FOREIGN INVESTORS MAY OWN UP TO 49% OF VIETNAMESE AIRLINES
The Ministry of Construction has proposed raising the foreign ownership limit in Vietnamese airlines to a maximum of 49% from the current 34%. This proposal is found in a draft Government decree on aviation transport, which is currently being circulated by the Ministry of Construction for feedback. The proposal is aimed at attracting more foreign investment into the sector.
VIETNAM’S M&A MARKET HITS US$8.72 BILLION IN 2025
Vietnam’s mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market recorded 367 transactions in 2025, with total announced deal value reaching US$8.72 billion, a 26% increase against 2024. Of which, foreign investors accounted for 53.6% of the total transaction value, with Asian conglomerates maintaining a dominant role. According to a report by Grant Thornton Vietnam, M&A activity showed a marked acceleration starting in the second half of 2025 as global economic and tariff uncertainties began to ease from the third quarter.
CHINESE CARS TOP VIETNAM IMPORTS, SURPASS INDONESIA AND THAILAND
China became the largest exporter of completely built-up (CBU) cars to Vietnam in January, with 6,661 units, surpassing Indonesia and Thailand, according to the Department of Vietnam Customs. Vietnam imported 15,042 CBU vehicles worth US$385 million in January. Import volume rose 2.3% from the previous month, while total value fell 5.2%, customs data show.
CAT LAI PORT TO HANDLE 1.6 MILLION TONS OF CARGO OVER TET
On Lunar New Year’s Eve (Feb. 16), Tan Cang–Cat Lai Port in HCMC processed approximately 11,200 TEUs, equivalent to 155,000 tons of goods, marking a strong start to Lunar New Year operations with a combined throughput of 1.6 million tons of cargo. Following this start, the Marine Economic Corps (Corps 20) under Saigon Newport Corporation (SNP) officially launched its first cargo handling ceremony for the Year of the Horse 2026 on the night of Feb. 16.
DANANG AIRPORT PLANS TO SERVE 20 MILLION PASSENGERS ANNUALLY THROUGH 2050
Danang International Airport will handle 20 million passengers annually through 2050 and expand its aircraft parking capacity to about 52 stands, under a master plan approved by the Ministry of Construction. The approval covers development for 2021–2030 with a long-term vision to 2050. The airport will continue operating as a joint civil and military facility within the national airport system.
HANOI RANKS AMONG TOP SOLO TRAVEL SPOTS
Hanoi has been named one of the world’s top solo travel destinations for 2026 by Tripadvisor, ranking seventh in the category in its Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Destinations awards. The city also placed fourth in the “Top 25 Destinations in the World,” seventh in “Top 25 Cultural Destinations,” and 11th in “Top 25 Food Destinations,” according to Tripadvisor.
QUANG NINH STARTS WORK ON SMART BORDER GATE IN MONG CAI
The northern province of Quang Ninh on February 11 launched construction of a pilot smart border gate at the Mong Cai–Dongxing international crossing, with first-phase funding totaling nearly VND947 billion. The pilot will be implemented at Bac Luan I Bridge for passenger traffic and Bac Luan II Bridge for cargo, under a proposal approved by the prime minister.
GOV’T SETS STEEL SELF-SUFFICIENCY GOAL FOR 2050
The Government has approved a steel industry development strategy targeting 80–85% of domestic demand to be met by local production by 2030 and full self-sufficiency by 2050. Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son on February 9 signed Decision No. 261/QD-TTg approving the strategy, reported the Government news website (baochinhphu.vn).
