The 2021 Vietnam Annual Economic Report entitled “Repositioning Vietnam in the Global Dynamics” was unveiled on July 29 by the Vietnam National University - University of Economics and Business.

Total retail sales of goods and services shrank 8.3 percent month-on-month in July to 339.4 trillion VND (14.84 billion USD) as a result of restrictions induced to stem the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has sent a document to the State Securities Commission (SSC) on reviewing the measures to prevent overloading on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange.

July’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) picked up 0.62 percent month on month and 2.64 percent against the same month last year, the General Statistics Office (GSO) announced on July 29.

The State Bank of Vietnam set the daily reference exchange rate at 23,212 VND per USD on July 29, down 6 VND from the previous day.

Many Vietnamese rubber companies recorded outstanding growth in revenue and profit in the second quarter due to higher rubber prices. Analysts expect that rubber prices will remain high through 2021 on strong demand and tight supplies.

The index of industrial production (IIP) of southern Binh Phuoc province increased by 15.63 percent year-on-year in the first seven months of this year over the same period in 2020, according to the provincial Department of Statistics.

The market capitalisation of Axie Infinity, a blockchain-based trading and battling online video game developed by a Vietnamese studio, currently stands at 2.5 billion USD with about 61 million AXS traded.

As many employees of the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) have not been vaccinated against COVID-19, the group's production and trade as well as projects and plants have met with many difficulties and challenges, and above all, the employees' safety and health are at high risk.

The Cai Mep - Thi Vai port cluster in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau is investing in upgrading infrastructure to increase cargo-loading capacity, according to Tan Cang Sai Gon Corporation.

The State Bank of Vietnam set the daily reference exchange rate at 23,218 VND per USD on July 28, up 1 VND from the previous day.

The National Assembly (NA) on July 27 approved a resolution on the socio-economic development plan for 2021 - 2025, targeting an average annual growth rate of 6.5 - 7 percent during the period.

Retail petrol prices were down about 100 VND per litre from 3pm on July 27 following the latest adjustment by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance.

Vietnam raked in 16.7 billion USD in foreign direct investment (FDI) in the first seven months of 2021, down 11.1 percent from the same period last year, data from the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) shows.

Vietnam's footwear exports brought home 11.27 billion USD from the start of the year to July 15, a year-on-year surge of 28.36 percent, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

The State Bank of Vietnam set the daily reference exchange rate at 23,217 VND per USD on July 27, up 4 VND from the previous day.

Although local iron and steel prices have dropped, they are still at high rates, up 1.7 times compared to the end of 2020, causing investors and construction contractors to suffer.

Vietnam is playing catch-up in a global race to develop its own digital currency and experts believe this will not only help the country develop new technology but also present an opportunity for Vietnam to join the most technologically-advanced countries.

More Vietnamese goods are available on foreign supermarket shelves but enterprises still need to overcome a number of challenges if they want to enhance their brand image.

The State Bank of Vietnam set the daily reference exchange rate at 23,213 VND per USD on July 26, up 4 VND from the last working day of previous week (July 23).