Vietnam’s index of industrial production (IIP) in January fell 9.2% against the previous month and inched up 0.6% year-on-year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

The manufacturing and processing sector grew by 1.6% compared to the same period last year, while electricity production and distribution increased by 0.4% and water supply, waste management, and treatment activities 9.2%. However, the mining sector experienced a decline of 10.4%.

Forty-seven cities and provinces recorded significant year-over-year growth, with remarkable industrial expansion seen in Nam Dinh province (29.9%), Bac Kan (28.5%), Ben Tre (24.2%), Binh Phuoc (17%), Kien Giang (16.6%), and Hai Phong (16.3%). In the electricity production sector, Tra Vinh stood out with a 56% surge while Khanh Hoa and Binh Thuan documented increases of 30.8% and 20.6%, respectively.

Conversely, Ca Mau experienced a 16.3% decline, followed by Gia Lai at 13.2%, and Ha Tinh at 10.4%. Major economic hubs also struggled with industrial production in the month, with Hanoi dropping 9.8%, Ho Chi Minh City 9.3%, and Da Nang 8.9%.

Key industries showed mixed performance in January. Motor vehicle production surged by 33.8%, while furniture manufacturing increased by 10.6% and leather and related product production 10.3%. The electronics and computer products and food production sector saw modest growth of 3.8% and 2.1%, respectively. However, pharmaceutical production declined by 29.1%, coal mining 20.1%, and electrical equipment production 11.5%.

In terms of specific products, automobile production jumped by 60.7%, television 50.1%, NPK fertiliser 13.7% while natural fiber fabric rose by 9.6% and clothing production 5%.

The number of workers in industrial enterprises posted a 0.2% month-on-month increase, and a 4.5% year-on-year growth as of January 1. Foreign-invested enterprises led employment growth with a 4.9% increase compared to the previous year.

According to Director of the GSO’s Industry and Construction Statistics Department Phi Thi Huong Nga, recent international supply chain shifts present significant opportunities for Vietnam. The country could achieve breakthrough industrial growth in 2025 and beyond by leveraging its advantages and accelerating digital and green transformation as well as meeting the increasingly stringent requirements of the international market.

The electronics and components sector has shown particular promise, while textile and footwear companies have secured orders through the first half of the year, she said, adding the wood processing industry has also shown significant recovery with continued high growth./.