Over 51,800 businesses enter, re-enter Ho Chi Minh City market

During the first eight months of 2026, over 51,800 businesses either entered or re-entered the Ho Chi Minh City market, marking a 4.9 percent year-on-year increase. In contrast, approximately 43,100 businesses exited the market, reflecting a 24.4 percent year-on-year rise in departures. This disparity highlighted ongoing challenges for enterprises.

On September 17, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade convened a discussion with businesses, associations, and industry groups to assess the city's socio-economic landscape, industrial output, and trade performance during the period, as well as strategies for the fourth quarter of 2026. The dialogue also addressed ways to alleviate difficulties and provide businesses with access to supportive policies.

Key indicators of industrial production and retail sales continued to demonstrate robust growth, with the Index of Industrial Production increasing by 10.18 percent and retail sales exceeding VND617 trillion (US$23.7 million), a 17.2 percent rise. Exports also grew by 7.8 percent. However, the withdrawal rate outpaced the entry and re-entry rate, with more than eight businesses leaving for every ten that joined or returned.

Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, Bui Ta Hoang Vu, pledged to listen to businesses' concerns and proposals, focusing on resolving issues within the city's authority and working with businesses to submit recommendations to central authorities for broader consideration. One key concern raised was businesses' access to interest-rate support under Resolution No. 09/2023/NQ-HDND.

Despite substantial allocation of funds for this policy, only two applications for support had been submitted. The department emphasized the need to identify obstacles preventing businesses from accessing this policy, especially as financing costs continued to strain investments and production. For the remainder of the year, the sector identified the domestic market as a primary growth driver, with exports supporting production through expanded market reach.

From November through the Lunar New Year, the city planned to implement demand-stimulation and promotional programs, aiming to boost revenue by at least 20 percent for participating product categories during the peak season. The city also aimed to promote e-commerce, modernize its distribution network, and strengthen connections between Ho Chi Minh City businesses and other regions.

Measures to develop supporting industries and key industrial products for 2026-2030, alongside interest-rate support policies, were implemented to enhance production capacity, expand markets, and facilitate businesses' access to supportive measures, thereby bolstering the sector's resilience.