Photo: Le Toan

According to the latest data from the General Department of Customs, as of September 15, the country’s total export turnover exceeded $325 billion, up 15.8 per cent compared to the same period in 2024. Seafood alone accounted for almost $7.6 billion, marking a 13.5 per cent increase. This performance underscores the possibility of the sector achieving the $10 billion milestone by year-end.

Key export products have contributed to this robust growth. Shrimp remained the mainstay with revenue of close to $3 billion, up nearly 23 per cent, while lobster continued to shine as a star performer, reaching $536 million, an impressive surge of almost 194 per cent. Basa fish exports recovered with a value of just over $1.4 billion, up 9.7 per cent. Meanwhile, molluscs, including squid, octopus, and bivalves, also grew more than 20 per cent, reaching almost $650 million. By contrast, tuna posted a slight decline of 2.3 per cent, reflecting instability in both supply and market demand.

Export markets also revealed dynamic shifts. The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership led the way with over $2 billion, accounting for more than 27 per cent of total seafood exports. China and Hong Kong recorded the sharpest growth, up nearly 39 per cent to $1.56 billion. The United States retained third position with $1.25 billion, an 8.7 per cent increase and equivalent to 17 per cent of total exports.

This momentum is mirrored in the business results of leading enterprises. Vinh Hoan Corporation reported a 53.7 per cent jump in net profit in the second quarter of 2025, with its gross margin improving from 14.7 per cent to 19.5 per cent. Meanwhile, Minh Phu Seafood Corporation achieved a near 330 per cent surge in profit after tax in the same quarter, reaching $165 billion, the highest in 10 quarters thanks to a strategic focus on value-added products.

Despite these record-breaking figures, the outlook for 2026 is far less optimistic. According to Le Hang, deputy secretary general of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, the sector will soon face significant challenges as a series of trade barriers are set to take effect, particularly in the US.

“A 20 per cent countervailing duty makes Vietnamese seafood less competitive compared to rivals from Thailand, Indonesia, or Ecuador. The industry also faces the risk of high anti-dumping tariffs on shrimp under the forthcoming POR19 review,” she said

More critically, from January 1, 2026, the US will ban imports from 12 Vietnamese fisheries not recognised as equivalent under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), potentially resulting in an annual revenue loss of more than $500 million. Meanwhile, the EU’s yellow card on illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing remains unresolved, while new international regulations on minimum tuna size and restrictions on raw material mixing add further compliance pressure.

Analysts predict that American importers will accelerate orders through mid-November 2025 to ‘front-run’ these trade barriers. As a result, export growth may surge in September and October. However, from late November onwards, shipments are expected to stagnate, paving the way for a difficult period in the first half of 2026.

In response, many Vietnamese seafood companies are exploring market diversification towards Asia, the Middle East, and South America. However, these strategies are long term, and the US continues to be Vietnam’s most important market. Without breakthroughs in tackling anti-dumping duties and the MMPA restrictions, an export decline in 2026 appears inevitable.

Experts suggest three urgent priorities for the sector: accelerating efforts to remove the EU’s IUU yellow card, strengthening legal and policy advocacy in the US, and investing in transparent, traceable supply chains that comply with stricter global standards.

“While Vietnam’s seafood exports are on course to reach the historic milestone of $10 billion in 2025, behind this growth lies a darker prospect. Without effective solutions, the industry may have to trade one year of strong growth for another year of daunting challenges,” said Hang.

In a recent report submitted to the government, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) noted that the national economic landscape – viewed both from a macro and local perspective – showed encouraging signs.

“All major economic centres reported inspiring results in the first eight months of 2025,” the report emphasised.

Specifically, all 34 localities across the country recorded on-year increases in their Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

Ho Chi Minh City places focus on accelerating public investment to promote growth

Accordingly, Phu Tho led with a remarkable surge of 26.2 per cent, followed by Ninh Binh at 22.8 per cent, Hue at 18.7 per cent, Nghe An at 16.4 per cent, and Quang Ninh at 15.6 per cent, to name but a few.

