Leading contractor Hoa Binh Construction suffers second consecutive quarter loss

By Huong Dung
Mon, May 1, 2023 | 3:44 pm GMT+7

Hoa Binh Construction Group reported a net loss of more than VND440 billion ($18.75 million) in the first three months of 2023, marking its second quarter of loss in a row.

The construction giant, listed on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange as HBC, recorded a revenue of nearly VND1.2 trillion ($51.14 million) in Q1, down nearly 60% year-on-year, according to its financial statement.

It posted a gross loss of more than VND200 billion ($8.52 million) from main activities, as compared to a gross profit of nearly VND200 billion in the first quarter of 2022.

Empire City Thu Thiem in HCMC - a project built by Hoa Binh Construction Group. Photo courtesy of Hoa Binh.

Empire City Thu Thiem in HCMC - a project built by Hoa Binh Construction Group. Photo courtesy of Hoa Binh.

By the end of Q1, Hoa Binh's total assets reached nearly VND15.7 trillion ($669 million), down over VND1.2 trillion ($51.14 million) from the beginning of the year.

Its accumulated loss by the end of the first quarter was more than VND1.1 trillion ($46.88 million), equivalent to more than 40% of its charter capital (VND2.74 trillion).

As a bright spot, Hoa Binh’s short-term receivables from customers decreased by more than VND1 trillion ($42.6 million) in Q1, with falling short- and long-term outstanding loans.

Hoa Binh incurred a net loss of over VND1.14 trillion ($48.34 million) in 2022, the first loss in its history, due to bad results in the fourth quarter.

Earlier this year, Hoa Binh experienced a "power war" between its founder Le Viet Hai and independent board member Nguyen Cong Phu regarding the position of board chairman.

After the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Civil Judgment Enforcement issued a decision forcing Hoa Binh to cease enforcing three resolutions that caused an internal conflict among its board members, Le Viet Hai continued as board chairman and legal representative of the group.

Hoa Binh is not the only construction contractor in Vietnam hit by the real estate crisis, which resulted in cash flow congestion and increasing bad debt among developers. For example, Coteccons Construction Joint Stock Company also saw its Q1 net profit drop 25% to only VND22 billion ($937,600).

HBC closed the Friday trading session at VND8,170 ($0.35) per share.

Comments (0)
  • Read More
Construction of first locally-owned semiconductor factory begins in Vietnam

Construction of first locally-owned semiconductor factory begins in Vietnam

CT Semiconductor, a subsidiary of CT Group, has begun the second phase of construction on what is set to become Vietnam’s first semiconductor chip factory fully owned by a domestic company.

Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 10:50 pm GMT+7

Japanese retailers step up business activities in Vietnam

Japanese retailers step up business activities in Vietnam

Japanese retailers Aeon and Sumitomo have planned to expand their networks in Vietnam, Nikkei Asia reported on Monday.

Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 10:39 pm GMT+7

Vietnam's budget carrier Vietjet sees 24% profit hike in Q1 on int’l growth surge

Vietnam's budget carrier Vietjet sees 24% profit hike in Q1 on int’l growth surge

Vietjet Aviation JSC (HoSE: VJC) reported a 24% year-over-year increase in consolidated profit for Q1, driven by strong international expansion and operational excellence, reinforcing its leadership in regional connectivity.

Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 10:35 pm GMT+7

Northern Vietnam city Hai Phong claims top spot for first time in Provincial Competitiveness Index

Northern Vietnam city Hai Phong claims top spot for first time in Provincial Competitiveness Index

The coastal city of Hai Phong has, for the first time, topped the 2024 Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) with a score of 74.84, marking a significant milestone in its economic governance journey.

Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 10:20 pm GMT+7

Malaysia initiates tariff talks with US

Malaysia initiates tariff talks with US

Malaysia is pushing forward tariff negotiations with the U.S., while implementing various policies to support local industries and strengthening efforts to seek new export markets.

Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 10:12 pm GMT+7

ASEAN’s largest economy slows to lowest growth since Q3/2021

ASEAN’s largest economy slows to lowest growth since Q3/2021

Official data released recently indicates that Indonesia's economic growth decelerated in Q1 due to weakened domestic consumption.

Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 9:59 pm GMT+7

Vietnam's agri major BAF reports record livestock profit since listing

Vietnam's agri major BAF reports record livestock profit since listing

BAF Vietnam Agriculture JSC in Q1 posted its highest livestock profit since listing in late 2021, thanks to a surge in pig output and revenue that nearly doubled year-over-year.

Companies - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 9:36 pm GMT+7

Amkor views Vietnam 'strong market' despite US tariff uncertainties

Amkor views Vietnam 'strong market' despite US tariff uncertainties

Amkor Technology, a U.S.-headquartered semiconductor firm, sees Vietnam a strong market in the mid and long term despite tariff uncertainties under the Trump administration, said an executive.

Investing - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 4:40 pm GMT+7

Over $7.7 bln in Vietnam's private placement corporate bonds to mature in last 3 quarters

Over $7.7 bln in Vietnam's private placement corporate bonds to mature in last 3 quarters

More than VND200 trillion ($7.7 billion) in privately-placed corporate bonds will mature in the final three quarters of this year, with the real estate sector accounting for half, according to independent credit rating provider S&I Ratings.

Finance - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 4:16 pm GMT+7

Sumitomo to halve equity interest in $2.58 bln thermal power plant in central Vietnam

Sumitomo to halve equity interest in $2.58 bln thermal power plant in central Vietnam

Sumitomo has decided to transfer 50% of the Japanese giant's equity interest in its wholly-owned operator of the $2.58 billion Van Phong 1 coal-fired power plant in Vietnam’s central province of Khanh Hoa.

Energy - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 3:54 pm GMT+7

Singapore's CapitaLand Development forms strategic partnership with Vietnam's Vinhomes

Singapore's CapitaLand Development forms strategic partnership with Vietnam's Vinhomes

CapitaLand Development has expanded in Vietnam with two major moves - a strategic collaboration agreement with leading local developer Vinhomes and the unveiling of The Fullton, a $800 million low-rise residential project in Hung Yen province.

Real Estate - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 2:56 pm GMT+7

Vietnam's disbursed FDI in 4 months posts five-year record high

Vietnam's disbursed FDI in 4 months posts five-year record high

Registered foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam hit $13.82 billion in the first four months of the year, up 39.9%, while disbursed capital reached $6.74 billion, up 7.3% and marking a record high in five years.

Economy - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 2:12 pm GMT+7

Vietnam's Politburo requests prioritizing administrative measures to handle economic violations, instead of criminal prosecution

Vietnam's Politburo requests prioritizing administrative measures to handle economic violations, instead of criminal prosecution

The Politburo, Vietnam's highest decision-making body, has ordered amendments to legal regulations to ensure that administrative measures are prioritized in handling civil and economic cases.

Economy - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 12:30 pm GMT+7

EC postpones Vietnam’s seafood inspection until year end

EC postpones Vietnam’s seafood inspection until year end

The European Commission (EC) has delayed its fifth inspection of Vietnam's efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing to the end of 2025, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE).

Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 8:53 am GMT+7

Thailand lowers growth forecast for 2025

Thailand lowers growth forecast for 2025

The Thai Ministry of Finance has cut its forecast for the country’s economic growth this year to 2.1% from 3%, saying that the impact of U.S. tariffs and a global slowdown would weigh on Southeast Asia's second-largest economy.

Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 8:49 am GMT+7

Vietnam’s top lighting manufacturer Rang Dong posts 48% drop in Q1 profit

Vietnam’s top lighting manufacturer Rang Dong posts 48% drop in Q1 profit

Hanoi-based Rang Dong Light Source & Vacuum Flask JSC, a veteran in Vietnam’s consumer goods sector, reported a 48% decline in Q1 post-tax profit to nearly VND101 billion ($3.9 million), blaming intensifying competition from Chinese imports and foreign-invested enterprises.

Companies - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 8:17 am GMT+7