At a steel mill in Vietnam (Illustrative photo: VNA)
Vientiane (VNA) - Vietnam-Laos trade expanded in the first five months of 2021 after a decline triggered by COVID-19, according to the Vietnamese Trade Office in Laos.
The figure surpassed 570 million USD in the period, a year-on-year rise of 25 percent. Exports hit over 280 million USD, up 23.6 percent.
In May alone, two-way trade hit 113 million USD, surging 56.7 percent against the same period last year. Import turnover reported growth of 83.8 percent.
Vietnam’s major exports included machinery, equipment, tools and spare parts in excess of 13.4 million USD; ceramics worth over 1 million USD; and garment-textile about 900,000 USD.
The country also shipped iron and steel products nearing 6.8 million USD and petrol and oil worth 1.9 million USD to its neighbour.
Meanwhile, Vietnam imported close to 10.3 million USD worth of timber and wooden products from Laos, along with ores and minerals, and rubber.
Trade Counsellor at the Embassy of Vietnam in Laos Le Thi Phuong Hoa said that the bilateral trade is projected to marginally rise next month as the countries are striving to curb the spread of COVID-19.
To support businesses, the trade office has devised a list of firms wishing to promote their products in Laos, helped them seek distributors and address bottlenecks in freight transportation, she added./.
The Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee sent a letter of greetings to the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) on the occasion of the Lao Party’s 66th founding anniversary (March 22, 1955-2021).
Vietnam’s assistance for Laos in the COVID-19 combat was handed over at a ceremony held at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane capital city on May 4 morning.
Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue hosted a reception in Hanoi on May 13 for Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Sengphet Houngboungnuang, who was the first foreign ambassador to pay a courtesy visit to Hue as the top leader of the NA.
The Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association Central Committee has presented more than 600 million VND (26,000 USD) and 225,000 face masks to help Laos fight COVID-19.
Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his Lao counterpart Saleumxay Kommasith on June 6 highlighted their countries’ mutual support in the COVID-19 combat and identified ways to augment bilateral relations.
The event aimed to update businesses on new regulations and compliance requirements regarding US tax, trade, and customs policies, while offering practical solutions to facilitate exports amid shifting trade dynamics.
The festival marks a significant milestone in promoting the brand, value, and legacy of traditional fish sauce - a product deeply rooted in the island’s identity and history spanning over 200 years.
According to Mastercard data, Vietnam has recorded a remarkable 92% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in contactless transaction volume from Q4 2022 to Q4 2024.
Tuan expressed his confidence that LH, with its expertise and experience, would swiftly implement the urban area project, contributing to a modern urban landscape for the province.
With its strategic location, abundant workforce, and modern infrastructure, Vietnam holds significant potential to become a leading centre for power and electronics production in the region and the world.
The renewable energy workforce training and development centre, invested by Germany's GEO Group, is expected to be a cornerstone in shaping Binh Dinh as a renewable energy and innovation hub in central Vietnam, meeting the growing demand for skilled technical personnel in offshore wind, solar farms, and green hydrogen projects.
A notable trend is the shift toward satellite regions. With land scarcity and soaring prices in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, investors are eyeing provinces like Hung Yen, Bac Ninh, and Hai Phong, which are benefiting from improved technical infrastructure and transport connectivity.
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The participation of H&M, one of the world's largest fashion corporations, in Vietnam International Sourcing 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City in early September is considered a special highlight, opening up many cooperation opportunities for Vietnamese businesses in the fashion, textiles and sustainable supply chains.
This latest order builds on a previous agreement signed at the Singapore Airshow last year for 40 engines, bringing the total number of Trent 7000 engines ordered by the airline to 80.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien acknowledged that despite concerted efforts by ministries and local authorities in combating fake and substandard goods, the situation remains highly complicated, attributing the persistent challenges to high profits luring numerous participants, increasingly sophisticated violations, limited resources within enforcement agencies.
The group also placed among the Top 5 energy companies in Southeast Asia and secured the top spot among the largest Vietnamese enterprises featured on the list.
The zone will cover 1,881 ha, comprising functional areas for production, logistics, trade and services, digital technology industry, information technology, and innovation.
Dung underlined several key objectives, including a comprehensive review of the legal framework governing SOEs, and called for updates that reflect international standards and support modern, transparent governance.
While the US market has become more difficult to access due to new tax policies, Australia could play the role of a trade cushion, helping to reduce shocks and maintain export momentum for Vietnam's shrimp industry.
At a steel mill in Vietnam (Illustrative photo: VNA) 
