Vietnam Seeks New Supply-Chain Links Amid Global Shifts

Vietnam continues to be a top priority for international corporations and buyers seeking new supply sources, thanks to its 17 FTAs, stable investment environment, improving production capacity, and strategic location in Southeast Asia, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang stated. A major goal of the GoGlobal Programme for 2026-2030 is to promote Vietnamese products not just by boosting raw exports, but by building stronger brands, increasing competitiveness, and establishing a lasting presence in international markets. New projects are not only adding resources to production and business activities but also expanding infrastructure capacity, developing inter-sectoral clusters, attracting supporting enterprises, and increasing the participation of domestic firms in value chains. Malaysia remains one of Vietnam’s key trading partners in ASEAN and globally. However, Vietnam’s exports have lagged behind imports, resulting in a trade deficit of $5.67 billion with Malaysia in 2025 and nearly $4 billion in the first six months of 2026. Ambassador Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III has been seeking opportunities to connect Vietnamese and Philippine localities. The development of the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sectors should not focus solely on increasing export value but must be linked to comprehensive restructuring towards modern, ecological, high-value-added, and sustainable development, said Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc. Participants at seminars noted that businesses should move beyond export activities by strengthening governance capacity, building partnerships, and gaining a deeper understanding of the US market. Vietnam has emerged as a market with significant potential for Argentine businesses thanks to its strong growth, extensive FTA network, and increasingly important role in regional supply chains. Vietnam is also seeking to strengthen financial cooperation with Canada and attract more long-term capital to support its economic growth and sustainable development, said Minister of Finance Ngo Van Tuan. The Nanning-Can Tho service is expected to operate twice a month, with a transit time of about seven days. Units are being asked to get ahead of the problem, flagging suspect transport routes, areas, warehouses, distribution centres, e-commerce accounts, and business households so enforcement can be targeted. On September 21 (local time) in New York, General Secretary and President To Lam met with Boeing leaders. Representatives of Sun Group and major Vietnamese aviation companies, including Sun PhuQuoc Airways, Vietnam Airlines, and Vietjet, attended the meeting. As Indonesia continues to expand and develop its halal industry ecosystem, Halal Indo 2026 provides Vietnamese businesses with an opportunity to promote their products, seek partners, and better prepare to enter one of the world’s major halal markets. With the current trading band of +/- 5%, the ceiling rate applicable for commercial banks during the day is 26,923 VND/USD, and the floor rate 24,359 VND/USD. Ho Chi Minh City aims to become one of Asia’s top logistics and international transshipment hubs by 2045, while transforming into a smart and sustainable coastal city. According to data from the Vietnam Customs cited by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), shrimp exports reached $478.5 million in August, up 4.2% from the same month last year. The eight-month total stood at $3.3 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 12%. Financial reports from 28 banks showed that total customer demand deposits from both individuals and businesses stood at approximately 2.98 quadrillion VND as of June 30, 2026, a decrease of 2% compared to the end of 2025. Vietnam has developed a relatively comprehensive supply chain, covering forest plantations, raw materials, processing, design, manufacturing, and logistics, creating jobs for about one million workers, Nguyen Quoc Khanh, Chairman of the Vietnam Timber and Forest Product Association (VIFOREST) and Chairman of the Board of Directors of AA Corporation, said. Hai Phong is a key marine economic hub of Vietnam, thanks to its strong shipbuilding capacity and high-quality maritime training system. Alongside its capacity for new shipbuilding and ship repair, the city is also a leading provider of maritime workers for domestic and international businesses. The import value of meat and meat products hit $2.04 billion as of mid-September, of which pork products accounted for nearly $376 million, according to Vietnam Customs. Vietnam’s Halal certification authority has established direct cooperation with Malaysia’s Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM). The strategic cooperation is expected to be strengthened through government-to-government (G2G) cooperation as a foundation, before expanding into business-to-business (B2B) linkages, thereby helping Vietnamese businesses to participate more deeply in the international Halal ecosystem. Vietjet, HDBank, and Vikky Bank announced expanded cooperation with companies including Pratt & Whitney, FTAI Aviation, SKY Leasing, Citi, Standard Chartered, and Mastercard. Source: VietnamPlus English