Vietnam’s top ten economic events in 2018

Vietnam News Agency has selected 10 outstanding economic events of Vietnam in 2018 as follow:
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam News Agency has selected 10outstanding economic events of Vietnam in 2018 as follow:

National Assembly ratifies the CPTPP

On November 12, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement forTrans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and related documents were ratified at thesixth session of the 14th National Assembly. The CPTPP is consideredthe third-largest free trade deal in the world and will become effective from2019. It is a chance for Vietnam to expand its export markets, attractinvestment, promote growth and reform its policies in smoother and moretransparent manner.

Vietnam’s top ten economic events in 2018 ảnh 1National Assembly ratifies the CPTPP on November 12 (Photo: VNA)

All socio-economic targets completed

Vietnam has completed and surpassed all the 12socio-economic goals set by the National Assembly. The country’s GDP growth isestimated at 7.08 percent in the year, with trade surplus hitting a record of6.89 billion USD and disbursement of foreign investment reaching 19.1 billionUSD - the highest figure so far. In the year, 132,000 new firms wereestablished, while the country welcomed nearly 15.6 million foreign tourist arrivals.This is the third consecutive year the inflation has been kept under 4 percent.Fiscal and monetary policies have been regulated flexibly, meeting capitaldemand.

Vietnam’s top ten economic events in 2018 ảnh 2Shrimp being processed for export at Song Hau industrial park in Chau Thanh district of Hau Giang province (Photo: VNA)

The issuance of a resolution to make Vietnam a strong sea-based country

Resolution 36-NQ/TW on sustainable maritime economic developmentstrategy of Vietnam to 2030 with a vision to 2045 was issued by the 12th Party Central Committee on October 22. The resolution aims to turn Vietnam intoa strong sea-based economy meeting all criteria of sustainable maritimeeconomic growth. Sea-based economic sectors are set to make up 10 percent tothe GDP, while 28 coastal cities and provinces are expected to make up 65-70percent of the country’s GDP. They will be developed to internationalstandards. The exploitation of maritime resources will be controlled in linewith the recovery capacity of the maritime ecosystem.

Vietnam’s top ten economic events in 2018 ảnh 3Fish sorting at Tac Cau port in Chau Thanh district of Kien Giang province (Photo: VNA)

The launching of “Vietnamese goods conquer Vietnamese people” movement

On November 20, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc kickstarted a movementwhich aims to encourage businesses to apply advanced technology and modernmanagement methods to improve the quality and reduce costs of their products,thus conquering the nearly-100-million-strong domestic market. This is a stepforwards to the building of a high-quality Vietnamese trademark in the globalvalue chain.

Vietnam’s top ten economic events in 2018 ảnh 4Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (middle) kickstarts the movement of Vietnamese goods conquer Vietnamese people (Photo: VNA)

Thirty-year FDI attraction


2018 marks 30 years of Vietnam attracting offoreign direct investment (FDI). By the end of 2018, Vietnam will have hosted27,353 valid FDI projects from 130 countries and territories with investment totalingnearly 340.1 billion USD. Currently, the FDI sector accounts for about aquarter of the country’s total social investment and more than 70 percent oftotal exports, while creating 8.5 million jobs.

Vietnam’s top ten economic events in 2018 ảnh 5(Photo: VNA)

The establishment of the Committee for Management of State Capital

The Committee for Management of State Capital was introduced on September 30 to manage 19State-owned economic groups and corporations. It manages a total State equityof more than 1 quadrillion VND and asset value of 2.3 quadrillion VND,accounting for two-thirds of the State assets at enterprises. The committee istasked with submitting strategies to the Government and the Prime Minister forbusiness investment and development.

Vietnam’s top ten economic events in 2018 ảnh 6At the ceremony to introduce the committee (Photo: VNA)

The settlement of major economic violation cases

Many corruption and economic violationcases that caused serious consequences were brought to court, including thosein the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group and PetroVietnamConstruction Joint Stock Corporation; the Ocean Commercial Joint Stock Bank; the Dong A Joint Stock Commercial Bank; the Vietnam Construction Bank; and the ThaiSon Corporation under the Defence Ministry; along with a huge online gamblingcase. All violators, regardless of their positions, were strictly dealt with,showing the country’s determination to purify the legal system and create ahealthy, transparent business environment for development.

Vietnam’s top ten economic events in 2018 ảnh 7Defendant Ha Van Tham, former Chairman of the Board of Directors of OceanBank, at the court (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam’s hosting of World Economic Forum on ASEAN

The event was held in Hanoi in September underthe theme of “ASEAN 4.0: Entrepreneurship and the Fourth Industrial Revolution”,drawing more than 1,000 delegates who joined 60 discussions on the building ofa dynamic, strong and prosperous ASEAN Community for the people. The forum wasconsidered the most successful regional meeting of the WEF in East Asia in 27years.

