1. Agriculture, forestry and fishery

      a) Agriculture

Agricultural production in the month focused mainly on cultivation, tending of paddy and vegetables in winter-spring crops. As of mid-February, the country cultivated 2,613 thousand hectares of winter-spring paddy, an equal to 109.2% of over the same period last year, including: Provinces in the North cultivated 694.7 thousand hectares, an equal to 144.6%; Southern provinces cultivated 1,918.3 thousand hectares, an equal to 100.3%.

In Northern provinces, the weather in early season recorded favorable, sufficient water for cultivation, localities took advantage of early cultivating winter-spring paddy so the progress of cultivation recorded faster compared with that of over the same period last year, of which: Ha Noi reached 37 thousand hectares, recorded 10 times higher compared with that of over the same period in 2016; Ninh Binh reached 35 thousand hectares, 5 times higher; Hai Duong recorded 34 thousand hectares, more than 4 times higher. Currently, winter-spring paddy grew well. In some localities, although there occurred scattered pests and diseases on paddies such as two-sided stem borer, small leaf roll worm, but due to measures of prevention was taken in time, it did not affect the development of paddy.

Southern provinces basically completed cultivation winter-spring paddy. Currently, the winter-spring paddy was developing well, the main paddy crops were in the middle of branching. In Mekong Delta, there were nearly 430 thousand hectares of early winter-spring paddy in dyke for harvesting, of which: Soc Trang reached 97 thousand hectares, accounted for 67% of the cultivated area; Dong Thap reached 78 thousand hectares, made up 37%; Tien Giang 38 thousand hectares, occupied 53%.

The progress of cultivating winter-spring crops recorded a slower compared with that of over the same period last year, because some winter crops recorded low economic efficiency while increasing input costs that affected the investment in intensive cultivation and expansion of cultivated area. As of mid-February, localities in the country cultivated 250 thousand hectares of maize, an equal to 103% compared with that of over the same period last year; sweet potatoes reached 50.5 thousand hectares, an equal to 88.4%; soybean reached 20.1 thousand hectares, an equal to 59.5%; groundnuts reached 65.8 thousand hectares, an equal to 85.2%; vegetables reached 401.1 thousand hectares, an equal to 97.3%.

Cattle and poultry husbandry generally witnessed stability in the month. Buffalo population in February was estimated to decrease by 0.1% compared with that of over the same period last year; cattle population increased by 1.9% -2.1%; pigs increased by 4.5% -5.2%; poultry population increased by 4.3% -4.8%. As of February 26, 2017, the country no longer recorded  blue-ear pig epidemics and epidemics in some localities: Bac Lieu, Nam Dinh, An Giang, Soc Trang, Dong Nai, Quang Ngai and Nghe An; Ha Tinh.

        b) Forestry

In February, the concentrated forests area was estimated at 2,226 hectares, an increase of 4.2%, in comparison with that of over the same period last year; number scattered trees reached 10 millions, an increase of 1.4%; wood production reached 474 thousand m3, an increase of 8.7%; production of firewood reached 1.5 million ste, declined by 7%. In general,  in the first 2 months of the year, concentrated forests area was estimated at 3,521 hectares, an increase of 2.1% compared with that of over the same period last year; number of dispersed trees reached 10.7 million, and increase of 0.9%; production of firewood reached 3 million ste, a decline of 1.6% . Production of wood in the first 2 months of the year reached 875 thousand m3, an increase of 10.1% compared with that of over the same period last year, of which Thanh Hoa reached 89 thousand m3, rose by 18.6%; Phu Tho reached 65 thousand m3, a growth of 21.2%.

In February, there were 74 hectares of damaged forest, of which area of forest fire was 47.3 hectares; deforested area was 26.7 hectares. Generally for the first 2 months of this year, the damaged forest area was 104 hectares, an equal to 1.6 times, in comparison with that of over the same period last year, of which forest fire area was 66.3 hectares, 2.1 times higher; The area of ​​deforested was 37.7 hectares, an increase of 13.9%.

          c) Fishery

Fishery production in February was estimated at 423 thousand tons, an increase of 2.5% of over the same period last year, of which fish reached 322.9 thousand tons, rose by 4.4%; shrimp reached 35.5 thousand tons, a decline of 6.1%. Aquaculture production in the month was estimated at 254 thousand tons, an increase of 1.7% of over the same period last year, of which fish reached 200.7 thousand tons, a growth of 2.6%; shrimp reached 26 thousand tons, a decline of 4.1%.

Pegasus farming showed signs of prosperity, pangasius price continued to increase rapidly due to strong demand for pangasius import of from China and EU market. Production of pangasius harvested in February was estimated at 82 thousand tons, a growth of 5% of over the same period last year, of which Dong Thap reached 24.8 thousand tons, a growth of 0.4%; An Giang reached 24.2 thousand tons, a decline of 3.2%; Ben Tre reached 17.8 thousand tons, a rise of 26.6%.

Production of shrimp harvested in the month fell because some intensive shrimp farming areas were harvested last month to serve consumption for the Lunar New Year. Production of black tiger shrimp in February was estimated at 12 thousand tons, a decline of 7% compared with that of over the same period last year, of which Ca Mau reached 7.2 thousand tons, a decline of 4%; Bac Lieu reached 1.5 thousand tons, a decline of 34.8%. Production of vannamei was estimated at 11.3 thousand tons, a decline of 0.9% compared with that of over the same period last year, of which Ca Mau reached 3.9 thousand tons, a decline of 2.5%; Ben Tre reached 1 thousand tons, a decline of 19%.

