Vietnam’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth may expand around 5% in 2023, lower than the 6.5% target, while the inflation rate may be curbed at 3.5-4%, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the 6th session of the 15th National Assembly on October 23.

Remittances to HCMC in the first nine months of this year surged by 40% against the year-ago period to US$6.6 billion.

French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet expressed optimism about strengthening Vietnam-France relations, particularly in legal cooperation.

Although Vietnam’s economy showed signs of recovery in the third quarter of this year, particularly in industrial production and exports, a significant increase in headline inflation has emerged as a cause for concern, prompting scrutiny from policymakers.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has reiterated its commitment to assist Vietnam in various areas, including infrastructure development, human resource growth, healthcare, and climate change mitigation, according to JICA’s Vietnam office.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai has endorsed the Ministry of Finance’s proposal to extend a two-percentage-point reduction in value-added tax (VAT) until the first half of next year but it needs approval from the National Assembly.

The World Bank (WB) is considering extending financial support ranging from US$5 billion to US$7 billion to Vietnam for the implementation of major traffic infrastructure projects over the next three years.

Sales of construction steel in September grew 9% against the month earlier and 4% year-on-year to 958,560 tons, according to the Vietnam Steel Association.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) has published a list of products that could potentially be subjected to U.S. trade remedies and origin fraud investigations.

Vietnam has imported more than eight million cubic meters of fuel in the first nine months of the year, with the largest share coming from South Korea.