Vietnam

Vietnam Net - E | English | News | Nov. 20, 2025 | Regulation

Vietnam is developing a drone supervision and management framework to address regulatory gaps arising from the unique behaviors of low-altitude UAVs, which differ significantly from traditional aircraft. Nguyen Thanh, a researcher at the Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology (PTIT), highlighted the need for legal frameworks and technical infrastructure to support safe and healthy development in this sector. He proposed creating a specialized "air traffic police" force and a robust drone monitoring system that would include a centralized control center, legal management via 4G/5G networks, radar detection of illegal drones, and countermeasures for neutralizing threats.

A key element of the plan is requiring drone owners to register devices to receive unique identification codes similar to vehicle license plates. Each drone would be equipped with communication modules to transmit real-time location and flight data via mobile networks. The proposed drone monitoring system envisions low-altitude radar networks to detect unauthorized UAV activity by comparing flight data against a centralized database. Vietnam plans to trial this system in a limited area by 2028, expand coverage to critical zones by 2030, provincial levels by 2032, and districts and communes by 2035.

The urgency of enhanced drone management is underscored by recent incidents, including UAV intrusions at Tho Xuan Airport in Thanh Hoa in June 2025, which disrupted civilian flights and prompted stricter security measures. Le Thi Phuong from the Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation noted the increasing safety risks due to the influx of low-altitude drones and the ongoing modernization of aviation infrastructure to mitigate these risks.

Vietnam’s regulatory approach is informed by international examples, such as the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which mandates real-time electronic identification of drones and establishes designated low-altitude corridors for safety. Successfully implementing a comprehensive drone regulatory framework could enable Vietnam to harness the low-altitude economy, projected to add $10 billion to the national economy by 2035.

Vietnam Net - E | English | News | Nov. 20, 2025 | UndeterminedMergers & Acquisitions

Foreign direct investment (FDI) into Vietnam has risen sharply over the first 10 months of 2025, reaching $31.52 billion, up 15.6% year-on-year, driven by strong reforms to improve the investment environment. Although newly-registered capital declined, capital contributions and share purchases surged by 45.1% to $5.34 billion. Ho Chi Minh City attracted nearly $7.3 billion in FDI, up 28.67%, with $3.33 billion coming from capital contributions, share purchases, or stake acquisitions across 2,098 approved applications.

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activities have accelerated in this environment, with 52 M&A deals completed in October 2025 alone, valued at around $720.4 million. Key transactions include OCI Holdings (South Korea) acquiring a 65% stake in Elite Solar Power Wafer, Levanta Holding (Singapore) purchasing 80% of HBRE Gia Lai Wind Power for $33.1 million, and Sumitomo Corporation (Japan) acquiring a 49% stake in Cuu Long Energy and Engineering Consulting JSC. Foreign investors from Japan, South Korea, and Europe remain the most active in equity acquisitions and joint ventures.

Administrative reforms in Ho Chi Minh City have significantly contributed to attracting FDI and boosting M&A deals by reducing and simplifying over 800 administrative procedures. Processing times for investment registrations and capital contribution applications have been cut dramatically, such as investment registration certificates processing reduced from 15 to 7 working days. The establishment of a one-stop mechanism for handling investment procedures has enhanced efficiency, encouraging investors from Japan, the US, and Europe to express readiness to expand investments if procedures remain fast, simple, and predictable. Local authorities continue prioritizing administrative reform as a key driver of investment success and improved governance capacity.

Thủ tướng chỉ đạo tập trung ưu tiên giữ vững ổn định kinh tế vĩ mô, thúc đẩy xuất khẩu

Bao Dien Tu | Local Language | News | Nov. 20, 2025 | UndeterminedEconomic Growth

Since early 2025, the Vietnamese Government and Prime Minister have implemented measures focused on managing the macroeconomy, boosting exports, and expanding markets. By October 2025, macroeconomic stability was maintained with controlled inflation, economic growth, and secured major balances. The country's total merchandise trade reached $762.4 billion, a 17.4% increase year-over-year, including $391 billion in exports (up 16.2%) and $371.4 billion in imports (up 18.6%), resulting in a trade surplus of $19.6 billion.

Amid ongoing global uncertainties, the Prime Minister directed continued efforts to sustain economic growth above 8% in 2025 while preserving macroeconomic stability. Ministries, agencies, and local authorities have been instructed to implement key tasks such as maintaining stable inflation through coordinated monetary and fiscal policies, strengthening credit control, managing exchange rates, and promoting export growth especially during peak holiday demand periods.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has been tasked with diversifying markets and products, accelerating trade agreement negotiations with partners like the GCC, Pakistan, and MERCOSUR, and supporting enterprises to leverage free trade agreements (FTAs). The Ministry of Finance is focused on expanded but targeted fiscal policies, adjusting tariffs aligned with integration goals, and supporting businesses affected by U.S. retaliatory tariffs. Customs agencies are to enhance quality controls to prevent low-quality or fraudulent goods imports.

Agriculture and fisheries sectors have been directed to combat illegal fishing, invest in infrastructure, achieve sustainable development, and improve product traceability and branding. Economic diplomacy through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs aims to expand export markets, particularly promoting the Vietnam-GCC FTA, while working groups across ministries target new markets in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America with ongoing FTA negotiations planned through early 2026.

Local governments are urged to identify and resolve export-related obstacles, especially for agricultural products, to prevent logistical issues and support production planning. State-owned and exporting enterprises should focus on flexible production planning, technology adoption, branding, and market diversification to improve competitiveness.

Deputy Prime Ministers are assigned to oversee implementation progress, with the Government Office monitoring execution and reporting as needed. The directive aligns with broader national goals of achieving sustained high economic growth, further integration into global markets, and strengthening Vietnam’s position as a resilient and rapidly growing economy in the Asia-Pacific region.