Vietnamese socio-economy in 9 months of 2016 took place in the context of slow growth of the world economy[1]. The US economy recovered but the pace slowed down, China’s economy continued to decelerate; major economies in the EU grew weakly; Japan’s economy expanded but not as expected. Markets, world commodity prices were at low level, the global trade has not shown signs of recovery. According to the World Trade Organization (WTO) report, global trade transactions in the first half of 2016 fell to the lowest level in 6 years. The above factors affected Vietnamese economy, especially export and State budget revenues.
In the country, in addition to the advantages of prosperity signal in 2015, the economy faced many difficulties and challenges due to complicated weather conditions and climate change. Bitter and damaging cold, storms and floods in the Northern provinces, severe drought and saltwater intrusion in the Central Highlands, South Central Coast, Mekong River Delta and marine environmental disaster in 04 Central provinces greatly affected production and people’s life.
In this situation, the Government drastically led and directed the ministries, agencies and localities to focus on synchronous and effective implementation of Resolution No. 01/NQ-CP dated 7th January, 2016 on main tasks and solutions to direct the implementation of the 2016 socio-economic development plan and State budget estimate. At the same time, the Government issued a series of Resolutions to direct, solve and address urgent problems, and difficulties, to promote economic development, to stabilize people’s life, and to protect ecological environment such as Resolution No. 19-2016/NQ-CP dated 28th April, 2016 on key tasks and solutions to improve business environment, and national competitiveness in 2016-2017, vision to 2020; Resolution No. 35/NQ-CP dated 16th May, 2016 on business support and development by 2020; Resolution No. 60/NQ-CP dated 8th July, 2016 on the main tasks and solutions to accelerate the implementation and disbursement of the 2016 public investment plan. With strong and drastic innovations, along with efforts of all administrative levels, ministries/agencies, enterprises and the whole people, Viet Nam’s socio-economy successfully overcame difficulties and challenges. Achievements of the economic sectors, activities in 9 months of 2016 were as follows:
I. ECONOMIC GROWTH
- Growth rate of gross domestic product
The gross domestic product (GDP) in 9 months of 2016 was estimated to increase 5.93% over the same period last year, continuing to maintain the GDP growth rate of the next quarter higher than the previous quarter (the first quarter increased by 5.48%, the second quarter increased by 5.78% and the third quarter was estimated to increase by 6.40%) but still lower than the increase of 6.53% in the same period of 2015. The main reason was that the mining and quarrying continued to decline[2] and the agriculture’s growth was lower than the same period last year. In the 5.93% increase of the whole economy in the first 9 months of this year, the agriculture, forestry and fishery sector increased by 0.65%, the lowest growth compared to the same period last 6 years[3], contributing 0, 11 percentage points to the overall growth; the industry and construction sector increased by 7.50%, contributing 2.52 percentage points; the service sector increased by 6.66%, contributing 2.55 percentage points[4].
In the agricultural, forestry and fishery sector, the forestry achieved the highest increase of 6.19% compared to the same period in 2015, contributing 0.04 percentage points to the overall growth; the fishery increased by 1.81%, contributing 0.06 percentage points; the agriculture showed signs of expansion compared to the decrease of 0.78% of the first 6 months, but the growth rate of this sub-sector was only 0.05%, contributing 0.01 percentage points.
In the industry and construction sector, industrial activities increased by 7.19% over the same period last year, much lower than the increase of 9.86% in the first 9 months of 2015, of which the manufacturing reached a rise of 11.22%, contributing 1.80 percentage points to the overall growth. The mining and quarrying in the first 9 months of this year decreased by 3.60%, causing a decline of 0.28 percentage points in the overall growth. The main reason was the fall in world oil prices, resulting in a decrease in crude oil production compared to the same period last year; as well as the coal mining activity faced difficulties in consumption due to falling prices. The construction grew at a rate of 9.10%, contributing 0.50 percentage points to the overall growth.
In the service sector, the growth rate of some large share activities was as follows: the wholesale and retail trade increased by 8.15% compared to the same period last year, these divisions achieved the second highest growth rate in the service sector (after the information and communication) but they had the highest contribution to the overall growth (0.74 percentage points); the accommodation and catering services rose 5.71%, contributing 0.22 percentage points; the finance, banking and insurance activities increased by 7.38%, contributing 0.37 percentage points; the real estate activities continued to improve, reaching 3.66% (higher than the 2.90% increase of the same period last year), contributing 0.20 percentage points.
GDP growth rate in the third quarter of years
2014, 2015 and 2016
| Year-on-year growth rate (%) | Contribution of the economic sectors to the growth in the 3rd quarter of 2016 (Percentage point) |
|||
| QIII 2014 | QIII 2015 | QIII 2016 | ||
| Total | 5.53 | 6.53 | 5.93 | 5.93 |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishery | 2.94 | 2.08 | 0.65 | 0.11 |
| Industry and construction | 5.75 | 9.72 | 7.50 | 2.52 |
| Services | 5.94 | 6.10 | 6.66 | 2.55 |
| Product taxes less subsidies on production | 7.55 | 5.52 | 6.45 | 0.75 |
Regarding economic structure in the first 9 months of this year, the agriculture, forestry and fishery sector accounted for 15.54%; the industry and construction sector accounted for 32.48%; the service sector accounted for 41.80%; the product taxes less subsidies on production accounted for 10.18%.
From the expenditure approach of the 9-month GDP, the final consumption increased by 6.97% over the same period in 2015, contributing 4.96 percentage points to the overall growth rate (of which final consumption of households had the largest contribution with 4.52 percentage points); the gross capital formation increased by 10.12%, contributing 2.87 percentage points; the balance of exports and imports of goods and services was in the trade deficit, reducing 1.90 percentage points of the overall growth.
- Agriculture, forestry and fishery
Gross outputs of agriculture, forestry and fishery production in the first 9 months of 2016 at 2010 constant prices was estimated at 594.1 trillion VND, an increase of 0.7% compared with that of over the same period last year, that included: Agriculture reached 433.5 trillion VND, an increase of 0.1%; forestry reached 20.7 trillion VND, a growth of 6.3%; fishery production reached 139.9 trillion VND, an increase of 1.9%.
Agriculture
As of the middle of September, the country cultivated 1691.3 thousand hectares of winter paddy, an equal to 98.2% of over the same period last year, of which Northern provinces competed cultivation area of 1151.6 thousand. hectares, an equal to 98.7%; Southern provinces cultivated 539.7 thousand hectares, an equal to 97.2%. Area of winter paddy in Northern localities recorded a decrease mainly due to the drought weather, lack of water at the beginning of the crop and effects of 3 consecutive storms, some areas of paddy recorded a serious flood recorded unavailability of recovery so localities actively implemented conversion into planting fruits or aquaculture for higher economic efficiency[5].. In addition, some localities converted a part of paddy area to serve irrigation and people’s works[6]. Up to now, summer paddy in the North was in the stage of maturity and maturity, nearly 24 thousand hectares harvested. Due to effects of typhoons No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 that caused floods, some areas have to be replanted, so the yield of winter paddy in some localities in the Red River Delta decreased sharply: Vinh Phuc by 10 quintal / hectares; Quang Ninh by 2.6 quintals / hectare; Ha Nam by 1 quintal / hectare. If the weather conditions was favorable in the last months of the year and not affected by pests and diseases, yield of this paddy crop in Northern provinces was approximately to that of over the same period last year; production was estimated at 5.8 million tons, a decrease of 36.6 thousand tons compared with that of against the 2015 crop.