Fishery production in February was estimated at 169 thousand tons, an increase of 3.7% of over the same period last year, of which fish reached 122.2 thousand tons, a growth of 7.6%; shrimp reached 9.5 thousand tons, a decline of 11.2%; Particularly, production of marine catching in February reached 164.8 thousand tons, an increase of 12.5% ​​compared with that of over the same period in 2016.

Generally, in 2 beginning months in 2017, fishery production was estimated at 859.5 thousand tons, an increase of 2.2% of over the same period, of which aquaculture production reached 466.9 thousand tons, an increase of 2.1%; production of catching reached 392.6 thousand tons, an increase of 2.4% (production of marine reached 369.2 thousand tons, an increase of 2.7%).

  1. Industrial production

The index of industrial production (IIP) in February was estimated to increase by 15.2% compared to the same period last year (February last year coincided with the Lunar New Year holiday, so the number of working days was less than this year). Generally for the first 2 months of 2017, the IIP increased by 2.4% over the same period last year, of which: the IIP of the manufacturing, the production and distribution of electricity, the water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities increased by 6.6%, 9.3%, and 6.6%, respectively, which contributing 4.6 percentage points, 0.6 percentage points, and 0.1 percentage points to the overall growth; the mining and quarrying plummeted at 13.5%, reducing 2.9 percentage points of the overall growth[1].

In the 2-digit industrial activities, some activities witnessed a high increase of the IIP in the first 2 months compared to the same period last year, such as: the manufacture of basic metals (18.5%); the manufacture of fabricated metal products (except machinery and equipment) (14.4%); the manufacture of textile (13.7%); the manufacture of wearing apparel (13%). Some industrial activities experienced a moderate increase, specifically: the manufacture of beverages (6.2%); the manufacture of food products (4%); the manufacture of chemicals and chemical products (3.4%); the manufacture of tobacco products (2.6%); the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, medicinal chemical and botanical products (2.3%); the manufacture of furniture (0.7%). A number of industrial activities saw a decrease in IIP, for example: other mining and quarrying (0.1%); the manufacture of leather and related products (2.4%); the mining of hard coal and lignite (6.2%); the extraction of crude oil and natural gas (15.9%).

In the first 2 months of the year, some main industrial products increased sharply compared to the same period last year: rolled steel (35.4%); iron and crude steel (21.4%); TV (16.7%); automobiles (15.2%); casual wearing apparel (14.3%); sodium glutamate (12.8%); fresh milk (11.4%); animal feed (10.2%). Some products increased slightly: cement (5.7%); cigarettes (2.6%); motorcycles (2%); mixed fertilizer (NPK) (1.8%); fabrics from synthetic or artificial yarn (1%). A number of products saw a decrease, including coal (6.3%); liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) (8.5%); mobile phones (8.9%); refined sugar (10.2%); extracted crude oil (15.6%0; natural gas (16.7%).

Some localities with large share of the industry sector in the first 2 months of this year showed an increase in the IIP compared with the same period last year, e.g.: Hai Phong (17.2%); Thai Nguyen (10.1%); Da Nang (9.6%); Hai Duong (9.4%); Quang Nam (8.6%); Binh Duong and Dong Nai (5.9%); Ho Chi Minh City (5.8%); Ha Noi (5.1%); Can Tho (4.9%); Vinh Phuc (2.1%). Otherwise, the IIP of Bac Ninh, Quang Ninh, Quang Ngai, Ba Ria – Vung Tau decreased by 2.8%, 4.5%, 6.4%, and 7.7%, respectively.

The index of industrial shipment (IIS) of the manufacturing activities in in January 2017 decreased by 16% compared to the previous month and by 4.4% compared to the same period last year. Some industrial activities experienced a decrease of the IIS over the same period last year: the manufacture of electricity equipment (1.6%); the manufacture of basic metals (3.2%); the manufacture of food products (3.4%); the manufacture of paper and paper products (3.9%); the manufacture of chemicals and chemical products (7%); the manufacture of wearing apparel (7.4%); the manufacture of rubber and plastic products (9.1%); the manufacture of products from prefabricated metals (except machinery and equipment) (11.5%); the manufacture of leather and related products (13.6%); the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, medicinal chemical and botanical products (14.7%); the manufacture of tobacco products (16%). Some industrial activities experienced an increase of IIS over the same period last year: the manufacture of textile (10%); the manufacture of electronic and computers (9.2%); the manufacture of motor vehicles (6.2%).

The index of industrial inventory of the manufacturing as of 1st February, 2017 increased by 13.3% compared to the same period in 2016, of which the manufacture of textile showed a lower rise of 2.3% over the general growth of the industrial inventory index; some industrial activities witnessed a decrease compared to the average index, such as: the manufacture of leather and related products (0.5%); the manufacture of wearing apparel (3.1%); the manufacture of chemicals and chemical products (4.2%); the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, medicinal chemical and botanical products (7.8%); the manufacture of electrical equipment (14.1%); the manufacture of other means of transport vehicles (24.9%). Some industrial activities possessed a remarkable increase in the index of industrial inventory: the manufacture of paper and paper products (160.9%); the manufacture of beverages (66.6%); the manufacture of electronic, computers and optical products (61.3%); the manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products (43.7%); the manufacture of motor vehicles (43.5%); the manufacture of fabricated metal products (except machinery and equipment) (22.5%); the manufacture of furniture (22.4%).

