1. Agriculture, forestry and fishery

Agriculture, forestry, and fishery production in July took place in relatively favorable weather conditions for crops and livestock to grow and develop. Localities across the country focused on speeding up the sowing of the winter rice, taking care of summer-autumn rice and harvesting summer-autumn rice early, planting and harvesting in the best season. However, the livestock industry has faced difficulties due to the high price of animal feed and ongoing disease in some localities; the Covid-19 pandemic has negatively affected the consumption market of processed forest and aquatic products for export.

a) Agriculture

As of July 15, the whole country cultivated 1,099.6 thousand hectares of winter rice, an equal to 99.4% over the same period last year, of which in the Northern localities cultivated 909.2 thousand hectares, equaling 99.7%; Southern localities planted 190.4 thousand hectares, equaling 97.8%.

By mid-July, the whole country had planted 1,949.6 thousand hectares of summer-autumn rice, equaling 100.7% over the same period last year, of which the Northern provinces reached 177.9 thousand hectares, equaling 102.2%; Southern provinces reached 1,771.7 thousand hectares, equaling 100.5%, particularly the Mekong River Delta reached 1,507.9 thousand hectares, equaling 99.1%. Up to now, most of the summer-autumn rice has been in the stage from tillering to ripening, the early rice has been harvested with an area of 436.4 thousand hectares, equaling 87.1% of the same period last year, of which the Mekong River Delta reached 427.2 thousand hectares, equaling 86.9%.

As of July 15, the Mekong Delta had sown 294.9 thousand hectares of autumn-winter rice, equaling 95.9% of the same period last year. At present, autumn-winter rice is in the stage of seedling and tillering to grow and develop well.

As of mid-July, localities across the country cultivated 738 thousand hectares of maize, equaling 101.8% over the same period last year; 74.8 thousand hectares of sweet potatoes, equaling 92.5%; 23.5 thousand hectares of soybeans, equaling 89.7%; 147.5 thousand hectares of groundnut, equaling 95.5%; 863.7 thousand hectares of vegetables and beans, equaling 101.3%.

Cattle and buffalo husbandry in July had faced difficulties due to the Lumpy Skin Disease occurring in many localities. Buffalo population at the end of July 2021 was estimated to decrease by 3.3% against the same period last year; cattle population increased by 2.3%; pig population increased by 6.1%; poultry population increased by 4.8% .

As of July 20, 2021, the country was no longer recorded cases of blue ear disease in pigs. Some diseases remained in several localities for less than 21 days: avian influenza remained in Ha Noi, Quang Ninh, Thai Binh, Lang Son, Nghe An, Ha Tinh; foot and mouth disease remained in Thai Nguyen, Nghe An, Ha Tinh; African swine fever was reported in 33 provinces^[1] and LSD reported in 34 provinces.

b) Forestry

The estimated newly concentrated planted forest area in July 2021 was 13.1 thousand hectares, up 3.3% over the same period last year. Generally, in the seven months of 2021, the newly concentrated planted forests area nationwide reached 123.6 thousand hectares, up 3.2% over the same period last year; the number of scattered forest trees was 51.9 million trees, up 1.9%; timber output gained 9,495.6 thousand m³, up 5.5%; the firewood output was 11.4 million ste, down 0.3%.

In July[2], the whole country had 418.5 hectares of damaged forest, of which the burnt forest area was 330.6 hectares, up 97.3% over the same period last year; the cut and deforested forest area were 87.9 hectares, down 5.8%. Generally, in the seven months of 2021, the whole country had 1,398.3 ha of damaged forest, up 42.3% over the same period last year, including the burnt forest area was 629.3 ha, up 40.5%; the cut and deforested forest area was 769 ha, an increase of 43.8%.

c) Fishery

Fishery production in July 2021 was estimated at 804.1 thousand tons, down 0.3% over the same period last year, of which Aquaculture production was estimated at 448.1 thousand tons, down 0.3%; catch fishery production was estimated at 356.0 thousand tons, down 0.4%. Generally, in seven months of 2021, fishery production was estimated at 4,900.1 thousand tons, up 2.2% over the same period last year, including aquaculture production reached 2,552.9 thousand tons, up 3. 3%; catch fishery output reached 2,347.2 thousand tons, up 1.1% (sea fishing output reached 2,242.7 thousand tons, up 1.2%).