Beyond industrial production, each locality made its own mark on socioeconomic development during August and over the eight-month period.

For instance, Hanoi’s tourism sector staged a strong recovery, with 3.18 million visitors in August alone — up 27.5 per cent year-on-year.

Haiphong stood out with a state budget revenue approximating $5.27 billion, showing nearly 30 per cent jump on-year. Meanwhile, its IIP rose by 14.5 per cent, reaffirming its role as a key growth driver in the Red River delta.

Bac Ninh overtook Ho Chi Minh City to become the country’s top exporter in August, with export value reaching nearly $8.7 billion, up 33 per cent on-year.

Other localities also saw solid performance. Dong Nai attracted over $2 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) and saw the establishment of 4,971 new businesses.

Phu Tho, in addition to leading in IIP growth, also recorded strong FDI inflows with 39 new projects.

Meanwhile, Da Nang remained a major tourism magnet with 12.8 million tourist arrivals over eight months.

An Giang’s industrial production value rose 13.9 per cent, while its tourism sector skyrocketed by 76 per cent; or Lam Dong in the Central Highlands region sustained stable growth, with exports up 64.7 per cent on-year.

The country’s economic locomotive — Ho Chi Minh City — also saw strong momentum.

At a meeting held on September 9 to review the economic and social performance of August and the first eight months, Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Chairman Nguyen Van Duoc noted, “The city has effectively executed its dual mandate – ensuring smooth operations under the new two-tier local government model, while simultaneously focusing on economic and social recovery – continuing to play the role as a national growth driver.”

During the eight-month period, Ho Chi Minh City’s IIP rose by nearly 6 per cent on-year. Total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue grew by 15.6 per cent. The city’s export value touched $61.2 billion, maintaining its top position nationwide and marking a 6.35 per cent increase on-year.

Notably, the MoF highlighted that diverse localities have proactively adjusted their growth scenarios in accordance with Resolution 226/NQ-CP, issued on August 5 by the government.

Many even set targets surpassing those assigned by the central government. For example: Quang Ninh aims for 14 per cent GRDP growth, compared to the assigned 12.5 per cent; Haiphong targets 12.35 per cent growth, higher than the allocated 12.2 per cent; Phu Tho striving for 10.3 per cent growth compared to a 10 per cent government target); or Dong Nai and Danang both aiming for 10 per cent growth, exceeding their respective targets of 8.7 per cent and 9 per cent.

“This demonstrates the strong determination and development potential of localities in contributing to the nation’s overall growth goals,” the MoF Ministry stated in the report.

While the socioeconomic situation remains optimistic, Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang offered a candid assessment in the report to the government, “The growth task for 2025 still faces many challenges. Although forecasts suggest Vietnam’s GDP growth could reach a minimum of 8 per cent this year, reaching the 8.3–8.5 per cent target will require significant effort.”

Many growth-promoting measures are being vigorously implemented – with local-level commitment playing a crucial role, particularly from key economic engines and strategic localities.

To achieve its assigned target of 8.5 per cent regional GDP growth in 2025, Ho Chi Minh City has mapped out a scenario projecting 10.22–10.38 per cent growth in Q3, and 10.4 per cent in Q4. The city is also prioritising the acceleration of public investment disbursement, as Chairman Nguyen Van Duoc noted that public investment disbursement in Ho Chi Minh City is still unstable, which could negatively impact the city’s growth rate.

Alongside Ho Chi Minh City, growth momentum is also expected from other dynamic provinces such as Phu Tho, Bac Ninh, and Quang Ninh.

“Phu Tho’s growth target for this year is 10.3 per cent, and the province aims for an average annual growth rate of 11–12 per cent in the 2026–2030 period,” said Tran Duy Dong, Chairman of Phu Tho People’s Committee in a recent talk with VIR.

