Business News

As of May 31, Vietnam had disbursed VND219.358 trillion in public investment funds, equivalent to 21.6% of the annual plan. While the disbursement rate was unchanged from the same period last year, the result came against a record public investment target of VND1.08 quadrillion for 2026. In absolute terms, the amount disbursed was nearly VND34.82 trillion higher than a year earlier.

Vietnam’s retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue reached an estimated VND3,185 trillion in the first five months of 2026, up 11.2% from a year earlier, according to the National Statistics Office. Retail sales of goods accounted for the largest share, contributing 75.9% of the total revenue at VND2,418.1 trillion. Sales of petroleum products increased 12.7% from a year earlier, while garment sales rose 10.2% and food and foodstuff sales climbed 9.6%.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Construction has proposed expanding 15 sections of the eastern North-South Expressway, instead of prioritizing upgrades on the busiest stretches, with construction on eligible projects expected to start in early 2027. Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh on June 2 approved a plan to expand 15 component projects along the eastern North-South Expressway that were initially built under a phased investment approach.

The northern province of Quang Ninh earned nearly VND27.7 trillion from tourism in the January-May period and is stepping up major events as it pursues a full-year revenue target of VND65 trillion. According to Quang Ninh’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the province welcomed more than 10.1 million visitors in the first five months of the year, including over 7.9 million domestic travelers and 2.2 million international visitors.

Vietnam welcomed over 10.6 million international tourists in the first five months of this year, the highest number ever recorded for the period, boosting tourism-related spending and revenues from accommodation and food services. International arrivals in Vietnam totaled 1.78 million in May, down from April’s 2.03 million but still 16.5% higher than a year earlier. The five-month total reached a record 10.6 million foreign visitors, up 14.9% year-on-year.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung has instructed ministries and agencies to draft additional regulations this month to create breakthrough mechanisms beyond the eight existing decrees and accelerate the launch of key financial products and services at the Vietnam International Financial Center (VIFC). At the same time, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang has been appointed chairman of the VIFC Executive Council and tasked with directly overseeing the completion of operating regulations for the center and related agencies by June 10.

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A), including capital contributions, share purchases and equity stake acquisitions, brought US$2.33 billion in foreign investment into HCMC in the first five months of the year, accounting for more than 60% of total foreign capital inflows. According to the HCMC Statistics Office, the city attracted more than US$3.8 billion in foreign investment in the first five months of 2026, up 20.3% from the same period last year.

Vietnam and the Philippines have signed a tourism cooperation program for the 2026-2029 period, creating new opportunities to boost visitor exchanges, strengthen destination connectivity, and expand cooperation in tourism development. The agreement was signed in Manila on June 1 during the state visit of Vietnam’s Party General Secretary and State President To Lam to the Philippines.