etc.); representatives of State management agencies for logistics from Laos, Cambodia; and those from  industry associations, and logistics associations.

Vneconomy-Ngô Anh Văn

Export revenue estimated at $7.42 billion.

Vietnam’s export value of agro-forestry-aquatic products to the European Union reached $7.42 billion in the first nine months of 2025, a year-on-year increase of more than 40%, according to reports presented at a recent conference.

The conference was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to explore measures to boost exports to the EU, attracted more than 200 participants both onsite and online.

The EU is the world’s third-largest market for agro-forestry-aquatic products and also the third-largest importer of Vietnamese goods. However, Vietnam’s market share remains relatively small, at around 2%.

Representatives from local authorities, associations, and businesses stressed the need to meet the EU’s stringent standards; strengthen national branding; and develop green, clean products aligned with European consumer preferences. They also highlighted the importance of embedding cultural value and compelling Vietnamese narratives in exported products to enhance competitiveness.

Mr. Le Duc Tien, Vice Chairman of Quang Tri Province’s People’s Committee, proposed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies support stronger direct connections between Vietnamese enterprises and EU distribution networks through the country’s embassy and trade office network in Europe. He also called for greater assistance in providing market insights, technical standards, and updates on new EU regulations, as well as intensified trade promotion.

Delegates further emphasized the need to expand logistics infrastructure in Vietnam's north-central region, including investment in logistics centers, regional cold storage systems, and the establishment of testing and inspection facilities to better serve export activities to the EU.

VnEconomy-Thiên Anh

The projected 53-km metro line will cost over VND86.65 trillion (nearly $3.3 billion)

At a recent meeting of the Steering Committee for the Development of  Ho Chi Minh City's Urban Railway Network, Secretary of the City Party Committee and Head of the Steering Committee, Mr. Tran Luu Quang, announced that the city would break ground on the southern city's Ben Thanh – Can Gio line on December 19. 

The projected 53-km metro line will cost over VND86.65 trillion (nearly $3.3 billion), according to a report from Radio the Voice of Vietnam.

Proposed for investment by VinSpeed High-Speed Railway Investment and Development Joint Stock Company,  the projected metro line will pass through eight communes and wards: Ben Thanh, Xom Chieu, Tan Thuan, Tan My, Nha Be, Binh Khanh, An Thoi Dong, and Can Gio.

It will be built as a double-track standard gauge (1,435 mm line, with a design speed of up to 350 km/h. The line will utilize 8-car trains with a capacity of approximately 600 passengers. Trains will operate daily from 6am to 11pm, with a frequency of 20 minutes per trip. On average, this line is expected to transport over 43,600 passengers daily.

Phase 1 of the project includes two main stations: Ben Thanh and Can Gio. In Phase 2, when demand increases, four more stations may be added: Tan Thuan, Tan My, Nha Be, and Binh Khanh.

The Ben Thanh – Can Gio metro line is expected to begin commercial operation in 2028.

VOV-Pham Long

Revenue from these products reaching nearly VND42 trillion ($1.59 billion).

Thirty-five products from 28 businesses were honored as Hanoi's key industrial products for 2025 at a ceremony held on November 15.

Of these, the 10 highest-scoring products were named in the Top 10 Key Industrial Products of Hanoi for 2025.

Revenue from these 35 key industrial products reached nearly VND42 trillion ($1.59 billion) in 2024, with export turnover approaching $190 million.

Among the recognised companies, 11 achieved revenues exceeding VND1 trillion ($38 million) each, and six were listed in Vietnam's Top 500 Largest Enterprises in 2024.

Total revenue of the 28 recognized enterprises in 2025 is estimated at VND59 trillion ($2.24 billion).

In 2024, the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade certified 36 key industrial products from 25 enterprises, of which 10 are among the city's top 10 industrial products. Revenue from these key industrial products reached nearly VND50 trillion ($1.9 billion).

VnEconomy-Việt An

The group plans to implement several major science and technology and innovation projects with revenue from new investments expected to exceed $10 billion.

Vice Chairman of China’s Luxshare-ICT Group Wang Laisheng affirmed the group’s commitment to expanding investment in Vietnam, during a meeting with Party General Secretary To Lam in Hanoi on November 15.

