The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted economies and commodity markets globally, including Vietnam, and domestic prices will continue to fluctuate and be more closely linked to the fluctuations of raw material and fuel prices on the world market.

Hanoi has set a target of having 900 businesses operating in supporting industries this year, with 300 eligible to join global production networks of multinational groups in Vietnam.

VOV.VN - Temperatures in Ho Chi Minh City and neighbouring areas reached between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius on March 18, with UV levels rising the a hazardous figure of 11+, according to meteorologists.

VOV.VN - The nation jumped 20th places to 70th among a total of 190 economies in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business 2020 rankings, whilst its Global Competitiveness Index 4.0 (GCI 4.0) also moved up 10 places to be placed 77th out of 140 countries and territories globally.

Vietnam’s economic freedom score is now 61.7, making its economy the 90th freest in the 2021 Index of Economic Freedom.

Vietnam, however, remained the third highest ranking among low-middle income countries in the index, staying behind the Philippines [16th] and Indonesia [17th].

VOV.VN - Vietnam has surpassed the likes of Bhutan to rank fifth among a total of 140 countries worldwide in the Happy Planet Index results, coming in second in the Asia-Pacific region.

VOV.VN - Ho Chi Minh City and other localities throughout the south are in the midst of a long heat wave with temperatures reaching up to between 35 and 36, even 38 degrees Celsius.

The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) in Ho Chi Minh City climbed 6% year-on-year in the first two months of 2021 despite a fall of 24.6% in February, according to the municipal Statistics Office.

Business activities in the Vietnamese manufacturing sector improved, as the number of new orders jumped in February due to the rising demand from the global market, which, in turn, saw firms raising output, staffing levels and purchasing activity.