Area of summer-autumn paddy in the country was estimated at 2106 thousand hectares, an increase of 3.2 thousand hectares compared with that of over the summer-autumn crop of the previous year, of which Mekong River Delta reached 1674.5 thousand hectares, a decrease of 3.3 thousand hectares. As of September 15, 2016, southern provinces harvested 1648.9 thousand hectares of summer-autumn paddy, an equal to 93.6% of over the same period last year, occupied 78.3% of the cultivated area, of which Mekong River Delta harvested 1422.2 thousand hectares, an equal to 93.6% and accounted for 85% of the cultivated area. According to local reports, yield of summer-autumn paddy this year was estimated at 53.9 quintal / hectare, a drop of 0.3 quintal / hectare compared with that of over the summer-autumn crop in 2015; production reached 11.3 million tons, a drop of 49 thousand tons. In particular, Mekong Delta was affected by unfavorable weather, so there recorded a drop of area and yield of summer-autumn paddy compared with that of over the previous year (a decrease in area of 0.2%; yield decreased by 1.2%); production was estimated at 9.02 million tons, a drop of down 125.6 thousand tons.
As of mid-September, Mekong Delta provinces cultivated 664.7 thousand hectares of winter-autumn paddy, an equal to 109.4% of over the same period last year due to some localities actively expanded paddy area in region with dykes (An Giang increased by 13.2 thousand hectares; Long An increased by 11.6 thousand hectares; Can Tho increased by 3.5 thousand hectares). Up to now, harvested area of winter-autumn paddy reached 120.2 thousand hectares; equivalent to the same period in 2015 with estimated yiel was 53.4 quintals / hectare, an increase of 0.9 quintals / hectare.
Cultivation of some crops recorded a slightly decrease compared with that of over the same period. As of mid-September, the country planted 1047.5 thousand hectares of maize, an equal to 99.1% of over the same period last year; sweet potatoes reached 111.2 thousand hectares, an equal to 90.3%; groundnut, reached 188.2 thousand hectares, an equal to 97.1%; soybean reached 85.8 thousand hectares, an equal to 86.8% and vegetables and beans reached 952.6 thousand hectares, an equal to 102.8%.
Perennial industrial crops continued to grow, production recorded good due to the increase of the area for product: production of pepper in 9 months was estimated at 192.9 thousand tons, a growth of 9% compared with that of over the same period last year; tea reached 853 thousand tons, a rise of 3%; rubber reached 643 thousand tons, a rise of 0.4%; Particularly, cashew production reached 301 thousand tons, a drop of 15%. Some fruits recorded an increase due to good consumption: Orange production increased by 4% compared with that of over the same period last year; bananas increased by 1.3%; mango rose by 0.7%; pomelo rose by 0.5%; pineapple increased by 0.3%. Particularly, the production of lichi decreased by 13%; rambutan decreased 2.4%; longan decreased by 1.5% due to unfavorable weather and reduced product area.
Cattle and poultry generally witnessed stability. As of middle of September, buffalo population decreased by 1% compared with that of over the same period in 2015; cattle population increased by 2% -2.5%; pigs increased 3.5% -4%; poultry increased by 5% -5.5%. Production of buffalo living weight 9 months of 2016 decreased by 1.2% compared with that of over the same period last year; production of cattle living weight increased by 2%; pig living weight production increased by 4.5%; poultry living weight production increased by 5.7%. As of September 26, 2016, the country no longer recorded avian influenza and foot and mouth disease; blue ear disease on pigs was not over 21 days yet in Ha Tinh.
In 9 months this year, there recorded severe drought and saline intrusion occurred in the South Central, Central Highlands, Southeast and Mekong River Delta an its peak occurred in March, April and early May which seriously affected to production and life of people in areas of natural disasters. In particular, drought and saline intrusion occurred in the Mekong Delta this year recorded the most serious of over the past 100 years, saline intrusion entered the core zone of the Mekong Delta that caused huge damage to production and people’s life, and that continued to affect agricultural production of the localities later. Therefore, the Agriculture sector took measures to transform the structure of agricultural production to adapt and overcome the shortcomings from climate change, at the same time repaired and dredged the system of canals and irrigation works, preventing salinity, building reservoirs to keep fresh water to serve production and people’s life..
Forestry
In the first 9 months of 2016, area of concentrated forests in the country was estimated at 151.9 thousand hectares, a decrease of 7.3% compared with that of over the same period last year mainly due to storms and floods that occurred at the time of cultivating. Number of scattered trees reached 133.6 million, a drop of 1.9%. Some provinces recorded a sharp decrease in areas of planted forests: Ha Giang reached 8.5 thousand hectares, by 66.4%; Tuyen Quang reached 3.3 thousand hectares, by 23.9%; Lang Son reached 2.9 thousand hectares, by 50%; Thanh Hoa reached 1.8 thousand hectares, by 15.4%. Production of wood in 9 months was estimated at 6521 thousand m3, an increase of 11.8% compared with that of over the same period last year due to relatively stable consumption of wood products, of which some provinces recorded increased in wood production. Quang Ngai reached 627 thousand m3, a rise of 17.3%; Tuyen Quang reached 440 thousand m3, an increase of 42%; Thanh Hoa recorded 364 thousand m3, an increase of 19.7%; Hoa Binh reached 262 thousand m3, a rise of 46.2%. Production of firewood in 9 months was estimated at 21.3 million ste, a drop of 0.5%.
Protecting and preventing measures of forest fires was paid attention by relevant agencies and authorities at all levels, however, due to long lasting drought weather, forest fires recorded occur in some localities. In 9 months this year, the damaged area recorded 4359 hectares, 2.5 times higher than that of over the same period last year, of which fired forest area was 3256 hectares, 3 times higher; area of forests cut and destroyed recorded 1103 ha, an increase of 67.9%. Some provinces saw much forest fire area: Dien Bien was 969 hectares; Son La by 919 hectares; Ha Giang by 226 hectares; Yen Bai by 194 hectares; Binh Dinh by 174 hectares; Ha Tinh by 112.5 hectares.
Fishery
Fishery production in 9 months was estimated at 4937.6 thousand tons, a growth of 1.98% of over the same period last year, of which fish reached 3601.6 thousand tons, a rise of 1.7%; shrimp reached 570 thousand tons, an increase of 1.7%.
Aquaculture faced many difficulties due to the cold, severe cold weather in Northern provinces at the beginning months of the year and pollution of water sources, drought, saline intrusion in Northern provinces and the Mekong River Delta. Aquaculture area in 9 months was estimated at 1021.7 thousand hectares, a growth of 0.6% of over the same period last year; production reached 2604.8 thousand tons, a growth of 1.2%, of which fish reached 1894.8 thousand tons, an increase of 0.9%; shrimp reached 447 thousand tons, an increase of 1.5%.
Pangasius farming faced many difficulties due to unstable and low price of pangasius, high production costs, and recorded a decline in purchasing power from large consumer markets. Pangasius farming area in 9 months was estimated at 11.2 thousand hectares, equivalent to that of over the same period last year, of which area of intensive catfish farming in the Mekong River Delta reached 4.4 thousand hectares, an increase of 1.4%. Pangasius production in 9 months was estimated at 850 thousand tons, a drop of 1.3% of over the same period last year, of which An Giang reached 210.5 thousand tons, a decrease of 6.3%; Ben Tre reached 121.9 thousand tons, a decline of 7.3%, Tien Giang reached 28.8 thousand tons, a growth of 4.5%.