The group plans to implement several major science and technology and innovation projects in northern Bac Ninh province and other localities, with projected revenue from new investments expected to exceed $10 billion, according to Mr. Wang.

He stressed that Vietnam remains Luxshare-ICT’s most important overseas manufacturing hub among the 29 countries and territories where it operates. The group places strong emphasis on training and upskilling Vietnamese engineers and workers, with its rate of workforce localisation consistently among the highest compared to other foreign enterprises.

The Party chief highly valued Luxshare-ICT’s efforts to promote business and investment cooperation in Vietnam over the past decade, with total registered capital exceeding $1.8 billion, and tens of thousands of jobs created.

He outlined priority areas where Luxshare-ICT is encouraged to expand investment, including digital economy, green economy, science and technology, innovation, electronic components manufacturing and semiconductor development. He also called on the group to promote technology transfer and support Vietnam in training high-quality human resources.

VnEconomy-Việt An

The project will be invested under the public-private partnership (PPP) form, and Build-Transfer (BT) contract...

The Hanoi People's Council on November 13 approved a resolution to invest in a road project to connect Gia Binh Airport in Bac Ninh province, which is under construction,  to Hanoi.

This project will be executed under a public-private partnership (PPP) form and a Build-Transfer (BT) contract. The road will traverse several areas, including the communes of Thuan An, Phu Dong, Thu Lam, and Dong Anh in Hanoi, as well as Tu Son and Phu Khe wards in Bac Ninh province.

The road project's total investment is estimated at nearly VND33 trillion (over $1.1 billion ), with construction and infrastructure development expected to take place between 2025 and 2026.

The project covers approximately 723.3 ha in Phu Dong and Thuan An communes in Hanoi.

The proposed road will start at the border of Bac Ninh province and end at the intersection with the Hanoi-Ha Long and Hanoi-Thai Nguyen/Ring Road 3 expressways, covering a total length of about 7 km with a width of 120 meters. A section of the road will overlap with the Hanoi-Thai Nguyen/Ring Road 3 expressways, extending approximately 6.55 km, including a 1.6-km segment in Bac Ninh province, and its width will be expanded to 120 meters.

Additionally, two connecting branches will be constructed from the Hanoi-Thai Nguyen/Ring Road 3 expressways to the approach road of Tu Lien Bridge. These branches will facilitate direct left turns from Gia Binh to Tu Lien Bridge and right turns from Tu Lien Bridge to Gia Binh. Each branch will have three lanes with a width of 14 meters and a total length of about 2.5 km.

The project's primary goal is to establish a modern, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing road connection between Gia Binh Airport and Hanoi. This will create a new development corridor to boost socio-economic growth, effectively utilize a modern, intelligent logistics area, and integrate e-commerce to meet development demands.

Vneconomy -Phương Nhi

The low-altitude economy includes economic activities that take place below 1,000 meters, and can be extended to below 5,000 meters depending on each country's practical needs.

Vietnam’s low-altitude economy could reach $10 billion and create 1 million jobs by 2035, the Government News quoted a report at the international forum on Vietnam's low-altitude economy in Hanoi  on November 14, as reporting.

The low-altitude economy includes economic activities that take place below 1,000 meters, and can be extended to below 5,000 meters depending on each country's practical needs. It leverages both manned and unmanned aerial technologies, as well as low-altitude smart networks, to develop infrastructure, produce aerial vehicles, provide services, and ensure aviation safety.

With advantages in geopolitics, innovation-friendly policies, and a young, dynamic workforce, Vietnam has a huge opportunity to become a regional and global hub for the low-altitude industry.

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been used in Vietnam in all fields of agriculture, e-commerce logistics, smart cities, national defense and security, as well as search and rescue operations.

At the forum, delegates proposed building policies in developing a regulatory sandbox framework, expanding low-altitude airspace management infrastructure, and promoting research and production of UAV to serve socio-economic sectors. These efforts aim to open a new pathway for the country in the era of low-altitude aviation, creating a foundation for connecting resources, sharing knowledge, and accelerating the application of advanced technologies.

