Vietnamese firms face high risks from US-China trade war

Vietnam, with its highly open economy, is facing many risks from the US-China trade war which has not shown any sign of easing, experts said at a workshop in HCM City on June 25 on the impacts of the trade war.
Vietnamese firms face high risks from US-China trade war ảnh 1Vice Chairman of the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC) Tran Du Lich speaks at the workshop (Photo: VNA)

HCM City (VNA) –
Vietnam,with its highly open economy, is facing many risks from the US-China trade warwhich has not shown any sign of easing, experts said at a workshop in HCM Cityon June 25 on the impacts of the trade war.

Vice Chairman of the VietnamInternational Arbitration Centre (VIAC) Tran Du Lich said even though exportsof Vietnam and China to the US are similar, it does not mean that it will beeasy for Vietnamese goods to replace Chinese counterparts in the US market.
Heexplained that China has many large-scale firms which produce goods at bigvolume at competitive costs, and when countering difficulties in the US market,those firms will shift to other markets, including Vietnam. In such a situation,Vietnamese firms will face direct competition from Chinese counterparts, notonly in export market but also right in the home ground.

In addition, as many Vietnamesefirms import materials from China, there is real possibility that Chinese firmscan take their goods to Vietnam to fraudulently change the origin of the goodsfor export to the US. The economist stressed the need to warn Vietnamese firmsof this danger, which can cause serious damage to Vietnam’s exports.

Dr Pham Sy Thanh, director ofthe Chinese economy research programme at the University of Economics andBusiness under the Vietnam National University – Hanoi, pointed to the negativeimpacts of the trade war on Vietnam. As China gives priority to consumingdomestic goods, Vietnam’s exports to China have dropped in the first six monthsof this year.

Regarding investment, the surginginflow of investment in consumer goods production is creating great pressure ondomestic producers, as prices of industrial properties and labour costs will bepushed up and the competition for workers and materials will become fiercer.

In the first five months of thisyear, Chinese investment into Vietnam totaled 2 billion USD, 85 percent ofwhich went into processing and manufacturing. This means export goods ofVietnam may increase in the time ahead but the real benefit will not go todomestic firms.

Thanh also urged domesticmanagement agencies to keep strict supervision of Chinese-invested projects toprevent the use of outdated and polluting technologies.

According to Nguyen Thanh Hung, Chairmanof the Import-Export Association of Dong Nai province said more Chineseinvestors are coming to Vietnam to build factories or purchase Vietnamesecompanies to produce goods for export to the US. In such circumstances,Vietnamese companies have not been able to seize the few opportunities from thetrade war. Instead they are facing growing competition in the domestic market. -VNA
VNA

See more

Then Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh addresses the Autumn Economic Forum 2025 on November 26 last year. (Photo: VNA)

World Economic Forum to co-brand Autumn Economic Forum 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City

On October 27, the forum will host 16 thematic sessions across three parallel venues, focusing on AI – quantum, finance – digital economy – autonomy, and manufacturing – sustainability – next generation. Two sessions will be jointly organised with the WEF, addressing “Repositioning Vietnam and ASEAN in Global Value Chains” and “From AI Deployment to Future Manufacturing Workforce Readiness”.

Nguyen Dinh Kien, Secretary of the Sam Mun commune Party cell in Dien Bien province, builds wealth through spotted deer farming. (Photo: VNA)

📝OP-ED: Party Central Committee’s 4th plenum offers new thinking encouraging Party members to engage in business

Accordingly, the plenum reached a consensus on several key principles, including shifting from a mindset of “permission” to one of “encouragement and facilitation” for Party members engaging in the private sector; protecting their lawful economic activities; and maintaining strict oversight of those exercising control and benefiting from such activities.

AVAC ASF LIVE vaccine developed and manufactured by AVAC Vietnam Joint Stock Company. (Photo: avac.com.vn)

Vietnam ships first commercial ASF vaccine order to Philippines

Nguyen Van Diep, General Director of AVAC Vietnam, said this was the company’s first commercial export order following the Philippines’ approval of the vaccine for unrestricted circulation. The Philippine Department of Agriculture is expected to issue usage guidelines next week, paving the way for wider distribution and application.

Workers process octopus for export to the Japanese market at Huy Nam Company in An Giang province. (Photo: VNA)

Fisheries sector strives for 12 billion USD in exports amid rising costs

The 12-billion-USD export target remains achievable given solid output growth and generally favourable market conditions. However, any fourth-quarter slowdown would not necessarily reflect raw material shortages but also impacts on economic efficiency amid rising material and fuel costs.

Commercial Counsellor at the Vietnamese Embassy in China Nong Duc Lai (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam-China trade growing rapidly, substantive: Commercial Counsellor

According to the Vietnam Customs data, bilateral trade hit 253.1 billion USD in the first nine months of this year, up 37.6% annually. Vietnam’s exports to China rose 32.9% to 65.8 billion USD while imports climbed 39.3% to 187.3 billion USD. China accounted for around 41.3% of Vietnam’s imports and 15.2% of its total exports.

Vietjet Air leaders and flight crew pose for a photo with guests at the launch ceremony. (Photo: VNA)

Vietjet launches Prague–Hanoi route

Vietjet Air operates the Prague–Hanoi route twice a week using Airbus A330-300 aircraft with a capacity of 377 passengers. Flights depart Prague at 8:55 p.m. every Tuesday and Saturday and arrive in Hanoi at 4:20 p.m. the following day, local time. In the opposite direction, flights leave Hanoi at 8:25 a.m. and arrive in Prague at 6:55 p.m. The route includes a stop in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

At Yen Phong II-C Industrial Park in Bac Ninh province (Photo: VNA)

Tax policy stability now key to keeping foreign investors: Officials

Companies must ensure records and data truthfully reflect the substance of transactions and engage in dialogue early when complex issues arise. Tax authorities, in turn, need to publish policies, give clear guidance, enforce rules consistently and deliver information in a timely manner.

The MoU signing ceremony between the gency for Domestic Market Surveillance and Development and Procter & Gamble (P&G). (Photo: Ministry of Industry and Trade)

Vietnam steps up fight against counterfeits, IP violations

The renewed memorandum between Vietnam's domestic market surveillance force and Procter & Gamble (P&G) is expected to build on the results achieved since 2023, strengthen IP enforcement, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of businesses and consumers, and contribute to a more transparent and fair business environment.

A Jatropha cultivation area of Star Japan Co., Ltd in My Son commune, Khanh Hoa province (Photo of Star Japan Co., Ltd)

Vietnam – a potential regional supply hub for Jatropha seed oil

Japan’s research on non-edible oil feedstocks showed that Jatropha is highly drought-tolerant and could grow well on wasteland, eroded sandy land and infertile soil. Given this, areas in central Vietnam, including Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan and the Central Highlands, have climatic, sunlight and soil conditions suitable for achieving high seed yields and oil content.

Officials launch the Expo Platform on September 29. It will be officially put into use on October 20, two days before the opening of HCMC Export 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Technology opens new routes for Vietnamese exports

As global markets impose increasingly stringent requirements on standards, traceability, sustainability and green transformation, digitalising product data and bringing buyers closer to production sites can help Vietnamese businesses demonstrate their capabilities and meet market-specific requirements.

Phuong Dinh Anh, Deputy Chief of the Office of the Central Coordination Office for the National Target Programme, speaks at the event.( VNA)

Turning OCOP products into rural tourism experiences

Experts stressed that rural tourism can develop sustainably only when local communities actively participate and benefit from it. Investment in transport, accommodation and attractions must go hand in hand with clean water, waste treatment, hygiene, traditional craft preservation and environmental protection.