Brackish shrimp farming was affected by drought, saline intrusion and disease, especially black tiger shrimp due to farming mainly by extensive and improved extensive. Area of tiger shrimp farming in 9 months was estimated at 576.9 thousand hectares, an increase of 0.1% of over the same period last year; production of black tiger shrimp reached 180 thousand tons, a decline of 2.7%, of which Ca Mau reached 62 thousand tons, a decrease of 9.8%; Bac Lieu reached 42.9 thousand tons, a drop of 10.4%; Kien Giang reached 30.9 thousand tons, a rise of 11.2%; Ben Tre reached 5.8 thousand tons, a surge of 2.8%.
Area of white leg shrimp farming in 9 months is estimated at 80.2 thousand hectares, an increase of 4.2% of over the same period last year; white leg shrimp production was estimated at 232.3 thousand tons, an increase of 4.5%, of which Ca Mau reached 38.3 thousand tons, a growth of 6.4%; Soc Trang reached 35.8 thousand tons, a rise of 25.7%; Ben Tre reached 22 thousand tons, a decline of 11.8%.
Fishery production in 9 months of the country was estimated at 2332.8 thousand tons, a growth of 2.9% of over the same period last year, of which fish reached 1706.8 thousand tons, a growth of 2.6%; Shrimp reached 123 thousand tons, an increase of 2.6% (production of fishery in 9 months reached 2195.8 thousand tons, an increase of 3%, of which fish reached 1602.8 thousand tons, a rise of 2.7%; shrimp reached 113 thousand tons, a growth of 2.4%).
The marine environment incident occurred at the end of April in the water areas of North Central Provinces (Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien – Hue) that caused a mass death of fish and that affected consumer psychology. Fishermen temporarily stop catching in coastal and inland areas, production of marine catching in localities decreased sharply[7].
- Industrial production
The index of industrial production (IIP) in September was estimated to increase by 7.6% over the same period last year (higher than the increase of 7.5% in August), of which the IIP of the mining and quarrying fell by 7.1%; the manufacturing, the production and distribution of electricity, the water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities increased by 11.7%, 11.2%, 7.4% respectively.
Generally for 9 months, the IIP increased by 7.4% over the same period last year, lower than the increase of 9.9% in the same period of 2015, mainly because the IIP of the mining and quarrying fell sharply compared to the same period last year. In industrial activities, the IIP of the manufacturing, the production and distribution of electricity, the water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities increased by 10.4%, 12.1%, 6.9%, respectively, which contributing 7.4 percentage points, 0.8 percentage points, 0.1 percentage points to the overall increase, respectively. Particularly, the IIP of the mining and quarrying decreased by 4.1%, which causing a reduce of 0.9 percentage points in the overall increase[8].
Relating usage of industrial products, the IIP of intermediary products (for the following production process) increased by 5.6%; the IIP of products for final consumption increased by 8.9%, of which means of production expanded 11%; consumer goods for residents rose 7.8%.
In 2-digit industrial activities, the 9-month IIP of some activities increased significantly over the same period last year, including: the manufacture of basic metals (16.9%); the manufacture of textile (16.4%); the manufacture of motor vehicles (15.3%); the manufacture of electronic, computer and optical products (14.9%). Some industrial activities experienced a moderate increase of the IIP: the manufacture of paper and paper products (7.6%); the manufacture of electrical equipment (6.7%); the manufacture of tobacco products (5.5%); the manufacture of leather and related products (3.8%); the manufacture of chemicals and chemical products (2.5%); other mining and quarrying (2.4%); the mining of hard coal and lignite (1.8%). Otherwise, the IIP of the extraction of crude oil and natural gas decreased by 5.8%.
In the 9 months of this year, some industrial products increased significantly over the same period last year: Television (86%); rolled steel (24.3%); automobiles (21%); animal feed (20.3%); crude steel (17.2%); cement (15.2%). Some products experienced moderate growth, such as coal (1.8%) (encountered difficulties in consumption of coal due to falling prices); leather shoes and sandals (1.5%); motorcycles (0.1%). A number of products showed a downturn trend, including urea fertilizer (4.1%); fabrics from natural yarn (5.3%); refined sugar (5.9%); extracted crude oil (7.8%); mixed fertilizer (NPK) (9.7%); mobile phones (10.7%).
Some industrial large shared provinces showed an increase in the 9-month IIP compared to the same period last year, including: Quang Nam (30.7%); Thai Nguyen (28.5%); Hai Phong (16.5%); Da Nang (12.1%); Can Tho (11%); Binh Duong (9.6%); Bac Ninh (9.1%); Hai Duong (8.2%); Dong Nai (7.9%); Ho Chi Minh City (7.3%); Ha Noi (7.1%); Quang Ninh (5.6%); Vinh Phuc (4.3%). The IIP of Ba Ria – Vung Tau decreased by 2.5%.
The index of industrial shipment (IIS) of the manufacturing activities in August 2016 increased by 2.1% over the previous month and by 10.8% over the same period last year. Generally for 8 months, the IIS increased by 8.3% compared to the same period in 2015 (the figure was 13.2% in same period last year). Some activities enjoyed a significant growth of the IIS over the same period last year: the manufacture of motor vehicles (19.2%); the manufacture of electronic, computers and optical products (15.7%); the manufacture of textile (11.7%); the manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products (10.8%); the manufacture of beverages (10.4%). Otherwise, a number of activities saw a slight spread of IIS: the manufacture of food products (7.2%); the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, medicinal chemical and botanical products (4.5%); the manufacture of tobacco products, the manufacture of leather and related products (3.8%); the manufacture of chemicals and chemical products (2.9%); the manufacture of paper and paper products (1.8%). Particularly, the IIS of the manufacture of other transport vehicles decreased by 2.3%.
The index of industrial inventory of the manufacturing as of 1st September, 2016 increased by 9% compared to the same period last year (the figure in the same period of 2015 was 9.9%), of which some industrial activities showed a slight increase compared to the average increase of the index of industrial inventory: the manufacture of textile (7%); the manufacture of wearing apparel (6.1%); the manufacture of chemicals and chemical products (6%). The index of industrial inventory of several activities decreased, such as: the manufacture of leather and related products (0.7%); the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, medicinal chemical and botanical products (4.8%); the manufacture of fabricated metal products (13%); the manufacture of electrical equipment (13.4%); the manufacture of tobacco products (36.5%); the manufacture of other transport vehicles (46.9%). Otherwise, various activities have a higher increase in the index of industrial inventory than: the manufacture of electronic products, computers and optical products (125%) (mainly newly manufactured mobile phones); the manufacture of motor vehicles (40.6%); the manufacture of paper and paper products (32.9%); the manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products (22.5%); the manufacture of rubber and plastic products (22.4%); the manufacture of furniture (21.1%).
The average index of industrial inventory of the manufacturing in 8 months of 2016 was 68.4% (the figure in same period last year was 74%), of which some activities had the high index of industrial inventory: the manufacture of fabricated metal products (129.8%); the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, medicinal chemical and botanical products (112.5%); the manufacture of chemicals and chemical products (106.3%).
The number of employees working in industrial enterprises as of 1st September, 2016 increased by 4.2% compared to the same period last year, of which the number of employees working in state-owned enterprises decreased by 1.7%; in non-state enterprises increased by 1.2%; in FDI enterprises increased by 6.8%. At the same time, the number of employees working in the mining and quarrying decreased by 7% compared to the same period last year; in the manufacturing increased by 4.8%; in the production and distribution of electricity decreased by 0.4%; in the water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities increased by 2.6%.