VGP-Khanh Van

Visa, together with three Vietnamese commercial banks including Sacombank, Vietcombank and VPBank introduces smartphone-based contactless payments…

Within the framework of the Singapore Fintech Festival (SFF), which runs between November 12-14 in Singapore, Visa has announced the partnership with Sacombank, Vietcombank and VPBank to launch Visa Accept in Vietnam to support digital inclusion and SME growth across Vietnam.

Collaboration is key to supporting SMEs and Vietnam in digital transformation

The solution allows micro and small businesses to accept contactless Visa payments directly on NFC-enabled smartphones, without requiring any additional hardware.

The solution supports Vietnam’s push toward a cashless economy by helping small enterprises overcome barriers to digital payment acceptance. It reduces reliance on cash, lowers entry costs, and opens new opportunities for growth and formalization, especially for sellers in rural and informal sectors.

Sacombank, Vietcombank and VPBank are integrating this solution into their mobile banking app, allowing sellers to enroll quickly through their mobile apps and begin accepting payments via tap-to-phone or pay-by-link with minimal friction.

"By combining a trusted brand with streamlined onboarding and near real-time settlement, we enable SMEs and micro merchants to participate fully in the digital economy and foster prosperity," said Ms. Dung Dang, Country Manager for Visa Vietnam and Laos. "This solution advances digital and financial inclusion, and uplifts the Vietnamese economy."

However, in an interview with VnEconomy / Vietnam Economic Times, Ms. Dung Dang also said that the primary challenge to scaling up and ensuring the long-term sustainability of mobile payment systems in Vietnam is ragmentation, which creates friction for consumers and limits growth for merchants who have to manage various platforms.

"For us, the solution lies in our core identity as a "network of networks", so our strategy is to partner with e-wallets, not compete," she added. "By working together to drive interoperability, we can create a more connected payment ecosystem that delivers more choice and benefits for everyone, especially consumers. Long-term sustainability isn't about one system winning; it's about creating a fully interoperable ecosystem where everyone can participate securely and seamlessly. That is how we unlock growth for the entire market."

Meanwhile, Mr. Pham Duc Duy, Deputy Director of Retail Banking Division, Saigon Thuong Tin Commercial Joint pStock Bank (Sacombank) said that partnering with Visa reflects Sacombank’s commitment to digital innovation and customer empowerment. "We aim to make secure, convenient, and accessible payment solutions available to every business," he added.

Ms. Doan Hong Nhung, Head of Retail Banking Division, Member of Board of Management, Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank) said that this integration will empower our SMEs with frictionless payment acceptance, ensuring they have the modern tools necessary to succeed and expand their businesses.

Mr. Phung Duy Khuong, Standing Deputy CEO and Head of Retail Banking Division, Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank (VPBank) also shared that this launch supports VPBank’s focus on accelerating SME digitization through streamlined onboarding and easy acceptance.

Vietnam - a dynamic market in digital payment transformation journey

At SFF, Visa unveiled solutions such as AI framework, stablecoins and enhancements that will make it easier for merchants across Asia Pacific to accept secure digital payments through the wallets and platforms consumers already use.

For Vietnam, according to Ms. Dung Dang, Vietnam’s digital transformation is indeed remarkable, and its position as a promising market comes from a powerful combination of factors.

First is a young, tech-savvy population that is not just adopting but demanding new digital experiences. Secondly, there is strong, consistent support from the government to foster a cashless economy, which creates a favorable environment for innovation. Finally, the entrepreneurial spirit of Vietnamese banks, fintechs, and merchants creates a highly dynamic and competitive ecosystem.

"This combination of demographic energy, regulatory ambition, and local innovation makes Vietnam a perfect market for deploying next-generation payment solutions," she added. "It’s a market that doesn’t just follow trends; it has the potential to leapfrog and help define them for the region. The surge in mobile payments and e-wallets is fantastic for consumers and a clear sign of the market's dynamism. By focusing on these next-generation opportunities – rather than just catching up – Vietnam has the potential to become a leader in defining what the future of payments looks like for emerging economies globally."

Ms. Dung Dang, Country Manager for Visa Vietnam and Laos.

