Vietnam news in brief - May 6

German investors continue to show strong interest in Vietnam

According to AHK Vietnam, German firms view Vietnam as a strategic hub in the Indo-Pacific. Fifty-four percent of German businesses expect to perform better in 2025, and 38% plan to increase their investment in the country. In the first quarter of this year, Germany poured $11.35 million into seven new projects, bringing its total to 490 active projects worth $2.81 billion.  

Vietnam hosts global tech leaders to drive digital innovation

Over 120 global experts in the fields of AI and blockchain will attend Super Vietnam 2025, which will take place from June 3 to 7 in Danang. This event will focus on blockchain technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation. The goal is to establish Vietnam as a regional hub for digital assets and innovation. More than 5,000 people are expected to join.

Vietnam rolls out 5G and satellite services nationwide

By the first quarter of this year, Vietnam installed 10,600 5G base transceiver stations (BTS) and launched the Starlink project, which offers fixed and mobile satellite services to up to 600,000 subscribers. The government's goal is to install 55,000 new 5G stations by the end of the year. Mobile internet speeds have surged to 150.43 Mbps, ranking Vietnam 18th globally. This reflects the country's strong efforts to expand digital infrastructure and satellite connectivity.

Foreign investment in Vietnam rises nearly 40% in four months

Vietnam attracted $13.82 billion in foreign investment during the first four months of 2025, which is a 39.9% year-on-year increase. The processing and manufacturing sectors remained the top magnets. Singapore led all investors with $1.6 billion, followed by China with $1.52 billion and Japan with $573.2 million. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s outbound investment grew sharply to $309.3 million, primarily flowing into Laos, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Haiphong tops PCI 2024

For the 2024 Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) in Vietnam, Haiphong took the top spot for the first time in seven years, earning 74.84 points and surpassing Quang Ninh, Long An, and Bac Giang. The index was released by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) on May 6 in Hanoi. As Vietnam enters a critical transition period, the PCI results are expected to guide reforms and address bottlenecks in order to foster a safer and more attractive investment climate.

Vietnam posts $21.15 billion in agro-exports in Q1

Vietnam earned $21.15 billion from agroforestry and fishery exports from January to April, up 10.7% from the same period last year. Coffee exports soared 51% to $4 billion, and shrimp brought in $1.24 billion, up 28%. Rising global prices and strong demand fueled this growth.

Nghe An attracts 1.17 million tourists during national holidays

The central province of Nghe An welcomed over 1.17 million tourists during the April 30–May 1 holiday period, generating nearly $78.5 million in revenue and achieving over 90% room occupancy. The province plans to reach its 2025 target of 6.1 million visitors.

Vietnam reports early success in cancer drug trial

Vietnam on May 6 reported early results from the VISTA-1 global Phase 2A trial of RBS2418, an oral immunotherapy developed by the US firm Riboscience for late-stage colorectal cancer. The study, conducted at Tam Anh General Hospital, showed promising safety signals. This is the first time Vietnam has served as the lead site in an international cancer trial.