Vietnamese manufacturing sector's health further slightly strengthened: S&P Global
Business conditions in the Vietnamese manufacturing sector continued to improve slightly in September amid a renewed expansion of new orders, according to S&P Global.
Output and purchasing activity also increased, but firms continued to lower their staffing levels. The S&P Global Vietnam Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) was unchanged at 50.4 in September, signalling a further slight strengthening in the health of the sector.
Operating conditions have now improved in three consecutive months. Helping to support overall business conditions in September was a renewed increase in new orders following a slight fall in August. That said, the rate of expansion was only marginal.

Electric vehicle manafacturing of VinFast in Vietnam. Photo courtesy of the company.
Andrew Harker, economics director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said: "There was good news on the demand front for Vietnamese manufacturers in September as new orders returned to growth and even exports, which have been falling continuously since late last year, showed signs of stabilizing."
The more certain picture regarding tariffs appears to have helped the demand environment for Vietnamese firms. Greater stability is also expected to help support growth over the coming year, but confidence among firms remains relatively subdued at present given the recent muted demand picture, according to Harker.
"Something to watch out for in the months ahead is the picture around inflation. Rates of increase in firms' input costs and selling prices have been steadily strengthening in recent months. If this trend continues, we may start to see price pressures restricting demand," he added.
Reports presented at a meeting of the Government Standing Committee on the socio-economic situation on Thursday, chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, show that Vietnam's economic growth is estimated to reach "a high level" in the first nine months of the year, with the macro economy being stable, inflation controlled, and major balances guaranteed.
According to S&P Global, new export orders in September continued to fall, but the pace of contraction eased to the weakest in the current 11-month sequence of decline. International demand reportedly remained muted, but stability in US tariff policies reportedly helped some firms to secure new business from abroad.
With overall new orders rising on the back of improving customer demand, manufacturers continued to increase their production volumes at the end of the third quarter, thereby extending the current sequence of growth to five months.
The rate of expansion was solid, but eased to the weakest since June. The latest rise in output was partly reflective of reductions in backlogs of work, which decreased markedly in September and to the largest degree in five months.
Meanwhile, manufacturers continued to scale back workforce numbers, extending the current sequence of monthly falls to one year.
On a more positive note, firms increased their purchasing activity for the third month running amid higher output requirements.
The use of purchased items to support production meant that stocks of inputs continued to fall, however. Stocks of finished goods were also down, and to the largest extent since July 2024.
Suppliers' delivery times lengthened for the 13th month running in September, albeit only modestly and to the smallest degree in four months.
The latest increase in input costs was the fastest since July 2024 and linked by respondents to higher market prices and unfavorable exchange rate movements.
In turn, selling prices also rose at the fastest pace in 14 months. A more stable economic environment is expected to help lead to higher new orders and subsequently an increase in output over the coming year.
Public sector investment is also predicted to support growth. While firms remained optimistic about the year-ahead outlook, the level of sentiment dropped from August and was weaker than the series average.
According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Vietnam's economy remains resilient to increasing uncertainties and high U.S. tariffs thanks to solid domestic demand.
In its September Asian Development Outlook (ADO) released on September 30, the bank revised Vietnam’s economic growth forecast, raising it to 6.7% in 2025 and adjusting to 6% in 2026. Inflation projections are slightly below the previous estimates published in April this year.
The Vietnamese government targets a GDP growth rate of 8.3-8.5% for 2025 and double-digit expansion for 2026-2030. According to the Prime Minister’s Policy Advisory Council", the target is "appropriate" given the favorable macroeconomic conditions and structural reforms.
- Read More
Japanese retailer Aeon to triple its scale in Vietnam by 2030
By 2030, Japanese retailer Aeon Mall will triple the number of its shopping centers and stores in Vietnam – a key market in the group’s strategy to accelerate growth in Southeast Asia, said Aeon Vietnam CEO Tezuka Daisuke.
Industries - Fri, October 3, 2025 | 12:18 pm GMT+7
Sun Group breaks ground on $1.4 bln urban area projects in central Vietnam
Sun Group, one of Vietnam’s largest real estate developers, has begun construction on three major urban complexes in the central coastal province of Quang Tri, with a combined investment of over VND38 trillion ($1.44 billion).
Real Estate - Fri, October 3, 2025 | 8:40 am GMT+7
Dutch agribusiness De Heus acquires CJ Feed & Care’s Vietnam business
Royal De Heus, a leading Dutch feed company, has signed an agreement to wholly acquire South Korean CJ Feed & Care’s operations in some Asian markets, including Vietnam.
