Vietnam – Rising star in Asia’s shifting supply chains: EIU

A low-cost manufacturing base and internal political stability are among key factors that turns Vietnam into a rising star in the region’s shifting supply chains, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) of the Economist Group stated in its latest report.

According to the report, the number of people of working age in Vietnam is now estimated at 68 million, or just over 70% of the total population. This resulted in Vietnam currently at a demographic dividend, when the share of the working-age population is large relative to those under 15 and over 64 years of age, and is set to continue to grow in absolute terms until 2045.

However, “the main weakness that investors will find in Vietnam’s labor market will continue to be its lack of skilled labor”, stated the report, referring to the lack of advanced education directly relevant to the needs of foreign-invested manufacturing and services firms.

EIU’s report expects more incentive for foreign investment in time to come, especially for high-tech manufacturers looking to relocate labor-intensive processes.

Vietnam has incentivized foreign direct investment (FDI) into specific sectors via a combination of three main types of economic zones: industrial zones, which include industrial parks and export-processing zones; special economic zones; and technology parks.

As such, eligible FDIs can benefit from corporate, personal income tax exemption and rate reduction, while below-market land rents are offered as well.

Firms in high-technology sectors, automotive, machinery, and those involved in the production of advanced capital goods are among the eligible.

“In the decade ahead, the eligibility for investment incentives will narrow to increasingly focus on higher value-added industries, as the government deprioritizes foreign investment in low-value-added manufacturing industries, including chemicals, plastics and fabricated metals,” noted the report.

Meanwhile, Vietnam participates in more trade pacts, with the latest being the EVFTA and RCEP, and has better relations with major trading partners than many of its regional neighbors. This lowers the cost of exporting clothing, footwear and electronics, among other goods, to major global markets.

“The wide range of incentives offered to foreign businesses and market access granted by numerous free-trade agreements, combined with competitive wage costs at the low-skilled end, will ensure Vietnam remains an attractive option for manufacturing operations and those seeking to diversify their supply chain in Asia,” noted the EIU.