Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam’s GDP growth reaches 8.02% this year, a record high in the 2011-2022 period as the economy is recovering strongly, General Director of the General Statistics Office (GSO) Nguyen Thi Huong told a press conference in Hanoi on December 29. The agro-forestry-fishery sector expanded by 3.36%, contributing 5.11% to the total added value of the whole economy. The industry-construction sector grew by 7.78%, contributing 38.24% while the service industry rose by 9.99%, making a 56.55% contribution to the economy. About the economic structure 2022, the agro-forestry-fishery sector accounted for a proportion of 11.88%, industry and construction 38.26%, services 41.33% and product taxes, exclusive of product subsidies, 8.53%. With an annual growth of 7.18%, final consumption contributed to 49.32% of the general growth. Asset accumulation rose by 5.75%, contributing 22.59%, while trade in exports, imports and services adding … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s GDP expands by 8.02% in 2022
First half 2022 meaning
Pressure on to support new economic growth
The latest move from the Fed marked eight consecutive rate hikes since March 2022, with no signs that it has reached the peak of its hike journey. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dinh Trong Thinh, a financial expert from the Vietnam Association of Financial Advisers, predicted that a rate hike of 25 percentage points was anticipated. Thinh stated that, in general, the pressure on the USD/VND exchange rate from the Fed’s interest rate hike is not significant. Pressure on to support new economic growth, photo Le Toan Dr. Le Dang Doanh, former head of the Central Institute for Economic Management, also believes that the Fed’s interest rate rise is targeted to contain inflation in the US, since inflation has begun to fall from the previous year’s low level. The USD price will adjust as a result. “A change in the price will influence the exchange rate between it and VND, impacting import-export businesses and foreign-invested enterprises,” said Doanh. On the other hand, deposit interest … [Read more...] about Pressure on to support new economic growth
Retailers flexibly steering through turbulent times
Despite the festive occasion, the consumption of non-essential goods in the first month of 2023 remained stagnant, with analysts believing the situation will linger throughout at least the first half this year. Despite the unfavourable environment, Mobile World Group (MWG) – the largest consumer electronics retailer in Vietnam – still aims to post positive revenue and net-profit growth in 2023, as well as two-digit growth compared to average level during the 2020-2022 period. To achieve this goal, the company envisages opening new stores on a selective basis and striving for new shops to generate profit for the patent company within three months after launching. Simultaneously, all shops in the system will focus on augmenting the sales revenue at existing outlets and controlling their operating costs to boost profits. Besides this, MWG will optimise its cash flow and slash financial expenses through improved inventory management. Specifically, the group aims to … [Read more...] about Retailers flexibly steering through turbulent times
Jeju Air to resume service to Vietnam from April 20
Vietnam plans to welcome one million Korean arrivals this year. Jeju Air, South Korea’s biggest low-cost carrier, will resume services on the routes from Incheon to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from April 20, after three years of suspension due to Covid-19, according to Yonhap. South Korean and Vietnamese enterprises attend the 2022 Vietnam Tourism - Culture F estival in Seoul last October. Photo: Toquoc Until late 2019, the budget carrier operated eight routes to five cities, including Danang, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc. Last June, the company restored the connection from Incheon to Danang and Nha Trang, and from Busan to Danang. Jeju Air aims to turn around this year after posting net losses for three consecutive years through 2021 as eased virus restrictions unleash pent-up travel demand. Vietnam expected to receive one million Korean arrivals this year, hoping to make a breakthrough in tourism cooperation in the near future, … [Read more...] about Jeju Air to resume service to Vietnam from April 20
Prime Minister’s visit reflects special ties between Vietnam, Singapore: ambassador
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his spouse, and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam are paying an official visit to Singapore from February 8 to 10. Dung said the trip follows the mutual visits by the heads of the two states in 2022, reflecting the special mutual political trust and relations between the countries. Looking back upon achievements in bilateral relations, he said over the last 50 years, especially since the establishment of the strategic partnership 10 years ago, the two countries have enjoyed strong cooperation across the board, from politics, diplomacy, defense, and security to people-to-people exchange. Singapore currently ranks first among Southeast Asian investors and second among global ones in Vietnam. Among the large number of its projects in Vietnam, 11 Vietnam - Singapore industry parks (VSIPs) with total investment of over USD 11 billion nationwide are providing jobs for more than 300,000 people. During the coming trip, he noted, the two Prime … [Read more...] about Prime Minister’s visit reflects special ties between Vietnam, Singapore: ambassador