Companies - Fri, October 3, 2025 | 8:23 am GMT+7
Viettel, MobiFone jointly research central bank digital currency
Telecom giants Viettel and MobiFone have been assigned by the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) to conduct research on a central bank digital currency (CBDC).
Economy - Thu, October 2, 2025 | 10:19 pm GMT+7
Exemplary role model in promoting corporate culture at Power Transmission Company No.4
Throughout its development journey, Power Transmission Company No. 4 has not only focused on ensuring the safe, continuous, and stable operation of the transmission grid but also paid special attention to promoting and practicing corporate culture, considering it a key solution for sustainable development.
Companies - Thu, October 2, 2025 | 5:03 pm GMT+7
Indian exhibition organizer Radeecal Exhicon chooses Vietnam as destination in Southeast Asia: CEO
Vietnam is a dynamic and fast-growing country, with a very potential non-woven fabric industry, said Sanyal Desai, CEO of Radeecal Exhicon, a leading exhibition organizer in India.
Economy - Thu, October 2, 2025 | 4:26 pm GMT+7
HCMC adds 23 more real estate projects eligible for sale to foreigners
The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee has announced a list of 23 housing development projects in the city where foreign organizations and individuals are allowed to purchase homes.
Investing - Thu, October 2, 2025 | 3:39 pm GMT+7
Industrial park developer Becamex proposes 2 backbone rail lines to boost southern Vietnam’s logistics
Vietnamese industrial real estate major Becamex IDC on Wednesday proposed two railway projects seen as future “backbones” of southern Vietnam's transport network, including a high-speed line between Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho city, and another linking Bau Bang to the Cai Mep deep-sea port.
Infrastructure - Thu, October 2, 2025 | 1:26 pm GMT+7
Northern Vietnam province sets deadline for land clearance at The Trump Organization-related golf resort project
Hung Yen province's officials were ordered to approve land compensation plans related to the Khoai Chau golf, eco-tourism, and urban complex - a project linked to The Trump Organization - by the end of October.
Real Estate - Thu, October 2, 2025 | 1:17 pm GMT+7
Opportunities for breakthrough growth in industrial and residential real estate in Hanoi’s satellite provinces
Hanoi’s satellite provinces are evolving into independent growth engines of industrial and residential real estate demand thanks to strong inflows of capital and labor. Investment focus will continue to shift to these areas, write Avison Young Vietnam analysts.
Real Estate - Thu, October 2, 2025 | 8:51 am GMT+7
Vietnam's leading builder Coteccons targets record revenue in FY2026 on property, industrial construction rebound
Coteccons Construction JSC (HoSE: CTD), one of Vietnam’s largest contractors, aims for record revenue of VND30 trillion ($1.14 billion) in its 2026 fiscal year, betting on a rebound in property and industrial construction demand after years of slowdown.
Companies - Thu, October 2, 2025 | 8:23 am GMT+7
'Vietnamese Bookcase' presented to school in Laos
Within the framework of a recent working trip to Laos's Pakse city, a delegation from the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese (SCOV) presented a “Vietnamese Bookcase” to the Laos-Vietnam Friendship School in Champasak province.
Companies - Wed, October 1, 2025 | 7:41 pm GMT+7
Vingroup to issue $133 mln bonds to restructure debt
Vingroup JSC (HoSE: VIC), Vietnam’s top private conglomerate, will issue VND3.5 trillion ($132.5 million) worth of bonds to restructure debt.
Companies - Wed, October 1, 2025 | 5:47 pm GMT+7
VAFIE works with Saudi Arabia’s Industry Ministry to bolster two-way trade, investment
The Vietnam's Association of Foreign-Invested Enterprises (VAFIE) on Monday held a working session with Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources to promote the investment and trade ties between the two countries' businesses.
Companies - Wed, October 1, 2025 | 5:32 pm GMT+7
US, China, Netherlands the biggest importers of Vietnam footwear
Vietnam’s footwear export turnover reached over $16.08 billion in Jan-Aug, up 7.6% year-on-year, with the United States, China, and the Netherlands spending over $1 billion each.
Economy - Wed, October 1, 2025 | 4:49 pm GMT+7
Earnings of listed Vietnamese companies likely up 27% in Q3: broker
A research by leading broker SSI Securities on 42 listed Vietnamese companies shows that their earnings are likely to rise by 26.9% year-on-year in Q3, much higher than the 14% growth recorded in the first half.
Companies - Wed, October 1, 2025 | 3:54 pm GMT+7