Get weekly in-depth analysis on Korean garment and manufacturing sectors, global business updates, and key issues across Vietnam.
Vietnam’s trade deficit hit a record high of $5.69 billion in the first half of May. Exports plummeted by 13.6% compared to the previous period, while imports rose by 10.2%. Meanwhile, Nghe An province has climbed to the top of the national rankings for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) with $2.255 billion in new capital.
This week’s focus includes Korea strengthening its supply chain role in Vietnam and Meiko’s massive PCB investment. Meanwhile, rising e-commerce fees are squeezing manufacturers, and foreign net outflows in the stock market are raising questions about the long-term manufacturing outlook.
베트남 섬유·의류 산업이 글로벌 수출 강국으로 자리 잡았지만, 원자재 자급화라는 과제를 안고 있습니다. 현재 베트남은 단순 생산 기지에서 벗어나 첨단 제조 및 서비스 통합 허브로 변모 중이며, 이에 맞춰 한국 기업들의 투자와 로봇·AI 기술 진출도 활발해지고 있습니다.
Vietnam continues its strong economic momentum, with an average of 995 new businesses entering the market daily during the first four months of 2026. FDI has surpassed $18 billion, a 32% increase year-on-year, while industrial land rents in the south have doubled over the past decade to reach $185/sqm per month. The government has also unveiled its 10 strategic technology groups and 30 strategic products to boost future industries and solidify its position in global supply chains.
Between January and April 2026, Vietnam pulled in $18.24 billion in registered FDI, keeping its growth momentum alive. Domestic retail sales hit 2,550 trillion dong, while industrial rents in the South have surged twofold over ten years, cementing the country’s role as a major production hub. Meanwhile, Korean construction firms have seen orders in Vietnam jump by 386%, and the IMF has trimmed its 2026 growth forecast from 6.01% to 4.04% due to global trade tensions.
Vietnam is strengthening its role as a strategic manufacturing hub, drawing global attention at recent events in Ho Chi Minh City. While the garment sector targets $50 billion in exports for 2026, it remains cautious due to U.S. tariffs and geopolitical tensions. As of April 15, the country faces a $7.9 billion trade deficit, pointing to a potential slowdown.
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