2. Industrial production

The fourth Covid-19 pandemic with a new strain has been complicated, negatively affecting industrial production in July and seven months of this year. The industrial production index in July 2021 only increased by 1.8% over the previous month and by 2.2% over the same period last year, which is the lowest increase in the past seven months (except for February with the lowest number of working days). In general, for seven months of 2021, the index of industrial production increased by 7.9% compared to the seven months of 2020.

The index of industrial production (IIP) in July 2021 was estimated to grow by 1.8% over the previous month and to rise by 2.2% from the same period last year, of which the mining industry went down by 8%; manufacturing increased by 2.9%; electricity production and distribution went up by 6,7%; water supply, waste and wastewater management, and treatment up by 4.4%.

Overall, in seven months of 2021, the IIP was estimated to increase by 7.9%, significantly higher than 2.6% of the growth rate in the same period last year and lower than 9.4% of seven months in 2019. Of which, the manufacturing rose by 9.9% (the same period last year up 4,2%), contributing 8.1 percentage points to the general growth; electricity production and distribution went up by 8.2%, contributing 0.7 percentage points; water supply, waste and wastewater management, and treatment peaked up by 5.6%, contributing 0.1 percentage points; the mining industry alone shrank by 6.3%, down by 1 percentage points in the general growth rate.

3. Enterprise registration status^[3]

Due to the complicated situation of the Covid-19 epidemic, the number of infections caused by the new variant has been increasing more and more, and the social distancing implementation in 20 provinces and cities according to Directive No. 16/CT-TTg has affected the business registration of enterprises in July and 7 months of 2021. In the context of many difficulties and challenges, the Government and Prime Minister have drastically directed ministries, branches, and localities to create good conditions to promote safe production, circulation, and distribution of goods.

In July 2021, the whole country had 8,740 newly established enterprises with nearly 122.8 trillion VND in registered capital and a total of 71.2 thousand registered employees, a decrease of 22,8% in the number of enterprises, a reduction of 25.3% in the registered capital, and a decline of 0.9% in the number of employees compared to last month. The average registered capital of a newly established enterprise reached 14 billion VND, a decrease of 3.3% compared to 6/2021, a reduction of 22.5% compared to the same period last year. In the month, there were 4,947 re-operated enterprises nationwide, an increase of 1.6% compared to the previous month, a raise of 2.2% compared to the same period in 2020; 4,527 enterprises temporarily ceased for a certain time, an increase of 17.1% and an increase of 34.3%; 3,932 enterprises temporarily ceased and awaited dissolution procedures, a decrease of 24.9% and rose by 28.2%; 1,442 enterprises completed dissolution procedures, a decrease of 24.9% and a decrease of 4.1%.

Generally, in the 7 months of this year, the whole country had nearly 75.8 thousand newly registered enterprises with a total registered capital of 1,065.4 trillion VND and a total number of registered employees of 555.5 thousand employees, up 0.8% in the number of enterprises, an increase of 13.8% in number the registered capital, and a decrease of 7.2% in the number of employees compared to the same period last yearThe average registered capital of a newly established enterprise in 7 months achieved 14.1 billion VND, climbing up 12.9% compared to the same period last year. If including 1,366.7 trillion VND of the additionally registered capital of nearly 27.6 thousand enterprises that recorded an upward adjustment of capital, the total additional registered capital in the economy in 7 months of this year was 2,432.1 trillion VND, up 16.1% compared to the same period in 2020. Besides, there were 29.6 thousand re-operated enterprises, an increase of 3.6% over the same period last year, bringing the total number of newly registered enterprises and re-operated enterprises in 7 months to 105.4 thousand enterprises, the average every month had 15.1 thousand newly established enterprises and re-operated enterprises.