He added that Phu Tho will focus on key pillars such as attracting investment in high-tech, processing, and manufacturing sectors; accelerating strategic infrastructure projects; developing green and sustainable agriculture; and applying advanced technologies to enhance GRDP growth — thereby contributing to national economic expansion.

“Numerous measures to boost growth are being actively and firmly implemented, with the relentless efforts of localities being a pivotal factor, especially among the country’s economic leaders and high-potential localities,” he noted.

Hung Yen breaks ground on three major projects worth over $720 million In celebration of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day, Hung Yen province launched three major development projects on August 19 with a combined investment of approximately $720 million.

Investment in energy – foundation for high and sustainable economic growth The Vietnam Institute of Economics and World held a forum to discuss energy development and economic growth in Hanoi on August 21.

Vietnam marks date with project bonanza Construction of hundreds of projects, both state and privately funded, is hoped to be a major propellant for national economic growth this year.

Cancer is quickly becoming one of the most pressing health burdens in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, with rising incidence rates, healthcare systems are already strained and under pressure.

Through the panel discussion, Siemens Healthineers brought together experts and stakeholders to review and analyse the survey findings

To gauge awareness, Siemens Healthineers – part of German tech powerhouse Siemens AG – partnered with research firm YouGov in late July to survey more than 6,000 people across six Southeast Asian markets, including Vietnam.

The findings, released in early September, underscore the disconnect between perception and practice. While 84 per cent of respondents said early screening is critical, only 34 per cent undergo regular checks.

“In Vietnam, 35 per cent of participants said they skipped screening because they didn’t see the need, 22 per cent cited high costs, and another 22 per cent said they feared a diagnosis,” the report said.

The survey also found gaps in understanding post-treatment care. Although 74 per cent had heard of follow-up support, nearly half could not explain what it involves.

Awareness of therapies remains skewed towards conventional methods like radiotherapy (47 per cent), chemotherapy (44 per cent), and surgery (33 per cent), while familiarity with newer options such as immunotherapy (16 per cent), image-guided treatment (17 per cent), and personalised medicine (26 per cent) remains low.

From device supplier to strategic partner

The World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer recorded 20 million new cases globally in 2022, a figure projected to rise 77 per cent by 2050 to more than 35 million annually.

In Vietnam, the surge reflects an ageing population, high pollution levels, smoking, alcohol consumption, and low participation in preventive health programmes. Cancer is now among the country’s leading causes of death.

In Southeast Asia, Siemens Healthineers is shifting its focus from selling medical devices to acting as a strategic partner in building integrated ecosystems for healthcare. The strategy reflects a rising demand for specialised treatment and the need for systemic reform.

“Getting the diagnosis right is the only way to get the treatment right,” said Fabrice Leguet, Siemens Healthineers’ managing director for Southeast Asia, at the Hospital Management Asia Conference in Ho Chi Minh City on September 10.

The company is deploying digital tools to create end-to-end solutions – from capturing health data to supporting accurate diagnoses and enabling tailored treatment plans. These platforms are designed to streamline care, cut costs, and boost survival rates.

Siemens Healthineers unveiled innovative healthcare solutions, reaffirming its pioneering role in medical technology

Leguet predicted Vietnam’s hospital system will increasingly move towards specialised centres. He cited a cardiology facility in Can Tho where patients can be treated within six hours – the ‘golden window’ in emergency medicine – as a model that could be adapted for oncology.

Breast, lung, liver, stomach, colorectal, prostate, and skin cancers could each benefit from dedicated centres with focused workflows and expert doctors.

Yet access remains limited. Despite 90 per cent of Vietnamese being enrolled in public health insurance, many modern cancer therapies are not reimbursed, leaving families to shoulder steep costs.

Drug prices remain high relative to incomes, and national treatment guidelines lag international standards.

“We need the government to step in and negotiate lower drug prices while updating treatment protocols in line with global practices,” said Assoc. Prof. Tran Thi Thanh Huong, vice director of the Vietnam National Cancer Institute. “Technology and partnerships with companies like Siemens Healthineers are critical to improving patient access.”

