Workshop talks long-term development strategy for wood industry

Vietnam's wood processing and furniture industry has made big strides over the past decade, heard a workshop in Ho Chi Minh City on March 25.
Workshop talks long-term development strategy for wood industry ảnh 1Illustrative image (Source: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) - Vietnam's wood processing andfurniture industry has made big strides over the past decade, heard a workshopin Ho Chi Minh City on March 25.

Do Thi Thu Huong, from the Private Economic DevelopmentResearch Board, said Vietnam has become the 7th biggest wood and wooden furnitureproducer and the 2nd largest exporter in the world.

Wood and wooden furniture are also among the 10 groups of products with the highest exportvalues, and the industry has generated jobs for about 500,000 labourers, she added.

Huong and other participants at the workshop, however,pointed out difficulties facing the wood processing sector like material shortages asVietnam has to import about 8.5 million m3 of wood each year, along withlimitations in processing technologies and productivity.

Nguyen Van Dien, head of the forestry production managementdepartment at the Vietnam Administration of Forestry, said some 45 percent of the labourers in the sector have yet to receive training.

He stressed other problems like material quality and competitionpressure and risks of trade fraud facing domestic firms.

Given this, Dien suggested implementing measuressynchronously to consolidate relevant institutions and policies, step up the application of technologies, and set out strategies for personnel training.

Experts shared the view that there is ample space forVietnam’s wood processing and furniture industry to grow further, and emphasisedthe need to invest in brand building and product promotion./.
VNA

See more

Online shopping is a common habit among office workers. (Photo: VNA)

E-commerce boom shadowed by surge in counterfeit goods

What appears to be a convenient digital marketplace is, in many cases, riddled with sophisticated traps. With a single click, trust can quickly be exchanged for fake or substandard products, online newspaper vietnamplus.vn reported.

Border Guard officers in Dong Thap inspect and verify fishing vessels before they depart from port. (Photo: VNA)

Dong Thap steps up digital vessel management, strengthens traceability

The Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap has rolled out a plan to implement recommendations from the European Commission on tackling illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, aiming to fully fix shortcomings and contribute to the removal of the “yellow card” warning in 2026.

Tran Phu petrol station in Nghia Lo ward, Quang Ngai supplies E10 petrol to local residents. (Photo: VNA)

Dung Quat biofuel plant set for full-capacity operations in April

BSR-BF Director Pham Van Vuong said the company is looking to expand into new areas such as biodiesel, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), microalgae, and afforestation, opening up broader growth prospects and strengthening its position in the green energy value chain.

Emma McDonald, Australian Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, speaks at the conference on April 14. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Australia boost cooperation in fintech

Australian companies have strengths in regtech, data governance, cybersecurity, payment infrastructure, and digital assets—areas that align with Vietnam’s priorities. Their experience in highly regulated environments could help Vietnam address challenges such as financial fraud, cybercrime, and security risks.

Booths of Vietnamese cooperatives and enterprises at the Halal Expo 2025 exhibition in Türkiye. (Photo: VNA)

Türkiye seen as promising market for Vietnam’s Halal products

With a large Muslim population, Türkiye serves as both a major consumer market and a well-developed processing hub for such products. Meanwhile, Vietnam is gradually establishing its capacity to supply Halal goods, particularly in processed foods, agricultural produce, beverages, tourism services and logistics.

A view of Da Nang city (Photo: VNA)

Da Nang charts mega merger for global eco-city vision

Da Nang has set a target of having at least five financial technology (FinTech) businesses with revenues of over 1 trillion VND (40 million USD) yearly, while the Free Trade Zone would contribute 17.9% to the city’s gross regional domestic product (GRDP).

A VinFast electric motorbike showroom. (Photo: vinfastecoxe.vn)

Fuel hikes push electric motorbike sales

Electric motorcycle sales by Honda Vietnam, Yamaha Motor Vietnam, Piaggio Vietnam, SYM Vietnam and Suzuki Vietnam, rose by 8.3% year-on-year to 729,121 units.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung speaks at the meeting (Photo: VNA)

PM orders sharp cuts to business conditions for double-digit growth

Vietnam now maintains 198 conditional business lines and 4,603 business conditions. Under the Party Central Committee conclusion, ministries and agencies must cut at least 30% of existing conditional business lines, or about 60 business lines, while eliminating all redundant conditions.

Delegates at the forum (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Slovakia PMs attend business forum to boost bilateral cooperation

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung called on businesses of Vietnam and Slovakia to strengthen partnerships in areas of mutual strength and demand, particularly in manufacturing, high technology, automotive industry, precision engineering, automation, renewable energy, green transition, logistics, supply chain connectivity, digital transformation, and human resource development.