In 7 months this year, there were nearly 79.7 thousand enterprises temporarily ceased for a certain time, temporarily ceased and awaited dissolution procedures, completed dissolution procedures, an increase of 25.5% over the same period last year. Including 40.3 thousand enterprises temporarily ceased for a certain time, an increase of 23% compared to the same period last year; 28 thousand enterprises temporarily ceased and awaited dissolution procedures, a climbing up 28.6%; 11.4 thousand enterprises completed dissolution procedures, an increase of 27.4%. On average, 11.4 thousand enterprises withdrawing from the market each month.

4. Investment

In July, the fourth Covid-19 epidemic broke out strongly in many provinces. In order to control the spread of the disease, 19 southern provinces have implemented social distancing according to Directive No. 16/CT-TTg and a number of other localities have also followed Directive No. 15 /CT-TTg affected the implementation of public investment projects. Realized investment capital under the State budget in July 2021 decreased by 1.7% compared to the previous month and decreased by 12.4% compared to the same period last year. However, in the 7 months of 2021, investment capital realized under the State budget still increased by 5.6% over the same period last year. The total number of newly registered foreign investment projects as of July 20, 2021, decreased by 37.9% over the same period in 2020, but the registered capital increased by 7%. The average newly registered capital per project in the 7 months of 2021 reached 10.1 million USD/project (it reached 5.8 million USD/project in the same period in 2020).

Realized investment capital from the State budget in July was estimated at 38.3 trillion VND, decreased by 12,4% over the same period last year. Generally, in 7 months of this year, realized investment capital under the state budget reached 210.8 trillion VND, equaling 44.3% of the yearly plan and up 5.6% against the same period last year (the same period in 2020 equaled 39% and increased by 25.2%), including: The capital under central management was 35.2 trillion VND, equaling 41.8% of the yearly plan and increasing 12.7% against the same period last year; the capital under local management reached 175.6 trillion VND, equaling 44.8% of the yearly plan and climbing up 4.3%.

The foreign direct investment from the beginning of the year to 20th July 2021[4] (including newly registered capital, adjust registered capital, and the total value of capital contribution and share purchases of foreign investors) reached 16.72 billion USD, decreased by 11.1% compared to the same period in 2020. Of which, newly registered capital included 1,006 newly licensed projects with a registered capital of 10,13 billion USD, a decrease of 37.9% in the number of projects and a growth of 7% of registered capital compared to the same period last year; Adjust registered capital included 561 turns of projects which were licensed in the previous years registered to adjust investment capital with the additional capital of  4.54 billion USD, decreased by 3.7%; 2,403 turns with a total value of the capital contribution of 2.05 billion USD, a drop of 55.8%; 911 turns of capital contribution, share purchase causing the increase of charter capital of the enterprise with the value of contributed capital of 1.05 billion USD, and 1,492 turns of foreign investors repurchased domestic shares without increasing the charter capital with a value of 1 billion USD. Foreign direct investment capital that implemented in 7 months of the year reached 10.5 billion USD, a growth of 3.8% over the same period last year.

Vietnam’s investment abroad in 7 months of the year, there were 28 projects newly granted investment certificates with a total investment capital of 145.3 million USD, decreasing by 29,6% over the same period of last year; 11 turns of projects adjusted capital with additional capital of 428.8 million USD, equaled 9.1 times[5]. Generally, the total investment capital of Vietnam abroad (newly and additionally licensed capital) in 7 months reached 570.1 million USD, increasing by 125,4% over the same period last year

5. Trade, prices, transport and tourism

The Covid-19 pandemic continues to be complicated throughout the country, negatively affecting commercial and service activities when many southern provinces and cities have implemented social distancing under Directive No. 16/CT-TTg. Gross retail sales of consumer goods and services in July decreased by 8.3% over the previous month, down 19.8% compared to the same period last year. The total estimated import and export turnover of goods in July 2021 ^[6] was 55.7 billion USD, an increase of 1.5% compared to the previous month. Passenger transport in July decreased 24.9% in passengers carried and decreased by 25.7% in passenger traffic; cargo transport decreased by 11.6% in freight carried, and decreased by 6.4% in freight traffic over the previous months. International visitors to Viet Nam in July 2021 were 7.5 thousand arrivals, decreased by 46.4% compared to the same period last year.

