Strong appetite from China is fueling a boom in Vietnam’s high-value lobster exports, marking a significant growth driver early this year.

Vietnam is moving faster than planned to roll out E10 gasoline nationwide, aiming to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels amid global energy volatility.

Da Nang has welcomed the launch of two new international air routes from Manila (the Philippines) and Bali (Indonesia), marking a significant step forward in expanding its connectivity across Southeast Asia.

Thailand has doubled its spending on importing pepper - often referred to as “black gold” - from Vietnam, making the country its largest supplier of the commodity.

Vietnamese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) may not lack strategy or ambition, but many struggle to turn plans into results, business leaders and experts said at the SME Forum 2026 held in Ho Chi Minh City on March 20.

Rising tensions in the Middle East are pushing up global fertiliser prices and raising concerns about input costs for farmers, as disruptions to key shipping routes threaten supplies of critical raw materials.

The challenges posed by the Middle East conflict are not only a shared difficulty but also a test of the resilience and adaptability of Vietnam’s agriculture and environment sector.

Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are disrupting global shipping routes and pushing up logistics costs, forcing businesses in Ho Chi Minh City to adjust production plans, diversify markets and seek new supply sources.

The real estate market is beginning to show positive signs with the year 2026 expected to bring improvements in both supply and demand.

Severa electric motorbike brands have launched major promotions, with some models discounted by up to VND17 million to attract buyers amid rising gasoline prices.

Vietnam and Japan signed in Hanoi on March 20 an exchange of notes on the provision of loans for three programmes and projects.

Belavia Belarusian Airlines launched its first regular service linking Belarus and Vietnam on March 19, connecting Minsk to Nha Trang – an important step forward in bilateral ties and people-to-people exchanges.

Vietnam is considering listing silver bullion for trading on its Mercantile Exchange to standardise transactions and improve transparency in a rapidly growing market amid volatile global prices.

About 25 million people in Vietnam are directly and indirectly benefiting from forests, underscoring their vital role not only as ecological assets but also as drivers of economic growth, social welfare, and sustainable development.

The project seeks to build and apply a model based on advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and fully automated smart transport systems.

In the growing “silver economy” in many countries, including Vietnam, nursing homes are becoming a key model for providing comprehensive care for the elderly while creating new opportunities for socio-economic growth.

Population aging is no longer seen as a social welfare burden, but as a potential new economic space. HCMC is positioning the development of a silver economy ecosystem as a strategy to maintain competitiveness and create new growth drivers.

Small eateries, grocery stores, and market stalls are creating jobs for tens of millions of people; therefore, policies need to be designed to align with the daily rhythm of small-scale trade.

As Vietnam steps up efforts to fulfil its green growth commitments and respond to climate change, financial and technological cooperation with international partners is entering a new phase.

As Vietnam’s economy faces new requirements to sustain growth, Ho Chi Minh City’s industrial sector is attracting increasing attention from foreign enterprises seeking technology transfer opportunities.