VIETNAM: NEW ERA

Although Vietnam’s rice exports have traditionally focused on Asian markets, experts have advised businesses to pay more attention to Africa which has emerged as a key potential market.

Vietnam’s digital economy is projected to reach 36 billion USD in 2024, up 16% from the previous year, according to the latest e-Conomy SEA report released by Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company.

In recent years, the Vietnamese national brand has made significant strides. Vietnam has not only entered the Top 100 countries with strong national brands, but also led the world in brand value growth in 2019-2022 period.

The S&P Global Vietnam Manufacturing PMI rose to 51.2 in October from 47.3 in September, marking a return above the 50-point threshold after disruptions caused by Typhoon Yagi.

With the growth of the ten-month exports and domestic production capabilities, this year’s rice exports are expected to exceed the record set in 2023.

The agricultural, forestry, and fishery trade surplus reached 15.2 billion USD in the first 10 months, up 62% compared to the same period last year, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has reported.

Over 42% of surveyed enterprises in the processing-manufacturing sector expect that, their business performance in the fourth quarter of this year will be better than the third quarter.

During its 57th regular session on September 27, 2024, the United Nations Human Rights Council approved the outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR)’s fourth cycle for Vietnam.

The effective implementation of national target programmes is considered key to improve the quality of life for ethnic minority groups in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum, which make up 55% of the locality's population.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s freshly ended six-day trip to the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar has produced important outcomes, demonstrating the growing relations between Vietnam and the three Middle-East countries, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son told the Vietnam News Agency.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is paying an official visit to Qatar. After a welcome ceremony on October 31, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Qatari Counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jasim Al-Thani held talks.

Vung Tau city, Ba Ria – Vung Tau province, recently broke ground on an ambitious urban renewal project to enhance its tourism landscape with unique attractions.

As of October 2024, Vietnam has signed and implemented 17 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and is negotiating two more. Expanding its FTA network underscores Vietnam’s commitment to economic integration, offering substantial opportunities to deepen its role in global value chains, boost exports, drive GDP growth, and enhance institutional frameworks.

The 10th Da Lat Flower Festival will be held for a month, starting with its opening ceremony on December 5, according to an announcement of the organizing board.

In addition to being harvested in the wild, sea grapes (resembling small clusters of grapes, and also known as green caviar) are now being widely cultivated in ponds and coastal lagoons across Ninh Thuan province. With low initial investment costs, fast growth, and high economic value, this premium seaweed is now opening up new opportunities for local residents.

Vietnam’s lobster export to the Chinese market in January-September rose 33 folds, thanks to lower prices and stronger trade ties between the two countries, according to the South China Morning Post.

The Times Higher Education (THE) organisation has unveiled its world university rankings for 2025. Hanoi Medical University has made its debut in the rankings, joining eight other Vietnamese universities recognised by THE this year.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse, along with a high-level delegation from Vietnam, participate in the 8th Future Investment Initiative Conference and pay a working visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The freshly-signed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) opens up a new era of the bilateral relationship that has been upgraded to a comprehensive partnership and growing substantively.

On October 27, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a reception for leaders of several leading corporations in the UAE, which operate in the areas of infrastructure development and management, seaport, logistics and industrial park.