Gross retail sales of consumer goods and services in July was estimated at 339.4 trillion VND, down  8.3% from the previous month and down 19.8% over the same period last year. Generally, in 7 months of 2021, gross retail sales of consumer goods and services reached 2,791.3 trillion VND, up 0.7% over the same period last year, down 0.74% if eliminating price factor (the same period in 2020 decreased by 5.20%).

Export turnover in June 2021 reached 27.2 billion USD. Export turnover in July 2021 was estimated at 27 billion USD, decreased by 0.8% over the previous month, and rose by 8.4% compared to the same period last year. Generally, in seven months of 2021, the export turnover of goods was estimated at 185.33 billion USD, rose by 25.5% over the same period in 2020, of which, the domestic economic sector was 48.52 billion USD, up 14.6%, accounting for 26.2% of total export turnover; the FDI sector (including crude oil) attained 136.81 billion USD, increased by 29.9%, sharing 73.8%. In seven months of 2021, there were 27 products with export turnover of over 1 billion USD, contributing 90.2% to the total export turnover (5 products with export turnover of over 10 billion USD, accounting for 57,8%).

Regarding the structure of export commodity groups in seven months of 2021, the group of fuels and minerals was  1.87 billion USD, up 1.4% over the same period last year. The group of processing industry was estimated at 164.89 billion USD, jumped up by 27.1%. Agricultural and forestry products reached 13.65 billion USD, up 16.7%. The group of fishery products reached 4.92 billion USD, edged up by 12%.

Regarding the export commodity market in seven months of 2021, the United States was Viet Nam’s largest export market with a turnover of 53.6 billion USD, a growth of 37.4% over the same period last year; the following was China market with 28.7 billion USD, going up by 24.2%; The EU with 22.5 billion USD, rose by 15.5%; ASEAN market with 16.1 billion USD, an increase of 25.9%; South Korea with 12 billion USD, an increase of 10.3%; Japan with 11.7 billion USD, increased by 8.3%.

Import turnover of goods in June 2021 reached 27.66 billion USD. Import turnover in July 2021 was estimated at 28.7 billion USD, increased by 3.8% over the previous month and increased by 29.9% compared to the same period in 2020. Generally, in seven months of 2021, the import turnover of goods was estimated at 188.03 billion USD, increased by 35.3% over the same period in 2020, of which the domestic economic sector reached 66.31 billion USD, went up by 29.8%; the FDI sector gained 121.72 billion USD, edged up by 38.5%. In seven months of 2021, there were 31 imported products with a turnover of over 1 billion USD, accounting for 87.5% of the total import turnover.

Regarding the structure of imported goods in seven months of 2021, the group of input materials was estimated at 176.36 billion USD, up 35.8% over the same period last year, in which machinery, equipment, accessory, means of transport and components reached 84.35 billion USD, up 30%; fuel and row materials reached 92.01 billion USD, up 41.5%. Consumer goods group was estimated at 11.67 billion USD, rose by 28.5%.

Regarding the imported goods market in seven months of 2021, China remained the largest import market of Viet Nam with a turnover of 62.3 billion USD, jumped up by 48.5% over the same period last year; the following was the South Korean market with 29.7 billion USD, rose by 19.9%; ASEAN market with 24.7 billion USD, increased by 48.2%; Japan with 12.6 billion USD, going up 13.8%; EU market with 9.7 billion USD, expanding by 19.6%; the United States with 8.9 billion USD, increase of 10.4%.

