Vietnam business exits outpace entries in January–April

The number of market exits rose 12.2 percent from a year earlier, while new or returning businesses increased 9.9 percent over the same period.

On average, more than 24,100 businesses left the market each month, compared with nearly 22,500 joining or resuming activity.

Despite government efforts to support investment and business activity, U.S.-China trade tensions and U.S. tariff actions, including those affecting Vietnam, continue to weigh on business operations.

In Q1, only 24.1 percent of the firms surveyed said business conditions had improved compared with the previous quarter, while 45.8 percent expected improvements in Q2.

In April alone, over 15,200 new businesses were established, down 2.5 percent from March but up 7.4 percent from a year earlier, according to the GSO’s monthly socio-economic report.

Roughly 7,200 businesses registered for temporary suspension in April, up 63.6 percent from the previous month.

Nearly 8,990 enterprises halted operations pending dissolution, an 83.5-percent month-on-month increase.

About 1,750 firms were officially dissolved, down 18.1 percent from March but up 37.4 percent year-on-year.

In Q1 alone, 78,800 businesses withdrew, significantly exceeding the 72,900 that entered the market.

Exports dip in April, but trade surplus remains

Vietnam posted a trade surplus of nearly US$3.8 billion in January-April, the GSO said.

Total trade turnover reached $276.9 billion, up 15.7 percent year on year.

Exports rose 13 percent, while imports were up 15.7 percent.

April export revenue was estimated at $37.4 billion, down 2.8 percent from March.

The GSO attributed the decline partly to the impact of U.S. tariff policies on Vietnamese exports.

Imports in April were estimated at $36.8 billion, flat from March and up 22.9 percent from a year earlier.

FDI, tourism up

As of end-April, newly registered, adjusted, and share-purchase FDI capital totalled around $13.8 billion, up 39.9 percent year on year.

Vietnam welcomed 1.7 million international visitors in April, bringing the four-month total to over 7.6 million, up 23.8 percent from the same period in 2024.

Inflation edges up

Average inflation in January-April rose 3.2 percent.

Over the same period, gold prices surged 32.85 percent and the U.S. dollar appreciated 3.52 percent.