Businesses advised to stay ahead of game: forum

Enterprises should spot their opportunities and risks on the basis of specific domestic and international economic development scenarios in the next 12 months to sketch out, and rationally adjust their business strategies amidst global headwinds, experts said at a business forum held in Ho Chi Minh City on August 22 by Forbes Vietnam and several organisations.

At the business forum in Ho Chi Minh City on August 22 (Photo: VNA)
At the business forum in Ho Chi Minh City on August 22 (Photo: VNA)

HCM City (VNA) – Enterprises should spot their opportunities and risks on the basis of specific domestic and international economic development scenarios in the next 12 months to sketch out, and rationally adjust their business strategies amidst global headwinds, experts said at a business forum held in Ho Chi Minh City on August 22 by Forbes Vietnam and several organisations.

The World Bank, and Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development issued different forecasts for the global economic growth for the whole year, with that of former being 2.4% and the other 3.1%, they said, pointing Vietnam’s formidable challenges in the first half which included high interest rates, and skyrocketing VND/USD exchange rates.

According to the experts, although the Vietnamese economy expanded 5.66% in Quarter 1, the highest as compared to the same time from 2020-2023, there were no robust signs in several economic sectors. Weak global trade flow over the past two years has adversely impacted Vietnam’s exports, while important business areas such as realty market, bond market, consumption and labour have been dwindled due to difficulties in the domestic market.

They held that the country’s growth motives will come from its comprehensive strategic partnership with major economies, as well as investment and reform in the domestic market.

Vietnamese firms, whose growth is backed by basic resources, labour, and financial levers, should get prepared, and restructure their growth models, making them suitable for the new development period. Besides, amidst the boom of technology which brings golden opportunities to young firms to reach out to the world, they should keep up with the new market trends.

The Vietnamese community, boasting young labour force, dynamism, and boundless creativity, must capitalise on the technology waves to create breakthrough solutions to their business, they stressed.

General Director of Marvell Technology Vietnam Le Quang Dam said that technology is the key to help Vietnam push ahead its development speed, and narrow down gaps with developed countries, adding the country has various chances to engage deeper in the global semiconductor production chain following its historic strategic cooperation with partners.

Meanwhile, Dr Peter Redhead, head of Research at the Ho Chi Minh City Securities Corporation, forcast that Vietnam will be the nation with the highest GDP growth in ASEAN in 2025, and domestic consumption and purchasing power will be the major drivers for the economic expansion.

Experts relished their prospects for the Vietnamese economy, which will be a bright spot in foreign investment attraction, and have an important position in the global production chain and trade. That the nation has become a comprehensive strategic partner with many large economies will open up new development opportunities for it.

Within the framework of the forum, Forbes Vietnam honoured 50 best listed firms in the country in 2024. This was the 12th time the magazine announced the list./.

VNA

See more

An overview of the meeting in Ho Chi Minh City to discuss measures to ease pressures on production and trade, and stablise the domestic market amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East. (Photo: VNA)

Measures sought to address business challenges amid Middle East conflict

Vietnam is facing a three-stage ripple effect - first on transport and fuel-dependent industries, then on sectors relying on their outputs, and ultimately on consumers. Volatility in key commodities like fuel is disrupting the entire supply chain and increasing the risk of market instability.

Workers load rice bags onto a vessel for delivery. (Photo: VNA)

PM directs tasks to accelerate 2026 export growth

During January – February, Vietnam’s total export-import value hit 155.7 billion USD, up 22.3% year-on-year. Of the total, exports were estimated at 76.4 billion USD, up 18.3%, while imports totaled 79.3 billion USD, up 26.3%.

A quick report from data analytics platform Metric shows the number of active sellers across Shopee, TikTok Shop, Lazada and Tiki has dropped to just over 602,000, marking a year-on-year decline of more than 7%. (Illustrative photo: VNA)

Higher marketplace fees weigh on online sellers

Analysts identify rising operational costs as the key factor behind the exodus. In 2025, platforms simultaneously rolled out fee hikes ranging from 10–15%, significantly increasing the financial burden on merchants.

The latest approvals underscore the growing presence of Vietnamese rice in one of the world’s most demanding markets. (Photo: VNA)

Fragrant rice deepens EU market presence

Although the volume of individual shipments remains relatively modest, industry experts say the steady flow of exports reflects stable demand in the EU for high-quality rice.

Promoting stronger foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows is considered an important solution to help drive economic growth. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam emerges as hub for high-quality FDI

Vietnam is gradually becoming a strategic destination for high-quality global FDI. Investment flows are increasingly directed toward sectors such as high-tech manufacturing, electronics, digital infrastructure, modern logistics, and industries that are closely linked to global supply chains.

Shrimp processing for export at Huy Nam company, An Giang province. (Photo: VNA)

Fisheries sector proactively adjusts to emerging challenges

In addition to food safety regulations, the US continues to closely monitor the origin of imported seafood through the Seafood Import Monitoring Programme (SIMP) administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Requirements linked to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) are also a major concern for businesses.