INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS TO VIETNAM DOWN IN FEBRUARY
International arrivals to Vietnam reached more than 2.2 million in February 2026, down from 2.45 million in January, according to the National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance. Despite the decline, February marked the third consecutive month with more than two million international visitors, following 2.02 million arrivals in December 2025.
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION RISES 10.4% IN JAN-FEB
Vietnam’s index of industrial production (IIP) rose 10.4% in the first two months of 2026 from a year earlier, according to a report released by the National Statistics Office on March 6. The growth exceeded the 7.5% increase recorded in the same period last year. In February alone, industrial production fell 18.4% from January as factories reduced operations during the extended Lunar New Year holiday and the number of working days declined.
RETAIL, SERVICE REVENUE NEARS VND1.24 QUADRILLION IN FIRST TWO MONTHS
Retail revenue from goods and services reached nearly VND1.24 quadrillion in the first two months of 2026, up 7.9% from a year earlier, according to the National Statistics Office. The statistics agency reported on March 6 that trade and services remained strong in February, meeting shopping demand during the Lunar New Year holiday.
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.
