Ho Chi Minh City’s industrial production hits 3-year high

The manufacturing and processing sector continued to be the primary driver of the city’s industrial expansion, improving 10 percent year on year, the strongest growth in four years since the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Printing, wood processing, electrical equipment manufacturing, and apparel were among the industries posting notable gains.

The rise in production has fueled higher labor demand, with many companies, especially foreign-invested enterprises, prioritizing skilled workers over those with only basic abilities.

The recent administrative merger of Binh Duong Province and Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province into Ho Chi Minh City is expected to further boost the city’s position as a major industrial hub, focusing on high-tech industries, manufacturing, and energy.

Nationwide, the National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance reported industrial output growth across all 34 provinces and cities after the merger, with strong performance in manufacturing and electricity production and distribution.

As of early July this year, the number of employees in industrial enterprises continued to rise across state-owned, private, and foreign-invested sectors, with manufacturing leading the increase, while employment in electricity production and distribution saw a slight dip.