Vietnam: Industrial output falls in May, albeit at reduced rate
Industrial output declined 3.1% compared to the same month a year earlier in May, which was a smaller contraction than April’s 9.4% decrease.
May’s result came on the back of a rebound in electricity generation and a smaller decline in manufacturing, likely as economic activity resumed following the lifting of lockdown restrictions.
Looking ahead, industrial production should continue to recover as economic activity ramps up. Moreover, the underlying strength of Vietnam’s industrial sector remains intact: Vietnam is an attractive low-cost base for manufacturing firms, including those looking to relocate from China due to the U.S.-China trade spat, thanks to a cheap workforce and business-friendly government.