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This space provides the latest data that is available to us on key financial indicators.  This is  the official government picture on the economic climate in Vietnam.   Please read this data in conjunction with Vietnam Vignettes ,  the various Business Articles , and our Service pages in order to learn how VVG may be of able to meet your specific needs.  Please write to us

Current as of  the month reported, data sources include VVG original research,  General Statistical Office, MPI, Vietnam Investment Review, Vietnam Economic Times, and Vietnam Business Journal

NOTE: Notwithstanding the consistent downward trend of most economic indicator over the first seven months of the year, there is no current report that the State is prepared to lower its Annual Forecasts.

Rates of Inflation & Currency Exchange

Current Annual Rate of Inflation:  4.5%  [Chart VIR Aug99]

Current Rate of Exchange (cash in new bills denominated in $100 or $50 only)
Vietnam dong to US dollar: 13,950 : 1  [Unofficial projections are that this will drop to 15,000 or 16,000 by year 2000]

Outstanding External Debt in US$ millions (ADB): 1997 - 11,612;  1998 - 14,861 1997 - 11,612;  1998 - 14,861

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Balance of Trade ¹ US$ billions (1999 forecast figures: VET)

1.  Annual currency transfers from overseas Vietnamese adds an estimated $2.5 billion into the quiet economy, while smuggling adds approximately $1.5 billion more each year.

2.  First seven months in 1999 [VIR].

3.  In its 1999 report published in April, Asian Development Outlook, the ADB said the current account deficit is likely to remain around the 1998 level of 4.1% of GDP, which was achieved through import restrictions imposed by the government.

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Growth Rate of Merchandise Exports as a percent of change from the prior year (ADB)

Change in Consumer Prices expressed as a percent of change from the prior year (ADB)

GDP Growth (%) Government Statistics Bureau/Asian Development Bank

1. First four months of 1999 GDP reported at 4.0%

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GDP (converted to US$ billion)   VND 1 = US$  14,000 (constant) Reported in billion dollars Reported in billion dollars

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GDP per capita (converted to US$)  VND 1 = US$  14,000 (constant) Reported in actual $ (vbj)

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Foreign Capital Investment 

All Nations: 1,757 projects with Total Investment Capital $33.776 billion (vet)

Top Twelve Nations (Aug 1999 by VET)

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Foreign Investment By Sector  Total Foreign Investment by Sector (US$) (May VET)

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Foreign Investment By Province: Top Ten Locations by Total Investment Capital. 
NOTES: (1) These figures are as reported by the MPI in the Vietnam Investment Review, and do not always reflect the same data as is available in the reported provinces.  (2) Earlier reports on these pages showed total licensed projects and did NOT account for licenses that are no longer operative. (3) Total investment capital is paid-in capital (referred to in Vietnam as Legal Capital) plus all loans needed for the life of a project as projected at the time of licensing, or  as a company's charter may be subsequently amended.  This is quite different from "steel-in-the-ground" (referred to in Vietnam as total capital committed).   (4) Accurate figures for Capital Committed are not readily available.  Estimates differ among multilateral institutions but currently run at between $4 billion to $8 billion. (5) VIR ceased publishing total invested projects after June 1999 (totals as of June 1999 are repeated but in gray print). Since then, only total 1999 investments are reported.  (6) Figures as of 31 May 1999

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Additional data is found on the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam website.   When you arrive there, click onto the Business page.  http://www.amchamvn.com .

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