Vietnam stands out as the only ASEAN economy to achieve positive growth in 2020 and rebound to an 8.1% growth rate in 2021 – the highest in Asia, the Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) said in a recent report.

HSBC has issued VND600 billion (US$25.7 million) worth of bonds, becoming the first foreign bank to do so in Vietnam.

Vietnam is expected to continue growing its share of global exports despite decline amid the resurgence in the COVID-19 pandemic after three months of no local transmissions, according to an HSBC report.

Vietnam’s effective COVID-19 control measures to date and gradual yet prudent reopening has enhanced its attractiveness as a business destination, HSBC said in its Navigator report themed “Building Back Better”, released on July 21.