VIỆT NAM, CHINA ENHANCE BUSINESS CONNECTIVITY
In the first quarter of 2025, bilateral trade between Việt Nam and China reached US$51.2 billion, up 17.5 per cent year-on-year. China remains Việt Nam’s largest trading partner, while Việt Nam is among China's top six trading partners globally. Cooperation between Việt Nam and Chongqing has also seen positive developments, supported by strategic agreements at the central level and enhanced by trade infrastructure such as the Việt Nam–Chongqing–Europe rail corridor.
VIỆT NAM'S TRADE SHINES AS A PILLAR OF ECONOMIC GROWTH
Việt Nam's trade sector remains a key driver of economic growth, with total import-export turnover reaching an impressive US$163 billion as of March 15, up 12 per cent year-on-year. This robust performance, representing an increase of $12 billion compared to the same period last year, underscores the sector’s resilience amid ongoing global economic uncertainty.
AUTO SALES JUMP 47% IN MARCH
Vietnam’s auto market posted a strong performance in March, with total sales surging 47% over February to 31,750 units, according to the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA). Sales of locally assembled vehicles reached 14,887 units, up by 35% month-on-month, while vehicle imports soared by a robust 60% to 16,863 vehicles. This is one of the rare occasions where imported car sales outpace those of domestically assembled models.
VIETNAM HOLDS FIRM ON 2025 GDP GROWTH TARGET OF 8% OR HIGHER
The Government of Vietnam has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving a GDP growth rate of 8% or higher in 2025, with a strong focus on macroeconomic stability and restructuring. The Government on April 10 issued Resolution No. 77/NQ-CP in this regard following the monthly cabinet meeting for March and a teleconference with provincial authorities.
RETAIL SALES OF GOODS, SERVICES UP ALMOST 10% IN Q1
Total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue in the first quarter of 2025 were estimated at VNĐ1.7 quadrillion (US$65.5 billion), up 9.9 per cent year-on-year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO). GSO director Nguyễn Thị Hương stated that high domestic consumption demand during the holidays, such as Tết, as well as the significant number of international visitors to Việt Nam, are key factors contributing positively to the growth of the trade and service sector.
AGRO-FORESTRY-AQUATIC PRODUCT EXPORTS INCREASE OVER 13% IN FIRST QUARTER
Việt Nam's agro-forestry-aquatic product exports reached US$6.14 billion in March, bringing the total export value in the first quarter of this year to $15.72 billion, a year-on-year increase of 13.1 per cent. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Việt Nam recorded a trade surplus of $4.4 billion in agro-forestry-aquatic products in the first quarter, up 13.1 per cent compared the same period last year.
VIỆT NAM'S FOREIGN INVESTMENT SURGES 35% IN Q1
Việt Nam recorded approximately US$10.98 billion in foreign investment during the first quarter of this year, marking a 35 per cent year-on-year increase, according to the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) under the Ministry of Finance. A total of 401 operating projects registered for investment capital adjustments in the first quarter of 2025, marking a 50 per cent increase. The total additional capital reached nearly $5.16 billion, a fivefold increase compared to the same period last year.
VIỆT NAM'S GDP EXPANDS BY 6.93 PER CENT IN Q1
According to the NSO, the agro-forestry-fishery, industry-construction, and service sectors expanded by 3.74 per cent, 7.42 per cent and 7.7 per cent, contributing 6.09 per cent, 40.17 per cent, and 53.74 per cent to the total GDP expansion during January–March, respectively. Việt Nam’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew 6.93 per cent in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, the highest Q1 rate since 2020, the National Statistics Office (NSO) reported at a press conference in Hà Nội on Sunday.