Some localities with large share of the industry sector witnessed an increase in the number of employees working in industrial enterprises as of 1st September, 2016 compared to the same period last year: Thai Nguyen (25.2%); Hai Phong (14%); Vinh Phuc (6.3%); Binh Duong (6.2%); Dong Nai (6.1%); Bac Ninh (5.8%); Da Nang (3.6%); Hai Duong (3.1%); Ha Noi (1.9%); Quang Nam (1.7%); Ho Chi Minh City (0.8%). The number of employees working in industrial enterprises in Can Tho remained unchanged. Otherwise, Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Quang Ninh saw a decrease of 1.1% and 3% in the number of employees working in industrial enterprises.
In general, in the 9 months of this year, in addition to the decline of the mining and quarrying, other industrial activities, especially the manufacturing (having the largest size and accounting for the largest proportion in the industry sector) achieved quite stable growth[9]. This was reflected in the positive trend of the index of industrial shipment, the index of industrial inventory and attraction of labor, e.g.: the index of industrial shipment of the manufacturing in August increased by 10.8%, while the index of industrial inventory as of 1st September, 2016 rose 9%. Besides, the situation of attracting labor in industry showed that industrial production, especially the manufacturing and FDI enterprises, although still faced difficulties, were on the recovery and gradually developed.
- Operation of enterprises
Enterprises registration status[10]
In September, there were 8047 newly established enterprises in the country with a registered capital of 76.2 trillion VND, went down 13.3% in number of enterprises and an increase of 7.3% in registered capital compared with the previous month; the average registered capital of an enterprise reached 9.5 billion VND, an upturn of 23.8%; the total number of registered employees in the month of newly established enterprises was 71.5 thousand persons, went down 36.7%.
In the month, there were 1799 re-operated enterprises, reduced 10.3% from the previous month; 5426 temporarily ceased enterprises (including: 1644 enterprises ceased for a certain period of time and 3782 enterprises temporarily ceased without registration or awaited dissolution), a rise of 6.6%; 886 enterprises completed dissolution procedures, a downturn of 16.2%.
Generally for 9 months, there were 81451 newly registered enterprises with a total registered capital of 629.1 trillion VND, an increase of 19.2% in number of enterprises and of 49.5% in registered capital compared to the same period in 2015[11]; the average registered capital of an enterprise reached 7.7 billion VND, an increase of 25.4% compared to the same period in 2015. The total number of registered employees of newly established enterprises in 9 months was 928.7 thousand persons, equaling 92.9% of the same period in 2015. In 9 months of this year, there were 20510 re-operated enterprises, rising by 59.6% compared to the same period last year (9 months of 2015 increased by 8.2% compared to the same period last year) in the same period in 2014), bringing the total number of newly registered enterprises and re-operated enterprises in the first 9 months of this year to nearly 102 thousand enterprises. This showed that the efficiency of new legal framework with the Government’s solutions to support and encourage development of enterprises had been promoted to help enterprises find new directions and opportunities.
The number of newly registered enterprises in the first 9 months of this year in almost economic activities increased compared to the same period last year, of which some economic activities increased strongly in both number of enterprises and registered capital: Real estate activities increased by 99.1% in number of enterprises and 242.5% in registered capital; information and communication increased by 14.5% and 173.9%; electricity, water, gas supply increased by 19.2% and 113.1%; manufacturing increased by 23.1% and 110.7%; other service activities increased by 40.3% and 112.5%. Particularly in the arts, entertainment and recreation, the number of newly registered enterprises in 9 months decreased by 32.6% compared to the same period last year; the registered capital decreased by 23.2%.
The number of enterprises completed dissolution procedures, terminating business production activities in 9 months was 8365 enterprises, rose up 20.2% over the same period last year (the same period in 2015 decreased by 0.9% compared to in 2014), of which 7812 enterprises with capital size of less than 10 billion VND, accounting for 93.3% and went up 20.0%. By kinds of enterprise, the total number of enterprises completed dissolution procedures and terminated business product activities, there were 3373 one-member limited liability companies (accounting for 40.3%); 2489 two-member limited liability companies (making up 29.8%); 1390 private enterprises (forming 16.6%); 1110 joint stock companies (sharing 13.3%) and 03 partnership companies.
The number of enterprises ceased for a certain period of time in the first 9 months of this year was 45097 enterprises, a declining of 5.3% compared to the same period last year, including 16294 enterprises ceased for a certain period of time, rising by 31.0% and 28803 enterprises temporarily ceased without registration or awaited dissolution, decreased by 18.1%.
The total number of enterprises ceased for a certain period of time, there were 6269 one-member limited liability companies (accounting for 38.5%); 5617 two-member limited liability companies (constituted 34.5%); 2738 joint stock companies (making by 16.8%); 1669 private enterprises (sharing 10.2%) and 01 partnership company. For enterprises temporarily ceased without registration or awaited dissolution, there were 12,000 one-member limited liability companies (accounting for 41.7%); 8980 two-member limited liability companies (forming 31.2%); 5210 joint stock companies (sharing 18.1%) and 2613 private enterprises (making up 9.1%). By economic activities, in 9 months of this year, almost of economic activities had a number of enterprises temporarily ceased without registration or awaited dissolution to decrease compared to the same period last year. The arts, entertainment and recreation and mining increased over the same period in 2015.
Business trends of enterprises
The results on the business trends survey of the manufacturing enterprises in the third quarter of 2016 showed that: 80.3% of enterprises assessed that the business production situation in the third quarter was stable and better than the previous quarter (38.8% of enterprises presented that the trend would get better, 41.5 enterprises would be stable), while 19.7% of enterprises predicted that it would be more difficult. Forecasted in the fourth quarter, the business production situation of enterprises was better than the third quarter, especially for the FDI enterprises and the State enterprises. Particularly, 85.6% of enterprises said that the business production situation in the fourth quarter would be stable and better, of which 48.8% of enterprises said that the fourth quarter trend would be better; 36.8% of enterprises said that the business production situation would be stable and 14.4% of enterprises forecasted more difficulties.
Regarding production volume, 42.2% of enterprises pointed out production volume in the third quarter of this year increased compared to the previous quarter; 19.3% of enterprises reported that the production volume decreased and 38.5% of enterprises considered stable. For the fourth quarter of this year, 50.3% of enterprises forecasted an increase in the production volume compared to the third quarter; 13.7% of enterprises projected a decrease and 36.0% of enterprises predicted stability.
Regarding orders of goods, 36.2% of enterprises had more orders for the third quarter than the previous quarter; 19.2% of enterprises had fewer orders and 44.6% of enterprises recorded stable orders. The trend of the fourth quarter was better than the third quarter with 45.6% of enterprises expected an increase in orders; 13.4% of enterprises expected a decrease in orders and 41.0% of enterprises expected to have stable orders.
Regarding export orders, 30.8% of enterprises confirmed more export orders in the third quarter of this year than the previous quarter; 19.9% of enterprises had fewer export orders and 49.3% of enterprises kept export orders stable. Trends in the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter, there were 38.6% of enterprises expected to have an increase in export orders; 15.1% of enterprises expected to decrease and 46.3% of enterprises expected to be stable.