Accordingly, Ms. Dung Dang also suggested that building a favorable environment for these powerful technologies requires a collaborative "Team Vietnam" approach. "The government has already done tremendous work in setting the vision for a cashless society," she said. "The next step is to establish clear, agile, and pro-innovation regulatory frameworks – often called "sandboxes" – where technologies like AI, blockchain, and Open Banking can be tested and scaled responsibly."

Compared to other countries in the region, Mr. T.R. Ramachandran, Senior Vice President, Head of Products, Asia Pacific, Visa, said that while markets like Singapore have high maturity in established digital infrastructure, Vietnam's great advantage is its agility and the opportunity to "leapfrog." "The key opportunity for Vietnam over the next three to five years is to move from simply digitizing cash to enabling truly new, digitally-native experiences," he noted. "This includes embracing AI-driven commerce, enabling seamless cross-border payments, and fostering a fully interoperable mobile payment ecosystem."

Also at SFF, for the first time in history, Vietnam officially has a National Pavilion – Vietnam Pavilion, marking the official and organized presence of the Vietnamese business community on the international financial technology playground.

Representative of Vietnam, Mr. Mac Quoc Anh, Vice President and General Secretary of the Hanoi Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (Hanoi SME), shared that Vietnam Pavilion is the first step – but a historic step, initiating a ‘new autumn era’ of the Vietnamese economy – the autumn of integration, innovation and global reach. "This is a testament to the strategic vision of the Party and State in developing the private economy into an important driving force of the economy – as in the spirit of Resolution 68-NQ/TW," he added. 

-An Chi

Growth in the Index of Industrial Production in the first then month was sufficient to encourage companies to hire additional staff and bolster their raw material inventories.

The latest figures from the National Statistics Office at the Ministry of Finance (MoF) show that Vietnam’s Index of Industrial Production (IIP) in October was estimated to have risen 2.4 per cent against September and 10.8 per cent year-on-year. Over the first ten months of 2025 the IIP is estimated to have grown 9.2 per cent year-on-year.

Driving expansion

The manufacturing and processing sector remained the main engine of industrial growth, rising 10.5 per cent year-on-year in the first ten months compared with 9.5 per cent in the same period of 2024. The sector contributed 8.5 percentage points to overall 9.2 per cent growth, underlining its pivotal role in the national industrial structure.

Growth was also strong in key secondary industries, with many recording significant increases, reflecting both higher market demand and improved production capacity.

Industrial production rose in all 34 cities and provinces nationwide in the period, with some localities posting particularly high growth in manufacturing and processing compared to the same period last year.

The industrial workforce also grew steadily. As of October 1, the number of employees in industrial enterprises had increased 0.8 per cent from the previous month and 3.6 per cent year-on-year. State-owned enterprises recorded a 0.1 per cent monthly rise and 2.6 per cent year-on-year; while foreign-invested enterprises saw 0.9 per cent monthly growth and 4.1 per cent annually. These figures suggest that business confidence in production and growth prospects continues to strengthen.

PMI jumps as new orders surge

One of the key indicators of industrial growth is the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI). In a report released in early November, SP Global put Vietnam’s PMI in October at 54.5, a sharp increase from 50.4 in September, signaling strong improvement in the health of the manufacturing sector.

The driver behind this breakthrough growth was a significant rise in both production and new orders. Specifically, new orders increased at the fastest pace since July 2024, supported by stronger customer demand. Notably, new export orders also rose for the first time in a year.

To meet the surge in new orders, manufacturers ramped up production, marking the strongest output increase since July 2024. Production has now expanded for six consecutive months. Alongside rising output, companies expressed greater optimism about the next 12 months, with business sentiment reaching a 16-month high, fueled by expectations that new orders will continue to grow and production capacity will expand accordingly.

“Rising new orders and the accompanying increase in production also led to higher employment in October, marking the first rise in over a year,” SP Global noted in the report. “Manufacturers added staff to cope with emerging pressures on operating capacity.” The report also highlighted that rising new orders and production requirements encouraged companies to increase purchasing activity, marking the fourth consecutive month of such growth.