The trade balance of goods in June 2021 witnessed a trade deficit of 455 million USD^[7]; the trade deficit for the first six months was 1 billion USD; trade deficit for July 2021 was 1.7 billion USD; trade deficit in seven months of 2021 was estimated at 2.7 billion USD^[8] (trade deficit in 2020 was 8.69 billion USD), of which the domestic economic sector saw a trade deficit of 17.8 billion USD; the FDI sector (including crude oil) saw a trade surplus of 15.1 billion USD.

Passengers carried in July 2021 were estimated at 146.3 million persons,  down 50.4% compared to the same period last year, and passenger traffic was 5.6 billion passengers-km, decreased by 60.2%. Generally, in 7 months of 2021, passenger carried reached 1,917.8 million passengers, a decrease of 9.6% over the same period last year (the same period of 2020 down 26.9%), the passenger traffic gained 80.6 billion passengers-km, went down 17.5% (the same period of 2020 decreased by 31.8%). Freight carried in July 2021 was estimated at 111.5 million tons, reduced by 24.3% compared to the same period last year, and freight traffic 24.1 billion tons.km, down 13.2%. Generally, in 7 months of 2021, freight carried reached 987.4 million tons, up 3.1% against the similar period last year (the same period in 2020 decreased by 7.3%), freight traffic gained 196.4 billion tons-km, up 4.7% (the same period of 2020 decreased by 7.3%).

International visitors[9] to Viet Nam in July were estimated at 7.5 thousand arrivals, up 3.7% compared to the previous month and decreased by 46.4% compared to the same period last year. Generally, in the 7 months of 2021, international visitors to Viet Nam was estimated at 95.7 thousand arrivals, down 97.5% compared to the same period last year.

6. Consumer price index, gold price index and US dollar

Price of food and foodstuff increased in some localities implementing social distancing to prevent the Covid-19 epidemic because people were worried about the lack of goods and increased hoarding; price of petrol and gas increasing according to the world fuel prices and the price of electricity for a living increasing according to demand in the hot season were the main reasons for the consumer price index (CPI) in July 2021 increased by 0.62% over the previous month, went up by 2.25% compared to December 2020 and rose by 2.64% compared to July 2020. However, in 7 months of 2021, CPI increased by 1.64% over the same period last year, the lowest increase since 2016[10]; core inflation in 7 months increased by 0.89%.

CPI in July 2021 increased by 0,62% compared to June 2021. Average CPI in 7 months of 2021 increased by 1.64% compared to the average of the same period in 2020; CPI in July 2021 increased by 2.25% compared to December 2020 and increased by 2.64% over the same period last year.

Core inflation in July 2021 decreased by 0.06% compared to the previous month and increased by 0.99% over the same period last year. Average core inflation in 7 months of this year increased by 0.89% over the same period in 2020.

The domestic gold price fluctuated in the same direction as the world gold price. Gold price index in July 2021 decreased by 1.39% compared to the previous month; down 1.16% compared to December 2020 and up 7.07% over the same period last year. The US dollar price index in July 2021 increased by 0.09% compared to the previous month; down 0.23% compared to December 2020 and down 0.55% over the same period last year.

7. Some social situation

The re-emergence of the Covid-19 epidemic has significantly affected people’s lives and business activities. Under such circumstances, the Government, The Prime Minister has promptly directed to ensure social security, especially in areas directly affected by the epidemic as Resolution No. 68/NQ-CP dated July 1, 2021, on some policies to support employees and employers facing difficulties due to the Covid-19 pandemic; Decision No. 23/2021/QD-TTg dated July 7, 2021, on the implementation of some policies to support employees and employers facing difficulties due to the Covid-19 pandemic with a total support package valued 26 trillion VND. At the same time, localities have actively developed pandemic response scenarios, prepared necessary conditions to perform well social security work. In addition to the Government’s support packages, many provinces and cities have also used a part of the local budget to support disadvantaged groups, workers…, thanks to that, people’s lives have been stable basically.