Regarding cost of production, 24.1% of enterprises confirmed cost of production per unit of product in the third quarter of this year increased compared to the previous quarter; 8.5% of enterprises recorded a decrease in the cost and 67.4% of enterprises predicted the cost was stable. The trend in the fourth quarter of 2016, 18.5% of enterprises expected an increase in the cost of production compared to the third quarter; 9.7% of enterprises believed a decrease in the cost and 71.8% of enterprises expected the cost of production stable.
Regarding selling price, 15.4% of enterprises predicted an increase in the selling price in the third quarter of this year compared to the previous quarter; 11% of enterprises recorded the selling price was lower and 73.6% of enterprises had stable selling price. Expected selling price of products in the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter, 16.2% of enterprises predicted higher selling price; 8.4% of enterprises forecasted lower selling prices and 75.4% of enterprises forecasted selling prices stable.
Regarding product inventory, 21.3% of enterprises with inventory in the third quarter of this year increased compared to the previous quarter; 28.8% of enterprises had a decrease in inventory and 49.9% of enterprises remain stable. Trends in the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter, there were 15.6% of enterprises forecasted an increase of inventory; 30.4% of enterprises predicted a decrease in inventory and 54.0% of enterprises expected to remain stable.
Regarding input inventory, 19.1% of enterprises said that input inventory increased in the third quarter of 2016 compared to the previous quarter; 27.7% of enterprises said that it was reduced and 53.2% of enterprises said that they remain unchanged. Expected that in the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter, 14.5% of enterprises forecasted an increase in input inventory; 28.7% of enterprises forecasted a decrease in input inventory and 56.8% of enterprises believed that it would remain unchanged in input inventory.
Regarding labor use, 16.9% of enterprises affirmed that the labor size increased in the third quarter of this year compared to the previous quarter; 12.6% of enterprises confirmed to decrease and 70.5% of enterprises said that they kept stable. The trend of labor use to increase in the fourth quarter, 91.3% of enterprises forecasted an increase or kept stable the labor size compared to the third quarter; only 8.7% of enterprises forecasted a decrease labor size.
- Service operation
Retail sales of consumer goods and services
Although retail sales and service business activities in the first 9 months of this year were difficult due to the saving tendency of people in spending, with the efforts of the production and distribution units, the Government’s attention and the Ministries and sectors in solving difficulties for businesses, in general, service business revenue was quite good compared to the same period last year. Gross retail sales of consumer goods and services in September were estimated at 296.2 trillion VND, up 0.9% over the previous month and 10.7% over the same period last year, of which: retail sales of goods reached 225.4 trillion VND, up 1.2% and up 10.1%; revenue from accommodation and catering services reached 35.1 trillion VND, down 0.4% and up 15.7%; tourism and travelling service revenue reached 2.8 trillion, down 10.7% and up 4.1%; revenue from other service reached 32.9 trillion VND , an increase of 1% and 10.5%.
Generally for 9 months, gross retail sales of consumer goods and services reached 2605.8 trillion VND, up 9.5% (lower than the increase of 10.2% in the same period in 2015), if excluding price factor, the increase was 7.7% (same period in 2015 increased by 9.2%). By kinds of economic activities, retail sales of goods in 9 months were estimated at 1984.2 trillion VND, accounting for 76.2% of the total and increasing by 9.7% over the same period last year, of which some commodities increased as follows: food and foodstuff by 13.2%; v appliances, tools and equipment by 10.1%; garment by 9.5%; vehicles by 7.6%; cultural and educational items by 2.7%.
Revenue from accommodation and catering services in 9 months was estimated at 300 trillion VND, accounting for 11.5% of the total and increasing by 8.3% over the same period last year, of which Hanoi’s revenue increased by 9.2 %; Ho Chi Minh City increased by 5.9%; Bac Giang increased by 7.2%; Lang Son increased by 7%. Some provinces saw a decrease in revenue: Hoa Binh by 16.4%; Ha Tinh by 13.5%; Phu Tho by 9.1%; Lai Chau by 5.5%; Nghe An by 4.2%.
Revenue of travelling and tourism services in 9 months of this year was estimated at 24.2 trillion VND, accounting for 0.9% of the total and increasing by 7.5% over the same period last year, of which tourism and travelling revenue of Ba Ria – Vung Tau increased by 13.3%; Ninh Binh increased by 10.5%; Binh Thuan increased by 8.4%; Hanoi increased 6.7%; Ho Chi Minh City increased by 3.8%. Tourism and travelling revenue of some provinces dropped sharply as follows: Lang Son by 25%; Tra Vinh by 19.4%; Ha Tinh by 11.7%; Lam Dong by 8%.
Revenue from other services in 9 months was estimated at 297.4 trillion VND, accounting for 11.4% of the total and increasing by 9.3% over the same period in 2015, of which some provinces had a good increase in revenue as follows: Binh Phuoc by 19.1%; Thanh Hoa by 19%; Phu Yen by 15.9%; Quang Nam by 15.6%; Binh Thuan by 15.5%; Bac Ninh by 14.1%.
Transportation and postal, telecommunication
Passenger transport in September was estimated at 302.3 million passengers, up 9.8% over the same period last year and 14.7 billion passengers-kilometers, up 12.9%. Generally for 9 months, passenger transport reached 2710.3 million passengers, an increase of 9.6% over the same period last year and 128.1 billion passengers.km, an increase of 10.5%, of which passengers carried roadways reached 2544.1 million passengers, an increase of 9.7% and 85.7 billion passengers.km, an increase of 8%; seaway reached 4.5 million passengers, up 3.6% and 226.3 million passengers.km, up 1.6%. Airway increased sharply, reaching 29.9 million passengers, increasing by 28.1% and 37.2 billion passengers.kilometers, increasing by 20.4% due to the continued expansion of domestic airlines in domestic market, at the same time opening some international routes. Railway transport reached 7.8 million passengers, decreased by 11.3% and 2.8 billion passengers.km, decreased by 17.1% because the travel time had not improved much, the fare was not competitive with budget airlines and road transport.
Freight carriage in September was estimated at 108.4 million tons, up 13.3% over the same period last year and 20.2 billion tons-kilometers, up 4.4%. Generally for 9 months, freight carriage reached 937.6 million tons, up 9.5% over the same period last year and 179 billion tons.km, up 3.8%, of which domestic transport reached 913 million tons, an increase of 9.7% and 81.8 billion tons.km, an increase of 6.6%; overseas transport reached 24.6 million tons, up 2.6% and 97.2 billion tons.km, up 1.5%. By kinds of transport, roadways reached 728.8 million tons, up 10.9% and 44.1 billion tons.km, up 14.2% over the same period last year; inland waterways reached 160.3 million tons, up 6.2% and 33.2 billion tons.km, up 5.9%; seaways reached 44.6 million tons, up 3.6% and 98.9 billion tons.km, down 0.2%. Particularly railway transport reached 3.7 million tons, down 25.3% and 2.3 billion tons.km, down 25% mainly due to the infrastructure system and vehicles were slowly innovated, while transport facilities, road bridges were developed quickly and smoothly, so a large amount of goods transported by rail were transferred to roadway.
Revenue from telecommunication in 9 months of 2016 was estimated at 285.3 trillion VND, up 7.7% compared to the same period in 2015. As of the end of September 2016, the total number of telephone subscribers was estimated to reach 134.8 million subscribers, up 5.4% over the same period last year, of which mobile subscribers reached 129 million, up 6%; fixed subscribers reached 5.8 million, down 6.5%. Fixed broadband Internet subscribers were estimated at 8.8 million, up 23.4% over the same period in 2015.
