Vietnam Industry and Trade News Bulletin for November 06, 2025

A. POSITIVE NEWS

1. Textile & Garment Industry Maintains Positive Growth Despite challenges, Vietnam’s textile and garment exports in the first 9 months of 2025 reached approximately $34.72 billion, a 7% increase year-on-year. Vietnamese products are now present in 138 countries and territories, leveraging 16 FTAs. The US remains the largest market (>45%), followed by the EU, Japan, and Korea. Notably, exports to Russia brought in $1 billion in 2024 and $700 million in just 7 months of 2025. Although labor costs are higher than some competitors, high productivity maintains Vietnam’s competitiveness, securing its position as the world’s second-largest exporter ($44 billion in 2024) after China .

2. Energy as the New “Prosperity Engine” At the UK-Vietnam Business Summit 2025, businesses agreed that clean energy will be a key driver for Vietnam’s economy. UK Ambassador Iain Frew highlighted Vietnam’s immense potential in renewable energy, which could benefit not only the country but the entire Southeast Asia region through grid connectivity and the hydrogen economy .

B. GENERAL ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS

1. MoIT Directs Response to Storm No. 13 (Kalmaegi) The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has issued directives to respond to heavy rains and floods in the Central region and Storm No. 13. The Ministry conducted inspections at Song Tranh 2, Song Bung 2, and Song Bung 4 hydropower plants on Nov 5 and plans further checks in Hue to ensure safety .

2. Agricultural Exports “Pivot” to Asia In the first 10 months of 2025, Asia surpassed the US and Europe to become the largest market for Vietnamese agricultural products. Total agro-forestry-fishery exports reached $58.13 billion (up nearly 13%), with a surplus of $17.59 billion. Coffee exports surged 62% to $7.41 billion due to record prices ($5,653/ton). Fruit and vegetable exports reached $7.09 billion (up 15%), driven by durian exports to neighbors .

3. Hanoi Exceeds Energy Saving Targets Hanoi saved 705.7 kTOE (8.26% of demand), surpassing the 5-7% target for the 2021-2025 period. This contributes to energy security and green transition goals .

C. ENERGY

1. EVN’s $1.3 Billion Thermal Power Plant to Operate Soon EVN announced that two key power projects will operate in November: the expanded Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant (rotor installed for unit 2) and the Quang Trach 1 Thermal Power Plant. Quang Trach 1 is 96.57% complete and will fire up unit 1 in November, connecting to the grid in December .

2. Coal Power Still Shoulders 46% of National Output In the first 10 months of 2025, total power output and imports reached 268.82 billion kWh. Coal thermal power remains the dominant source, accounting for 46.2% of the total .

3. Renewable Energy Investors Call for Dialogue 23 foreign investors in wind and solar power have sent a letter to the Ministers of Industry and Trade, Justice, and Finance regarding payment issues for 173 projects under the FIT mechanism. They argue that new requirements for Completion Acceptance Certificates (CCA) before COD (under Circular 10/2023) were applied retroactively, causing legal risks and payment suspensions by EVN .

4. BSR Expands Exports to Laos Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical (BSR) signed an MoU with Somvanchaleun Petroleum Jelly (Lao enterprise) to cooperate in transporting and consuming Dung Quat refinery products in the Lao market .

5. Establishment of State Steering Committee for Key Energy Projects The Prime Minister signed Decision 2433/QD-TTg establishing a State Steering Committee for important national energy projects, headed by Deputy PM Bui Thanh Son, with Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien as the Permanent Deputy Head .

D. EXPORT – IMPORT & TRADE REMEDIES

1. US Pauses Crab Import Ban The US Court of International Trade issued an order staying the ban on swimming crab imports from Vietnam and three other Asian countries (effective from Jan 1, 2026). The ban is paused until NOAA completes its review of comparability findings regarding marine mammal protection .

2. Impact of Tariffs on Exports At a seminar on CPTPP, experts noted that fluctuating trade policies and tariffs (like in Australia) are challenges. Businesses are urged to use this opportunity to restructure and leverage CPTPP preferences for long-term growth .

3. Proactive Export Positioning for EU Market A VCCI survey shows nearly 60% of exporters to the EU are unaware of supply chain due diligence regulations. Experts warn this gap could reduce competitiveness against rivals like India or Indonesia who are pushing ESG compliance. Associations and agencies must step up information and support .

4. Anti-Dumping Review on Polyester Filament Yarn The Trade Remedies Authority (MoIT) issued questionnaires for the sunset review of anti-dumping measures on polyester filament yarn from India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and China (Case ER01.AD10). The deadline for responses is December 12, 2025 .

E. INDUSTRY & DOMESTIC MARKET

1. Supporting Industry Needs Long-Term Strategy After 8 years, Vietnam’s supporting industry has grown but remains dominated by SMEs with weak internal resources and low technology. Experts call for a long-term, synchronized support strategy from the state, focusing on market access, technology, and capital to help firms join global supply chains .

2. HCMC Boosts Mechanical-Electrical Industry HCMC is using specific mechanisms to help domestic firms participate in metro projects, fostering a supporting industry in mechanical-electrical engineering. Recent trade promotion events connected dozens of businesses in this sector .

3. Warning on 5 Online Scam Forms The National Competition Commission warned of 5 online scam types: fake websites, social media fraud, recruiting online collaborators, fake refunds/promotions, and e-commerce investment scams (multi-level marketing) .

4. Food Prices Rise Due to Storms Food and vegetable prices in HCMC have risen due to supply shortages caused by storms. Experts predict prices may increase further (5-10%) towards Tet due to wage and tax policy changes in 2026. Retailers like Saigon Co.op are resisting unjustified price hikes from suppliers .

5. “Star Reversal” in Auto Market The B-segment sedan, once the “money printer” for carmakers, is losing dominance to B-SUVs/Crossovers and electric vehicles. This reflects a major shift in Vietnamese consumer preference towards high-riding vehicles and EVs .

6. Fake Chanel, Dior Bags Seized in Hanoi Market surveillance forces in Hanoi seized over 1,600 bags and wallets bearing fake brands like Chanel, Dior, and Hermes at a facility in Phu Xuyen. The total value is nearly 170 million VND .

F. TRADE PROMOTION

1. Promoting Mountainous & Island Products The Autumn Fair 2025 served as a “conductor” to showcase products from mountainous, remote, and island areas. MoIT is creating a professional trade promotion chain to connect these products with consumption channels .

2. Red River Delta Industry & Trade Fair Opened on Nov 5 in Hai Phong, the fair features over 210 booths from businesses and cooperatives across the region and country .

G. E-COMMERCE

1. Proposal to Stop Livestreams: Needs Guidelines The draft amended E-commerce Law proposes stopping livestreams in real-time if violations occur. However, experts and delegates concern about feasibility and technical challenges. They suggest clear mechanisms, early warnings, and verification processes instead of immediate shutdowns to protect legitimate sellers .

2. Green Consumption Opportunity A NielsenIQ survey shows 72% of Vietnamese consumers are willing to pay more for green products, though actual purchase rates are lower (12-18%). Green product sales grew 40-60% during campaigns. Experts urge standardizing green labels to boost this market .