European Business Confidence in Vietnam Hits Near Seven-Year High

The European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) on January 13 released its Business Confidence Index (BCI) for the fourth quarter of 2025, showing the gauge climbing to 80 points, its highest reading in seven years. The Business Confidence Index (BCI) report for Q3 2024, recently published by the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham), indicates positive signals in business sentiment, despite ongoing economic challenges stemming from the impacts of Typhoon Yagi and operational barriers for businesses in Vietnam. Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyen Duc Chi and representatives of Japan's Financial Services Agency (JFSA) and Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission (SESC) have exchanged experience in securities market development, financial regulation and innovation. Achieving Vietnam's target of more than 74 billion USD in agricultural, forestry and fishery exports in 2026 will require stronger traceability systems, initially focusing on key export commodities, high-value products and major markets such as the EU, the US and China. As the private sector takes on a more central role under the Politburo's Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW, experts and business representatives say Vietnam needs a more comprehensive approach to supporting SMEs. This includes improving institutions, making financial support tools more effective and reshaping the financial system to better suit the characteristics of SMEs. Energy transition is not simply about replacing fossil fuels with wind and solar power. It also requires building a sustainable energy ecosystem in which clean power generation, energy storage, smart grids and material recycling chains develop in parallel. Such an integrated approach will improve energy efficiency, further reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help Vietnam achieve green growth and net-zero emissions targets by 2050. With the current trading band of +/- 5%, the ceiling rate applicable for commercial banks during the day is 26,495 VND/USD, and the floor rate 23,971 VND/USD. The ministry said the Government would focus on implementing eight key priorities to achieve its full-year growth target and keep average inflation at around 4.5%, despite mounting external risks from the Middle East conflict and increasingly unpredictable natural disasters. Applying the agreement to the international border gate pair is key to lowering logistics costs, boosting competitiveness, expanding market access, attracting investment and fostering socio-economic development in both countries. The Government's inflation target remains within reach despite mounting headwinds. Several forecasts suggest inflation can stay below 4.5% this year if international oil prices continue to retreat. Extending domestic fuel tax incentives through year-end, along with stable electricity prices, healthcare fees and exchange rates, would offer additional relief. In the first half of 2026, Hanoi disbursed 64 trillion VND (2.4 billion USD) in public investment, equivalent to more than 53% of the annual plan assigned by the Prime Minister – the highest mid-year disbursement rate recorded in many years. Vietnamese coffee already compliant with EUDR requirements is being sold at a premium of around 50 USD per tonne. Once the regulation is fully enforced, opportunities for Vietnam's coffee industry will become even greater, an insider said. The 2025 business landscape indicates that the enterprise sector continued to demonstrate resilience amid fluctuations in both domestic and international business environments. With the current trading band of +/- 5%, the ceiling rate applicable for commercial banks during the day is 26,486 VND/USD, and the floor rate 23,964 VND/USD. The Cai Mep Ha Free Trade Zone (FTZ) is emerging as a strategic project of special importance, expected to become the city's gateway to global markets and a new growth engine in a new era of development. As the Official Airline Partner of the ASEAN United FC events, Vietjet connects fans and destinations across Southeast Asia through the region's leading football competitions, kicking off with the ASEAN Hyundai Cup™ 2026, the jewel in the crown of ASEAN football and the region's biggest sporting event. Among the cases were 367 involving the illegal trade and transport of prohibited or smuggled goods, 692 related to commercial and tax fraud, and 162 concerning counterfeit products, imitation goods and intellectual property infringements. Criminal proceedings were launched in 231 cases, with 406 suspects facing criminal proceedings, while 957 cases were settled through administrative penalties. Digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), product traceability and e-commerce are increasingly reshaping Vietnam's agricultural sector, helping farmers and businesses improve product quality, meet stricter market requirements and enhance competitiveness. Lefaso has called for faster development of the domestic supporting industry to reduce reliance on imported materials. It also proposed establishing strategic raw material reserves and trading platforms to improve supply security. With domestic demand recovering, tourism expanding and new consumption spaces emerging, the trade and service sector is expected to become not only the outlet for production but also a catalyst for broader economic growth, helping Ho Chi Minh City achieve its ambitious double-digit GRDP target in 2026. Describing the RoK as a strategic partner of VIFC-HCMC, a leader of the centre said cooperation potential is significant given the country’s developed capital market, modern banking system, technological strengths and experience in building financial centres in Seoul, Busan and Incheon. The resolution calls for a shift in development mindset, positioning FDI as a key driver of growth model transformation, with a focus on quality, value addition and continuous improvement of intrinsic capacity and self-reliance of the economy. Many experts and businesses believe the policy provides a timely strategic boost, helping Vietnam to capitalise on the ongoing global supply chain realignment. Copyright, VietnamPlus, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Editor-in-chief, Mr. Tran Tien Duan.