Foreign visitors to Viet Nam
Foreign visitors to our country in September were estimated at 813 thousand, decreasing by 9.6% over the previous month (due to the end of the summer tourist season in Vietnam) but increasing by 28% over the same period last year, of which visitors from Asia increased by 30.8%; from Europe increased by 25.1%; from the Americas increased by 12.4%; from Oceania increased by 11.6%; from Africa increased by 17.3%.
Generally for 9 months, foreign visitors to Vietnam were estimated at 7265.4 thousand, increasing by 25.7% compared to the same period last year, of which arrivals by airway reached 6109 thousand, increasing by 29.7%; by roadway reached 1045.2 thousand, an increase of 10.8%; by seaway reached 111.2 thousand, down 13.7%
In 9 months of this year, visitors to our country from Asia reached 5264.1 thousand, an increase of 30.8% compared to the same period last year, of which visitors came from most major markets, especially 2 large shared markets including China and South Korea, continued to increase sharply: visitors from China reached 1987.6 thousand, an increase of 57.7%; South Korea 1134 thousand, an increase of 39.9%; Japan 555.2 thousand, an increase of 11.4%; Taiwan 382 thousand, up 15.7%; Malaysia 287.8 thousand, an increase of 14.9%; Thailand 189.4 thousand, an increase of 34.1%; Singapore 180.6 thousand, an increase of 9.1%.
The seasonal factor had a strong impact on European visitors in September, but the policy of extending visa exemption for citizens of 5 Western European countries (United Kingdom, France, Germany, United Kingdom, United Kingdom, Spain and Italy) according to Resolution No. 56/NQ-CP dated June 20, 2016 by the Government continued to promote efficiency, the number of visitors from Europe in 9 months 2016 reached 1157.2 thousand, up 16.3% over the same period last year. In the first 9 months of this year, visitors from the United Kingdom reached 189.9 thousand, an increase of 23.1% over the same period last year; France 179.6 thousand, an increase of 13.8%; Germany 125.6 thousand, an increase of 18.6%; Spain 42.2 thousand, an increase of 27.9%; Italy, 38.3 thousand, an increase of 31.1%; Russian Federation 299.1 thousand, an increase of 26.5%; the Netherlands 48.4 thousand, up 24.4%.
Visitors from the Americas reached 548.3 thousand, an increase of 13% compared to the same period last year, of which visitors from the United States reached 421.7 thousand, an increase of 14.5%. Visitors from Oceania reached 275.9 thousand, up 7.2% over the same period in 2015, of which visitors from Australia reached 243.5 thousand, increasing by 6.6%. Visitors from Africa reached 19.9 thousand, equaling 97.6% of the same period in 2015.
II. MACROECONOMIC STABILIZATION AND INFLATION CONTROL
- Banking and insurance activities
As of September 20, 2016, total payment facilities increased by 11.76% compared to the end of 2015 (the same period in 2015 was a rise of 8.88%); capital mobilization of credit institutions increased by 12.02% (the same period in 2015 was a growth of 8.9%); credit growth of the economy reached 10.46% (same period in 2015 was an increase of 10.78%). Current mobilized interest rates were relatively stable, only increasing by 0.2% – 0.3% during the period from mid-February to March 2016. The lending interest rates of state-owned commercial banks and some joint-stock commercial banks decreased by 0.5% per year for short-term loans and bringing medium and long-term lending interest rates at 10% per year for customers who invested in production and business, and actively implemented loan programs with preferential interest rates. Credit structure continued to focus on priority sectors such as agriculture, exports, supporting industries, small and medium enterprises to support more effectively for economic growth.
The insurance activity in 9 months maintained a positive growth. The premiums revenue of entire market for the third quarter of 2016 was estimated to increase by 23% over the same period last year, of which revenue of life insurance premium increased by 32%; revenue of non-life insurance premiums rose 15%. In non-life insurance, the market leader in current premium revenue was Oil and Gas Insurance with 20.5%; followed by Bao Viet accounting for 16.7%; Post and Telecommunication Insurance Corporation accounted for 8.3%; Bao Minh made up 8.2%, Petrolimex Insurance Joint Stock Corporation comprised 6.6%. For life insurance, the revenue of new insurance premium was estimated to increase by 32% compared to the same period last year, of which Bao Viet Human Life market share was 21.3%; Prudential followed by 20.2%; Manulife accounted for 13.6%; Daiichi represented 12.2%; AIA shared 11%.
- Construction and investment
Construction
Construction activities in the first 9 months of 2016 were quite good due to the construction and disbursement of key sites and projects ensured the progress. The policy of adjusted reduced interest rate created favorable conditions for enterprises to access loans. Stable prices of construction materials, the improvement of the real estate market and solutions of the Government and the ministries, line-ministries removed difficulties and obstacles for investors, projects and enterprises.
The construction production in 9 months of 2016 at current prices reached 747.4 trillion VND, including: the State sector gained 58.5 trillion VND, accounting for 7.8%; non-state sector achieved 651 trillion VND, making 87.1%; FDI sector witnessed 37.9 trillion VND, representing 5.1%. In the total production value, the value of production and construction housing projects reached 305.2 trillion VND, sharing 40.9%; non-residential buildings reached 119.6 trillion VND, accounting for 16%; civil engineering works recorded 234.2 trillion VND, comprising 31.3%; specialized construction activities reached 88.4 trillion VND, accounting for 11.8%.
The construction production in 9 months at constant 2010 price was estimated at 590.9 thousand billion VND, an increase of 8.6% over the same period last year, of which: State sector reached 47 thousand billion VND, going up 3.2%; non-state sector gained 513.2 trillion VND, jumping up 10.9%; FDI sector witnessed 30.7 trillion VND, going down 14.2%[12]. In the total production value, the value of production and construction of housing projects gained 239.8 trillion VND, expanding 13.7%; non-residential buildings reached 94.8 trillion VND, declining 0.7%; civil engineering works was 185 trillion VND, spreading 7.4%; specialized construction activities reached 71.3 trillion VND, rising 9%.
Development Investment
The realized investment in 9 months of 2016 at current prices was estimated at 1006.9 trillion VND, a rise of 9.6% over the same period last year and equivalent to 33.1% of GDP, including: State budget capital reached 378.8 trillion VND, accounting for 37.6% of total capital and growing up 7.2% over the same period last year; non-state sector achieved 387.7 trillion VND, making up 38.5% and expanding 10.1%; FDI sector witnessed 240.4 trillion VND, comprising 23.9% and increasing 12.6%.
The growth rate of the realized investment
9 months of years 2014, 2015 and 2016
(At current prices)
%
| 9 months
2014 |
9 months
2015 |
9 months
2016 |
|
| Total | 110.9 | 109.6 | 109.6 |
| State sector | 111.5 | 106.6 | 107.2 |
| Non-State sector | 113.3 | 111.0 | 110.1 |
| FDI sector | 106.3 | 112.4 | 112.6 |
The realized investment of the State budget in September was estimated at 24558 billion VND, an increase of 14.3% over the same period last year, of which: Central capital was 6230 billion VND, up 10%; local capital was 18328 billion VND, rising 15.8%. Generally for 9 months, the implemented investment from the state budget was estimated at 180 trillion VND, equaling 69.1% of the yearly plan and increasing by 13.1% over the same period in 2015, including:
– The capital under central management reached 42.6 trillion VND, equaling 68.1% of the yearly plan and going up 16.4% compared to the same period last year, of which the realized investment of the Ministry of Transportation recorded 15.4 trillion VND, equaling 85.9% and going up 28.5%; Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development 5059 billion VND, equaling 71.7% and rising 22.6%; Ministry of Health 1983 billion VND, equaling 63.8% and jumping up 19%; Ministry of Education and Training 1947 billion VND, equaling 60.4% and increasing by 41.1%; Ministry of Construction 708 billion VND, equaling 76.3% and decreasing by 43.9%; Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment 509 billion VND, equaling 56.8% and growing up 5.8%; Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism 393 billion VND, equaling 58% and climbing up 0.5%; Ministry of Industry and Trade 338 billion VND, equaling 72.8% and expanding 17.6%; Ministry of Science and Technology 215 billion VND, equaling 74.3% and declining down 9%; Ministry of Information and Communications 88 billion VND, equaling 64.8% and reducing 32.5%.
