Vietnam’s auto industry is on the brink of a major transformation as excise tax reductions set to take effect in 2026 are expected to significantly cut the cost of hybrid vehicles, driving new investment and propelling rapid market expansion.

Vietnam continues to face a persistent paradox: despite being lauded as a dynamic nation with a large, youthful population and a strong spirit of innovation, the failure rate among startups remains alarmingly high - over 70%.

The Hanoi Party Committee on December 13 approved in principle two major investment projects seen as new strategic growth drivers for the capital, namely an Olympic sports urban area in the city’s southern area and the Red River Landscape Boulevard.

The “Made in Vietnam 2025” Fair, which officially opened in Hanoi on December 12 evening, is featuring more than 300 booths with the participation of nearly 100 manufacturing enterprises.

VOV.VN - On a weekend morning in Hanoi’s Tuong Mai ward, vegetable seller Hoa, a 15-year veteran of the wet market, now closes sales with a single beep.

Experts and businesses believed that with stronger investment, value-chain-based production and expanded export markets, banana exports could realistically approach the US$1 billion target.

The Management and Sustainable Development Institute (MSD), the lead organisation of the Social Open Innovation Community, officially launched the SOAR Initiative (Social Open Innovation for All Resilience) on December 12.

AIA Group wants to continue long-term investment and cooperation in the Vietnamese market, making practical contributions to the country’s socio-economic development, its Independent Non-executive Chairman Mark Tucker told Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc at their meeting in Hanoi on December 12.

As Vietnam plans to increase its total industrial park area to 181,000ha by 2030, experts and enterprises at the IP Forum 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City on December 11 stressed that strong economic diplomacy will be needed to attract high-quality projects.

Vietnamese businesses and diplomats from many African countries gathered at the “Meet Africa 2025” event held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 11.

Vietnam’s logistics sector has not yet reached its full potential, affecting the country’s transportation capacity and competitiveness of local goods in the international market.

The Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC), together with the Japan Business Association of Ho Chi Minh City (JCCH), hosted the 2025 Japan business roundtable in the city on December 12.

A meeting between representatives of the People’s Committee of Can Tho and Malaysia’s Technofit Sdn. Bhd. on December 11 focused on the company’s proposal to develop a 10MW rice-husk biomass power plant in the city.

VOV.VN - Vietnam shipped over 9.2 million tonnes of iron and steel worth nearly US$6.1 billion over the past 11 months of the year, representing a 26.1% decrease in volume and a 28.9% drop in value compared to the same period last year, according to the National Statistics Office.

The Vietnam Timber and Forest Product Association (Viforest) has set an ambitious goal of reaching US$25 billion in exports by 2030, as the sector charts a course toward sustainable development amid growing global trade challenges.

VOV.VN - China is the biggest consumer of Vietnam’s exports as well as a springboard for Vietnamese businesses to reposition their product quality, enhance value and expand product lines.

VOV.VN - The 17th Vietnam-China International Trade and Tourism Fair opened in Quang Ninh province on December 11, with more than 200 businesses from both countries showcasing products across 350 exhibition booths.

VOV.VN - The National Assembly on December 11 approved a resolution on the development of a free trade zone in Ho Chi Minh City, introducing pilot mechanisms to attract investment and position the city as a regional economic hub.

Since its launch in March 2022, the eTax Mobile application has recorded more than 13 million downloads and processed over 17.2 million transactions, with more than VND26.5 trillion or US$1.1 billion paid into the state budget.

VOV.VN - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has upgraded its 2025 growth forecast for developing Asia and the Pacific, with Vietnam receiving the region’s largest upward revision to 7.4% from 6.7%, according to its December 2025 Asian Development Outlook (ADO).

Impact investment in Vietnam is experiencing strong growth thanks to important drivers like the commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, the National Green Taxonomy 2025, and the Circular Economy Plan for 2035, heard a forum on December 10.

VOV.VN - The Vietnam-Cambodia Border OCOP Trade Fair in An Giang province brings together 80 enterprises from both countries, featuring top-rated OCOP products and regional specialties while creating new opportunities for cross-border trade.

VOV.VN - The National Assembly on December 11 approved the investment policy for the Gia Binh International Airport project in northern Bac Ninh province with expected capital of more than VND196 trillion (about US$7.8 billion).

VOV.VN - The National Assembly on December 11 approved amendments to the 2020 Investment Law, reducing the number of conditional business sectors and easing permit requirements as part of efforts to shift from pre-inspection to post-inspection oversight.

Vietnam’s real estate M&A market is bouncing back strongly this year after a long, quiet spell. With legal hurdles cleared, global capital flowing in, and major corporate shake-ups happening, the stage is set for a surge of big deals.

The Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (VAMA) has reported that total auto sales of its members in the first 11 months of 2025 hit 328,669 vehicles, up 6.5% year-on-year.

A forum on border trade connectivity between Vietnam and Cambodia took place on December 10 in An Giang province, aiming to promote cross-border import–export activities and investment opportunities.

Despite volatility in global trade, aquatic exports have maintained solid growth, laying the foundation for the sector to reach US$11 billion this year and expand its presence in demanding markets.

Bamboo Airways plans to increase its domestic flight capacity by 16% across its entire network in anticipation of a sharp rise in passenger demand during the Lunar New Year (Tet) 2026.

The Vietnam International Bakery Show 2025 (VIBS 2025) opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City on December 10, featuring nearly 200 booths from 120 exhibitors representing 12 countries and territories.