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| Vietnamese textiles and garments are now exported to over 100 markets worldwide. (Photo: VNA) |
According to the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS), the achievements in 2024 and positive market signals at present provide a solid foundation for the industry to set an ambitious goal of 47-48 billion USD in 2025.
To date, many businesses have signed order agreements for the first quarter of 2025 and are negotiating for the second quarter.
According to VITAS Chairman Vu Duc Giang, although global consumption of textile and garment products did not increase in 2024, Vietnam's exports still recorded positive results. Thanks to its production capacity, and social and political stability, Vietnam has become one of the preferred alternative supply sources for foreign textile and garment buyers.
Vietnam's efforts to diversify markets, customer partnerships, and export products in recent years have proven effective. Vietnamese textiles and garments are now exported to over 100 markets worldwide, including traditional markets such as the US, the European Union, Japan, China, CPTPP member countries, and ASEAN, and new markets like Africa and the Middle East.
The implementation of FTAs has also brought significant advantages, opening up a vast market for Vietnam's textile products. With advantages brought by the Vietnam - Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement (VN-EAEU FTA), Vietnam's textile exports to the Russian market saw a remarkable surge to 1 billion USD this year.
In a recent analysis report for the sector, experts from SSI Securities Corporation noted that Vietnam will continue to benefit from the shift of orders from China, due to its lower labour costs and the lower import tariffs imposed by the US on Vietnamese goods compared to Chinese products. Vietnam also holds an advantage in having a more skilled workforce than India and Bangladesh.
Tran Nhu Tung, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Thanh Cong Textile Garment - Investment - Trading JSC, and Vice Chairman of VITAS, predicted that in 2025, the textile industry can maintain a growth rate of around 10%, with export turnover expected to reach 47-48 billion USD.
To realise this goal, businesses need to promote technological innovation, digital transformation, increase financial investment, and improve the quality of human resources, to further enhance their competitiveness, he suggested.
Honda Vietnam reports strong sales growth
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| Honda City attracts customers due to its dynamic design, advanced safety features, and powerful performance. (Photo: VNA) |
Honda Vietnam reported remarkable growth in both motorcycle and automobile sales in November, reported Vietnam News Agency.
Last month, it sold 220,945 motorbikes, up 20.8% month-on-month. This surge propelled Honda Vietnam's cumulative fiscal year 2025 sales (from April 2024 to March 2025) to 1,434,261 units, a 7.1% increase compared to the same period last year.
The impressive results have solidified Honda's dominant position on the Vietnamese market, capturing an over-80% market share.
Beyond domestic sales, Honda Vietnam exported 18,701 units to various international markets, further establishing its global presence. Key scooter models like Honda Vision and Honda SH, along with popular gear motorcycles, continue to lead the market due to their modern designs, durable engines, fuel efficiency, and several superior features.
Regarding the automobile sales, the brand delivered 4,633 units in November, rising 28% against the previous month. Honda City emerged as a standout performer, with 2,327 units sold and securing the third place in Vietnam’s top 10 best-selling automobiles, trailing only Mitsubishi Xpander and Mazda CX-5.
Cumulative automobile sales for fiscal year 2025 reached 19,774 units, a year-on-year increase of 31%. Popular models such as Honda CR-V, Honda City, and Honda BR-V continued to attract consumers with their dynamic designs, advanced safety features, and powerful performance. Particularly, the Government’s registration fee support as well as the brand’s promotional programmes contributed to boosting consumption in the month.
Vietnam strives to complete 100,000 social houses by 2025
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| Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) |
Based on statistics reported by localities, the Ministry of Construction projects that over 100,000 social housing units will be completed nationwide in 2025, reported Vietnam News Agency.
Additionally, the average housing area per capita across the country is expected to reach 27 square metres of floor space, and the national urbanisation rate is targeted to reach at least 45%, heard the ministry’s conference on December 14.
On December 10, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh issued an official dispatch emphasising the urgent need to address obstacles hindering the progress of social housing projects, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of social housing development and meet the growing demands of people.
Localities were asked to strictly adhere to regulations mandating land allocation for workers' housing in industrial parks and reserving 20% of residential land with completed technical infrastructure in commercial and urban projects for social housing development.
Chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees were tasked with implementing the national project to build at least 1 million social housing units for low-income earners and industrial workers during the 2021–2030 period.
The Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam was required to work with relevant ministries and agencies to speed up the disbursement of the 120 trillion VND (4.7 billion USD) credit package for social housing and worker housing development.
Speaking at the conference, Chief of the Office of the ministry Ngo Lam said that one of the notable achievements in implementing the national project is the ministry's organisation of a meeting to carry out the project and assign specific targets to localities to complete 130,000 social housing units in 2024.