The average index of industrial inventory of the manufacturing in January 2017 was 74.4%, of which some industrial activities saw the highest index of industrial inventory: the manufacture chemicals and chemical products (116.7%); the manufacture of fabricated metal products (except machinery and equipment) (111.7%); the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, medicinal chemical and botanical products (110%); the manufacture of food products (85%).

The number of employees working in industrial enterprises at 1st February 2017 increased by 2.5% compared to the same period last year, of which the number of employees working in State-owned enterprises decreased by 1.9%; in non-state enterprises increased by 1%; in FDI enterprises increased by 4.4%. At the same time, the number of employees working in the mining and quarrying decreased by 4.3% compared to the same period last year; but the figure in the manufacturing, the production and distribution of electricity, the water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities increased by 2.9%, 0.1%, and 1.7%, respectively.

Some localities with large share of the industry sector witnessed an increase in the number of employees working in enterprises as of 1st February, 2017 compared with the same period last year: Hai Phong (14.9%); Da Nang (6.4%); Vinh Phuc (5.4%); Binh Duong (3.6%); Dong Nai (3.1%); Quang Nam (2.7%); Hai Duong (2%); Ha Noi (1.5%); Can Tho (0.9%); Ho Chi Minh City (0.2%). However, the number of employees working in enterprises in Quang Ngai and Ba Ria – Vung Tau decreased by 5.2% and 8.6%.

  1. Enterprises registration status[2]

In February[3], there were 5,461 newly established enterprises in the ưhole country with registered capital of 62.3 trillion VND, went down by 39.3% in number of enterprises and 31% of registered capital compared to the previous month because this month was the time of the Dinh Dau Lunar New Year in 2017[4]. The average registered capital of an enterprise reached 11.4 billion VND, rose by 13.6% compared to the previous month; the total number of registered employees in the month of newly established enterprises was 62.5 thousand persons, reduced 39.9%.

In the month, there were 2,413 re-operated enterprises, a fall of 56.6% compared to the previous month; 3,291 temporarily ceased enterprises (including: 1,926 enterprises ceased for a certain period of time and 1,365 enterprises temporarily ceased without registration or awaited dissolution), a downturn of 75.3%; 941 enterprises completed dissolution procedures, a cut down of 40.6%.

Generally for the first 2 months of this year, there were 14,451 newly registered enterprises with a total registered capital of 152.6 trillion VND, went up 3.9% in number of enterprises and 35% in registered capital compared with the same period in 2016; The average registered capital of a newly established enterprise reached 10.6 billion VND, extend 29.9%. If including 181.3 trillion VND of enterprises that recorded upward adjustment of capital, the total additional registered capital in the economy in the first 2 months of 2017 was 333.9 trillion VND. The total number of registered employees of newly established enterprises in the first 2 months was 166.6 thousand persons, equaling 83.9% of the same period last year. In the first 2 months of the year, there were 7,977 re-operated enterprises, a rise of 7.6% over the same period last year, bringing the total number of newly registered enterprises and re-operated enterprises in the first 2 months to more than 22.4 thousand enterprises.

Some economic activities saw an  increase in the new established enterprises and registered capital in the first 2 months of this year over the same period last year: the real estate activities increased by 43.4% in number of enterprises and 63.8% registered capital; human health and social work activities rose by 27.4% and 134.4%; employment services, travel, renting and leasing of machinery, equipment and other support services surge 16% and 196.9%; science, technology, consultation service, designing, advertisement and others jumped up 14.5% and 36.8%; construction went up 9.9% and 61.2%; education and training increased by 8.1% and 13.5%; financial, banking and insurance activities climbed by 1.5% and 49.4%; manufacturing grew up 4.2% and 45.8%. Some economic activities, the number of newly established enterprises decreased, the registered capital increased compared to the same period last year: arts, entertainment and recreation declining by 6.9% in number of enterprises and increased by 370% in number registered capital; accommodation and catering services a fall of 5.4% and an upturn of 49.8%; wholesale and retail, repair of automobiles and motorbikes reduced 2.2% and going up by 28.1%. Particularly, the number of newly established enterprises in the mining was equivalent to the same period last year, but the registered capital jumping up 217.5%.

The number of enterprises completed dissolution procedures in the first 2 months of 2017 was 2,524, rising by 14.9% over the same period last year (the first 2 months of 2016 extend 6.8% compared to the same period in 2015), of which 2,326 enterprises with capital size of less than 10 billion VND, accounting for 92.1%. By kinds of enterprise, the total number of enterprises completed dissolution procedures, there were 927 one-member limited liability companies (sharing 36.7%); 791 two-member limited liability companies (making up 31.3%); 496 private enterprises (forming 19.7%) and 310 joint stock companies (constituted 12.3%).

The number of temporarily ceased enterprises in the first 2 months of the year was 16,396 enterprises, a drop of 0.5% compared to the same period last year, including 8,673 enterprises ceased for a certain period of time, a rise of 20.1% and 7,723 enterprises temporarily ceased without registration or awaited dissolution, reduced 16.5%.

The total number of enterprises ceased for a certain period of time, there were 3,454 one-member limited liability companies (sharing 39.8%); 2,839 two- member limited liability companies (forming 32.8%); 1,501 joint stock companies (representing 17.3%); 877 private enterprises (constituted 10.1%) and 2 partnership companies. For enterprises temporarily ceased without registration or awaited dissolution, there were 3,357 one-member limited liability companies (sharing 43.5%); 2,257 two-member limited liability companies (making up 29.2%); 1,471 joint stock companies (accounting for 19%) and 638 private enterprises (constituted 8.3%). By economic activities, the number of enterprises temporarily ceased without registration or awaited dissolution to decrease compared to the same period last year, in which some economic activities fell sharply, as follows: agriculture, forestry and fishering decreased by 47.5%; arts, entertainment and recreation a cut down of 39.6%; accommodation and catering services reduced 38.0%; mining a decline of 36.4%; transportation and  storage a fell of 33.7%.

