Business News

Sales on Việt Nam’s four main e-commerce platforms Shopee, Lazada, Tiki and TikTok Shop in the first half of this year reached VNĐ202.3 trillion (US$7.8 billion). Imported goods group recorded sales of VNĐ7.5 trillion with more than 164 million products sold, up nearly 7 per cent against the same period last year.

Việt Nam is stepping up efforts to achieve an ambitious GDP growth target of 8.3–8.5 per cent this year, despite global uncertainties and divergent economic forecasts. Authorities are focusing on boosting traditional growth drivers such as investment, consumption and exports while implementing a broad array of policy measures to maintain economic momentum.

The consolidation of provincial/municipal administrative boundaries in Vietnam is expected to deliver a powerful impetus to the industrial real estate market, unlocking opportunities to establish expansive industrial-urban zones, boost competitiveness and attract foreign direct investment (FDI). Far beyond a mere redrawing of geographical lines, the merger of administrative units aims to streamline governance structures, reduce planning fragmentation and enhance inter-provincial competitiveness.

Việt Nam’s pepper exports are expected to recover strongly in the second half of this year on improving global demand and potential changes in the US tax policies, according to the Việt Nam Pepper and Spice Association. Hoàn Thị Liên, the association’s President, said at a mid-year review conference on Wednesday that exports have been slow since the beginning of this year, largely due to uncertainty over the US tariff policies.

During a business trip to Brazil in early July to attend the expanded BRICS Summit and conduct bilateral engagements, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Brazilian Minister of Agriculture Carlos Favaro to discuss measures to boost agricultural trade between the two countries. PM Chinh proposed that the two countries’ agriculture ministries establish a joint working group to implement high-level commitments effectively.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, Vietnam’s shrimp exports have shown a strong recovery after a period of stagnation, driven mainly by whiteleg shrimp, which accounts for over 60 per cent of total volume, followed by black tiger shrimp and other varieties. The other shrimp segment witnessed the highest growth at 124 per cent, reflecting increasing demand in niche and premium markets.

Vietnam is affirming its strong export position in the United States, with two-way trade reaching US$80 billion and a trade surplus of US$64.8 billion as of May 2025, ranking fifth globally. On July 2, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that Vietnamese goods are subject to a 20% tariff - significantly lower than Thailand’s and Cambodia’s 36%, Laos’s 40%, and China’s 54% (20% base plus 34% reciprocal), giving Vietnam a distinct competitive advantage.

Việt Nam's banana industry has the potential to achieve an export value of US$4 billion, according to Phạm Quốc Liêm, Chairman of U&I Agriculture Corporation (Unifarm). He noted that this figure would translate to a minimum production value of US$20,000 per hectare, nearly 10 times higher than the current average.