Vietnam

Xuất khẩu gạo: Tìm dư địa tăng trưởng từ các FTA và thị trường mới

Bao Dien Tu | Local Language | News | Dec. 12, 2025 | UndeterminedTrade Issues and Numbers

Vietnam's rice export sector in 2025 faces significant challenges including political instability in some regions, high inflation, and slow global trade recovery. Tight monetary policies in major economies have led to financial market disruptions and weakened consumer demand in developing countries. Protectionist measures and stricter standards on safety, sustainability, and climate change for imports have further complicated the export environment. Despite these difficulties, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has coordinated with relevant agencies to implement timely policies and support the rice sector's production and exports.

In the first 11 months of 2025, Vietnam exported over 7.53 million tons of rice valued at more than 3.85 billion USD, but this represents a 10.9% decrease in volume and a 27.4% drop in value compared to 2024. Some key markets such as Indonesia and Malaysia saw sharp declines, while increased exports to Ghana, China, Bangladesh, and Senegal helped offset losses. The majority of exports consisted of high-quality white rice and fragrant rice, which accounted for 69% of the total volume by October 2025.

Rice production in 2026 is forecasted to reach approximately 43 million tons, with a slight reduction in planting area due to seasonal declines. Local authorities are urged to restore production after natural disasters and focus on sustainable, low-emission rice cultivation, especially in the Mekong Delta, where a project aims to develop 1 million hectares of specialized rice by 2030. The resumption of rice imports by the Philippines, recovery in key markets such as China and Bangladesh, and benefits from trade agreements are expected to support the sector in 2026. Improved rice quality is seen as a competitive advantage.

Stakeholders emphasize the need to classify rice as a special commodity to better manage domestic consumption, food security, and export demands. This includes building stable supply regions with traceability, quality control, and brand development to meet the standards of importers. Vietnamese rice enterprises have yet to fully capitalize on free trade agreements, prompting calls for a clear strategic approach, stronger branding, and enhanced cooperation between state agencies, associations, and businesses to exploit these market opportunities.

IMF dự báo Trung Quốc tăng trưởng 5% năm nay

VN Express | Local Language | News | Dec. 12, 2025 | UndeterminedEconomic Growth

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised its forecast for China's economic growth in 2025 from 4.8% to 5%. For 2026, the IMF expects China’s growth to reach 4.5%, up from the previous forecast of 4.2%. The IMF highlighted China’s economic resilience despite various shocks in recent years but noted ongoing challenges such as a weakening property sector, high local government debt, and weak domestic demand.

The IMF emphasized the need for China to accelerate structural reforms and transition its economy from reliance on exports and investment toward a consumption-driven growth model. Although China recorded a trade surplus exceeding $1 trillion in the first 11 months of 2025, the IMF cautioned that dependence on exports is unsustainable amid rising global trade tensions.

Recommendations from the IMF include adopting more accommodative macroeconomic policies while reforming to reduce household saving rates, curbing inefficient investments, and eliminating unnecessary industrial support. They also called for strengthening the social safety net and supporting the adjustment process in the property sector. Beijing closely monitors IMF assessments, viewing them as important validation amid ongoing trade disputes.

Siết khí thải phương tiện tại TPHCM, tài xế đăng kiểm xe thế nào?

Dantri | Local Language | News | Dec. 12, 2025 | Regulation

Ho Chi Minh City is enhancing vehicle emissions inspections in line with Government Decision 43/2025, which outlines a roadmap for applying national technical regulations on vehicle emissions. Vehicle inspection centers are required to upgrade their infrastructure and equipment to meet these standards. The Vietnam Register emphasized the importance of creating a comprehensive database of emissions results to enable local authorities to monitor vehicles entering and leaving low-emission zones (LEZs) using smart camera technology.

Decision 43/2025 categorizes vehicle emissions standards by the vehicle's year of manufacture, setting requirements from Level 1 to Level 5, corresponding to Euro 1 through Euro 5 standards. Vehicles operating in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi face stricter emissions levels, with vehicles manufactured between 2017 and 2021 required to meet at least Level 4 (Euro 4) by January 1, 2027. Emissions inspections will no longer be simply pass or fail; inspection certificates and stickers will display the specific emissions level a vehicle meets, which will determine its access to certain zones depending on local regulations.

The Vietnam Register will ensure emissions data is integrated into national and police databases, facilitating real-time enforcement through smart cameras at LEZs. For example, if a vehicle’s emissions level does not meet the LEZ requirement, it can be flagged for warnings or fines based on license plate recognition.

Inspection centers such as Center 50-02S report their equipment already meets Decision 43/2025 requirements and foreign standards, capable of providing accurate emissions level results. They noted that only very old or poorly maintained vehicles typically fail inspections, and many well-maintained vehicles made before 2016 still pass emissions tests. Conversely, Center 50-07V is in the process of reassessing whether their equipment can accurately measure specific emissions levels and awaits further guidance from the Vietnam Register before considering upgrades.