Ho Chi Minh City seeks ways to "awaken" purchasing power and stimulate consumer demand
In the first 7 months of 2026, total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue in Ho Chi Minh City are estimated at 1,133,721 billion VND, an increase of 13.3% compared to the same period. Purchasing power shows positive signs, but consumers are still carefully considering prices, especially for essential goods.
Discount programs, buy 1 get 1 free, and promotions therefore continue to become factors promoting shopping decisions.
Representatives of MM Mega Market Vietnam said that the unit is implementing a promotion program throughout the system, applying to more than 3,000 essential items. At the same time, maintaining linkages and product consumption for more than 100 farming households and cooperatives.
Central Retail Vietnam also continues to implement stimulus programs and promotions with the aim of bringing products at competitive prices.
According to Mr. Le Anh Hoang - Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Trade and Investment Promotion Center, the unit is coordinating with retail systems to connect and introduce products and goods bearing Vietnamese brands, thereby helping businesses have more opportunities to reach domestic consumers as well as international tourists. See more...
Retail gasoline and oil prices on August 17 at Petrolimex system
Bank interest rates today August 17: 10-month term up to 9.4%
A survey of interest rates of more than 30 banks shows that deposit interest rates are still high for some terms, thanks to additional incentive programs. Cake by VPBank is listing interest rates of 7.2%/year for terms of 6-9 months and 7.4%/year for terms of 10-24 months.
In particular, customers who deposit savings for the first time from 100,000 VND on the CAKE BANK application in the period of January 1-31.8.2026 will receive an additional 2%/year for a term of 6-12 months, thereby some deposits can reach an actual received interest rate of up to 9.4%/year.
For short terms, many banks are applying a rate of 4.75%/year for 3-month terms, equivalent to the ceiling interest rate for deposits under 6 months as regulated.
BIDV, Cake by VPBank, MBV, BAC A BANK, OCB, VCBNeo, PGBank, BVBank, Sacombank, SaigonBank, BAOVIET Bank, VietABank and NCB are in the group applying this interest rate level. The fact that many banks have reached the short-term interest rate ceiling shows that capital mobilization competition is still strong, while the room to increase interest rates for less than 6 months is almost gone. See more...
Aspiration to rise from the sea
Nghe An is reshaping the marine economy towards modernity, instead of dependence on small-scale coastal exploitation. At Cua Lo, urban infrastructure and beaches are synchronously renovated, landscapes, environmental sanitation and services are improved. The "Four Seasons of Sea Calling" Tourism Festival along with culinary, sports, OCOP and cultural activities help diversify products, aiming to extend the year-round tourist season and expand the experience space to Hon Ngu, fishing villages, and coastal routes.
Besides tourism, seaport and industrial infrastructure is identified as a backbone for the marine economy. Cua Lo deep-water port has a total investment of about 9,000 billion VND, when completed, it is expected to become the logistics nucleus of the North Central region, connecting the North-South expressway, National Highway 1A, Vinh airport and the East-West economic corridor. Along with that, Nghe An promotes the Southeast Economic Zone and industrial parks, attracting FDI capital flows, gradually forming a linkage ecosystem between seaports, logistics, industry and services.
The province identifies the marine economy as one of the development pillars, focusing on improving the investment environment, accelerating site clearance, creating clean land funds and improving service quality and human resources. See more...