According to Mr. Andrew Harker, Economics Director at SP Global Market Intelligence, the positive aspect is that growth was strong enough for companies to hire additional staff and build up raw material inventories. However, it remains to be seen whether this growth can be sustained in the months ahead.

Manufacturing fuels FDI growth

As of October 31, manufacturing and processing had received the largest amount of newly-licensed FDI, with registered capital reaching $7.97 billion, accounting for 56.7 per cent of total newly-registered capital and asserting the sector’s role as the main driver of FDI attraction. Total registered FDI in the sector stood at $16.37 billion, representing 62.5 per cent of total newly-registered and additional capital.

FDI inflows into manufacturing and processing are not only growing in volume but also in quality, as reflected in disbursed capital. According to the NSO, actual FDI disbursement in the first ten months across the economy was estimated at $21.3 billion, up 8.8 per cent year-on-year and the highest level in this period for the past five years. Manufacturing and processing accounted for $17.68 billion, or 83 per cent, of total FDI disbursement.

Experts noted that Vietnam’s appeal among foreign investors in the sector is driven by multiple factors: political stability, a favorable geographic location, competitive costs, improved logistics infrastructure, and increasingly-sophisticated production capacity. In addition, global supply chain shifts, where multinational companies move part of their operations from China to other countries, continue to benefit Vietnam, positioning the country as a “new manufacturing hub”.

Despite strong FDI inflows and the continued leadership of manufacturing and processing, the Foreign Investment Agency at the MoF cautioned that risks remain if the electronics and component supply chain experiences disruptions. Large FDI inflows in the sector have made Vietnam an important link in the global supply chain over the last few years.

At a recent seminar gathering expert advice on socio-economic trends, organized by the National Assembly’s Committee for Economic and Financial Affairs, experts highlighted two factors likely to affect FDI flows in the coming period: the Global Minimum Tax and changes in supply chains at both international and regional levels. Additionally, the US’s reciprocal tariffs policy could also significantly influence FDI relocation trends.

To maintain its appeal, Vietnam needs to facilitate investment by continuing to reform administrative procedures to speed up licensing and reduce pre-investment costs. At the same time, alternative support mechanisms should be applied in place of tax incentives. Specific supportive measures with significant room for implementation include facilitating access to land and business premises; supporting infrastructure and social housing in and near industrial parks; simplifying visa and work permit procedures; and providing workforce training.

VET-Manh Duc

Construction of the project components and infrastructure system is expected to take place from Q4 2025 to Q4 2028.

The Hanoi People's Council has approved a policy for the "Project on Renovation, Embellishment, and Redevelopment of Parks along Both Banks of the To Lich River."

According to the Hanoi People's Committee, the project includes major investment components such as: road and pavement system, step and seating system, other facilities, architectural works, greenery system, and public amenities, as well as the cleanup of the To Lich River.

Construction of the project components and infrastructure system is expected to take place from Q4 2025 to Q4 2028. The preliminary land requirement is approximately 737,927 sq.m.

The total investment is over VND4.665 trillion (approximately $177 million) and will be implemented under a Build-Transfer (BT) contract, with payment made through land funds.

The Hanoi People's Committee assesses that the project will contribute to upgrading the landscape on both banks of the To Lich River towards a modern, identity-rich direction, meeting the recreational, leisure, and community living needs of the people.

The project is also expected to promote the development of culture, commerce, services, and tourism for the area in particular and the capital in general; simultaneously improving the environment, aiming for sustainable development, and effectively exploiting the advantages of its location and land fund.

Vneconomy-Thanh Xuân

It is also a crucial hub for tracing the origin of exploited aquatic products, meeting requirements for combating IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing.

The Da Nang People's Committee has officially inaugurated the upgraded and expanded Tho Quang Fishing Port (Phase 2), meeting the criteria for a Type 1 fishing port – a key driving port for the largest fisheries center in Central Vietnam.

The project, with a total investment of VND250 billion ($9.5 million), also combines a regional-level storm shelter area, ensuring safe mooring and synchronized fisheries logistics services.