Vietnam’s top ten economic events in 2018 ảnh 8Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc visits the Industry 4.0 expo (Photo: VNA)

First Vietnamese automobile brand debuts

Vinfast Manufacturing and TradingCompany Limited, a subsidiary of Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup, unveiled twoof its new car models at the 120th Paris Motor Show on October 2. The firm won “A Star is Born” award from the organisation AUTOBEST. The eventmarked the presence of Vietnam in the global map of auto-making industry.

Vietnam’s top ten economic events in 2018 ảnh 9Vinfast introduces its two car models at the Paris Motor Show 2018 (Photo: VNA)

Successful production of vaccine against foot-and-mouth disease

Vietnam for the first time successfully produced a vaccine againstfoot-and-mouth disease - AVAC-V6 FMD EmulsionType O. The price of the vaccine is about 20 percentlower than the imported one, helping save dozens of million USD each year forfarmers and the State budget.-VNA
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Officials of the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) at the meeting in Hanoi (Photo: Ministry of Finance)

Finance Ministry, JICA to hasten major joint projects

JICA President Tanaka Akihiko said he is pleased to return to Vietnam and see landmark projects of bilateral ties now operational and delivering clear benefits to the public, including Nhat Tan Bridge and Ho Chi Minh City’s metro line No. 1.

Customers conduct transactions at an Agribank office in Hung Yen province. (Photo: VNA)

Outstanding green credit reaches 828 trillion VND

To date, loans subject to environmental and social risk assessments have exceeded 5.1 quadrillion VND (some 193.6 billion USD), representing an almost 25-fold increase compared with the end of 2017 and accounting for 27.7% of total outstanding credit in the economy.

Metfone Express's fleet at the launch ceremony. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese firm expands into logistics sector in Cambodia

Cambodian Minister of Post and Telecommunications Chea Vandeth praised Metfone’s contributions to socio-economic development, job creation, technology transfer and bilateral connectivity. He described the launch of Metfone Express as evidence of the long-term commitment and innovative spirit of Viettel.

Vietnamese products at the fair (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese food products gain prominence at RoK's leading food fair

Vietnamese exhibitors are showcasing a wide range of products, including processed foods, tropical fruit products, functional foods, spices and beverages. Major exporters such as Vinamilk, WestFood, TSFood, Nafoods Group, Bich Chi Food and DH Foods are among the participants.

At the Vietnam–Canada Business Forum 2026 (Photo: VNA)

Green transition creates fresh opportunities for Vietnam–Canada partnership

Rahul Malhotra, owner of RM Venturex, said the forum provided businesses with valuable insights into opportunities for deeper Vietnam–Canada cooperation. He noted that support from diplomatic channels and the engagement of both public and private sectors are helping create favourable conditions for stronger economic ties among Canada, Vietnam and ASEAN.

At the working session between Can Tho leaders and representatives of Singaporean businesses. (Photo: VNA)

Can Tho invites Singaporean firms to invest in industry, energy, logistics

Singapore is currently the Mekong Delta city’s largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI), with 12 active projects totalling nearly 320 million USD in registered capital. A flagship project is the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) Can Tho, launched in 2022 with an investment of over 3.7 trillion VND (140 million USD) and covering nearly 294 hectares.

Workers process tra fish for exports. (Photo: VNA)

Sustainable transformation needed for Vietnam’s strategic pangasius sector

With continued policy support, technological innovation and close coordination among authorities, businesses and farmers, Vietnam’s pangasius industry is expected to make a strong and sustainable breakthrough during the 2026–2030 period, reinforcing its position as the world’s leading exporter of the fish.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang speaks at the event. (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)

Deputy PM calls for integrated ASEAN fintech ecosystem

Deputy PM Nguyen Van Thang proposed a shared vision for an ASEAN fintech ecosystem that is open, secure, transparent, inclusive, and sustainable: “Open” to foster connectivity, “Secure” to enable growth, “Transparent” to build trust, “Inclusive” to ensure that no one is left behind, and “Sustainable” to strengthen resilience and support long-term progress.

Vice Chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Xian Hui (left) meets with Secretary of Phu Tho provincial Party Commitee Pham Dai Duong on comprehensive cooperation (Photo: VNA)

Phu Tho expands cooperation with Chinese localities

A high-level delegation of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), led by its Vice Chairperson Xian Hui, visited the production facility of BYD Vietnam Co., Ltd. at Phu Ha Industrial Park and held a working session with leaders of Phu Tho province on June 9.

Financial buildings in downtown Ho Chi Minh City along the Saigon River. (Photo: VNA)

Robust dispute resolution framework key to Vietnam’s IFC ambitions

The development strategy for VIFC-HCMC envisions a comprehensive financial ecosystem encompassing green finance, carbon credits, financial technology (fintech), blockchain technology, digital assets, digital banking and other innovative business models. These highly internationalised sectors involve complex cross-border transactions and sophisticated legal structures.

A step in the semiconductor chip manufacturing process. (Photo: VNA)

LG to build first semiconductor substrate plant in Vietnam

LG Innotek, an affiliate of the Republic of Korea's LG Group, has announced a plan to build its first semiconductor substrate plant in Vietnam, marking a significant step in expanding its production capacity and strengthening its semiconductor packaging solutions business.