TRADE REVENUE RISES 22.2% IN JAN–FEB
Vietnam’s total import-export revenue reached US$155.7 billion in the first two months of the year, up 22.2% from a year earlier, with a trade deficit of US$2.98 billion, according to the National Statistics Office. A report released on March 6 showed exports totaled US$76.36 billion in January–February, up 18.3% year-on-year, while imports rose 26.3% to US$79.34 billion.
VIETNAM HAS 35,500 NEW MARKET ENTRANTS IN FIRST TWO MONTHS
Nearly 35,500 businesses were newly registered in Vietnam in the first two months of 2026, surging 70.7% year-on-year, according to data released by the National Statistics Office on March 6. Total registered capital of the new firms reached nearly VND313.7 trillion, up 36.1% from the same period last year. Registered employment exceeded 167,500 workers, increasing 19.1%.
STATE BUDGET REVENUE RISES 13.1% IN JAN–FEB
Domestic revenue totaled around VND558.1 trillion in the January–February period, equivalent to 25.4% of the annual estimate and up 15% from a year earlier. The increase was mainly attributed to higher collections from corporate income tax and value-added tax, supported by economic growth momentum from 2025.
FDI REGISTRATIONS REACH US$6.03 BILLION IN JAN–FEB
Vietnam saw US$6.03 billion in foreign investment registered in the first two months of 2026, down 12.6% year-on-year, while disbursed foreign direct investment (FDI) rose 8.8% to US$3.21 billion, the highest level for the two-month period in the past five years. According to the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Finance, the total registered foreign investment, including newly licensed projects, additional capital and capital contributions or share purchases, amounted to US$6.03 billion as of the end of February.
HCMC SETS DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH, GREEN TARGET FOR WOOD SECTOR
HCMC is aiming for double-digit growth in its wood industry in 2026, with 80% of products required to meet green and traceability standards. The target was announced by Nguyen Van Duoc, chairman of the HCMC People’s Committee, at the opening of the HCMC Export Furniture Fair 2026 (HawaExpo 2026) on March 4.
HCMC LOOKS TO LURE US$11 BILLION IN FDI FOR 2026
To reach the milestone – a significant jump from US$8.37 billion in 2025 – the city is adopting a selective high-quality approach. Priority is given to high-tech and digital transformation with semiconductor, AI, and data centers; logistics and finance with the Vietnam International Financial Center in HCMC and the Cai Mep Ha Free Trade Zone and smart infrastructure with transitioning existing industrial parks into eco-smart models.
TRADE DEFICIT WIDENS IN EARLY FEBRUARY AS IMPORTS SURGE
Vietnam posted a trade deficit of about US$948 million in the first half of February 2026, as imports rose faster than exports, according to preliminary data from the Department of Vietnam Customs. Total trade between February 1 and 15 reached US$41.67 billion. Exports stood at US$20.36 billion, while imports totaled US$21.31 billion.
FRANCE SEES VIETNAM AS KEY EXPORT MARKET IN 2026
France’s public investment bank Bpifrance has ranked Vietnam among the five most promising export markets for French companies in 2026, alongside Indonesia, Morocco, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates, reported the Vietnam News Agency. The assessment highlights Vietnam as a destination with strong growth potential at a time when global trade remains volatile and many exporters still focus on traditional markets such as Germany, the United States, and China.
