Why oil prices are rising

The prices of automobiles in Vietnam have been continuously increasing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic due to a dearth of auto parts. Many Peugeot car models manufactured and assembled by Vietnam’s Truong Hai Auto Corporation (THACO) will see price hikes of VND20-40 million (US$854-1,709) beginning in September. This is not the first time THACO has increased the prices of its products since the pandemic was put under control. The cost of other models assembled by THACO, such as the Kia Sonet and Kia Seltos, also jumped by tens of millions of dong. (VND10 million = $427) Despite the price hikes, many buyers are on three-to-six-month waiting lists for their new cars. Toyota Vietnam hiked the listed prices of its two best-selling MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) models Avanza and Veloz by VND10 million ($427) in early August. The Toyota Avanza series now sells for VND558-598 million ($23,800-25,500), while the Toyota Veloz costs VND658-698 million ($28,100-29,800). Some … [Read more...] about Car prices rise due to auto parts shortage in Vietnam

Exports increased 17% year on year in the first half of 2022. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam saw a year-on-year increase of 17% in exports in the first six months, but it will be hard for overseas shipments to meet expectations in the last half of the year, according to the HSBC . In its “Vietnam at a glance” report released on August 17, it said after the impressive export growth in H1, a slower-than-expected pace has been recorded since the start of H2. The main cause is a growth slowdown in the electronics industry, especially mobile phones. Samsung’s second-quarter results show that demand for consumer electronics is weakening, thus affecting the smartphone, TV, and other segments. While textile, garment and footwear exports rose sharply, by 30% from a year earlier, the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association forecast the amount ordered will decline in the time ahead. In July, import growth also slowed down to only 3.4% compared to the double-figure … [Read more...] about Export growth may be slower than expected in H2: HSBC

SHANGHAI/PARIS -- From $300 bucket hats to $900 sneakers and $700 t-shirts, the high-flying luxury sector is fretting over the appetite among financially stretched Gen Z consumers for such "aspirational" purchases. Executives are troubled in particular by a hit to young Chinese shoppers, not only because mainland China has been a major driver of the industry's growth in recent years, but also because high end consumers in the world's second-largest economy are a decade younger than the global average of 38. Young adults around the world have been "a very strong factor of luxury growth over the past decade," said Gregory Boutte, chief client and digital officer at Gucci-owner Kering. Data this week showed China's economy slowed unexpectedly, prompting a central bank rate cut, while macroeconomic trends are disproportionately impacting the extra funds that those born between 1996 and 2012 might use to enter the world of luxury. Whereas in North America and Europe, inflation and … [Read more...] about Luxury sneakers may be a step too far for cash-strapped Gen Z

An HAGL Agrico's farm. HNG was one of the stocks behind the market's fall on Thursday. — Photo baochinhphu.vn The market closed lower on Thursday as strong selling forces depressed indices. On the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE), the VN-Index started off the afternoon with a steady rise. It hit a peak at around 2pm and then fell off to the baseline. The index rose again at 2:15pm and reached half the previous peak. It held steady for about 15 minutes and suddenly suffered a free fall in the last minutes to 1,273.66 points, roughly 1.62 points (0.13 per cent) below the baseline. The southern exchange was overrun by decliners whose number reached 243. Advancers' head count, meanwhile, was just 94. Three stocks hit ceiling prices whereas two sat at the other end. Thursday was a busy day for HoSE as investors traded 558 million shares on the exchange, equivalent to about VND14 trillion (US$600 million). The VN30-Index echoed the VN-Index pattern but with a slighter loss. … [Read more...] about Market slumps over slides in agricultural stocks

The credit quality of real estate firms is at a good level with financial leverage below 1.5x. During the first seven months of 2022, over VND420 trillion (US$18 billion) was pumped into the real estate market. The figure could be raised to VND800 trillion ($34 billion) by the end of the year in case of favorable conditions. Investors looking at a real estate project in Me Linh District, Hanoi. Photo: Pham Hung Economist Can Van Luc, a member of the National Financial and Monetary Advisory Council, shared the view at a real estate forum held on August 17, noting the figure is huge compared to total investment capital for the economy. According to Luc, while transaction activities have been subdued in recent months, this would pose a golden opportunity to restructure the market for more sustainable growth. “In the past, real estate was widely seen as the first option when people explore fields to invest in, and that is a huge risk to the economy,” Luc said. … [Read more...] about Over US$34 billion set to pour into Vietnam’s real estate market this year

American agricultural products are available in many parts of Vietnam and some are becoming well-received in the country of 100 million people. Agriculture plays a prominent role in trade relations between the US and Vietnam, US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Evans Knapper has said. US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Evans Knapper at a press conference in Hanoi. Photo: NLD The ambassador shared the idea at the United Tastes of Food and Wine Reception held in Hanoi earlier this week in collaboration between the US Embassy, the California Milk Advisory Board, and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. To boost the market share of American agricultural products in the Southeast Asian country, relevant agencies are working for further availability. “We are looking for ways to expand US agricultural imports into Vietnam,” Ambassador Knapper said. What Ambassador Knapper said might be true, based on the fact that American agricultural products are safe and … [Read more...] about [Vietnam-US relations] Agriculture – a prominent pillar in US-Vietnam trade: Marc Knapper