  1. Investment

Investment and construction activities in the month mainly focused on implementing the projects which were carried to this year from 2017. The realized investment of the State budget in February was estimated to reach 13,606.3 billion VND, including: the central capital gained 3,005 billion VND; the local capital 10,601.3 billion VND. Generally for the first 2 months of the year, the realized investment of the state budget reached 27,819.3 billion VND, equaling 9.6% of the yearly plan and going up 6.9% over the same period last year, including:

– The capital under central management achieved 5,930 billion VND, equaling 8.6% of the yearly plan and climbing up 0.5% compared to the same period last year, of which the realized investment of the Ministry of Transportation reached 2,950 billion VND, equaling 10.2% and rising 29.7%; Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development 530 billion VND, equaling 8.5% and falling 7.8%; Ministry of Health 367 billion VND, equaling 7.1% and going up 20.7%; Ministry of Education and Training 87 billion VND, equaling 9.5% and reducing 57.8%; Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment 48.5 billion VND, equaling 6.7% and decreasing by 39.8%; Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism 44 billion VND, equaling 7.5% and going down 20.7%; Ministry of Construction 40.5 billion VND, equaling 8.9% and decreasing by 56.9%; Ministry of Industry and Trade 22.5 billion VND, equaling 9.2% and falling 49.4%; Ministry of Science and Technology 8.2 billion VND, equaling 8.6% and decreasing by 59%; Ministry of Information and Communications 7.5 billion VND, equaling 7.8% and falling 45.7%.

– The capital under local management witnessed 21,889.3 billion VND, equaling 9.9% of the yearly plan and going up 8.8% compared to the same period in 2016. Of which, the state budget capital at provincial level reached 14,870.3 billion VND, equaling 9% and increasing by 3.6%; the state budget capital at district level gained 5,789.2 billion VND, equaling 11.9% and rising by 24%; the state budget capital at commune level recorded 1,229.8 billion VND, equaling 15.1% and increasing by 13.5%. The realized investment of State budget of some provinces and cities directly under the Central Government was as follows: Ha Noi achieved 3,297.9 billion VND, equaling 10.2% of the year plan and up 2.3% compared to in the same period last year; Ho Chi Minh city 974.6 billion VND, equaling 2.9% and jumping up 20.2%; Ba Ria – Vung Tau 954.9 billion VND, equaling 18.1% and falling 6.6%; Nghe An 896.9 billion VND, equaling 13.9% and going up 11.3%; Vinh Phuc 842.2 billion VND, equaling 14% and increasing by 53.4%; Thanh Hoa 640.5 billion VND, equaling 13.4% and going down 5.3%; Kien Giang 623 billion VND, equaling 16.1% and decreasing by 1.3%.

Foreign direct investment from the beginning of the year to 20th February, 2017 attracted 313 newly licensed projects with a registered capital of 2,028.9 million USD, an increase of 7.6% in number of projects and a rise of 6.5% of registered capital compared to the same period in 2016. Besides, 137 projects which were licensed in the previous years registered to adjust investment capital with an additional capital of 759.5 million USD.

In 2 months of this year, there were 654 turns of capital contribution and share purchase of foreign investors with a total value of 619 million USD. Thus, in general, the total registered capital of newly granted projects, additional capital and investment in the form of capital contribution, share purchase in the first 2 months of 2017 reached 3,407.4 million USD, an increase of 21.5% compared to with the same period last year. The realized FDI capital in the first 2 months was estimated at 1,550 million USD, a rise of 3.3% compared to the same period in 2016.

In the first 2 months of the year, the manufacturing activity attracted the largest foreign direct investment with the registered capital of newly licensed projects of 1,476.4 million USD, accounting for 72.8% of the total newly registered capital; real estate activities reached 309 million, comprising 15.2%; the other sectors reached 243.5 million USD, making up 12%. If including additional registered capital of projects licensed in previous years and capital contribution and share purchase, the total foreign direct investment in the manufacturing in the first 2 months of the year recorded 2,501.8 million USD, accounting for 73.4% of the total registered capital; the real estate activities reached 345.6 million USD, sharing 10.1%; the other sectors reached 560 million USD, representing 16.5%.

In the whole country, 34 provinces and centrally-run cities had newly foreign direct investment licensed projects in the first 2 months of the year, of which Binh Duong had the largest registered capital with 706.7 million USD[5], accounting for 34.8% of total newly registered capital; followed by Tay Ninh with 272 million USD, making up 13.4%; Bac Giang 160.5 million USD, comprising 7.9%; Nghe An 122.2 million USD, sharing 6%; Ho Chi Minh city 119.1 million USD, representing 5.9%; Dong Nai 117.4 million USD, accounting for 5.8%; Ba Ria – Vung Tau USD 108.7 million, making up 5.4%.

Among 34 countries and territories with newly licensed investment projects in Viet Nam in the first 2 months of this year, China ranked the top with 608 million USD, accounting for 30% of the total newly registered capital; followed by Singapore with 441.4 million USD, sharing 21.8%; South Korea 422.1 million USD, making up 20.8%; Japan 117.5 million USD, representing 5.8%; British Vigin Islands 105.8 million USD, accounting for 5.2%.

