SUMMARY
 
In August, the domestic economy continued to record clearer signs of improvement, but difficulties still existed.
 
Some positive points: The export situation during the month improved more clearly in many product groups. Total export value in August was 19% higher than the average in the first months of the year. For the domestic commercial and retail sector, although the growth rate continued to slow down, there were still a number of industries with strong retail sales growth during the month. Trading liquidity in the stock market continues to increase significantly and the issuance of new corporate bonds in the primary market also has many positive signs.
 
Challenges & Forecasts: Pressure on consumer goods prices and inflation increased quite rapidly in August. The USD/VND exchange rate also fluctuated strongly. Export orders and domestic sales may continue to increase according to the natural increase of the year-end season, but basically, world aggregate demand is still weak.
 
In particular, the export outlook to China may reverse or the recovery momentum will stagnate, because this country is facing the risk of serious recession, despite the Government's support efforts.
 
The business situation of enterprises in many industries in general, and wood/paper/garment & textile/seafood processing in particular, is still tricky. The real estate market situation is unlikely to recover in the short term. Most businesses in the industry are still in a state of liquidity stress and continue to announce late payments of bond interest and principal.
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
A. OVERVIEW
General perception
Overview of macroeconomic indicators
 
B. VIETNAM MACROECONOMICS
Consumer Price Index (CPI)
Production situation
Consumption scale
Import and Export
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
Business registration status
State budget
Disbursement of public investment capital
 
C. FINANCIAL MARKET
Credit system
Corporate Bonds
Government Bonds
Stock market
 
D. UPDATE OF SOME KEY INDUSTRIES
Transportation & Logistics
Tourism
Steel
Cement
Textile, Garment and Footwear
Fertilizer
Animal feed
Seafood
Rubber
Rice
Cashew
 
E. COMMODITY PRICE
Crude oil prices
Currency pairs
Some types of commodities
International freight rates