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| A corner of Binh Minh Industrial Park in Vinh Long province (Photo: baovinhlong.com.vn) |
The footwear alone contributes 55.7% to the export revenue. It is followed by auto components and parts with 14.2%, and apparel 9.6%.
The province’s Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is projected to grow by 13.84% year-on-year this year. Several industries have seen notable production hikes, including leather and related products, apparel, wood processing and products made from wood, bamboo, and rattan, beverages, pharmaceuticals and medicinal materials. The non-agricultural economy is expected to account for 63.5% of the gross regional domestic product (GRDP).
Looking ahead, Director of the provincial Department of Industry and Trade Tran Nhut Thanh said the province aims to achieve a 14.5% rise in its IIP and an export turnover of 1.05 billion USD next year, reflecting a 4.37% growth compared to 2024.
He said the province is committed to drawing investments in new, large-scale and hi-tech projects, while promptly tackling challenges and providing all possible support for investors in approved projects.
Vinh Long is enhancing trade connections with other localities to boost the consumption and value of agricultural products, as well as facilitating the expansion of retail systems by major distribution groups, including supermarkets and convenience stores, he said.
On the export front, the province is determined to strengthen its foothold in existing markets, focusing on key products such as leather footwear, apparel, seafood, and processed agricultural goods. It is proactive in updating information on market conditions, regulations, and standards in foreign markets, ensuring that local businesses can swiftly adapt their production and business plans.
Support for firms will also be guaranteed to capitalise on the opportunities presented by free trade agreements, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the UK-Vietnam FTA (UKVFTA), he added.
Top brands in Vietnam in 2024 revealled
Shopee, Samsung, and Vietnam Airlines continued to secure the top three positions in the Decision Lab Best Brand 2024 Rankings, according to the Vietnam News Agency.
Shopee dethroned Samsung, which held the number one spot for three consecutive years, marking a turning point in Vietnam's e-commerce landscape. Among others were Panasonic; Honda (motorcycle); Hao Hao; MoMo; Vietcombank, The gioi di dong and Kinh Do.
Released by Decision Lab, YouGov's exclusive partner in Vietnam, the rankings reveal the top brands in terms of overall brand health and the most improved brands over the past year.
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| A chart shows the Decision Lab Best Brand 2024 Rankings. (Photo courtesy of Decision Lab) |
Using YouGov BrandIndex's proprietary Index Score, the rankings evaluate brand health through key indicators, including impression, quality, value, satisfaction, recommendation and reputation.
This year's edition is based on an extensive survey of 74,688 consumer responses, making it the most comprehensive brand health study in Vietnam.
Thue Quist Thomasen, CEO of Decision Lab, said: This year’s rankings highlight the significant impact e-commerce and retail brands are having on consumer experiences.
The impressive rise of Shopee and TikTok shows how these brands are seamlessly blending innovation and convenience to connect with consumers.
The integration of entertainment and shopping on e-commerce platforms is completely reshaping the online shopping experience in Vietnam.”
Ho Chi Minh City aims to welcome 8.5 million foreign visitors in 2025
Ho Chi Minh City expects to receive 8.5 million international visitors and 45 million domestic visitors in 2025, and earn VND260,000 billion from tourism services, Radio the Voice of Vietnam quoted the figures of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism.
Statistics show the city received six million foreign arrivals in 2024, representing an increase of 20% year on year and fulfilling 100% of the annual plan. It also served approximately 38 million domestic holidaymakers, up 8.6% year on year. Its total tourism services brought in VND190,000 billion, up 18.8% year on year.
Building on the high growth, the southern metropolis has set a target of welcoming 8.5 million international visitors in 2025, a boost of over 40%.
The local tourism industry’s target is considered quite ambitious and challenging amid regional peers such as Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia all devising strategies aimed at attracting more international visitors, said Nguyen Cam Tu, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Promotion Center, at a year-end review meeting of the industry on December 30.
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| Ho Chi Minh City aims to welcome 8.5 million foreign visitors in 2025 (Photo: VOV) |
She revealed that the city has introduced a range of measures in a bid to achieve this goal by proactively coordinating efforts with relevant units to host annual events, improving the efficiency of state management agencies, creating the optimal conditions for businesses to develop, as well as continuing to position the city's tourism brand globally.
Meanwhile, Nguyen Trung Khanh, director of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, described the tourism revenue of VND190,000 billion recorded in 2024 as an impressive figure, demonstrating the strong recovery made by the city’s tourism industry.
He stressed that Ho Chi Minh City has emerged as an attractive destination for tourists, significantly contributing to Vietnam’s target of welcoming 17-18 million foreign visitors in 2024.
Despite facing numerous challenges in 2024, expert said the city's tourism industry is required to improve the overall quality of its tourism services and diversify tourism products to achieve its ambitious goal.
TasteAtlas honours central, southern Vietnam among world’s 100 best food regions
Vietnam’s central and southern regions have been named among the 100 best food regions in the world, Radio the Voice of Vietnam quoted the information of the international food website TasteAtlas.
In its 2024/25 TasteAtlas Awards, the rankings of all 100 regions are based on 477,287 valid ratings for 15,478 foods which appear in its extensive database.
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| Quang-Style Noodles (Mì Quảng) is among famous dishes in the central region. (Photo courtesy of TasteAtlas) |
Ranking 27th on the list, the country’s central region is renowned for dishes such as Hue Breakfast Noodle Soup (Bún bò Huế), Steamed Savory Rice Cake (Bánh bèo), and Quang-Style Noodles (Mì Quảng).
The most popular regional products are delicacies such as Rice Noodles (Bánh hỏi), Binh Thuan Dragon Fruit, and Phan Thiet Fish Sauce.
Meanwhile, the southern region of Vietnam was placed 53rd, with some of the highlights being Vietnamese Fried Spring Rolls (Chả giò), Sweet and Sour Tamarind Soup (Canh chua), and Broken Rice (Cơm tấm).
Southern Vietnamese cuisine offers a mix of flavours with delicious regional products, such as Keo Dua Coconut Candy (Kẹo dừa), Hoa Loc Mango, Phu Quoc Pepper, and Cai Mon Durian.
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| Broken Rice (Photo: foody) |
Topping the list was Campania in the southern region of Italy. Other regions of Italy were also listed among the 100 best food regions in the world, including Tuscany, Sicilia, Lormbady, Apulia, Piemonte, Lazio, and Sardinia.
The top 10 also saw the presence of Peloponnese and Cyclades of Greece, Sichuan of China, Alentejo of Spain, and Punjab of India.
In Southeast Asia, apart from two regions of Vietnam, Java and Sumatra of Indonesia entered the list, ranking 13th and 79th, respectively./.