SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC SITUATION IN SEVEN MONTHS OF 2015

As of mid-July, provinces over the country cultivated 913.7 thousand hectares of maize, equaling 99.9% from the last year’s same period; 107.1 thousand hectares of sweet potato, equaling 102.4%; 69.1 thousand hectares of soybean, equaling 90.8%; 169.8 thousand hectares of peanut, equaling 94.5%; 830.9 thousand hectares of vegetables, equaling 108.5%.

The country’s estimated number of buffaloes in July reduced by 0.5% - 1% against the identical period last year; the number of oxen increased by 2% - 3%; the number of pigs rose 2.5% - 3%; the number of fowls went up by 3.5% - 4%.

+ Agricultural production as of July 15, 2015

b. Forestry

Generally, in seven months, the area of concentrated planted forest was estimated to reach 118 thousand hectares, rose 12% from the same period last year; the number of separate planted trees achieved 123 million, increased by 0.5%; wood production gained 3955 thousand m3, went up by 11%; firewood production reached 17.5 million ste, raised by 1.9%.

Generally, in seven months, the are of damaged forest was 1127 hectares, reduced by 30.9% from the same period last year, of which the fired forest area was 691 hectares, down 43.7%; the destroyed forest area was 436 hectares, up 8.1%.

c. Fishery

Generally, in seven months of this year, total production of fishery was estimated to reach 3669.1 thousand tons, rose 3.2% compared to that in the similar period last year, of which production of aquaculture achieved 1934.9 thousand tons, increased by 2.4%; production of fishing caught gained 1734.2 thousand tons, by 4.2%.

2. Industry

Generally, in seven months, Industrial Production Index (IPI) increased by 9.9% against the same period last year[1], of which the mining and quarrying rose 9.2%, contributed 2 percentage points to the general growth; the manufacturing went up by 10.1%, contributed 7 percentage points; the power generation and supply grew by 11.5%, contributed 0.8 percentage points; the water supply and waste treatment increased by 7.1%, contributed 0.1 percentage points.

Consumption index for the whole manufacturing in June 2015 rose 1.7% from the previous month and rose 15.1% from the same period last year. Generally, in six beginning months of the year, consumption index grew by 13.1% from the same period in 2014. As of July 01, 2015, stock index for the entire manufacturing increased by 10.3% against the similar period last year. Stock rate for the whole manufacturing on average in six beginning months of 2015 was 75.4%.

The number of laborers working for industrial enterprises as of July 01, 2015 rose 6.3% over the identical period last year, of which the State sector increased by 0.4%; the non-State sector grew by 3.4%, and the FDI sector put up by 9.9%. As of above time, the number of laborers working for the mining and quarrying fell by 1.1% from the previous year’s similar period; the manufacturing grew by 7.1%; the power generation and supply by 2.2%; the water supply and waste treatment had stable number of employees compared with the same period in 2014.

+ Industrial Production Indexes
+ Main industrial products
+ Consumption and stock indexes of the manufacturing
+ Labor employed index (LEI) for industrial enterprises

3. Operation of enterprises[2]

Generrally, in seven months of this year, the country had 52004 enterprises registered for new establishment with a total registered capital of 321.3 trillion dongs, an increase of 22.7% in the number of businesses and an increase of 22.4% in the registered capital over the equivalent period last year. Average registered capital per newly established enterprise in seven months reached 6.2 billion dongs, reduced by 0.2% from 2014’s same period. In addition, there were 12749 times of enterprises changed to raise the capital with the total additionally registered capital of 365.2 trillion dongs. Therefore, the total of both newly and additionally registered capital in seven months was 686.5 trillion dongs. The expected number of laborers provided with job in the newly established enterprises in seven months was 743.4 thousand persons, grew by 18.2% from the same period in 2014.

The number of enterprises which finished the procedure for dissolving, terminating business activities in seven months was 5456 enterprises, decreased by 2.7% from the same period in 2014, of which most of them are small-scale businesses with a registered capital of less than 10 billion dongs (accounting 93.4%). By types of enterprise, of the total number of enterprises which finished the procedure for dissolving, terminating operations, there were 1947 one-member limited companies (accounting for 35.7%); 1492 two-member limited companies (accounting for 27.3%); 1199 private enterprises (accounting for 22%) and 818 joint-stock companies (representing 15%).

