Vietnam Industry and Trade News Bulletin for November 05, 2025

A. POSITIVE NEWS

1. Pepper Exports Reach $1.4 Billion in 10 Months According to the Agency of Foreign Trade (MoIT), Vietnam’s pepper exports in October 2025 reached approximately 20,000 tons, worth $132 million.

• Cumulative 10 months: Reached 206,000 tons with a turnover of $1.4 billion, up 25.8% in value year-on-year.
• Driver: The average export price surged by 33.7%, reaching $6,774/ton .

2. Durian Exports Set New Record While domestic durian prices remain stable at a high level, export turnover in September reached a record $972 million, mainly driven by the Chinese market.

• Outlook: The Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association aims for a total export turnover of $3.5 billion this year. Export activities have normalized after a brief interruption for lab maintenance .

B. GENERAL ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS

1. EVFTA After 5 Years: 0% Tax but Market Share Stagnant Five years into the EVFTA, Vietnam-EU trade has increased by 30%. However, Vietnam’s market share in the EU remains low at around 1.4%.

• Challenge: The main barrier is no longer tariffs but strict sustainable development requirements (anti-deforestation, emission reduction, traceability). Experts urge businesses to deeply integrate into global supply chains and utilize EU support programs for green transition .

2. HCMC Residents Face Price Pressure HCMC’s CPI in October 2025 increased by 3.5% year-on-year.

• Business Impact: Input material costs have risen by about 6% due to the exchange rate (around 26,500 VND/USD).
• Bright Spot: Domestic purchasing power remains positive, with retail sales of goods and services in the first 10 months increasing by 15% .

3. PM Declares War on IUU Fishing At the 20th session of the National Steering Committee on IUU, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh demanded the handling of all violations by November 20.

• Directives: Strictly ban “3-no” fishing vessels (no registration, no examination, no license) from operating. The goal is to remove the EC “yellow card” and protect the nation’s reputation .

4. China’s Economy Maintains Stable Growth China’s GDP in the first 9 months of 2025 grew by 5.2%. Retail sales increased by 4.5%, and industrial value added rose by 6.2%. High-tech and equipment manufacturing sectors are key drivers .

C. ENERGY

1. 23 Renewable Energy Investors Request Dialogue on Payment Delays A group of 23 foreign investors (from Thailand, Japan, Singapore, etc.) sent a letter to the Ministers of Industry and Trade, Justice, and Finance requesting a dialogue regarding EVN’s delayed payments for 173 projects under the FIT mechanism.

• Issue: New requirements for Construction Completion Acceptance (CCA) before COD (under Circular 10/2023) are causing legal risks and financial strain, pushing some businesses to the brink of bankruptcy .

2. Trung Nam Dak Lak 1 Wind Power Violates Bond Conditions VNDirect reported that Trung Nam Dak Lak 1 Wind Power JSC failed to maintain the required current ratio for its bonds as of the end of Q2/2025. The company has 1 year to remedy this violation .

3. Opening of Energy & Support Industry Exhibition On November 5, a series of exhibitions including Vietnam Energy Week, HVACR Vietnam, and VSIF opened at SECC (HCMC) with 350 booths from 16 countries. The event aims to connect policy, technology, and investment to promote sustainable energy development .

D. EXPORT – IMPORT

1. US Delays Crab Import Ban from Vietnam The US Court of International Trade issued an order staying the ban on swimming crab imports from Vietnam (and 3 other countries), which was set to take effect on January 1, 2026. This allows continued exports while the NOAA reviews comparability findings under the MMPA .

2. Agro-Forestry-Fishery Exports: Pillar of the Economy In the first 10 months, total export turnover of the sector reached $58.13 billion (up 12.9%), with a trade surplus of $17.59 billion.

• Markets: Asia is the largest market (44.7%), followed by the Americas and Europe. China surpassed the US to become the top importer of Vietnamese agricultural products .

3. Potential for Pangasius Exports to Japan Exports of pangasius to Japan reached $34 million in the first 9 months (up 14%). Japan is increasing imports of pangasius as a substitute for scarce natural whitefish. The CPTPP agreement provides a tariff advantage for Vietnamese pangasius .

E. DOMESTIC MARKET

1. Autumn Fair 2025: Opportunity for Brand Promotion The Autumn Fair 2025 attracted over 2,500 businesses with 3,000 booths. It serves as a platform to connect trade, investment, tourism, and culture, promoting Vietnamese brands like Vinamilk and regional specialties to international partners .

2. Online Friday 2025: “Safe – Secure – Joyful” Shopping The National E-commerce Week and Online Friday 2025 will launch with a focus on building consumer trust and preventing counterfeit goods. Vietnam’s e-commerce market is one of the fastest-growing in the region, with retail e-commerce revenue reaching $25 billion in 2024 .

F. TRADE REMEDIES

1. VOV and Trade Remedies Authority Sign Cooperation MOU The Trade Remedies Authority (MoIT) and Voice of Vietnam (VOV) signed an MOU to enhance communication on trade remedies, raising awareness and supporting businesses in international economic integration .