The project's investment scope includes upgrading and renovating piers 1 and 3, connecting them with pier 2 (completed in Phase 1); renovating the seafood trading area, drainage and water supply systems, waste treatment, waterproofing, and market floor; repairing the breakwater embankment, internal roads; and completing auxiliary infrastructure, greenery, lighting, fences, public restrooms, and fire fighting systems.

Speaking at the inauguration on November 13, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Tran Nam Hung said that the Tho Quang Fishing Port upgrade and expansion project is a national key project in the fisheries sector, receiving attention and investment support from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

Tho Quang Fishing Port is currently the largest fisheries center in Central Vietnam, serving as a safe haven for hundreds of thousands of fishing vessels seeking mooring and storm shelter each year, contributing to ensuring the safety of lives and property for fishermen.

It is also a crucial hub for tracing the origin of exploited aquatic products, meeting the requirements for combating IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing, which Vietnam is striving to overcome to have the "yellow card" lifted by the European Commission.

Vneconomy-Ngô Anh Văn

During three days of negotiations in Washington DC, the Vietnamese and U.S. negotiating delegations made great progress on many issues...

The fifth round of direct negotiations for a Reciprocal Trade Agreement  between Vietnam and the United States  took place in Washington D.C., from November 12 to 14.

The Vietnamese delegation was led by Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien. The U.S. side was represented by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).

Both delegations concluded that the technical negotiation round yielded very positive results, narrowing many gaps and facilitating the early completion of a balanced and fair Reciprocal Trade Agreement framework between the two countries.

Over the three days, technical teams from Vietnam and the U.S. engaged in in-depth discussions across all areas of the draft agreement. Notably, significant progress was made in services, digital trade, agriculture, and the handling of technical barriers to trade (TBT), leading to marked improvements in sanitary and phytosanitary standards (SPS) and narrowing the gaps in remaining issues.

The U.S. side acknowledged that these advancements were due to the goodwill and flexible, substantive approach of the Vietnamese delegation. 

At the conclusion of the talks,  the two sides agreed to continue holding multiple online meetings in the coming days, prioritizing unresolved issues and preparing for an online ministerial-level negotiation between Minister Dien and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, expected to take place later in November.

This meeting is planned to be crucial for reviewing progress, resolving policy-related issues, and setting directions, thereby facilitating the finalization of subsequent chapters in the upcoming negotiation rounds.

The Vietnamese delegation reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a proactive, transparent, and constructive negotiation approach, aiming to achieve a balanced and fair reciprocal trade framework that aligns with the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the U.S..

Vneconomy-Nguyệt Hà

Most logistics businesses are small and medium-sized, with limited capacity to provide integrated services along the value chain or in large quantities.

The Mekong Delta city of Can Tho  organized its annual Economic Forum 2025 on November 14 with the theme "Can Tho City towards a modern logistics center, a driving force for the development of the Mekong Delta region", according to a report from the Government News.

The forum gathered experts, scientists, and businesses in the fields of investment, digital economy, finance, and logistics to identify  solutions for addressing "bottlenecks" in infrastructure, services, and institutions, in order to enhance Can Tho's competitiveness and strengthen regional connectivity.

Vice Chairman of the Can Tho People's Committee Nguyen Van Khoi stated that the Politburo's Resolution No. 59 clearly identifies Can Tho as a center for services, trade, tourism, logistics, and processing industries, playing a driving role in promoting development for the entire region. The Mekong Delta regional master plan for the period 2021-2030 with a vision to 2050, approved by the Prime Minister's Decision No. 287, further affirms Can Tho as a key dynamic region and a multimodal logistics gateway connecting the vital economic axis with Ho Chi Minh City and other localities in the region.

However, in recent times, the goal of becoming a comprehensive hub with primary functions in trade, logistics, deep processing industry, and the application of high technology to increase the value of agricultural products in Can Tho City has still faced many difficulties and challenges.

Specifically, infrastructure development is not synchronous; the road, waterway, port systems, and digital technology infrastructure are still underdeveloped to meet the needs of large investors. Logistics services, especially agricultural logistics, have many limitations in the stages of receiving, processing, preserving, packaging, warehousing, transportation, and customs clearance.