Taiwanese pop star dances to Vietnamese viral hit
Tsai uploaded the video on Instagram, which shows her dancing to "See Tinh" with friends, in early May, and it was shared widely on social media and forums. Many of her fans downloaded the video as they love her dancing. Tsai's fanpage manager credits "See Tinh" in the caption for the video: "Jolin Tsai’s first show in the new year is a dance to Hoang Thuy Linh’s viral song on Douyin." Douyin is the Chinese version of TikTok. Tsai, 43, is the most successful singer in Taiwan. Dubbed the "Queen of C-Pop", she is considered one of the most influential artists in Chinese pop culture. She's also credited as a key figure in mainstream dance-pop music in China. The "See Tinh" fever is continuing to spread on Douyin and other video platforms in China. For its virality, the Chinese media called it a "superhit." Videos of people using and dancing to this tune have exceeded four billion views. Many people said they feel like this song is everywhere recently. The fans love "See Tinh" for … [Read more...] about Taiwanese pop star dances to Vietnamese viral hit
Big shipping firms report record profits
Hai An Transport and Stevedoring Joint Stock Company's after-tax profits were up 90% from 2021 at VND1.050 trillion (US$44.49 million); Petrovietnam Transportation Corp's (PVTrans) was up 39% to VND1.16 trillion; and Vietnam Petroleum Transport's (Vipco) rose by 25 times to VND246 billion. Other logistics firms too reported excellent numbers. Gemadept’s after-tax profits surged by 60% to VND1.15 trillion, its second highest since 2000 when it first publicized financial statements. Vosco’s profits decreased by 0.4% to VND490 billion, but were still the second highest since it listed on the stock market. Vinalines said profits fell by 23% to VND2.5 trillion, but were still second only to 2021. According to data from Freightos, one of the world’s largest freight booking platforms, the cost of sending a container from Asia to the U.S. fell by more than 80% late last year. In the third quarter of 2021 it had been at a record $20,000 per 40-foot container. But thanks to the … [Read more...] about Big shipping firms report record profits
Bad debts continue to soar at commercial banks
Deputy governor of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) Dao Minh Tu has said that bad debts are climbing for both credit organisations and the wider economy. "It is an ongoing challenge to manage bad debts and banking activities will be seriously affected over the next few years," said Tu. He said that the woes would be revealed more clearly as the ratio of on-balance-sheet bad debt continues to grow due to inflation and interest rate rises. At the end of 2022, bad debts were classified based on the groups of borrowers and economic issues like recovery and inflation curbing. Can Van Luc, a member of the National Monetary and Financial Policy Advisory Council, said that on-balance-sheet bad debt could reach 2.3-2.5 per cent and gross bad debt could hit 6 per cent in 2023, rising into 2024. As the regulations on unchanged debt groups in Circular No.14/2021/TT-NHNN expire, economic recovery could suffer. According to the SBV, at the end of 2022, the ratio of … [Read more...] about Bad debts continue to soar at commercial banks
Tourism – a source of growth in Vietnam for 2023: HSBC
Despite near-term trade headwinds, tourism has emerged as a source of growth for Vietnam to mitigate the challenges ahead in 2023, according to the “Vietnam at a glance” report released by HSBC on February 6. Foreign tourists visit Vietnam (Photo: VNA) The report stressed that January’s data showed Vietnam continues to face difficulties in trade and the inflationary pressure of increasing prices. However, in spite of slowing trade, there are still pockets of resilience in Vietnam’s economy, and tourism will be a key one in 2023. Following its re-opening last March, Vietnam’s domestic tourism has been soaring, easily surpassing its 2022 target of 60 million to over 100 million tourists. Meanwhile, international tourism, which previously accounted for 60% of tourism receipts, saw a tepid recovery post COVID-19, with tourist arrivals reaching 3.6 million, only 20% of 2019’s level. But there are good reasons to expect a more meaningful recovery, in … [Read more...] about Tourism – a source of growth in Vietnam for 2023: HSBC
Biggest spring blood donation festival kicks off
People join the Xuan Hong (Red Spring) Festival – the biggest annual blood donation campaign of the season staring on February 6. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT) and Hanoi Youth Association for Blood Donation on February 6 kicked off the Xuan Hong (Red Spring) Festival – the biggest annual blood donation campaign of the season. The one-week event themed “Donating blood in spring, multiplying happiness” expects to receive about 8,000 blood units. Donors can visit one of the seven venues in Hanoi, including the institute, Agricultural General Hospital, No26 Luong Ngoc Quyen in Hoan Kiem district, No10, Hamlet 122, Lang Street in Dong Da district, No78 Ngueyn Truong To in Ba Dinh district and No132 Quan Nhan district in Thanh Xuan district and People's Committee headquarter of Trau Quy Town in Gia Lam district. NIHBT Director Nguyen Thanh Ha said that this year, thanks to the community's efforts, preparations for … [Read more...] about Biggest spring blood donation festival kicks off