  1. State budget revenue and expenditure

Total state budget revenue from the beginning of the year to 15th February, 2017 was estimated at 131.8 trillion VND, equaling 10.9% of the yearly estimate, of which domestic revenue was 113.3 trillion VND, equaling 11.4%; revenue from crude oil 5.2 trillion VND, equaling 13.7%; budget balance revenue from import and export gained 13.3 trillion VND, equaling 7.4%. In domestic revenue, land use fee reached 9.3 trillion VMD, equaling 14.6% of the yearly estimate; taxes on trade and non state services was 28.1 trillion VND, equaling 14.5%; tax on FDI enterprises (excluding crude oil) achieved 24.7 trillion VND, equaling 12.3%; personal income tax was 9.5 trillion VND, equaling 11.8%; tax on state-owned enterprises was 24.4 trillion VND, equaling 8.5%; environmental protection tax recorded 3.1 trillion VND, equaling 6.8%.

Total state budget expenditure from the beginning of the year to 15th February, 2017 was estimated at 134.8 trillion VND, equaling 9.7% of the yearly estimate, of which expenditure for development investment was 12.5 trillion VND, equaling 3.5%; interest payment was13.9 trillion VND, equaling 14.1%; recurrent expenditure was 108.2 trillion VND, equaling 12.1%. Principal payment from the beginning of the year to 15th February, 2017 was estimated at 19.6 trillion VND, equaling 12% of the yearly estimate.

  1. Trade, price, transport and tourism

      a. Retail sales of goods and services

Trade and service activities in the month re-operated after the Lunar New Year holiday but witnessed a downward tendency compared to the previous month. Gross retail sales of consumer goods and services in February were estimated at 309.3 trillion VND, going down by 6.5% over the previous month and going up by 7.2% over the same period last year, of which: retail sales of goods reached 234.1 trillion VND, down 7.6% and up 8%; revenue from accommodation and catering services gained 37.7 trillion VND, down 1% and up 3.1%; tourism and travelling revenue achieved 2.5 trillion VND, a reduction of 10.5% and 0.6%, respectively; revenue from other services reached 34.9 trillion VND, down 4.1% and up 6.4%.

In the first 2 months, gross retail sales of consumer goods and services were estimated at 640 trillion VND, an increase of 8.7% compared to the same period last year, if excluding price factor, the growth rate was 5.6% (lower than the increase of 7.6% in the same period in 2016). By kinds of economic activities, retail sales of goods in the first 2 months were estimated at 487.4 trillion VND, accounting for 76.2% of the total and increasing 9.7% compared to the same period last year, of which food and foodstuff increased by 10%; garment expanded by 9.6%; vehicles rose by 9.4%; household appliances, tools and equipment increased by 7.7%; cultural and educational items rose 5.1%.

Revenue from accommodation and catering services in the first 2 months was estimated at 75.8 trillion VND, accounting for 11.8% of the total and increasing by 4.2% over the same period last year, of which some provinces had revenue increased: Thanh Hoa by 13.3%; Binh Thuan by 12%; Hai Phong by 7.4%; Quang Ninh by 7.1%; Dong Thap by 5.9%. Particularly, revenue from accommodation and catering services of the two big cities decreased, of which Hanoi reduced by 4.1%; Ho Chi Minh City decreased by 3.2%.

Tourism and travelling revenue in the first 2 months was estimated at 5.4 trillion VND, accounting for 0.8% of the total and increasing by 5.1% compared to the same period last year, of which revenue of some provinces increased quite remarkably: Can Tho increased by 26.2%; Quang Ninh rose by 16.2%; Dong Nai expanded by 9.3%; Ho Chi Minh City went up by 5.9%. Some provinces had revenue reduced significantly: Quang Tri by 36.6%; Lao Cai by 29.6%; Phu Yen by 29.4%; Quang Binh by 15.2%; Lai Chau by 8%.

Revenue from other services in 2 months was estimated at 71.4 trillion VND, accounting for 11.2% of the total and increasing 7.2% compared to the same period in 2016. Some provinces achieved an increase in revenue as follows: Can Tho by 21.7%; Lam Dong by 14%; Nghe An by 11.3%; Quang Tri by 9.3%; Hanoi by 6.1%; Thai Nguyen by 5.3%; Nam Dinh by 4.2%; Phu Yen by 2.3%.

         b. Export and import of goods

Export turnover in January 2017 reached 14,342 million USD, 258 million USD lower than the estimated figure, of which phones and their parts were 171 million USD lower; electronic goods, computers and their parts wer 96 million USD lower; fishery products were 57 million USD lower; footwear was 31 million USD lower; cassava and cassava products were 20 million USD lower; cashew nuts were 16 million USD lower; textiles and garments were 107 million USD higher; means of transport and spare parts were 100 million USD higher; machinery, instrument and accessory were 77 million USD higher than estimated.

Export turnover in February this year was estimated at 13.00 billion USD, went down by 9.4% over the previous month, of which the domestic economic sector gained 3.48 billion USD, edged down by 16.4%; FDI sector (including crude oil) gained 9.52 billion USD, fell by 6.5%. A number of main export products saw a significant decrease in turnover compared to the previous month, particularly: Textile and garment products by 30.4%; footwear by 23%; means of transport and spare parts by 25%; wood and wooden products by 34.3%; fishery products by 18.8%. Compared to the same period last year, export turnover in February this year increased by 28.6%, of which the domestic economic sector rose by 32.9%; FDI sector (including crude oil) grew by 27.1%.