Most logistics businesses are small and medium-sized, with limited capacity to provide integrated services along the value chain or in large quantities. Besides positive policies that create development momentum, there are still policies that are not suitable for the new situation and the economic changes of the city,  after its merger with the former provinces of Hau Giang and Soc Trang.

From the current situation, Mr. Le Thanh Hoa, Acting Director of the Can Tho Institute for Socio-Economic Research, on behalf of the forum's Organizing Committee, highlighted the five key issue groups including logistics infrastructure, logistics services, logistics service businesses, market development for logistics services, and mechanisms and policies in the coming time for discussing at the forum.

VGP-Pham Long

An Giang province tasked with implementing 21 infrastructure projects in Phu Quoc special zone in service of the APEC Economic Leaders' Week 2027.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has requested relevant ministries, agencies, and the Mekong Delta's An Giang Province to accelerate the implementation of infrastructure projects in preparation for the APEC Economic Leaders' Week 2027 to be held on the province's Phu Quoc island.

He made the direction while chairing a meeting held in Hanoi on November 14 to review the implementation of these projects. 

For hosting the APEC 2027, An Giang province was tasked with implementing 21 infrastructure projects in the Phu Quoc special zone, with a total estimated investment of VND137 trillion ($5.2 billion), including 10 public-funded projects worth over VND20 trillion and 11 projects under the public-private partnership (PPP) model totaling over VND116 trillion.

These include transportation connectivity systems, airport facilities, maritime passenger ports, underground and digital infrastructure for electricity and telecommunications, freshwater reservoirs, waste treatment systems, urban beautification, conference centers, resettlement areas, and mixed-use urban areas.

To date, An Giang province has selected investors for seven PPP projects and approved and selected contractors for eight public-funded investment projects. The province is committed to completing all infrastructure projects for APEC 2027 on schedule.

The Prime Minister urged closer coordination among ministries, sectors, and An Giang province to ensure all infrastructure components for the APEC 2027 Conference are completed on time, with quality and international standards.

VnEconomy-Tuấn Khang

Total investment capital estimated at over VND400 trillion ($15.38 billion).

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asked Hanoi authorities to prepare to start construction of the Red River Landscape Boulevard and an Olympic sports urban area projects on December 19 as scheduled, while chairing a meeting held on November 15 to review the projects.

These are two key projects aimed at transforming the capital’s urban landscape. The Red River Landscape Boulevard, designated as one of five strategic axes in the Capital Region Master Plan, is planned to span roughly 11,000ha and stretch more than 40km along the Red River through 16 communes and wards inside Belt Road No. 4. 

Total investment capital is estimated at over VND400 trillion ($15.38 billion).

The planned boulevard will help ease traffic congestion, curb pollution, improve flood control, improve urban aesthetics, and ensure seamless connectivity across all Red River bridges upon completion.

Hanoi targets to commence construction of the project on December 19 with completion slated for 2030.

Regarding the Olympic sports urban area, Hanoi approved planning tasks for subzones C and D, covering a combined 8,200ha. Both will include sports facilities, housing, mixed-use developments, public services, schools, green spaces, technical infrastructure; and land for heritage and religious sites, defence-security, and agricultural production.

VnEconomy-Lý Hà

Total investment capital increasing to over VND16.2 trillion ($619 million).

The People’s Council of Hanoi on November 13 approved the adjustment of the investment policy of the Tran Hung Dao Bridge project.

Under the adjusted plan, total investment capital for the project will increase to over VND16.2 trillion ($619 million) from the initial plan of VND15.96 trillion.

The bridge project spans 4.18 km with a width of 40 m. The bridge will begin at the intersection of Tran Hung Dao, Tran Thanh Tong and Le Thanh Tong streets in Cua Nam and Hai Ba Trung wards and end at Nguyen Son Street in Long Bien and Bo De wards.

The main span crossing the Red River will stretch 870 m with six spans and a total width of 43 m, featuring six lanes for motor vehicles, two bicycle lanes, and two pedestrian lanes. Approach roads on both sides will extend 1.4 km, ranging from 25.5 to 30 m in width.

Scheduled for completion in 2027, the bridge is expected to significantly reduce traffic pressure in the city center and improve access to the eastern areas of Hanoi.

VnEconomy-Gia Huy