To date, 644 social housing projects have been launched nationwide, with a total of 580,109 units. Among these, 96 projects have been completed, providing 57,652 units; 133 projects are under construction, comprising 110,217 units; and 415 projects have received investment policy approval, with a total of 412,240 units.
Additionally, 16 projects have signed loan agreements under the 120 trillion VND credit programme to support social housing, with total committed credit allocation reaching 4.2 trillion VND, and the outstanding loan balance at 1.72 trillion VND.
Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Sinh commended Ho Chi Minh City for its efforts in addressing challenges faced by real estate projects, and organising investment promotion conferences. He also acknowledged the city's serious commitment to allocating 20% of its land fund for social housing, as required by regulations.
The Ministry of Construction will continue to work closely with localities to accelerate the implementation of social housing projects nationwide so as to better meet the growing housing demand of the people, Sinh affirmed.
More than half of Japanese firms plan to expand in Vietnam: Survey
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| Customers shop at UNIQLO AEON Mall Long Bien (Photo UNIQLO) |
More than 56% of the Japanese companies currently operating in Vietnam have said they plan to expand their operations in the next year or two, Vietnam News Agency quoted figures of the latest survey by the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO).
This figure solidifies Vietnam's position in the top group of ASEAN markets where Japanese firms prioritise expanding their operations, driven by growing export demand and a robust recovery in the domestic market.
The survey also revealed that 64.1% of Japanese enterprises in Vietnam expect profits in 2024.
Looking ahead to 2025, optimism persists, with 50.4% of businesses forecasting improved conditions, while only 9.2% anticipate a downturn. For 2024 alone, 48.8% of firms expect profitability to improve, up 16.8% points from 2023.
Manufacturers attributed profit growth to increased export demand, while non-manufacturing businesses cited the recovery of domestic consumption.
Many Japanese firms aim to expand their sales functions in Vietnam, with 62.2% driven by growth in export demand and domestic purchasing power. It reflects the dual role of Vietnam as a production hub and a growing consumption market for Japanese products and services.
Although Vietnam's salaries are in the average range for the region, the 5.4% salary growth in 2024 stands out as one of the highest. It signals competition for top talent, especially in the non-manufacturing sector where regional salary gaps are narrowing.
JETRO noted that this preliminary report focuses on business profit outlooks, future expansion plans and wages. Additional details, including production shifts, competitive dynamics and trade activities, will be released in January 2025.
According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Japan ranked fifth among 110 countries and territories investing in Vietnam in the first 11 months of 2024, with registered capital exceeding 3.61 billion USD, accounting for nearly 11.5% of total foreign investment.
“Biet dong Sai Gon - Legendary Tunnels" tour launched
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| A tourist visits a destination in District 1 that is part of the inter-district tourist tour named "Biet dong Sai Gon - Nhung can ham huyen thoai" (Saigon Special Forces - Legendary Tunnels." (Photo: sggp.org.vn) |
The People’s Committee of District 10 in Ho Chi Minh City and the Chim Canh Cut Travel Service Joint Stock Company on December 14 launched an inter-district tourist tour named "Biet dong Sai Gon - Nhung can ham huyen thoai" (Saigon Special Forces - Legendary Tunnels), reported Vietnam News Agency.
"Biet dong Sai Gon" was a special force unit of the Vietnam People's Army that operated during the Vietnam War. Formed in the 1960s, this unit was known for its guerrilla tactics and urban warfare, particularly during the Tet Offensive and Uprising in the spring of 1968. Their operations included sabotage, intelligence gathering, and direct assaults against South Vietnamese and US forces, playing a crucial role in the reunification of Vietnam.
The tunnels and hiding places used by the Saigon Special Forces are now significant historical sites, reflecting their contributions to the struggle for the liberation of the South and national reunification.
With this tour, visitors will experience and hear stories about the heroic struggles of the forces; visit the thematic exhibition on the revolutionary struggle from 1954 to 1975 at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum; explore the weapon hiding tunnels of the forces in District 3; see the secret tunnels used during the resistance against the American imperialists in District 10; and visit their secret mailbox and connecting tunnels in District 1.
Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa said that the tour aims to add an attractive tourism product to the city’s tourism product system.
This is also one of the heritage tourism products being promoted in anticipation of the 50th anniversary of the Southern Liberation and national reunification.
According to Vice Chairman of the District 10 People's Committee Bui The Hai, the district has been implementing various communications and promotional activities to connect tourism resources and locations to create distinctive products to attract visitors.
The inter-district tour is a tribute to the previous generations who bravely fought and sacrificed for the independence and freedom of the homeland./.