Breaking barriers

Siemens Healthineers executives say Vietnam’s corporate health checkups are in good position because they are already mandatory compared to countries such as Germany or the US, but they should be expanded to include comprehensive testing such as advanced diagnostic screenings like mammography or even CT lung cancer screening in future.

“Unfortunately, given high pollution in some areas and smoking incidence, low dose chest CT scans can be vital for early lung cancer detection,” said Fabian Martin Singer, general manager of Siemens Healthineers in Vietnam.

Singer also highlighted the importance of public procurement policies. The system has traditionally placed strong emphasis on price, but it is encouraging to see recent steps towards enabling the purchase of high-end equipment, which will help ensure patients benefit from both advanced technology and strong clinical outcomes,” he said.

He noted that private hospitals are raising standards by investing in advanced equipment, and emphasised that with continued support and clear guidelines, public facilities – which serve the majority of patients – will be further empowered to provide access to quality equipment.

He offered to collaborate with the government to prioritise cancer care, channel resources into rural technology and training, and leverage international expertise. “Global collaboration is critical if Vietnam wants to build specialised cancer centres that truly deliver world-class care,” Singer said.

From his experience, Singer acknowledged that Vietnam’s hospitals, like those in Germany, are mostly general hospital facilities that treat every disease.

“But health systems worldwide are shifting to centres of excellence,” he said. “These are built around a few diseases, with specialised doctors, tailored workflows, and the right technology.”

He cited SIS stroke centre in Can Tho, where patients can arrive even by speedboat and receive imaging and treatment within six hours – the golden window for survival. “That’s the only way to secure good outcomes,” Singer said.

The same model, he argued, should guide cancer care. Vietnam should develop purpose-built oncology centres – even breast- or lung-cancer-specific facilities – rather than adding wards to general hospitals.

Siemens Healthineers, he added, will support that shift not only with technology but also with planning, education, and international collaboration. “We can connect Vietnamese doctors with global experts and help bring the latest knowledge into practice here,” Singer added.

On the other hand, technology and awareness campaigns are also part of the strategy. Siemens Healthineers partners with hospitals who use social media platforms such as Facebook and Zalo to spread accurate and novel health information.

For instance, Singer pointed to Family Medical Practice Vietnam’s breast cancer campaign, which highlighted the case of a Vietnamese woman who is a survivor diagnosed at an early stage through screening and AI confirmation. “She shared her story on Facebook, and it inspired many women to learn from her experience,” he said.

Corporate health programmes, Singer added, could become a cornerstone of Siemens Healthineers’ partnerships in Vietnam – not only to raise clinical standards but also to harness social media for education and early detection.

“Cancer should no longer be seen as a death sentence, but as a journey where patients need long-term support,” Singer said. “That requires connecting technology, expertise, and awareness – and putting patients at the centre.”

Siemens kicks off digital training About 1,400 apprentices and university students in work-study programmes have started their professional careers at 23 Siemens locations across Germany.

Hanoi Medical University Hospital opens Breast Imaging Centre with Siemens Healthineers Hanoi Medical University Hospital (HMUH) has acquired the first MAMMOMAT Revelation system from Siemens Healthineers, marking a major advancement in breast cancer screening and diagnosis in Vietnam.

Siemens Healthineers wins best office interior in Malaysia The award reflects the brand’s commitment to workplace innovation and wellbeing.

Vietnam generates around 1.8 million tonnes of plastic waste each year, with up to 0.73 million tonnes ending up in the ocean, yet only 27 per cent is recycled, according to the Centre for Natural Resources and Environment Communication, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

To address this challenge, and unlock new opportunities, the executive seminar “GreenPlas Vietnam: Financing the Circular Future” was held at the Vietnam International Plastics & Rubber Industry Exhibition 2025, co-hosted by Chan Chao International and CCX Partners. It brought together manufacturers, suppliers and innovators to discuss how Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies, Vietnam’s Green Taxonomy, investment, and partnerships can drive the shift toward circularity.

