VOV.VN - Vietnam’s Hoa Phat Group on December 19 broke ground on a more than VND10 trillion (US$410 million) plant to produce high-speed rail tracks and special steel products, marking a major step toward domestic production of materials for the country’s planned rail infrastructure projects.

As the global economy faces growing uncertainty, including geopolitical tensions, persistent inflation, and rising trade protectionism, diversifying export markets has become an urgent priority for Vietnamese businesses.

VOV.VN - Vietnam and Singapore posted a record level of bilateral trade in the first 11 months of 2025, with total turnover reaching nearly SGD36 billion, driven largely by strong re-exports through Singapore, official data shows.

The Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade) under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in collaboration with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), on December 18 organised a workshop announcing a value chain map of the electronics and electrical sector.

VOV.VN - Vietnam is to simultaneously launch and inaugurate 234 major projects valued at VND 3.4 quadrillion across 34 provinces and cities nationwide on December 19, marking one of the largest coordinated infrastructure and development initiatives in the country’s history.

Although Vietnam has recorded strong economic performance in 2025, the country should adopt a more cautious stance in 2026, with a focus on infrastructure investment, productivity gains and market diversification to retain its position as one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economies.

The Vietnam International Gifts and Housewares Expo 2025 (IGHE 2025) opened on December 18 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, featuring over 10,000 products from more than 250 domestic and international enterprises.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, Vietjet Chairwoman, has been featured on Tatler’s Most Influential 2025 list, joining a distinguished group of leaders recognised for shaping public discourse, driving meaningful change, and creating lasting impact across Asia.

The International Baby Products and Toys Expo (IBTE) 2025 opened in Ho Chi Minh City on December 18, featuring more than 500 booths from over 250 companies from around the world, showcasing a wide range of baby products and toys.

VOV.VN - Vietnam has officially launched a five-year pilot program for its digital asset market, placing cybersecurity and transparent oversight at the center to manage risks while supporting sustainable development.

VinSpeed, an infrastructure arm of Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup, signed a strategic partnership and technology transfer agreement on high-speed rail development with Siemens Mobility GmbH, a subsidiary of Germany’s Siemens AG, in Hanoi on December 17.

A nationwide ceremony marking the simultaneous inauguration or ground-breaking of large-scale, strategically significant projects will take place at 79 locations across the country on December 19, coinciding with the 79th National Resistance Day and in celebration of the upcoming 14th National Party Congress.

The last five years have marked a turning point for Vietnam’s expressway network, as the country is set to achieve its target of 3,000km by the end of 2025 and moves steadily towards a 5,000km target by 2030.

VOV.VN - Standard Chartered Bank Vietnam and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) have strengthened their collaboration to support talent development in Vietnam, reaffirming their shared commitment to building future-ready capabilities for the finance and banking sector.

VOV.VN - Compared with traditional investment, impact investment goes beyond profit to generate positive social and environmental value. As new requirements push businesses to shift toward greener and more sustainable production models, impact investment is increasingly asserting itself as an inevitable direction.

VOV.VN - Vietnam’s crab exports are expected to maintain growth in 2026, as the United States temporarily suspends its import ban, giving exporters time to standardise compliance documentation under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).

VOV.VN - The Vietnam Trade Office in India held a webinar titled “Promoting Vietnam-India Cooperation in Food and Beverage (F&B) at Indusfood,” attracting wide participation from businesses, industry associations, importers, and trade partners from both countries.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), one of Japan’s three core financial and banking institutions and among the world’s largest financial groups, has raised its forecast for Vietnam’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth to 7.7% in 2025 and 8.2% in 2026, up from 6.9% and 7.4% projected in August.

Market inspectors uncovered more than 23,000 violations across Vietnam in 2025, collecting VND372 billion (US$14.3 million) in fines as authorities intensified enforcement against counterfeit products and online fraud.

VOV.VN - The Vietnamese Embassy in Brazil has recently hosted a seminar on opportunities for developing the Vietnam-Brazil smart agriculture value chain both in person and online, featuring the participation of over 50 delegates from government agencies, research institutions, industry associations, and business communities of both countries.

VOV.VN - A national festival promoting One Commune-One Product (OCOP) is scheduled to take place at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Hanoi from December 20 to 23, to foster rural economic development and global integration.

Policymakers, scientists, domestic and international experts, businesses and local communities gathered at a forum in Quang Tri on December 17 to exchange views on the sustainable use of marine resources, biodiversity conservation and marine ecosystem protection, with a view to promoting sustainable development.

VOV.VN - Vietnam’s textile and garment exports are estimated to reach US$46 billion in 2025, up 5.6% year on year, helping the country maintain its position among the world’s top three textile and garment exporters, according to the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS).

Vietnam’s trade is poised to hit a new record this year, underscoring the country’s growing role in global market but also exposing persistent structural weaknesses that could weigh on long-term sustainability, experts said at a conference on December 16.

The northern coastal province of Quang Ninh has temporarily established 10 fishing vessel inspection and control points at ports, wharves and storm shelters in line with recommendations from the European Commission (EC) to strengthen oversight and improve the traceability of seafood products.

VOV.VN - Vietnam spent US$1.27 billion on importing milk and dairy products over the past 11 months, marking a year-on-year increase of 23%, reported Vietnam Customs.

VOV.VN - The Republic of Korea’s LS Eco Energy, a subsidiary of LS Cable & System, has approved a plan to expand its rare earth metals business in Vietnam as part of its long-term growth strategy in the strategic materials sector.

Despite ongoing global economic uncertainties, rising trade protectionism, and strong supply chain restructuring, Vietnam continues to maintain its position as a strategic destination for foreign investment flows, according to Russia's news agency Sputnik.

The Swiss-funded Trade Policy and Export Promotion (SwissTrade) Project has supported hundreds of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in improving competitiveness and joining global value chains through innovative export promotion initiatives.

VOV.VN - The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has concluded that the only Vietnamese company currently exporting steel strapping to Canada did not engage in dumping.