Vietnam Business News: Week in Review (11 Oct 2025)

Vietnam has quickly become one of Asia’s most dynamic economies, offering foreign investors and entrepreneurs an attractive environment for growth. With its ongoing regulatory reforms, digital transformation, and focus on compliance, doing business in Vietnam is no longer just about market entry - it’s about understanding how innovation and law interact to create sustainable opportunities.

This week’s Vietnam business update highlights key developments:

• Vietnam Economy Q3 2025: GDP Growth Accelerates
• Vietnam Business Landscape Q1–Q3 2025 
• Simplified Income Tax Dependent Registration 
• Vietnam’s Draft AI Law: Responsible Innovation

United Consulting provides regular business updates to highlight the most important shifts affecting entrepreneurs, SMEs, and foreign investors. Whether you’re already doing business in Vietnam or exploring new Business & Investment opportunities, staying ahead of these changes will help you navigate compliance and seize growth potential. Follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook to always stay up to date! 

Vietnam Economy Q3 2025: GDP Growth Accelerates

Vietnam achieved 8.23% GDP growth in Q3 2025 - one of the strongest performances in Asia.

9M 2025 results:

• Overall growth: +7.85% YoY (2nd highest since 2011).
• ADB projection: Upgraded Vietnam’s growth forecast to 6.7%, while most regional economies were downgraded.

Growth by sector:

• Services: +8.49% (51.6% of total growth).
• Industry & Construction: +43.0%, led by manufacturing (+9.92%).
• Agriculture: Stable contribution supporting rural jobs.

Key economic drivers:

• Final consumption: +8.07%.
• Asset accumulation: +8.52%.

Vietnam Business Landscape Q1–Q3 2025

Vietnam’s enterprise activity remained robust, reflecting confidence among both local and foreign investors.

Highlights (Jan - Sep 2025):

• 231,300+ enterprises established or resumed (+26.4% YoY).
• 145,000 new firms registered (+18.9%).
• 86,300 firms returned to operation (+41.3%).
• Total registered capital: 1.42 quadrillion VND (+22.6%).
• Supplementary capital: +104.3% overall; existing firms up +186.5%.

Outlook:

• 82.5% of manufacturers expect stable or improved business performance in Q4 2025.
• Optimism driven by higher production and export orders.

Simplified Income Tax Dependent Registration

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) is pushing to streamline personal income tax (PIT) procedures - part of a broader effort to enhance Vietnam compliance efficiency.

Key changes proposed:

• Remove dependent registration documents for salaried taxpayers.
• Merge the process into the initial tax registration step.
• Use national databases and personal ID codes to automatically verify dependents (children, parents, spouses).

Benefits:

• Less paperwork and duplicate submissions.
• Faster, more accurate verification.
• Reduced manual processing for tax authorities.

Exception: Manual review still required for “other dependents without support” (e.g., individuals with disabilities).

Vietnam’s Draft AI Law: Responsible Innovation

The Ministry of Science and Technology is finalizing a Draft AI Law to regulate AI development and usage - a landmark step in Vietnam compliance for emerging technologies.

Key principles:

• Human-centered: AI must serve people, remain under human control, and ensure accountability.
• Risk-based approach: Four risk levels, from minimal to unacceptable.
• High-risk systems face stricter oversight; unacceptable risk systems are banned.

Prohibited AI uses:

• Manipulating human behavior or impairing autonomy.
• Exploiting vulnerable groups (children, elderly, disabled).
• Large-scale social credit scoring by state agencies.
• Collecting facial recognition data without clear purpose.
• Emotion recognition in schools or workplaces (except safety/medical cases).
• Creating AI-generated content threatening national security or social order.

Conclusion: Vietnam’s Business and Compliance Outlook for 2025

Vietnam’s 2025 economic trajectory combines strong business momentum, proactive policy reforms, and responsible technological governance.

From the simplified personal income tax process and AI regulatory framework to the impressive GDP performance, these developments underscore Vietnam’s readiness to support both local and international enterprises in a transparent, growth-oriented environment.

For businesses doing business in Vietnam, the message is clear: Stay informed, remain compliant, and leverage Vietnam’s fast-evolving regulatory and economic landscape to your advantage.

💡 Need tailored guidance?

United Consulting helps investors and businesses navigate Vietnam’s legal, tax, and compliance frameworks with confidence.