Plastic industry leaderships and international exhibitors attending Seminar inside Vietnam Plastics and Rubber Industry Exhibition 2025

The morning Strategy Forum featured Le Anh, sustainability director of Duy Tan Recycling, Phuong Le, director of Thinh Vuong Plastics, and Phuong Nguyen, managing partner of CCX Partners, in a candid dialogue about EPR implementation and green investment. The conversation took place in the broader context of Vietnam’s ongoing “Doi moi 2.0” reform agenda, including four major resolutions passed between late 2024 and 2025 on technology and innovation, internationalisation, law enforcement, and private sector growth.

“Sustainability and recycling strategy have always been a need for Vietnamese companies even before EPR, for the purpose of saving costs and streamlining production machinery,” Le said.

For multinationals with clear sustainability roadmaps, the path is straightforward. Major players like Duy Tan Recycling, embedded in fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) supply chains, have a head start. The tougher question is whether Vietnam’s smal-and-medium – sized enterprises (SMEs) can secure a meaningful seat at the table in this transition.

“Scaling Plastics Circularity through Co-creating Partnerships” panel discussion

The afternoon Innovation Forum spotlighted bold solutions from emerging players: BOTOL with its smart bottle collection machines, BUYO with biodegradable plastics from agricultural byproducts, and Turn Green with its breakthrough water-soluble plastic technology.

“It takes forever for start-ups to get into the supply chain. That’s why we need strategic partnerships and co-creation to truly contribute,” said Jonathan Sourintha, co-founder of Turn Green.

Speakers emphasised that innovation alone is not enough. Progress requires collaboration across the entire value chain, from material suppliers to FMCG and F&B companies piloting applications, as well as accelerator programmes and impact funds providing the capital to scale.

The message from GreenPlas Vietnam 2025 was clear: no single player can carry this transition alone. Partnerships, reinforced by financing and strong policy alignment, will determine whether Vietnam’s plastics industry can move beyond compliance and transform sustainability into a true competitive advantage.

Retailers step up to reduce plastic waste The role of retailers is becoming increasingly important not only in adjusting business operations but also in leading sustainable consumption trends, as Vietnam faces mounting pressure from plastic pollution.

Binh Minh Plastics honoured by Forbes Vietnam for sustainable growth Binh Minh Plastics JSC, partnered with SCG, has once again been named among the top 50 listed companies by Forbes Vietnam.

VietnamPlas 2025 showcases eco-friendly innovations for global growth VietnamPlas 2025 is taking place from September 17–20 in Ho Chi Minh City, spotlighting eco-friendly advancements to drive future growth, address evolving market demands, and foster regional and global collaboration.

From a young startup with aspirations to resolve bottlenecks in Vietnam’s real estate market, Meey Group has become a proptech company with a clear global vision and a comprehensive globalisation strategy. The group represents a generation of ambitious and visionary Vietnamese technology entrepreneurs.

The Vietnam Private Sector Forum 2025, held by the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association last week, attracted thousands of entrepreneurs and businesses nationwide. The event gathered government leaders, policymakers, and the business community, creating a constructive platform for policy–business dialogue.

Meey Group represents a generation of ambitious and visionary tech entrepreneurs

As a pioneering business in innovation, Meey Group leaders participated in the session on sci-tech and innovation. At a high-level dialogue session with the presence of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Meey Group chairman Hoang Mai Chung presented key recommendations on the policies for tech enterprises.

Against the backdrop of the drastic transformation, technology plays a key role in all socioeconomic activities. The government’s policies create unprecedented growth momentum in the long term to help Vietnam take off. In particular, major institutional directions on sci-tech, the private sector, and more position companies like Meey Group at the core of national strategic priorities.