In seven months, there were 32373 enterprises having difficulty forced to temporarily cease operations, an increase of 1.2% from the same period last year, including 10059 enterprises registered for time-limited temporary cessation of operations; 22314 enterprises suspended businesses waiting for closing the enterprise code or without registration. Of enterprises having difficulty forced to temporarily cease operations, there were 11550 one-member limited companies (accounting for 35.7%); 10571 two-member limited companies (accounting for 32.6%); 5922 joint-stock companies (taking 18.3%) and 4330 private enterprises (representing 13.4%). 9974 enterprises which suspended operations re-operated, a rise of 5.8% from the similar period in 2014.

4. Investment

Generally, in seven months, realized investment capital from the State budget reached 112.9 trillion dongs, equaled 54.8% of the yearly plan and increased by 3.1% from 2014’s same period. Of which the capital under central management gained 22.4 trillion dongs, equaled 55.1% of the annual plan and dropped by 0.6% from the same period last year; the capital under local management achieved 90.5 trillion dongs, equaled 54.7% of the yearly plan and grew by 4% over the similar period in 2014. Of which the capital from the State budget at provincial level gained 62967 billion dongs, equaled 52% and rose 5.6%; at district level: 22378 billion dongs, equaled 59.8% and rose 1.6%; at commune level: 5163 billion dongs, equaled 76.2% and fell by 3.1% respectively.

+ Realized investment under the State budget

5. Government revenues and expenditures

Total estimated government revenues from the beginning of the year to July 15, 2015 achieved 476.5 trillion dongs, equaled 52.3% of the annual estimate, of which domestic revenues reached 348.5 trillion dongs, equaled 54.6%; collecting from crude oil achieved 38.8 trillion dongs, equaled 41.7%; from export-import balance: 87 trillion dongs, equaled 49.7%. Of home revenues, 105.3 trillion dongs were from State enterprises, equaling 47.7% of the yearly estimate; 71.7 trillion dongs were from FDI enterprises (excluding crude oil), equaling 50.3%; 65.2 trillion dongs were from non-state industrial, commercial and non-state service taxes, equaling 54.5%; 32.1 trillion dongs were from individual income tax, equaling 62.5%; 9.2 trillion dongs were from tax on environment protection, equaling 71.2%; and 30.5 trillion dongs were from land use fee, equaling 78.3%.

Total government expenditures from the beginning of the year to July 15, 2015 reached an estimate of 590.9 trillion dongs, equaled 51.5% of the yearly estimate. Of which, spending for investment development achieved 94.1 trillion dongs, equaled 48.3% (only spending for capital construction reached 91.4 trillion dongs, equaled 48%); spending for economic and social development, national defense and security, state management was estimated to gain 409.6 trillion dongs, equaled 53.4%; paying debts and aids 82.2 trillion dongs, equaling 54.8%.

6. Trade, price and services

a. Retail sales of consumer goods and services

Generally, in seven months, total retail sales of consumer goods and services was estimated to reach 1845.8 trillion dongs, increased by 9.9% from the same period in 2014 (if the factor of inflation were excluded, it would be 8.3%). Of which the state economic sector gained 205.3 trillion dongs, accounted for 11.1% of the total and grew by 14.1%; the non-state economic sector achieved 1579.1 trillion dongs, took 85.6% and by 9.5%; the FDI sector reached 61.4 trillion dongs, took 3.3% and by 7.8% respectively. By kinds of economic activity, retail sales of goods in seven months reached 1400.8 trillion dongs, accounted for 75.9% of the total and rose 10.6% against the last year’s similar period; accommodation and catering services gained 215.9 trillion dongs, took 11.7% and rose 7.2%; other services achieved 212.6 trillion dongs, accounted for 11.5% and rose 9.8%; travelling reached 16.5 trillion dongs, represented 0.9% and dropped by 5.1%.

