Business News

According to the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Vietnam’s passion fruit exports have expanded more than tenfold over the past decade, climbing from around US$20 million to US$222.5 million. By October this year, export turnover had already surpassed US$202 million, Vietnam News Agency reported.

HCMC has disbursed about 60% of its public investment plan assigned by the prime minister as of late November, reported the Vietnam News Agency. The city was tasked with disbursing more than VND120.3 trillion this year, including VND16.7 trillion from the central budget and nearly VND103.7 trillion from the local budget. It has allocated a total of VND153.6 trillion, 28% higher than the amount assigned.

Seafood export revenue in November alone amounted to nearly US$990 million, up 6.6% year-on-year. Key product groups posted solid gains. Shrimp exports rose 11.7% to over US$385 million, supported by strong demand for whiteleg shrimp and lobster. Tra fish shipments increased 9.7% to almost US$197 million, while marine fish, squid, and mollusk exports maintained their recovery.

HCMC’s economy is seen expanding 8.03% in 2025, outpacing national growth and reaffirming the city’s role as a key economic driver, according to Vo Van Minh, chairman of the HCMC People’s Council. Speaking at the opening session of the council’s sixth meeting on December 9, Minh said the city has completed its administrative merger and rolled out a two-tier local government model, supporting stronger socio-economic performance this year.

Budget revenue of HCMC is forecast to amount to VND748.44 trillion this year, driven by rising contributions from domestic enterprises and those in the non-state economic sector. According to a report recently sent by the municipal government to the HCMC People’s Council, the figure would reach 111.4% of the target assigned by the central Government and 107.3% of the target approved by the HCMC People’s Council.

Data from the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA) showed that Vietnam exported 18,582 tons of pepper in November, including 16,322 tons of black pepper and 2,260 tons of white pepper. Export revenue stood at US$121.5 million, down 4.4% in volume and 6.2% in value from October. Despite the monthly decline, exports rose 16.5% in volume and 14.2% year-on-year.

Data from the National Statistics Office showed average CPI in the first 11 months of the year increased 3.29% year-on-year, while core inflation rose 3.21%. The figures indicate that inflation control efforts remain on track despite persistent pressures from healthcare price adjustments and rising housing, utilities, and construction material costs.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) disbursements in Vietnam reached an estimated US$23.6 billion in the first 11 months of 2025, up 8.9% year-on-year and the highest level recorded in five years, according to the National Statistics Office. The manufacturing and processing sector continued to dominate, accounting for US$19.56 billion, or 82.9% of total disbursed capital. Real estate activities followed with US$1.67 billion (7.1%).