Significant potential

With the aspirations to resolve bottlenecks in the real estate market, after six years of development, Meey Group has developed a digital ecosystem comprising 26 platforms serving different segments of the real estate value chain. From planning information search and verification with Meey Map, objective valuation with Meey Value, and VR experience with Meey 3D to asset management and digital marketing, the ecosystem lays a solid foundation for liquidity, scalability, and significant valuation potential.

“We are building an operating system for the real estate market, with technology as the soul of our development strategy. The system is scalable and ready for expansion in the international markets,” said chairman Chung.

The company’s digital transformation products go beyond solving the lack of transparency in data and fragmentation in transaction processes. On top of that, the company’s tech ecosystem delivers data analytics solutions for state agencies to regulate policies.

The group has attracted the attention of international funds thanks to its steadfast commitment to investing in digital technology, which changes the digital transformation mindset of the entire chain from real estate investors, developers, brokers, financial institutions, and people to regulatory bodies.

On September 9, the government established a tokenised asset pilot programme, which opens up new breakthrough opportunities. A highlight of the programme is legalising tokenisation of real assets, offering a potential solution to the chronic capital shortage faced by small- and medium-sized enterprises in Vietnam, especially tech startups like Meey Group.

Vietnam currently ranks among the world’s top five countries for digital asset adoption, with 17–21 million digital asset holders. Meey Group sees enormous potential in applying blockchain and tokenisation to the real estate sector.

Meey Group’s ecosystem can be a template for other budding startups

A vision for innovation

Nguyen Ly Kieu Anh, chief strategy officer of Meey Group, said, “Vietnam’s future growth comes from three vital elements: institutional reform, widespread technology adoption, and restructuring/diversifying growth investment models that link tradition with innovation. Within this framework, the digital economy will take the lead, with data as a strategic resource, digital platforms as the core infrastructure, AI as the growth engine, and innovation as the constant driver.”

Guided by this vision, Meey Group is laying solid foundations for its next phase of growth through an initial public offering (IPO) and international capital raising. Its strategic cooperation with ARC Group – a global financial advisory firm behind numerous successful IPOs, mergers and acquisitions, and other deals worth tens of billions of US dollars – is a significant step towards this goal.

When working with Meey in the past, international investors expressed intention to invest in homegrown companies, especially startups with attractive opportunities and the potential to redefine industries and profoundly impact socioeconomic life.

At last week’s event, Kieu Anh also presented recommendations on smart governance in an innovative environment. “We propose building a fast-track mechanism for technology businesses, applying a sandbox to test new models, and changing the mindset from prohibition to permission for unprecedented ideas,” Kieu Anh said. “When a startup must devote most of its time and resources to explaining itself to regulatory bodies instead of developing products, it is a major loss for both the company and the country.”

Citing examples from developed financial markets such as Singapore and the United States, Kieu Anh also proposed that the government create conditions for businesses to mobilise community capital in a more responsible and transparent manner and implement a quick approval mechanism for potential projects to create growth momentum and affirm the Vietnamese brand.

With a clear and transparent development strategy and strategic consensus from investors, Meey Group believes it will gradually cement its position and quickly become a leading fintech institution in the real estate sector in Vietnam and the wider region.

Meey Group’s journey from a tech startup to an internationally recognised company can create a ripple effect across Vietnam’s tech ecosystem. If it can achieve a successful IPO in the US in the coming time, it will set a precedent for other Vietnamese tech firms to pursue global ambitions, strengthening the nation’s presence on the global technology map.

Meey Group’s message “Born in Vietnam, Build for the World” is an affirmation that Vietnamese enterprises can both maintain their identity and origin and build solutions with global applications. This is the story the company is writing on the journey to conquer the dream of becoming an international tech unicorn.

US-based GEM commits $80 million investment to proptech firm Meey Group US-headquartered Global Emerging Markets (GEM) signed an investment agreement with Meey Land Group JSC (Meey Group), a Vietnamese proptech firm, on May 13.