Focus: As France and Vietnam deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership, economic cooperation is entering a new phase shaped by long-term vision and shared priorities. In an interview with The Saigon Times, Consul General of France in HCMC Etienne Ranaivoson discusses how growth, sustainability and trust are expected to define the trajectory of France– Vietnam economic relations toward 2030.
Inside Vietnam:
Exporters On Edge To Maintain Orders: U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran have done more than just ignite military hotspots across the Middle East; they are now casting a long shadow over critical maritime arteries, specifically the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal-Red Sea corridor.
Variable Needs To Take Into Account: Amid escalating U.S.-Israel strikes against Iran, which commands the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly 20% of global oil supplies pass, concerns are mounting over the ripple effects on the global economy. In an interview with The Saigon Times, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Huu Huan outlined the specific channels through which the conflict could transmit risks to Vietnam, offering quantitative forecasts for the country’s economic growth and export performance under different scenarios.
Business:
Profit Drivers For Banks: Banks recorded a sharp rebound in financial performance during the fourth quarter of last year compared with the same period in 2024, driving spectacular profit growth in all of 2025. What were the key forces behind such impressive results?
Less Pressure, Same Competition: A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling and the U.S. government’s quick move to introduce a new import tariff of 10–15% have eased cost pressures on Vietnamese exporters, down from around 20% previously. However, industry experts and businesses say the change provides relief rather than a fundamental shift in Vietnam’s competitiveness.
Living:
Vung Tau In Spring: For Saigonese, the beach town of Vung Tau is a familiar spot they flock to, especially during the summer months of May to August. But Spring carries a charm entirely its own. Fewer crowds, some fresh seafood, and wonderfully crisp, cool air with a strong coastal breeze that you will find absolutely refreshing.
Dawn Breaks Over Coastal Fishing Village: While the rest of the central coastal city of Danang remains tucked in slumber, the shores of Thanh Khe awaken amidst the lingering morning mist. As the first rays of sunlight paint the sea in shimmering gold, the bamboo basket boats and small wooden vessels begin to dance through the surf back to shore, bringing with them the salty breath of the ocean and the triumph of a night spent at sea. Dawn at the Thanh Khe fishing village is more than just a breathtaking landscape of radiant orange hues stretching across the water; it is a vivid tableau of human labor. The mo- ment a boat touches the sand, the atmosphere transforms into a flurry of activity. Baskets of anchovies, mackerel scad or baby squid – glistening like silver – are swiftly brought ashore. The calls of fishermen, the spirited bargaining of traders, and the rhythmic crashing of waves harmonize into a unique sympho- ny of the coast. Here, visitors can observe the diligent women of the village, their hands moving with practiced speed as they sort the catch directly on the sand. The radiant smiles of fishermen after a bountiful harvest seem to wash away the exhaustion of their overnight journey.
Travel:
Suoi Tien: A Pristine Sanctuary On Phu Quoc Island: While Phu Quoc is world-renowned for its emerald beaches and luxury resorts, the “Pearl Island” still harbors secrets for those willing to venture off the beaten path. Suoi Tien (Fairy Stream), tucked away in Ham Ninh Commune, offers a refreshing contrast to the coastal heat – a serene world of ancient forests, cascading waterfalls, and cool, crystal-clear basins.
