Hanoi (VNA) – Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Dai Thang chaired the committee’s regular meeting on May 5, during which he underlined the requirement for the city to achieve growth of over 10% in the second quarter to fulfil the target of double-digit development for the whole of 2026.
Thang called for the swift implementation of new mechanisms and policies, particularly the revised Capital Law, through detailed action plans, describing this as the key step to translate institutional advantages into tangible growth and help the capital achieve double-digit expansion for this year.
Despite favourable conditions, Hanoi’s growth and economic restructuring have yet to meet expectations, he pointed out, calling for clearer accountability across sectors, particularly in production, urban development and construction.
He stressed that over 10% growth in the second quarter is a target that will require more decisive and coordinated measures, especially in boosting public investment, developing processing industries, high technology and infrastructure.
The chairman also highlighted the need for strong administrative reform, reducing intermediary steps and moving towards a “single focal point, single process” mechanism to shorten project timelines.
For public investment projects, agencies should quickly address procedural, pricing, and contractual hurdles so that work can start once the land is ready, preventing delays even when construction conditions are in place.
Regarding the revised Capital Law, Hanoi aims to finalise relevant resolutions and mechanisms by June 15 to enable enforcement when the law takes effect on July 1, 2026. The official affirmed that the city already has sufficient mechanisms and policies, and that decisive, coordinated execution will be key to achieving its growth targets.
At the meeting, the municipal People’s Committee reviewed and approved reports on socio-economic performance in April and the first four months of 2026, the enforcement of the revised Capital Law, and major proposals, including a low-emission zone plan within Ring Road 1 and adjustments to fees for the use of pavements and roadways.
Notably, participants examined a draft plan to pilot a “socialist commune/ward” model in Hanoi for the 2026–2030 period and beyond.
The municipal Department of Finance reported that state budget revenue as of April 28 reached 294.2 trillion VND (11.17 billion USD), fulfilling 45.3% of the annual target and equivalent to 98.2% of the same period last year. Domestic revenue totalled 279.8 trillion VND, up 3.3%, while collections from foreign trade reached 13.2 trillion VND, up 21%.
The city is accelerating export support by addressing business bottlenecks related to markets and logistics, boosting trade promotion, and facilitating cross-border e-commerce. It is also rolling out immediate and longer-term growth promotion measures while intensifying efforts to resolve constraints in public investment disbursement, site clearance and construction materials, with agencies tasked to address project-specific issues on a rolling basis.
Major infrastructure projects such as ring roads, bridges over the Red River, key highways, and flood-control systems, need dedicated inter-agency task forces to keep things running smoothly, with clear timelines for land handover, compensation, resettlement, work approval, and capital disbursement, according to local officials/.
See more
Hyundai Motor steps up auto workforce training for Vietnam
Hyundai Motor of the Republic of Korea (RoK) will directly participate in developing technical training programmes aimed at supplying job-ready workers for auto parts production and assembly plants.
Vietnam seeks stronger foothold in Germany’s premium coffee market
Industry representatives noted that Germany’s market is gradually shifting from Arabica towards high-quality Robusta as climate change affects supply. Although Vietnam remained Germany’s second-largest coffee supplier after Brazil with export turnover of 1.22 billion USD in 2025, its coffee is still largely associated with industrial processing.
Banking sector accelerates digital shift, cashless payments surge
According to the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), non-cash payments recorded strong growth in the first quarter of 2026, with transactions rising 37.98% in volume and 14.22% in value year-on-year, reflecting a clear shift toward digital payments.
Reference exchange rate increases slightly on May 6
The State Bank of Vietnam set the daily reference exchange rate at 25,113 VND/USD on May 6, up 2 VND from the previous day.
Vietnamese, US firms step up investment cooperation
Addressing the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung underscored that SelectUSA serves as a key platform enabling international investors to access the US business environment, while fostering stronger linkages between Vietnamese and US enterprises amid the deepening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
FPT signs multi-million dollar AI contract with leading global materials corporation
Under the agreement, FPT will deploy applications and services powered by its comprehensive AI platform, FleziPT, developed in-house to enhance operational efficiency for the client. The AI transformation is expected to help reduce costs by up to 40% within three years, while improving service reliability and accelerating the modernisation of core technology systems.
Vietnam railways accelerate digital shift, green transition
By 2030, Vietnam’s railway sector aims to achieve sustainable growth on existing lines while playing a greater role in supporting a green and circular economy. It also focuses on improving efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and upgrading service quality.
Vietnam – A strategic link in Pan-Asia Power Grid Initiative: ADB
In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporter, Keiju Mitsuhashi, Director for Energy Sector for Southeast Asia and the Pacific at ADB, underscored this strategic position, describing Vietnam as a “truly important” part of the broader Pan-Asia Power Grid Initiative (PAGI).
Vietnam, US explore stronger energy collaboration
Both sides agreed that Vietnam – US energy collaboration holds ample potential and could become a crucial pillar of economic ties.
Lang Son province targets faster clearance, stronger trade growth at border gates
Thanks to facilitation measures and improved customs clearance efficiency, in the first four months of 2026, more than 120,000 cargo vehicles passed through Lang Son’s border gates, up 28.2% year-on-year.
Fertiliser tax policy needs adjustment to boost exports
Even major fertiliser producers such as those in the Middle East, along with China, Indonesia and Malaysia, have adopted similar measures to enhance the competitiveness of their domestic industries.
Vietnam's domestic airfares rise 15-20% on fuel crunch
Supply disruptions tied to Middle East tensions have pushed fuel prices sharply higher, with physical premiums reaching as much as 39.6 USD per barrel, ACV said.
Building standardised raw material zones to unlock global markets for farm produce
With production organised through tightly linked value chains and strict compliance with quality standards, farm produce is securing stable outlets while gaining higher value, opening up sustainable growth pathways for farmers.
Vietnam buckles down on quality FDI as global capital turns selective
In 2025 alone, the value of capital contributions and share purchases soared 54.8%, signaling that foreign players are scaling up and digging deeper into the domestic market, a powerful “vote of confidence” in the investment climate and policy framework.
Reference exchange rate inches down on May 5
The State Bank of Vietnam set the daily reference exchange rate at 25,111 VND/USD on May 5, down 1 VND from the previous day.
Global electronics brands gather at IEAE Vietnam 2026
Positioned as a dedicated trade platform for consumer electronics and home appliances, IEAE 2026 will link manufacturers, buyers and distributors, facilitating direct engagement through structured trade promotion and networking activities over the three-day event.
ILDEX Vietnam 2026 to spotlight sustainable transformation in agrifood sector
The event, to be held at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, is widely seen as a leading international platform for livestock and agrifood industries.
Finance ministry lays out three-step formula for macro stability
Efforts will concentrate on raising total factor productivity through technology application, digital transformation, and human capital upgrades. At the same time, institutional fine-tuning, streamlined administrative procedures, and a measurably improved business environment stay on the agenda.
Budget revenue up 15.2% in four months
While still on track, the ministry flagged that fallout from the Middle East conflict and a suite of fiscal relief measures, including cuts to environmental protection tax, value-added tax, special consumption tax and fees on gasoline and aviation fuel, are starting to chip away at revenue. Collection progress and growth rates across several tax streams have decelerated from the previous year.
Moody’s lifts Vietnam’s outlook to "positive" on reform drive
Moody’s said Vietnam is well-positioned to windstand shocks from energy prices, transport costs and inflationary pressures arising from geopolitical movements, backed by solid growth fundamentals, strong external buffers, low foreign currency risk exposure and a diversified energy and export mix.