In the first 2 months of the year, export turnover was estimated at 27.3 billion USD, jumped up by 15.4% over the same period in 2016, of which the domestic economic sector reached 7.6 billion USD, rose by 12.2%; FDI sector (including crude oil) attained 19.7 billion USD, grew by 16.8%. Export turnover of some main products expanded over the same period last year, such as: Phones and their parts reached 4.8 billion USD, went up by 2.6%; textiles and garments made up 3.7 billion USD, jumped up by 12.2%; electronic goods, computers and their parts achieved 3.1 billion USD, climbed up by 34.4%; footwear gained 2.1 billion USD, rose by 10.7%; machinery, instrument and accessory reached 1.9 billion USD, surged up by 49.5%; means of transport and spare parts gained 1.1 billion USD, went up by 12.7%; wood and wooden products attained 1 billion USD, jumped up by 7.7%; fishery products reached 893 million USD, went up by 2.5%; coffee attained 610 million USD, expanded by 21.2%; vegetables and fruits reached 434 million USD, edged up by 31.1%; crude oil amounted to 432 million USD, soared by 46.3% (a decrease of 9.6% in volume). However, export turnover of some agricultural products fell sharply over the same period last year: Rice reached 328 million USD, went down by 21.4% (volume decreased by 18.4%); cashew nuts reached 255 million USD, edged down by 3.3% (volume declined by 19.7%); cassava and cassava products gained 152 million USD, fell by 15.9% (a decrease of 6.4% in volume); pepper attained 129 million USD, dropped 27% (volume reduced by 7.4%).

Regarding the exported goods market in the first 2 months of this year, the United States was still the largest export market of Vietnam with a turnover of 6 billion USD, an increase of 18.9% compared to the same period last year; the following was EU with 5.4 billion USD, climbed up by 13.2%; China reached 3.3 billion USD, jumped up by 36.4%; ASEAN gained 2.9 billion USD, went up by 15.9%; Japan achieved 2.3 billion USD, rose by 15.3%; South Korea amounted to 1.9 billion USD, went up by 31.9%.

Import turnover in January 2017 was 13,188 million USD, 1.512 million USD lower than the estimated figure, of which machinery, instrument and accessory were 265 million USD lower; fabric was 138 million lower; electronic goods, computers and their parts were 122 million USD lower; materials for textile, garment and footwear were 82 million USD lower; automobile was 73 million USD lower; plastic was 70 million USD lower; metals were 62 million USD lower; iron and steel and plastic products were 46 million USD lower than estimated.

Import turnover in February was estimated at 14.20 billion USD, went up by 7.7% over the previous month, of which the domestic economic sector gained 5.60 billion USD, edged up by 1.6%; FDI sector attained 8.60 billion USD, jumped up by 12.1%. Import turnover of some products increased compared to the previous month, particularly: Phones and their parts by 7.8%; iron and steel by 13.5%; fabric by 13.3%; plastic by 12.9%. Compared to the same period last year, import turnover in February increased by 39.2%, of which the domestic economic sector rose by 49.6%; FDI sector grew by 33.1%.

In the first 2 months of the year, import turnover was estimated at 27.4 billion USD, went up by 19.6% over the same period last year, of which the domestic economic sector was 11.1 billion USD, rose by 22%; FDI sector reached 16.3 billion USD, rose by 18%. Import turnover of some products for production increased highly compared to the same period last year: machinery, instrument and accessory reached 4.7 billion USD, climbed up by 28.6%; electronic goods, computers and their parts achieved 4.3 billion USD, went up by 11.1%; phones and their parts reached 1.7 billion USD, grew by 14.9%; iron and steel reached 1.4 billion USD, went up by 41.8%; plastics attained 953 million, jumped up by 23.4%.

Regarding the import market in the first 2 months, China was still the largest import market of Vietnam with a turnover of 8 billion USD, climbed up by 23.8% compared to the same period in 2016[6]. The following was South Korea with 5.6 billion USD, surged up by 35%; ASEAN reached 3.6 billion USD, climbed up by 11%; Japan gained 2 billion USD, went down by 0.2%; EU achieved 1.7 billion USD, jumped up by 24.6%; United States amounted to 1.4 billion USD, rose by 31.4%.

Trade balance in January witnessed a trade surplus of 1.15 billion USD[7]. Trade deficit in February was estimated at 1.2 billion USD, mainly because after the Lunar New Year holiday, enterprises often started the new production cycle, so that the import demand for production was higher than the previous month. Of which, the domestic economic sector saw a trade deficit of 2.12 billion USD; FDI sector (including crude oil) witnessed a trade surplus of 925 million USD. In the first 2 months of 2017, the trade deficit was 46 million USD, of which the domestic economic sector saw a trade deficit of 3.48 billion USD; the FDI sector (including crude oil) witnessed a trade surplus of 3.43 billion USD.

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

 The consumer price index (CPI) in February 2017 increased by 0.23% over the previous month, of which housing and construction materials rose the highest with 0.77%, mainly because the liquified gas price was adjusted to increase by 28,000 VND/tank from the beginning of the month and demand for electricity and water increased when the weather was gradually changed to the hot season. Transport increased by 0.56% due to the increase in petroleum and oil prices at 03/02/2017 and 18/02/2017 (making the fuel price index in February increase by 1.19%, making the overall CPI increase by about 0.05%). The price indexes of remaining groups of goods and services had a lower growth rate than the general growth rate or decreased: Medicine and health care service increased by 0.22%; culture, entertainment and tourism rose by 0.15%; food and catering services grew by 0.11%, of which food went up by 0.25%, foodstuff edged up by 0.28%[8]; eating out service increased by 1.02% (due to the increase in consumption demand at the beginning of the year); household appliances rose by 0.05%; postal services and telecommunication fell by 0.07%; garments, hats and footwears dropped 0.05%; beverages and cigarettes decreased by 0.01%; Education group had no change compared to the previous month.