– The capital under local management achieved 137.4 trillion VND, equaling 69.4% of the yearly plan and increasing by 12.2% compared to the same period in 2015. In which, the provincial budget capital witnessed 96.7 trillion VND, equaling 66.5% and spreading 15%; State budget capital at district level reached 33.5 trillion VND, equaling 74.2% and increasing by 7.5%; State budget capital at commune level reached 7.2 trillion VND, equaling 96.2% and decreasing by 0.9%. The realized investment of the State budget of some provinces and cities directly under the Central Government was as follows: Ha Noi reached 22.8 trillion VND, equaling 74.8% of the yearly plan and going up 41.5% over with the same period last year; Ho Chi Minh city 12.1 trillion VND, equaling 68% and climbing up 0.3%; Binh Duong 4141 billion VND, equaling 64.4% and increasing by 33.4%; Nghe An 4085 billion VND, equaling 70.7% and increasing by 13.5%; Vinh Phuc 3616 billion VND, equaling 68.5% and growing up 7.1%; Quang Ninh 3580 billion VND, equaling 55.9% and expanding 10%; Ba Ria – Vung Tau 3291 billion VND, equaling 53.7% and spreading 7.1%.
Foreign direct investment from the beginning of the year to 20th September, 2016 attracted 1820 newly licensed projects with a registered capital of 11,164.6 million USD, an increase of 27.1% in number of projects and a rise of 1.1% of registered capital compared to the same period in 2015. Besides, 851 projects which were licensed in previous years registered to adjust investment capital with an additional capital of 5265.5 million USD. Thus, the total registered capital of new projects and additional capital in the first 9 months of this year reached 16,430.1 million USD, a decrease of 4.2% compared to the same period last year. The realized FDI capital in 9 months was estimated at 11.02 billion USD, a rise of 12.4% over the same period in 2015.
In 9 months, the manufacturing activity attracted the largest foreign direct investment with the registered capital of newly licensed projects of 7911 million USD, accounting for 70.8% of total newly registered capital; the real estate activities reached 979.4 million USD, comprising 8.8%; the other sectors gained 2274.2 million USD, making up 20.4%. If including additional registered capital of projects licensed in previous years, total foreign direct investment in manufacturing activity in 9 months of this year reached 12,154.4 million USD, accounting for 74 % of total registered capital; real estate activities gained 1003.2 million USD, making up 6.1%; the other sectors recorded 3272.5 million USD, representing 19.9%.
In the whole country, 48 provinces and cities directly under the Central Government had newly licensed foreign direct investment projects in 9 months, of which Hai Phong had the largest registered capital with 2433.8 million USD, accounting for 21.8% of total newly registered capital; followed by Ha Noi with 1082.5 million USD, making up 9.7%; Binh Duong 1000.8 million USD, representing 9%; Dong Nai 900.7 million USD, sharing 8.1%; Ho Chi Minh city 745.3 million USD, comprising 6.7%; Ha Nam 575.8 million USD, representing 5.2%; Bac Ninh 439.1 million USD, accounting for 3.9%.
Among 57 countries and territories with newly licensed investment projects in Vietnam in 9 months of this year, Korea ranked the top with 4561 million USD, accounting for 40.9% of the total newly registered capital; followed by Singapore 1251.1 million USD, accounting for 11.2%; Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (China) 843.7 million USD, representing 7.6%; Taiwan 801.9 million USD, sharing 7.2%; China 665.2 million USD, comprising 6%; Japan 659.7 million USD, making up 5.9%.
- State budget revenue and expenditure
The state budget revenue from the beginning of the year to 15th September, 2016 was estimated at 665.2 trillion VND, equaling 65.6% of the yearly estimate, of which domestic revenue was 536.3 trillion VND, equaling 68.3%; revenue from crude oil reached 28.4 trillion VND, equaling 52%; budget balance revenue from import and export gained 97.4 trillion VND, equaling 56.6%. The state budget revenue in 9 months was at low level mainly due to the impact of falling oil prices and trade diversion, restructuring of imported goods when participating in free trade agreements (FTAs) that reduced central budget revenue source[13].
In domestic revenue, land use fee reached 54.5 trillion VND, equaling 109% of the yearly estimate; taxes on trade and non-state services gained 106.1 trillion VND, equaling 74%; personal income tax witnessed 46.7 trillion VND, equaling 73.4%; environmental protection tax recorded 28.2 trillion VND, equaling 73.2%; tax on FDI enterprises (excluding crude oil) was 108.4 trillion VND, equaling 68.2%. Particularly, tax on state-owned enterprises reached 136.2 trillion VND, equalling 53.1% of the yearly estimate, mainly due to corporations and enterprises which were specialized in the field of oil and gas exploitation and processing coal, minerals and hydropower faced difficult.
The state budget expenditure from the beginning of the year to 15th September, 2016 was estimated at 819.4 trillion VND, equaling 64.4% of the yearly estimate, of which expenditure for development investment was 130.2 trillion VND, equaling 51.1%; expenditure on socio-economic development, national defense and security, administrative management reached 574.2 trillion VND, equaling 69.7%; debt and aid payments recorded 109.8 trillion VND, equaling 70.8%. With solutions implemented under the Government’s Resolution No. 60 / NQ-CP of July 8, 2016 on key tasks and solutions, accelerating the implementation progress and disbursement of the public investment capital plan of 2016, the situation of disbursement of construction investment capital continued to improve. As of 15th September, 2016, disbursement of construction investment capital was estimated to reach 51% of the yearly estimate; Government bond gained 40% of the assigned estimate.
- Export and import of goods and services
Export of goods
Export turnover of goods in August reached 16,096 million USD, 896 million USD higher than the estimated figure, of which phones and their parts were 206 million USD higher; textiles and garments were 175 million USD higher; machinery, instrument and accessory were 79 million USD higher; fishery products were 59 million USD higher; wood and wooden products were 44 million USD higher; iron and steel were 37 million USD higher; electronic good, computer and their parts were 35 million USD higher; crude oil was 34 million USD higher; coffee was 33 million USD higher than estimated.
Export turnover in September was estimated at 15.00 billion USD, went down by 6.8% from the previous month, of which the domestic economic sector reached 4.31 billion USD, edged down by 7.5%; FDI sector (including crude oil) reached 10.69 billion USD, declined by 6.5%. Some export products decreased compared to the previous month, such as: Pepper by 20.6%; coffee by 19.5%; footwear by 18.2%; phones and their parts by 17.4%. Compared to the same period last year, export turnover in September this year increased by 9.0%, of which the domestic economic sector increased by 10.4%, the FDI sector (including oil crude) went up by 8.4%. Turnover of some products increased sharply: machinery, instrument and accessory by 30.6%; electronic good, computer and their parts by 29.1%; footwear by 12.1%; textile by 8.8%.