+ Total retail sales of consumer goods and services

b. Exports, imports

Generally, in seven months, export turnovers was estimated to reach US$92.3, increased by 9.5% from the same period in 2014, of which the domestic economic sector achieved US$27.6 billion, decreased by 1.7%; the FDI sector (including crude oil) reached US$64.7 billion, grew by 15.1%. About the export market in seven months, the United States was still the biggest market of Vietnam with estimated turnover of US$18.9 billion, a rise of 19.1% compared with the same period in 2014. The next were EU with US$17.8 billion, a rise of 13.2%; ASEAN with US$10.7 billion, a decrease of 2.4%; etc.

Import turnovers in seven months reached an estimate of US$95.6 billion, rose 16.4% over the last year’s similar period, of which the domestic economic sector gained US$39 billion, 7.9% increase; the FDI sector achieved US$56.6 billion, a rise of 23.1%. Regarding the import market in seven months, China continued to be the largest market of Vietnam with an estimated import turnover of US$28.8 billion, a growth of 22.5% compared with the similar period last year. The next were South Korea with US$16.2 billion, up 31.7%; ASEAN with US$14.1 billion, up 5.3%; etc.

Estimated trade deficit in seven months was US$3.4 billion[3], equaled 3.7% of export turnovers, of which the domestic economic sector had a trade deficit of US$11.4 billion; the FDI sector had a trade surplus of US$8 billion.

+ Exports
+ Imports

c. Consumer price indexes (CPI), gold and US dollar price indexes

CPI in July 2015 rose 0.13% from the previous month, of which, the group of garment, hats and footgear had the highest growth of 0.25%; housing and construction materials grew by 0.22%; drinks and tobacco by 0.18%; transport and culture, entertainment and tourism had the same growth of 0.16%; medicines and health service went up by 0.15%; family appliances by 0.14% respectively. Other groups of goods and services had CPI lower than the general growth rate or decreased, including: food and catering service up 0.1% (grain food down 0.38%; foodstuff up 0.24%); education up 0.01%; post and communication down 0.02%.

CPI in July 2015 rose 0.68% from December 2014 and rose 0.9% from the same period last year. Average CPI in seven months of this year went up by 0.86% compared with that in 2014’s identical period.

Core inflation in July 2015 increased by 0.13% against the previous month and by 2.04% against the same period in 2014. Average core inflation in 7 months of this year grew by 2.22% from the figure in 2014’s similar period.

Gold price indexes in July 2015 went down 1.24% from the previous month; down 1.07% from December 2014; and down 7.23% against the same period last year. US dollar price indexes in July 2015 increased by 0.09% from the previous month; jumped up by 2.01% from December 2014 and rose 2.37% compared to 2014’s similar period.

+ Consumer price indexes, gold, US dollar price indexes and core inflation in July 2015

d. Carriage of passengers and cargos

Passenger carriage in seven months was estimated to reach 1882.6 million passengers, raised by 7.3% and 84 billion passengers-kilometers, by 7.4% from the same period in 2014. Of which central transport reached 20 million passengers, increased by 0.5% and 20.9 billion passengers-kilometers, by 5.1%; local transport gained 1862.6 million passengers, grew by 7.3% and 63.1 billion passengers-kilometers, by 8.2%. In seven months of this year, estimated passengers carried by road achieved 1774.4 million passengers, a rise of 7.5% and 62 billion passengers-kilometers, a rise of 8.4% from the same period last year; by air: 11.4 million passengers, an increase of 5.5% and 17.6 billion passengers-kilometers, an increase of 5.5%; by rail: 6.9 million passengers, a decrease of 4.6% and 2.6 billion passengers-kilometers, a rise of 1.6%; by sea: 3.3 million passengers, 4.1% increase and 155.2 million passengers-kilometers, 3.6% increase.

Cargo carriage in seven months reached an estimate of 641 million tons, rose 5.8% and 126.6 billion tons-kilometers, rose 1.8% from the last year’ same period. Of which the domestic transport gained 622.8 million tons, increased by 5.8% and 55.2 billion tons-kilometers, by 7%; overseas transport reached 18.2 million tons, grew by 4.3% and 71.4 billion tons-kilometers, fell by 1.8%. Cargo transport by road was estimated to obtain 492.9 million tons, grew by 6.2% and 26.7 billion tons-kilometers, by 6.7%; by river: 110.4 million tons, up 5.1% and 21.5 billion tons-kilometers, up 5.3%; by sea: 33.7 million tons, up 2.6% and 75.7 billion tons-kilometers, down 0.7%; by rail: 4 million tons, 2.7% increase and 2.5 billion tons-kilometers, 3.1% increase.