The average consumer price index in the first 2 months of this year increased by 5.12% compared to the same period in 2016. Consumer price index in February 2017 increased by 0.69% compared to December 2016 and increased by 5.02% compared to the same period last year.

Gold price index in February 2017 increased by 2.45% compared to the previous month; increased by 2.26% compared to December 2016 and increased by 10.42% compared to the same period in 2016. US dollar price index in February 2017 decreased by 0.07% compared to the previous month; decreased by 0.15% compared to December 2016 and increased by 1.12% compared to the same period in 2016.

Core inflation in February 2017 rose by 0.20% over the previous month and grew by 1.51% over the same period last year. Core inflation in the first 2 months of this year increased by 1.69% compared to the same period in 2016.

         d. Passengers and frieght transport

In February, passenger transport was estimated at 327.5 million passengers, gaining an increase of 9.4% over the same period last year and 14.9 billion passengers-kilometers, an increase of 8.9%. Generally for 2 months, passenger transport reached 644.7 million passengers, an increase of 8.5% compared to the same period last year and 29.5 billion passengers-kilometers, an expansion of 10%, of which passengers carried by roadway were 606.5 million, up 8.7% and 19.9 billion passengers.km, up 7.9%; seaways reached 1.1 million passengers, an increase of 8.6% and 54.3 million passengers.km, an increase of 5.1%. Airways was quite good with 6.9 million passengers, an increase of 12.4% and 8.2 billion passengers-kilometers, an increase of 17.4%. Railways achieved 1.7 million passengers, decreased by 8.4% and 0.8 billion passengers.kilometers, declined by 3.5% compared to the same period in 2016.

In February, freight carriage was estimated at 115.1 million tons, up 13.3% over the same period last year and 21 billion tons.km, up 7.2%. Generally for 2 months, freight carriage achieved 233.9 million tons, up 15.3% over the same period last year and 42.6 billion tons.km, up 7.7%, of which domestic transport was 228.4 million tons, going up by 15.7% and 20.6 billion tons.km, up by 13.9%; overseas transport reached 5.5 million tons, up 1.2% and 22 billion tons.km, up 2.4%. By kinds of transport, the roadways reached 182.5 million tons, up 16.4% over the same period last year and 11.2 billion tons.km, up 18.7%; inland waterways gained 39.6 million tons, up 11.5% and 8.5 billion tons.km, up 16.6%; seaways reached 11 million tons, up 13.7% and 22.3 billion tons.km, up 0.4%; Particularly, railways reached 0.8 million tons, a reduction of 4.2% and 0.5 billion tons.km, a fall of 8%.

        e. Foreign visitors to Viet Nam

Foreign visitors to the country in February were estimated at 1,199.4 thousand, increasing by 19.1% over the previous month and 42.2% over the same period last year, February had recorded the largest number of foreign visitors in the recent years, because of the festival season at the beginning of the year with many interesting events which attracted foreign visitors. Generally for the first 2 months, foreign visitors to Vietnam were estimated at 2,206.7 thousand, an increase of 33% compared to the same period last year, of which arrivals by airway reached 1,819 thousand, an increase of 37.1%; by roadway gained 298.2 thousand, a rise of 3.6%; by seaway achieved 89.5 thousand, an increase of 101.3%.

In the first 2 months of this year, foreign visitors to Vietnam from Asia reached 1,563.9 thousand, an increase of 39.5% over the same period last year, of which arrivals from most major markets increased as follows: visitors from China reached 651.3 thousand, up 77.7%; South Korea 364.5 thousand, an increase of 25%; Japan 129.7 thousand, up 5.3%; Taiwan 103.8 thousand, an expansion of 20.2%; Malaysia 70.9 thousand, an increase of 18.5%; Thailand 54.2 thousand, up 24.7%; Cambodia 40.9 thousand, an increase of 76%.

Visitors from Europe were estimated at 378.2 thousand, an increase of 26.3% over the same period last year, of which: visitors from the Russian Federation 118.1 thousand, an increase of 59.7%; United Kingdom 51 thousand, up 14.1%; France 48.1 thousand, an increase of 13.2%; Germany 39.9 thousand, up 15.9%; Sweden 15.3 thousand, an increase of 31%; Netherlands 12.6 thousand, up 24.7%; Italy 12 thousand, up 16.6%

Visitors from the Americas reached 179.1 thousand, an increase of 12.8% over the same period last year, of which visitors from the United States reached 130.8 thousand, an increase of 11.3%. Visitors from Oceania reached 79.1 thousand, an increase of 5% over the same period in 2016, of which visitors from Australia reached 72 thousand, an increase of 5.1%. Visitors from Africa reached 6.4 thousand, increasing by 43.8% compared to the same period in 2016.

  1. Social issues

      a. Living standards and social security

In February 2017, the whole country had 29.5 thousand households suffering from food shortage, a reduction of 60.9% compared to the same period last year, corresponding to 119.4 thousand hungry people, a fall of 60.5%. In the first 2 months of 2017, there were 73.1 thousand households suffering from food shortage, down 21.2% compared to the same period last year, equivalent to 298.7 thousand hungry people, down 20.5%. In order to deal with food shortage, from the beginning of the year, all authorities, sectors and organizations from the central to local levels supported hunger households with 5.3 thousand tons of food and about 1.1 billion VND, particularly in February 1.2 thousand tons of food and more than 800 million VND were provided.

