Business

Major Vietnamese banks are launching large-scale lending programmes for small and medium-sized enterprises, offering interest rates 1-2 percentage points below normal rates.

The three-carriage Phu Quoc light rail system will use zero-emission energy, reach speeds of up to 100 km/h and carry about 4,500 passengers an hour.

VietJet Air has opened ticket sales for its new direct service between HCM City and Western Sydney International Airport, offering a 20 per cent fare discount on its Vietnam-Australia routes.

Vietnam exported 1.2 million tonnes of coffee in the first seven months of 2026, with export value falling 11.2 per cent year on year to USD 5.45 billion.

Nearly 260 hectares of land have been handed over for three road projects connecting areas in Dong Nai with Long Thanh International Airport, out of nearly 630 hectares required.

Two key bridges worth VND 36.3 trillion (USD 1.4 billion), were launched in early 2026 but are not expected to begin construction until September 2027.

Vietnam's rail sector is targeting annual transport of around 1,500 containers on an international rail freight route linking Hebei in China with Vietnam, as cross-border rail services gain momentum.

Vietnam's fruit and vegetable industry has hit a record monthly milestone, with exports exceeding USD 1 bln for the first time as processed products gain ground in demanding markets such as the EU.

Apartment prices in Hanoi have fallen sharply in some areas, with discounts reported across both mid-range and high-end developments.

Vietnamese tilapia is beginning to enter the premium seafood market in Japan and the US, with exporters targeting higher-value products such as sushi and sashimi.

A 162-kilometre expressway linking the northern provinces of Lai Chau and Lao Cai has been proposed at an estimated cost of VND 65.52 trillion (USD 2.49 billion).

Hanoi will step up inspections of mooncake producers and retailers ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival, targeting food safety violations, counterfeit and smuggled goods.

Ha Tinh authorities have approved four wind power projects with a combined investment of VND 7.81 trillion (USD 296 million), as the province seeks to expand its renewable energy capacity.

Ho Chi Minh City has urged contractors to speed up work on the Ben Thanh-Tham Luong metro route (Metro Line 2) to meet a 2029 completion target, a year ahead of schedule.

Phu Quoc's first light rail line is expected to begin trial operations in June 2027 before entering commercial service two months later, supporting transport for the APEC 2027 summit.

The Government has issued a decision to establish the Hung Yen High-Tech Park, a 496.1-hectare development aimed at advancing high-tech industries, strategic technologies and innovation.