Ho Chi Minh City sees strong growth in January

Ho Chi Minh City had a good start for 2015 with strong and stable growth in January, heard a regular meeting on January 23 of the municipal People’s Committee.

Ho Chi Minh City had a good start for 2015 with strong and stable growthin January, heard a regular meeting on January 23 of the municipalPeople’s Committee.

As of January 20, the cityattracted 363.8 million USD in foreign direct investment (FDI), whichwas poured in 23 new and 8 underway projects. The capital amount was 15times higher than the same time last year’s figure, said Thai Van Re,Director of the municipal Department of Planning and Investment.

Domestic investment also saw positive signs, with over 14.3 trillionVND (672.1 million USD) invested in local enterprises, he noted.

During the month, 1,386 new firms was licensed with a total registeredcapital of over 5.6 trillion VND (263.2 million USD) and 2,391 localenterprises poured a combined additional 8.7 trillion VND (498.9 millionUSD) into their business.

Le Hoang Quan, Chairmanof the municipal People’s Committee commented that the surge inJanuary’s FDI showed that investors were confident of the city’sinvestment environment.

In 2015, Ho Chi Minh Citywill strive to attract more FDI capital than last year’s 3.2 billionUSD, he said, adding that this will pave the way for the city to fulfilits plan for the next five years.

At the same time,industrial growth in January was impressive with a 9.2 percent rise yearon year, said Re, adding that an approximate 10 percent increase wereseen in all four major industrial sectors of manufacturing andmechanics, electronics, chemicals-rubber-plastics, and food processing.

In February, as part of efforts to prepare for theupcoming Lunar New Year (Tet), the city will roll out a number ofmeasures to ensure goods supply and price stability during the holiday,which will last from January 15-23.

Localenterprises have stocked 15.84 trillion VND (744.48 million USD) worthof goods, with the goal of keeping prices stable on the occasion.

Director of the Finance Department Dao Thi Huong Lan said the citywill spend about 600 billion VND (28.2 million VND) to helpdisadvantaged people celebrate a warm Tet holiday.

In order to maintain the stable growth, Chairman Quan asked alldepartments and agencies to continue removing difficulties forbusinesses in an effective and timely manner, while strengtheningcontrol over prices and ensuring goods supply during Tet holiday.-VNA

See more

Electronic components production line at Flexcom Vietnam Co., Ltd. in Yen Phong Industrial Park, Bac Ninh province (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese firms to continue presence at 4th Global Digital Trade Expo in China

Vietnam’s national pavilion at GDTE 2025 will span approximately 180 square metres and feature 15–20 standout enterprises in digital technology and e-commerce. Key sectors include information technology and digital transformation services such as augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR/XR/MR), artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs), semiconductors, big data, cloud computing, blockchain, digital content, smart manufacturing, IoT, and related technologies.

AirAsia launches Hai Phong – Bangkok direct route on July 16. (Photo: VNA)

AirAsia launches Hai Phong – Bangkok direct route

In conjunction with the launch, AirAsia is offering promotional one way fares starting from only 1,790 THB (55 USD). Tickets can be booked from July 16–27, 2025 for travel between July 28 and October 24, 2025 via AirAsia MOVE or www.airasia.com.

Visitors at the exhibitions (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam power & energy tech exhibitions open in HCM City

The 18th Vietnam International Exhibition on Electrical Technology and Equipment (Vietnam ETE 2025), the Products of Energy Saving & Green Power (Greenergy Expo (Greenergy Expo 2025), and ELECS Vietnam 2025, opened on July 16 in Ho Chi Minh City.

Under the Prime Minister's Directive No. 20/CT-TTg issued on July 12, Hanoi will become the first Vietnamese city to ban fossil fuel-powered motorcycles and mopeds from the city's inner Ring Road 1, starting July 1, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Petrol vehicle market stalls as consumer sentiment wavers

Directive 20 signals the beginning of a green revolution in urban transport. To realise its goals, experts agreed that comprehensive solutions - spanning finance, infrastructure, and communication, alongside coordinated action between government, businesses, and the public - are essential.

The Vietnam–Cambodia business connectivity conference held in Ho Chi Minh City on July 15 aims at boosting trade and investment between the two economies. (Photo: VNA)

Conference seeks ways to promote Vietnam – Cambodia trade

The value of trade between Vietnam and Cambodia reached 6.2 billion USD in the first six months of 2025, a year-on-year increase of 16.8%. Vietnam's exports to Cambodia totaled 2.7 billion USD, up 4.6% from the same period last year.