The work of social security during the Lunar New Year holidays was paid attention by authorities at all levels. According to a preliminary report, about 7.2 million gifts worth nearly 3.2 trillion VND were given to families of martyrs and national devotees, beneficiaries of social welfare, and 826 billion VND was provided for poor households to celebrate Lunar New Year (Tet holiday).

         b. Epidemic diseases and food poisoning

In February 2017, the whole country witnessed 2.9 thousand cases of hand, foot and mouth disease; 6.2 thousand cases of hemorrhagic fever; 33 cases of typhoid; 36 cases of viral encephalitis; 3 cases of meningococcal meningitis and 6 cases of Zika virus infection. Generally, for the first 2 months of 2017, the whole country witnessed 4.5 thousand cases of hand, foot and mouth disease; 9.9 thousand cases of hemorrhagic fever; 43 cases of typhoid; 44 cases of viral encephalitis; 5 cases of meningococcal meningitis and 13 cases of Zika virus infection.

As of 17 February 2017, the total number of alive HIV-infected persons over the country was 215.6 thousand persons and the number of cases turned to AIDS was 88.3 thousand persons; the number of persons who died of HIV/AIDS nationwide was 90.1 thousand persons [9].

In the month, there were 8 food poisoning cases, poisoned 368 persons, of which 7 deaths. Particularly, serious methanol poisoning in Lai Chau on 10 February left 40 poisoned (7 deaths). From the beginning of the year, there were 13 severe food poisoning cases, poisoned 396 persons, of which 11 trường deaths.

         c. Traffic accidents

In the month (from 16 March to 15 February), there were  1,763 traffic accidents occurred nationwide, including 947 traffic accidents from less serious to more and 816 traffic collisions, causing 826 deaths, 446 injuries and 1,036 slight injuries.  Compared to the same period last year, the number of traffic accidents in February 2017 decreased by 7.4% the number of traffic accidents from less serious to more decreased by 3.9% and the number of traffic collisions went down by 11.2%); the number of deaths decreased by 3.5%; the number of injuries fall by 40.5% and the number of slight injuries decreased by 3%. Particularly in the 7 days of Lunar New Year 2017 there were 368 traffic accidents, left 203 dead and 417 wounded. On average nearly 53 traffic accidents occurred a day in Lunar New Year 2017, left 29 dead and 60 wounded.

Generally, for the first 2 months of 2017, there were 3,465 traffic accidents occurred nationwide, including 1,799 traffic accidents from less serious to more and 1,666 traffic collisions, causing 1,570 deaths, 609 injuries and 2,051 slight injuries. Compared to the same period last year, the number of traffic accidents in 2 months of this year decreased by 4.2% (traffic accidents from less serious to more decreased by 1.7%; the number of traffic collisions declined by 6.8%); the number of deaths decreased by 1.3%; the number of injuries dropped 52% and the number of slight injuries decreased by 2.2%. On average 56 traffic accidents occurred a day in the first 2 months of 2017 nationwide, including 29 traffic accidents from less serious to more and 27 traffic collisions, caused 25 deaths, 10 injuries and 33 slight injuries.

Remarkably, railway transport – the safest type of transport on the road witnessed high traffic accidents and complicated developments. From the beginning of the year, there were  32 cases of railway traffic accidents, causing 25 deaths and 16 injuries. Accidents occurred mainly at the intersections between railway and road, including some serious cases in Nam Dinh, Hung Yen, Thua Thien – Hue, Dong Nai, etc. In the coming time, the Transport sector should have urgent solutions to effectively solve the situation.

         d. Environment protection, fire and explosion prevention

In February 2017, 2,308 cases of violating regulations of environment protection were found, of which 1,982 cases were addressed with a total fine of 29 billion VND. Generally, for the 2 months of 2017, 4,666 cases of environmental violations across the country were found, of which 3,702 cases were addressed with a total fine of 46 billion VND.

In the month, there were 439 cases of fire and explosion across the country, causing 14 deaths and 15 injuries with estimated damage of 335 billion VND. Generally, for the 2 months of 2017, there were 885 fires and explosions nationwide, causing 20 deaths and 36 injuries, with an estimated loss of over 400 billion VND./.

GENERAL STATISTICS OFFICE

[1] The IIP in the first 2 months of 2016 increased by 6.8%, of which: the mining and quarrying increased by 0.2%; the manufacturing rose 8.1 %; production and distribution of electricity went up 13.8 %; the water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities increased by 9.2%.

[2] Source: National business registration information system, Ministry of Planning and Investment.

[3] From 20 January 2017 to 19 February 2017.

[4] Compared to the same period last year, the number of newly established enterprises decreased by 2.2%; the registered capital increased by 15.8%.

[5] Of which, some projects had large investment capital such as: VietNam Singapore Industrial Park III project with a total investment of 284.8 million USD; KVT-1 tire production project with a total investment of 220 million USD; Tetra Pak Binh Duong Joint Stock Company with a total investment of 124 million USD

[6] Trade deficit from the Chinese market in the first 2 months of 2017 was estimated at 4.7 billion USD, went up by 16.3% over the same period in 2016.

[7] Trade deficit in January was estimated at 100 million USD.

[8] Of which living weight pig price decreased by 1.49% due to plentiful supply, decreasing domestic demand, while living weight pig export to China by border trade was limited.

[9] The data was adjusted after localities reviewed information of HIV/AIDS in the area.

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