+ Carriage of passengers and cargos

e. International visitors to Vietnam

Generally, in seven months, estimated number of international visitors to Vietnam reached 4398.2 thousand arrivals, reduced by 9.4% from the last year’ same period, of which visitors coming by airway reached 3621.4 thousand arrivals, a decrease of 6.5%; by road: 745 thousand arrivals, a decline of 20.6%; by sea: 31.8 thousand arrivals, a decrease of 25.4%.

In seven months of this year, visitors to Vietnam from Asia achieved 2917.5 thousand arrivals, fell by 9.7% over the similar period last year. Visitors from Europe gained an estimate of 682.5 thousand arrivals, went down 5.2% from the last year’s identical period. Visitors from America reached 367.3 thousand arrivals, rose 3.8% from the same period last year.

+ International visitors to Vietnam

7. Social issues

a. Farmers’ food shortage

Generally, in seven months, the country had 188 thousand times of households suffering from food shortage, down 33% from the same period in 2014, corresponding with 776 thousand times of persons suffering from food shortage, down 35%. To overcome the problem, from the beginning of the year, all administrative levels, sectors and localities provided difficult families with 16.4 thousand tons of grain food and 8.5 billion dongs.

b. Epidemic diseases and food poisoning

In seven months of this year, the country had 23.1 thousand cases of hand, foot, mouth disease; 17.2 thousand cases of hemorrhagic fever; 495 cases of virus encephalitis (16 died); 199 cases of typhoid; 54 cases of meningococcal disease (03 died). From the beginning of the year, there were no new cases of A (H5N1) flu recorded.

In July, 610 HIV-infected cases were found, total number of living HIV-infected persons over the country as of July 17, 2015 was 225.8 thousand persons, of which 77.9 thousand cases turned to AIDS. The number of persons died of AIDS over the country as of above time was 79.7 thousand persons.

From the beginning of the year, the country had 79 serious cases of food poisoning, infecting 2548 persons, of which 16 cases died.

c. Traffic accidents

Generally, in seven months, the country had 12910 cases of traffic accidents, including 5942 cases of traffic accidents and 6968 cases of traffic crashing, killing 5167 persons, injuring 3221 persons and injuring slightly 8263 others. In comparison with the same period last year, cases of the traffic accidents in seven months of this year decreased by 12.4% (cases of traffic accidents less serious and more reduced by 3.2%; cases of traffic collision by 18.9%); the death fell by 3.8%; the injured persons by 2%; slightly injured persons by 21.1%. On average, each day in seven months of 2015, the country had 61 cases of traffic accident, including 28 cases of traffic accidents and 33 cases of traffic crashing, killing 24 persons and injuring 15 persons and injuring somewhat 39 others.

d. Damage by natural calamity

Generally, in seven months of this year, natural calamity made 69 persons died and lost, 76 persons injured; over 500 houses collapsed, swept away; 12.2 thousand houses flooded, blown off, unroofed; 26 thousand hectares of rice and vegetables flooded and damaged. Total value of damage caused by the disaster from the beginning of the year was estimated 620 billion dongs.

e. Environment protection, fire and explosion

From the beginning of the year, the country found nearly 9000 cases of violating regulations of environment protection, of which 3600 cases were treated with total fine of over 114 billion dongs.

Generally, in seven months, the country had 1967 cases of fire and explosion, killing 61 persons and injuring 138 others, total value of damage was estimated 358.7 billion dongs.

GENERAL STATISTICS OFFICE

[1] 1st Quarter: 9.3% increase; 2nd Quarter: 10.2% increase
[2] Source: National Business Registration System, Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI).
[3] Realized trade deficit in six beginning months of the year was US$3.07 billion, US$680 million less than estimated.