The epidemic of Covid-19 in the world continues to be complicated[11]. In Viet Nam, the number of new cases is increasing rapidly. As of the morning of July 28, 2021, Vietnam had 117,121 infections of Covid-19, of which the number of cures was 22,946 cases, of death was 524 cases. Six provinces and cities have not recorded new cases for 14 days: Yen Bai, Quang Tri, Dien Bien, Quang Ninh, Bac Kan, Nam Dinh.

Traffic accidents [12] in the seven months of 2021, there were 7,137 traffic accidents nationwide, including 4,568 traffic accidents of less serious or more serious, 2,569 traffic collisions, causing 3,635 deaths, 2,362 people injured and 2,622 people slightly injured.  On average, 1 day in 7 months of 2021, there are 34 traffic accidents nationwide, including 22 traffic accidents of less serious or more serious, 12 traffic collisions, causing 17 deaths, 11 people injured and 12 people slightly injured.

Natural disasters [13] in the 7 months of this year made 41 people dead and missing, 65 people were injured; 282 houses collapsed, swept away and 8.8 thousand houses were flooded and damaged; 7 thousand cattle and poultry died; 74.8 thousand hectares of rice and 20.1 thousand hectares of crops were damaged; total value of property damage was estimated at 771.8 billion VND, down 88% over the same period last year.

During the month[14], 216 cases of fire and explosion occurred nationwide, killing 8 people and injuring 5 others, with estimated damage of 29.6 billion VND. Generally, in the 7 months of 2021, there were 1,384 fires and explosions in the whole country, killing 67 people and injuring 93 others, with estimated damage of 318.3 billion VND./.

[1] Bac Ninh, Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Tuyen Quang, Yen Bai, Thai Nguyen, Lang Son, Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Son La, Hoa Binh, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Quang Nam, Khanh Hoa, Kon Tum, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Long An, Dong Thao, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau.

[2] According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, from June 16, 2021, to July 15, 2021

^[3] Source: National Enterprise Registration Information System, Business Registration Management Agency, Ministry of Planning and Investment (Received the report on 25^th June 2021)

[4] According to the report received on July 22nd, 2021, of the Foreign Investment Department, Ministry of Planning and Investment.

[5] Adjusted investment capital increased sharply due to a project of Vingroup in the US adjusted to increase by 300 million USD; Indochina Rubber Development and Investment Co., Ltd. project in Cambodia increased by 76 million USD and 01 project of Vinfast in Germany increased by 32 million USD.

[6] Data in July 2021 meeting by an interdisciplinary team consisting of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the State Bank of Viet Nam, the General Department of Customs and the General Statistics Office meeting estimates based on export turnover figures, import as of July 27, 2021 of the General Department of Customs combined with market information, the proportion and trend of export and import of goods. The General Statistics Office received and updated the report on the afternoon of July 28, 2021.

[7] The trade deficit in June 2021 was estimated at 1 billion USD.

[8] In which, in seven months of 2021, the trade surplus to the EU reached 12.8 billion USD, rose by 12.6% over the same period last year; trade deficit from China was 33.6 billion USD, went up 78.3%; trade deficit from Korea was 17.7 billion USD, going up 27.4%; trade deficit from ASEAN was 8.6 billion USD, increased by 123%.

[9] According to the report of the Border Gate Department, the Border Guard Command, the Ministry of National Defense and the Immigration Department, the Ministry of Public Security, the reporting period is from June 21 to July 20, 2021.

[10] The average CPI growth rate in 7 months of the year compared to the same period last year in 2016-2021 is 1.82%; 3.91%; 3.45%; 2.61%; 4.07%; 1.64% respectively.

[11] As of the morning of July 28, 2021, there were 195,980.2 thousand cases of Covid-19 in the world (4,193 thousand deaths).

[12] According to a quick reports from the Office of the Ministry of Public Security, and the Department of Maritime Affairs (the Ministry of Transport).

[13] Summary reports from 63 Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development, from June 19 to July 18, 2021.

[14]According to a quick report from the Ministry of Public Security on May 23, 2021.