Strong Vietnamese economy attracts New Zealand exporters

News website 1news.co.nz recently cited a report by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade which outlined the Vietnamese market as emerging as one 

Joseph Nelson, trade commissioner of New Zealand, believes the nation can be viewed as a "frontier market" which presents many new opportunities and fresh challenges to Kiwi exporters seeking to diversify.

"As Vietnam has come out of its COVID-19 waves, we are seeing a really strong bounce back in the economy. GDP is expected to be between 6.5% to 7.5% next year," he says.

The Vietnamese economy is currently one of the strongest in the region largely due to its competent management of COVID-19. A recent Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade report has highlighted how the country has grown significantly in the space of a single generation, rising from being one of the poorest countries in the world to an "almost" middle-income country.

The report prepared by the New Zealand High Embassy in Hanoi notes that Vietnamese growth has surpassed many of its closest neighbours.

"Between 2016 and 2021 Vietnam led ASEAN in terms of growth per capita... this growth rate is higher than that of other major ASEAN markets such as Singapore, Malaysia, or the Philippines," the report said.

The New Zealand news publication also quoted Warrick Cleine, managing partner of KPMG Vietnam, as saying that since free trade agreements were signed between New Zealand and Vietnam the value of two-way trade has grown significantly to reach approximately US$2 billion this year.

In line with this, Cleine believes that there are three key things in the Vietnamese market that will prove to be attractive to New Zealand businesses, "One is that consumer market... two is that geo-politically it is in a less dangerous place... and Vietnam has a great free-trade network."

At present, food and beverage products make up almost 75% of New Zealand’s exports to the nation, with there being a huge appetite for more, particularly as consumers there have become more health conscious in the post-pandemic period.

Furthermore, Paul Harvey, head of global foodservice of Fonterra, says the addition of butter has made for a "great flavour and taste" and has the "added benefits of health and wellness".

While Fonterra is a big company, Harvey says the Vietnamese markets is not only for well-established businesses.

"I'd suggest to other companies thinking about their expansion strategy to look to Vietnam. It is a country sizeable in size, easy to do businesses, and consumers are looking for innovation," he says.

"The Government has handled COVID-19 well; fiscal policy has been strong; inflation is still in check; consumer spending is on the rise; borders are open again - so it's a great opportunity now for people to be thinking about this country," he added.

VOV

Other News

Vietnam accelerates innovation to boost growth, competitiveness

Vietnam accelerates innovation to boost growth, competitiveness

By 2030, Vietnam aims to rank among the world’s top 40 in the GII; raise total social investment in R&D to at least 2% of GDP, with non-State funding accounting for over 60%; increase international scientific publications by an average of 10% annually; and raise the number of patent applications and granted patents by an average of 16-18% annually.

Vietnam sees high growth prospects

Vietnam sees high growth prospects

Experts from the Institute of Vietnam and World Economy under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences noted the quality of recent growth as the high growth rate has been recorded against an increasingly higher comparative base.

Vietnam seeks bigger share of global Halal market

Vietnam seeks bigger share of global Halal market

Vietnam's Halal exports remain modest at around 900 million USD a year, accounting for less than 1% of the global market. Most exports are still raw agricultural and seafood products. Only around 1,000–1,300 Vietnamese businesses obtained or maintained Halal certification during 2024–2026.

Hanoi sets up inter-agency mechanism to operate carbon market

Hanoi sets up inter-agency mechanism to operate carbon market

Under a decision of the municipal People’s Committee on establishing an inter-agency working group, departments and agencies are responsible for identifying facilities subject to greenhouse gas inventories, developing emissions-reduction plans and studying projects capable of generating carbon credits.

Shrimp exports reach 3.3 billion USD in eight months

Shrimp exports reach 3.3 billion USD in eight months

According to data from the Vietnam Customs cited by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), shrimp exports reached 478.5 million USD in August, up 4.2% from the same month last year. The eight-month total stood at 3.3 billion USD, representing a year-on-year increase of 12%.

Russian investors explore opportunities in Vietnam's real estate market

Russian investors explore opportunities in Vietnam's real estate market

Vietnam is seen as a potential market, with considerable room for growth in real estate, particularly commercial property, compared with some regional markets. Strong Vietnam-Russia ties and opportunities to establish foreign-invested enterprises are also considered favourable for Russian investors.

Phu Quoc airport planning adjusted to serve APEC 2027

Phu Quoc airport planning adjusted to serve APEC 2027

For 2021-2030, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam proposed bringing forward the investment in a parallel taxiway system and a connecting taxiway north of Runway No. 2 at Phu Quoc International Airport, in order to connect with the aircraft maintenance and repair facility (hangar) planned for the northern area of ​​the airport.

Policy, infrastructure emerge as new advantages in FDI attraction

Policy, infrastructure emerge as new advantages in FDI attraction

From policy and infrastructure to industrial real estate, Vietnam’s FDI advantages are broadening towards a more integrated production ecosystem, offering investors a stronger combination of conditions for high-value, technology-intensive and long-term projects.

Logistics upgrade vital to 1-trillion-USD trade target: experts

Logistics upgrade vital to 1-trillion-USD trade target: experts

As trade expands, systemic bottlenecks across transport networks, warehousing, ports, border gates, and industrial zones are becoming more apparent. Experts emphasise the need to shift from a fragmented, project-by-project approach toward strategic management structured around trade corridors and integrated supply chains.

Ample room for Vietnam, US to deepen cooperation

Ample room for Vietnam, US to deepen cooperation

Do Ngoc Hung, Trade Counsellor and head of the Vietnam Trade Office in the US, said what stands out is not only the growth in trade volume but also the increasingly deep economic ties between the two countries.

Flexible fiscal policy helps drive economic growth

Flexible fiscal policy helps drive economic growth

According to the Ministry of Finance, State budget revenue in the first eight months of 2026 was estimated at 2.02 quadrillion VND (77.7 billion USD), equivalent to 80% of the annual estimate and up 16% year-on-year. Domestic revenue reached 1.75 quadrillion VND, accounting for 86.6% of total revenue and rising 16.6%.

Electronic components are produced at a factory in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi's imports surge 41% in first eight months of 2026

Hanoi aims to achieve average annual export growth of at least 12% during 2026-30, with the city seeking to diversify export markets, boost high-tech and value-added products and reduce reliance on traditional markets.