HCMC INDUSTRIAL PARKS DRAW US$772 MILLION IN Q1
HCMC’s export processing and industrial parks attracted US$772.14 million in investment in the first quarter of 2026. The figure represents 18.17% of the full-year target of US$4.25 billion, the HCMC Export Processing and Industrial Zones Authority (HEPZA) reported on April 1. Foreign investment reached US$452.86 million. This included 19 newly licensed projects worth US$101.66 million and 43 existing projects that increased capital by US$351.2 million.
FACTORY PRICES POST FASTEST RISE IN NEARLY 15 YEARS
Selling prices in Vietnam’s manufacturing sector rose at the fastest pace in nearly 15 years in March, driven by a sharp increase in input costs linked to the U.S.-Israel war effort against Iran in the Middle East, according to S&P Global. The S&P Global Vietnam Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to 51.2 in March from 54.3 in February, indicating slower growth in operating conditions while remaining above the 50-point threshold for a ninth consecutive month.
VIETNAM’S FOREST COVERAGE REACHES 42% IN 2025
Data released on April 1 by the Forestry and Forest Protection Department showed natural forests accounted for over 10 million hectares, while replanted forests covered more than 4.9 million hectares. About 13.92 million hectares met the criteria for calculating forest coverage, including 10.08 million hectares of natural forest and 3.85 million hectares of replanted forest.
VIETNAM TARGETS 50 MILLION INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS BY 2030
Vietnam’s tourism sector has set an ambitious target to welcome 45-50 million international visitors by 2030, contributing 14% to the nation’s GDP and generating 12 million jobs. The target is highlighted in the newly adjusted Vietnam National Tourism System Plan for 2021-2030, with a vision toward 2045 released by the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism.
HANOI’S TOURISM REVENUE REACHES NEARLY VND37 TRILLION IN Q1
Hanoi City has received over 8.8 million visitors in the first quarter of 2026, with tourism revenue estimated at nearly VND37 trillion, the city’s tourism department said. International arrivals have totaled around 2.4 million during the period. Hotel occupancy in the first quarter has exceeded 62%. In March alone, the total number of tourists to Hanoi reached over three million, up nearly 16% compared to the same period last year.
DANANG BREAKS GROUND ON VND4.1-TRILLION INDUSTRIAL PARK
Danang authorities and the project investor on March 29 broke ground on the Tam Anh-An An Hoa Industrial Park in the Chu Lai Open Economic Zone, marking a major step in expanding the city’s industrial capacity. With a total investment of around VND4,150 billion, the project is developed by An An Hoa Urban and Industrial Park JSC. It spans 435.8 hectares in Tam Anh Commune, Danang.
LONG THANH AIRPORT SET FOR COMMERCIAL LAUNCH IN LATE 2026
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh ordered construction to be expedited to ensure Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai Province begins commercial operations in the fourth quarter of this year during the site inspection on March 29. All construction work must be finalized no later than September this year to meet this deadline.
VIETNAM’S BIG FOUR BANKS TO INJECT VND1 QUADRILLION INTO THE ECONOMY
Vietnam’s four major State-owned commercial banks are set to disburse VND1 quadrillion to meet the economy’s capital demands in 2026. This move was announced by Le Ngoc Lam, CEO of Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV – one of the big four banks), during the conference entitled “Enterprises’ contribution to double-digit growth and the Prime Minister’s tribute to the business community” held on March 27.
