Many Swedish businesses plan to increase investment in Vietnam

​Rising costs, carbon pressure and supply shortages are forcing the construction materials industry towards greener and higher-value production.

Industrial production continued to be a major growth driver. The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) in May increased 8.8% year-on-year, while the five-month figure rose 9.1%, the highest growth rate in four years. Manufacturing and processing expanded by 9.5%, contributing 7.4 percentage points to overall industrial growth.

The domestic innovation ecosystem continued to expand, with 963 sci-tech enterprises, 20 sci-tech exchanges and 37 innovation centres operating across 26 out of the 34 cities and provinces nationwide.

Notably, disbursed FDI reached an estimated 9.75 billion USD in the January–May period, up 9.6% year-on-year and also the highest five-month figure recorded in the past five years.

According to the Department for Roads of Vietnam, the Vietnam National Petroleum Group (Petrolimex) is investing in nine rest stops. At the Mai Son–National Highway 45 rest area, 10 charging points have been installed on each side of the expressway. Each point has two charging ports, providing 20 EV charging spaces on each side.

Vietnam's exports of agricultural, forestry and fishery products maintained strong growth momentum in the first five months of 2026, with total export turnover estimated at US$30.69 billion, up 9.2% year on year.

Analysts noted that Vietnam-Singapore ties are increasingly moving beyond traditional goods trade towards green growth, innovation and high-quality supply chains, laying a stronger foundation for more substantive and sustainable cooperation in the years ahead.

International visitors expressed positive impressions of Vietnamese products displayed at the fair. Nelma Sanjines, senior supervisor at ESP Catering in Sydney, praised the flavour of Vietnamese chilli sauce and soy sauce as well as the attractive packaging of confectionery products.

Experts noted that supply chain optimisation and risk management are no longer isolated tasks for individual companies but a requirement for the entire export ecosystem. With guidance from regulators, support from industry experts and their own efforts, Vietnamese exporters are expected to enhance their competitiveness and turn technical barriers and market volatility into opportunities for sustainable growth in global markets.

In April, Vietnam’s crude steel output was estimated at 2.1 million tonnes, up 4% year-on-year. With this result, Vietnam surpassed Italy to secure a place among the top 10 global producers.

Power companies must carry out regular grid inspections and maintenance to keep operations safe and efficient, minimise localised overloads and reduce the risk of supply disrupting incidents.

He stressed that domestic firms must proactively improve corporate governance, technological capabilities and workforce quality in order to participate more deeply in global supply chains. “Vietnamese enterprises cannot enter the supply chains of multinational corporations unless they meet required standards,” Cuong said.

 Vietnam has kept inflation below 4% since 2015, and maintaining macroeconomic stability while effective inflation control in 2026 will be crucial to supporting the country’s goal of achieving double-digit GDP growth.

To ensure safer use of E10 fuel, consumers are advised to regularly maintain fuel systems, replace deteriorated rubber components and refuel at reputable petrol stations to ensure ethanol blending quality meets standards.

The article described Vietnam as strategically positioned along major regional maritime routes, including the East – West corridor linking the Americas, the Middle East, India and Europe, and the North – South corridor connecting China and Southeast Asia, helping make the country a gateway for international trade.

Work starts on 600-million-USD electronic components plant in Ninh Binh

The eco-industrial park model will help Vietnam meet international environmental standards while creating opportunities to improve growth quality and economic competitiveness. Many multinational corporations now view green standards, emissions reduction and energy efficiency as key conditions when selecting investment destinations.

Alongside exhibition activities, trade promotion, and business networking programs, the “Gwangju Global Food Fair 2026” also witnessed the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Vietnam–Korea Businessmen & Investment Association (VKBIA) and the Gwangju Tourism Organization of South Korea.

Green transition is increasingly viewed as essential to preserving the city’s status as Vietnam’s economic locomotive.

With the current trading band of +/- 5%, the ceiling rate applicable for commercial banks during the day is 26,392 VND/USD, and the floor rate 23,878 VND/USD.