In order to maintain the competitiveness of export products, the exchange rate still needs an adjustment at a moderate level.

Bao Viet Securities Company (BVSC) in its latest report predicted that the Vietnamese dong (VND) will depreciate by around 3% in 2018.  

In BVSC's calculation model, the growth of Vietnam's nominal effective exchange rate (NEER) and real effective exchange rate (REER) is accelerating (indicating the appreciation of VND) between early May and early July. This is mostly because the VND has been rising against other reference currencies which have weakened against the dollar. 

After the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) raised the selling price of the USD on July 23, the VND has depreciated by 2.5% against the USD since early 2018. 

Meanwhile, compared to a record low in April 2018, Vietnam's NEER and REER have respectively increased by 3.3% and 3.8%. However, compared to late 2017, the growth of NEER and REER is insignificant (correspondingly posting 0.3% and 1.5%). 

From the view of BVSC, it is unnecessary for the SBV to devalue the dong further to boost exports. 

Additionally, currencies of major import markets of Vietnam such as China, South Korea are suffering a strong devaluation, while currencies of major Vietnam's export market, typically the US, are appreciating. 

Vietnamese enterprises are benefiting from this movement on foreign exchange markets. 

Specifically, prices of goods imported in Vietnam are relatively cheaper, while exports can remain competitive. Nevertheless, Vietnam's export products still have to compete with similar products from other countries because currencies of numerous nations are experiencing stronger depreciation than VND. 

Therefore, in order to maintain the competitiveness of export products, the exchange rate still needs an adjustment at a moderate level. On another note, exports of FDI sector accounts for more than 70% of total Vietnam's export value, while domestic sector occupies less than 30% only. 

Thus, from the brokerage's view, the depreciation of VND will mainly affect the domestic exports with focus on exports of agricultural, forestry and fishery products. 

Hanoitimes