A Vietnam Report survey on the 500 most profitable companies in the country, which was announced this week, said most business insiders expect technology to remain the leader in attracting investment.
Technology was the most common answer among enterprises (51.4% of respondents), construction and real estate (40%) and retail (34.3%).
In the Profit500 Ranking, the companies with the highest average pre-tax profits are in telecommunications, information and technology. The enterprises have the potential to show stable growth profit indicators.
While the world is moving towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the application of technology in Vietnamese businesses is still in its early stages due to lack of capital, infrastructure and a skilled workforce.
The report said many Vietnamese businesses have strong demand but not enough strategic orientation in the investment process. 57% of surveyed businesses reported they are speeding up investment in technology. 37.1% are investing gradually and 8.6% are still in preparatory stages.
Businesses expect the Fourth Industrial Revolution to help cut their costs, optimise efficiency and increase market share.
In the 2018 Profit500, the number of firms in construction, building materials, real estate (14.8%), electricity (12.8%), finance (11.2%), and food, beverages and cigarettes (10.4%) accounted for a majority of businesses on the list.
The average pre-tax profit of the top 500 most profitable companies in 2017 grew more than 65% from 2016. The sectors with the highest return on asset (ROA) and return on equity (REO) were telecommunications, information technology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, transportation, food, beverages and cigarettes.
The survey also revealed that, despite positive trends, enterprises face a long list of potential risks and challenges. The escalating US-China trade war and increasing US import duties on some key commodities are raising concerns, as are volatile exchange rates and tax burdens. 51.4% of respondents cited exchange rates as the biggest difficulty affecting their performance over the past year, followed by taxation at 42.9%.
In the face of economic fluctuations, it is noteworthy that most of the firms approved of the State’s macro-economic management to curb inflation, adjust exchange rates and access information and legal documents.
More than 97.1% of enterprises rated efforts to maintain economic stability and improve the business climate as “good” or “excellent” in the first nine months of the year. Enterprises expressed discontent in the effectiveness of administrative services, infrastructure and access to land.
However, enterprises are still optimistic about their performance this year. 90% expect their profits will be higher than last year and only 8.6% expect profits to stay the same.
The ranking aimed to honour enterprises that are profitable and have the potential to become the backbone of the Vietnamese economy and contribute to the introduction of Vietnamese brands to the international business community.
The award ceremony for the ranking will be held on November 29 at the Vietnam National Convention Centre.
More than a year after the Politburo's Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW on private sector development came into effect, expectations now extend beyond increasing the number of enterprises. The goal is to build a stronger business community with greater resilience, larger ambitions and the capacity to compete in global supply chains.
Vietnam is expected to remain one of ASEAN’s fastest-growing economies in 2026, supported by resilient exports, strong investment inflows and an ambitious reform agenda, despite mounting global uncertainties, according to the World Bank’s latest Vietnam Economic Update released on May 15.
Under a new circular, the exchange of greenhouse gas emission quotas and carbon credits is conducted on the domestic carbon credit exchange through the carbon trading system, which is interconnected with the national registration system.
As many agricultural businesses continue to face challenges in finding stable outlets, modern retail systems are increasingly becoming key distribution channels helping Vietnamese products access the market more professionally.
For biofuels, particularly E10, to develop successfully, stronger and more coordinated policies are needed, especially pricing mechanisms capable of creating a sufficiently attractive gap between E10 and mineral-based petrol, an expert has said.
A recent PM directive set a May 10 deadline for ministries, agencies and localities to complete detailed allocations of the 2026 public investment capital plan.
A Party official has urged the Vietnamese business community to improve corporate governance, technological capacity, production standards, workforce quality and international connectivity to strengthen ties with the FDI sector.
The White Book provides a comprehensive overview of Vietnam’s current tax system in line with international practices, including direct taxes, indirect taxes and sector-specific levies.
The 12th Africa Forum for Investment & Commerce (AFIC 12) opened in Algiers, the capital of Algeria, on May 9, drawing around 2,000 participants, including officials, economists, businesses, financial and development organizagtions from 43 African countries and international partners, including Vietnam.
According to Dr. Bui Thanh Minh, Deputy Director of the Office of the Private Economic Development Research Board under the Prime Minister’s Advisory Council for Administrative Procedure Reform, Resolution 68 has helped foster a stronger entrepreneurial spirit through a series of concrete policy measures.
Consolidated first-quarter 2025 statements from Vietcombank, VietinBank and BIDV showed that the Treasury’s total deposit balance at the three lenders rose by nearly 39% compared with the end of 2025.
Vietnam targets 1 million one-person businesses, 5 million business entities, 10,000 tech startups, 45 startup support networks, a position among the world’s top 40 innovation ecosystems, and 1.5 billion USD in venture capital by 2030.
The exhibition, which runs until May 9 at the Hanoi International Centre for Exhibition, showcases advanced products and technologies across a range of fields, including pharmaceuticals, drug manufacturing machinery and equipment, medical devices, hospital and clinic services and dental equipment.
The province is tightening maritime governance, with a focus on May–June 2026 to finalise a more robust legal framework and close loopholes for illegal fishing.
Leading the charge in this massive building spree is the new central city square in the core of the Thu Thiem new urban area. Spanning more than 20 ha, it’s the crown jewel of the Central Square and new administrative center complex.
The country’s stable political and economic environment provides a critical foundation for long-term sourcing strategies. At the same time, Vietnam has demonstrated a strong ability to scale up manufacturing, supported by a continuously expanding industrial base capable of meeting both high-volume demand and increasingly complex technical and quality requirements.
The update by Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to its Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON) on April 10, officially setting out import conditions for Vietnamese pomelos, is regarded as a major milestone in market access efforts.
Structured in two steps and three phases, the roadmap envisions a gradual shift from partial to full relocation of international flights, aligned with infrastructure readiness and the long-term ambition of building a regional aviation hub.
The circular economy is no longer just a policy choice. It has become an inevitable trend for delivering sustainable and green growth, sharpening competitiveness at home and abroad, and meeting Vietnam’s net-zero emissions target by 2050. It is now a prerequisite to sustain long-term economic expansion, particularly in industrial production and supporting industries.
Vietnamese fresh produce and processed foods are increasingly recognised for their quality, with items such as cashew nuts, coffee and spices gaining popularity among Middle East consumers. In 2025, Vietnam’s farm produce exports to the UAE exceeded 445 million USD, up nearly 24% year-on-year.