Vietnam’s trade surged, with total turnover reaching US$249.5 billion in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026. However, behind the 23% increase is a reversal in the trade balance, shifting from a surplus to a deficit of US$3.64 billion, reflecting changes in the production cycle and rising global geopolitical pressures.
In a context where environmental, social, and governance (ESG) has become a global standard, Vietnamese enterprises can no longer remain low-cost manufacturers. They must become responsible partners in global value chains.
Vietnamese and South Korean businesses have signed 73 Memoranda of Understanding spanning a wide range of sectors, including energy, finance, technology, electronics, telecommunications, processing and manufacturing, mechanical engineering, construction, infrastructure, trade, tourism and aviation.
Vietnam’s trade surged, with total turnover reaching US$249.5 billion in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026. However, behind the 23% increase is a reversal in the trade balance, shifting from a surplus to a deficit of US$3.64 billion, reflecting changes in the production cycle and rising global geopolitical pressures.
After more than three decades of reforms, Vietnam stands at a turning point as it shifts from a labor-intensive economy toward becoming a high-tech hub.
No longer pursuing quantity, industrial zones in Bac Ninh are shifting toward selective investment attraction, prioritizing high-tech and environmentally friendly projects.
Amid the ongoing restructuring of global supply chains, Vietnam has continued to affirm its position as a strategic destination for industrial and manufacturing investment.
Tourism cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand is shifting from volume-driven growth to a deeper approach, as visitor flows fluctuate and the need to increase value-added becomes clearer.
As integration deepens, participation in the supply chains of the foreign direct investment (FDI) sector offers both an opportunity and a test of the competitiveness of domestic enterprises. In Bac Ninh, this direction is being put into practice through a clear approach: moving beyond simple connections to focus on raising the standards of domestic firms.
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