Vietnam Industry and Trade News Bulletin for December 03, 2025

A. POSITIVE NEWS

1. Agro-Forestry-Fishery Exports Exceed 2024 Record In the first 11 months of 2025, Vietnam’s agro-forestry-fishery exports reached an estimated $64.01 billion, increasing by 12.6% year-on-year. This figure officially surpasses the record set in the entire year of 2024 ($62.4 billion). Key contributors include agricultural products ($34.24 billion, up 15%), livestock ($567.4 million, up 16.8%), and seafood ($10.38 billion, up 13.2%). The sector aims to reach $70 billion for the full year 2025 .

2. Squid and Octopus Exports Hit Record High According to VASEP, squid and octopus exports reached $627 million by the end of October 2025, up 19%. October alone set a monthly record of $83 million despite domestic raw material shortages. Growth is driven by strong demand for processed and convenient products in key markets like South Korea, Japan, and Thailand .

B. GENERAL ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS

1. OECD Raises Vietnam GDP Forecast The OECD’s global economic outlook report released on December 2 raised Vietnam’s GDP growth forecast to 6.2% for 2026 and 5.8% for 2027. The report highlights Vietnam’s economic resilience, noting a strong GDP growth of 8.2% in Q3 2025 .

2. Proposal to Raise Tax Threshold for Business Households The Ministry of Finance proposes raising the revenue threshold for tax liability for business households from 200 million VND/year to 500 million VND/year. This would exempt approximately 90% of the 2.54 million regular business households from tax. While welcomed, experts suggest an even higher threshold (750 million – 1.5 billion VND) to match regional peers like Thailand or Malaysia .

3. Digital Transformation in Industry and Trade At the “Digital Transformation Forum for Industry and Trade 2025,” officials reported that Vietnam’s digital economy is expected to reach $39 billion in 2025. The sector focuses on three pillars: Digital Government, Digital Economy, and Digital Society. However, cybersecurity remains a critical challenge as digital adoption spreads to grassroots levels .

C. ENERGY

1. E10 Biofuel Roadmap: Mandatory by June 2026 The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) issued Circular 50/2025/TT-BCT, mandating the nationwide use of E10 biofuel (gasoline mixed with 10% ethanol) starting June 1, 2026. This shifts from an encouraging policy to mandatory standardization. The move aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 3-7% and improve energy security. Enterprises are urged to upgrade infrastructure by the end of 2025 .

2. Restarting Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Plants Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son signed Decision 2634/QD-TTg approving the list of key national energy projects. This includes the Ninh Thuan 1 and 2 nuclear power plants, expected to operate between 2030-2035. Other key projects include LNG plants (Quang Ninh, Thai Binh, Nghi Son) and offshore wind power for export .

3. Breakthrough Mechanism for Offshore Wind The draft Resolution on national energy development (2026-2030) proposes mechanisms to select investors for offshore wind projects without bidding, aiming to shorten timelines. It includes incentives like exemption/reduction of sea usage fees and a guaranteed PPA offtake of at least 90% output. However, capital requirements (min. 10,000 billion VND charter capital) remain a concern for foreign investors .

4. Taxi Association Proposes “Green Finance” for E10 The Hanoi Taxi Association supports the E10 roadmap but requests a 5-7% price gap between E10 and mineral gasoline to encourage switching. They also propose “green finance” mechanisms offering low-interest loans for businesses transitioning to cleaner fuels or vehicles .

D. EXPORT – IMPORT

1. Seafood Sector Expects “Yellow Card” Removal The European Commission (EC) inspection team is in Vietnam for the 5th review of the IUU “yellow card.” With significant improvements in fleet management (99.8% registered on VNFishbase), Vietnam hopes for a removal this month. This would benefit pangasius, shrimp, and tuna exports to the EU. However, businesses must prepare for new EU digital traceability rules effective Jan 2026 .

2. Exports to Laos Surge In the first 10 months of 2025, exports to Laos reached $968 million, up 72% year-on-year. Chemical products led the growth (+334%), followed by machinery (+160%). Conversely, Vietnam imported $1.59 billion from Laos, mainly rubber and coal .

3. Fruit & Vegetable Exports: Durian Leads the Way Exports reached $7.8 billion in 11 months (up 18%). Durian alone contributed $3.4 billion, exceeding the full-year figure for 2024. Despite weather challenges, the sector forecasts reaching $10 billion next year, driven by deep processing and new markets .

4. New Quotas for Imports from Laos MoIT issued Circular 61/2025/TT-BCT setting import quotas for goods from Laos (2025-2030). Annual quotas include 3,000 tons of tobacco leaves and 70,000 tons of rice enjoying special preferential tax rates .

E. DOMESTIC MARKET & OTHERS

1. Vinh Long Aims for $1 Billion Coconut Exports Vinh Long, possessing 65% of Vietnam’s coconut area, aims to export $1 billion worth of coconut products within two years. The province is focusing on deep processing and organic standards to maximize value, as current raw exports yield low returns .

2. “Make in Viet Nam” Tech for Northwest Agriculture A workshop in Dien Bien promoted applying “Make in Viet Nam” digital solutions to Northwest agriculture. Technologies like traceability (CheckVN) and smart farming (VDAPES) are seen as key to boosting the value of local specialties like Shan Tuyết tea and macadamia .

3. Dragon Fruit Prices Hit Multi-Year High In Lam Dong, off-season dragon fruit prices have surged to 15,000–23,000 VND/kg (white flesh) and 35,000–40,000 VND/kg (red flesh), the highest in years for December. This is due to reduced planting areas and stable year-end demand .

4. Vinatex Profits Soar Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex) reported a pre-tax profit of over 1,000 billion VND in 9 months, doubling year-on-year. Member companies like Hoa Tho and Viet Tien contributed significantly. The yarn sector also saw a reversal from losses to profit .

F. TRADE REMEDIES & INTERNATIONAL

1. Anti-Dumping Review on Sorbitol The MoIT initiated a sunset review of anti-dumping measures on sorbitol imports from India, Indonesia, and China (Case ER01.AD14). Stakeholders must submit questionnaires by January 9, 2026 .

2. Vietnam Reviews Thailand’s Trade Policy at WTO At the WTO, Vietnam congratulated Thailand on its economic achievements but requested transparent and WTO-compliant implementation of anti-dumping measures affecting Vietnamese exports