Generally for 9 months, export turnover was estimated at 128.2 billion USD, climbed up by 6.7% year on year, of which the domestic economic sector was 37.0 billion USD, grew by 5.0%; FDI sector (including crude oil) reached 91.2 billion USD, went up by 7.4%. Export turnover in the first 9 months of this year increased slowly mainly because the average export price decreased by 3.14% over the same period, of which the group of agricultural products and foodstuffs fell by 5.8% and fuel dropped 29.6 %. If excluding the price factor, export turnover in 9 months reached 132.4 billion USD, went up by 10.2% year on year.
Export turnover of some processed and assembled products increased over the same period last year: phones and their parts reached 25.0 billion USD, went up by 8.6%; textile reached 17.9 billion USD, edged up by 5.9%; electronic good, computer and their parts reached 12.9 billion USD, rose by 13.7%; footwear reached 9.4 billion USD, grew by 7.9%. Some agricultural products and raw materials had decreased turnover compared to the same period last year: Rice reached 1.7 billion USD[14], decreased by 12.4% (volume decreased by 16.3% and average export price decreased by 3%); crude oil reached 1.7 billion USD, dropped 43.3% (25% reduction in volume and average export price decreased by 31.5%); cassava and cassava products reached 762 million USD, dropped 24.8% (volume decreased by 11.4%); chemical products reached 683 million USD, dropped 1.1%.
Regarding the export market in the first 9 months of 2016, the US was still the leading market with 28.3 billion USD, rose by 14.5% compared to the same period in 2015, of which some main exported products to the market increased: Textile increased by 4.2%; footwear increased by 10.9%; phones and their parts increased by 51.6%; fishery products increased by 11.4%; machinery, instrument and accessory increased by 29.1%. The following was EU with 24.6 billion USD, rose by 9.5%, of which phones and their parts increased by 6%; footwear increased by 8%; textile increased by 7%; cashew nuts increased by 21.9%; electronic good, computer and their parts grew by 19.9%; coffee increased by 18.8%. Chinese market reached 14.8 billion USD, rose by 19.1%, of which fishery products increased by 49.3%; vegetables and fruits increased by 39.3%; textiles increased by 24.7%; footwear increased by 21.8%; phones and their parts increased by 76.2%. Japanese market reached 10.7 billion USD, rose by 3.2%; South Korea reached 8.3 billion USD, reached the highest growth rate of 29.9%, of which phones and their parts increased by 110%; electronic good, computer and their parts increased by 73.4%; vegetables increased by 30.4%. Particularly, ASEAN market was expected to increase exports, but the turnover was only 12.5 billion USD, dropped 9.1% compared to the same period last year, of which phones and their parts decreased by 5%; means of transport and spare parts dropped by 27.2%; iron and steel fell by 27.7%.
The structure of exported goods groups in the first 9 months of this year was less volatile than the same period last year: Heavy industrial and mineral products reached 58.8 billion USD, rose by 6.9% and accounted for 45.9% of total export turnover (rose by 0.1 percentage points over the same period in 2015); the group of light industrial and handicraft products reached 51.2 billion USD, rose by 6.6% and accounted for 39.9% (dropped 0.1 percentage points). Group of agricultural and forestry products (reached 13.2 billion USD, rose by 6.5% and accounted for 10.3% of turnover) and fishery products (reached 5 billion USD, rose by 5.7%, accounted for 3.9%) did not change the structure compared to the same period in 2015.
Import of goods
The import turnover of goods in August reached 15,523 million USD, 523 million USD higher than the estimated figure, of which: machinery, instrument and accessory were 97 million USD higher; computer electronics and components were 96 million USD higher; animal feed and auxiliary materials were 94 million USD higher; wheat and plastics were 74 million USD higher; metals were 55 million USD higher; petroleum was 40 million USD higher; vegetables were 28 million USD higher than estimated.
Import turnover in September was estimated at 15.10 billion USD, dropped 2.7% from the previous month, of which the domestic economic sector achieved 6.05 billion USD, dropped 2.3%; FDI sector reached 9.05 billion USD, dropped 3.0%. Compared to the same period last year, September import turnover increased by 9.8%, of which the domestic economic sector increased by 14.5%; FDI sector increased by 6.8%. Some products had import turnover increase over the same period last year: electronic good, computer and their parts increased by 21.3%; iron and steel increased by 23.5%; metals increased by 24.8%.
Generally for 9 months of 2016, import turnover reached 125.4 billion USD, rose by 1.3% over the same period last year, of which the domestic economic sector reached 51.4 billion USD, rose by 2, 0%; FDI sector reached 74.0 billion USD, increasing by 0.9%. If excluding the price factor (average import price decreased by 7.13%), import turnover in 9 months was 135.1 billion USD, rose by 9.1% compared to the same period of 2015.
Import turnover of some input goods for domestic production decreased compared to the same period last year: machinery, instrument and accessory reached 20.2 billion USD, dropped 2.7%; phones and their parts reached 7.5 billion USD, dropped 8%; petroleum reached 3.4 billion USD, decreased by 14.1% (volume increased by 22.9%); animal feed and auxiliary materials reached 2.5 billion USD, dropped 2.1%; chemicals reached 2.3 billion USD, dropped 2.8%; wood and wooden products reached 1.3 billion USD, dropped 20.2%; cotton reached 1.2 billion USD, dropped 4.6%. Some products had increased import turnover over the same period last year: electronic good, computer and their parts reached 20.2 billion USD, rose by 16.9%; fabric reached 7.7 billion USD, rose by 2.7%; iron and steel reached 5.8 billion USD, rose by 1.9%; plastics reached 4.5 billion USD, rose by 2.9%; metals reached 3.6 billion USD, rose by 17.3%; plastic products reached 3.2 billion USD, rose by 16.7%.
Regarding the market of imported goods for 9 months, China was still the largest import market of Vietnam with 36 billion USD, dropped by 1.8% year on year [15], of which, imports of machinery, instrument and accessory decreased by 2.4%, phones and their parts decreased by 15.7%. The following was South Korea with 23 billion USD, rose by 9.4%, of which electronic good, computer and their parts increased by 24.2% (1.2 billion USD); machinery, instrument and accessory grew by 5.4%; phones and their parts increased by 10.6%. Imports from ASEAN market reached 17.1 billion USD, dropped 2.4% compared to the same period last year, of which petroleum fell by 7%; electronic good, computer and their parts declined by 15.1%; Japan reached 10.9 billion USD, grew by 0.1%; EU reached 8.1 billion USD, increased by 4.9%, of which machinery, instrument and accessory increased by 1.9%; pharmaceuticals increased by 18.2%; The United States reached 6 billion USD, grew by 0.3%, of which electronic good, computer and their parts rose by 48.9%; chemical products rose by 2.9%.
Regarding the structure of imported goods in 9 months: the group of capital goods produced reached 114.5 billion USD, increased by 1.2% compared to the same period in 2015 and accounted for 91.3% of total import turnover (dropped 0.1 percentage point over the same period in 2015), of which machinery, instrument and accessory reached 51.1 billion USD, grew by 1.2% and accounted for 40.7% (dropped 0.1 percentage points ); material and fuel group reached 63.4 billion USD, grew by 1.2% and accounted for 50.6% (unchanged); consumer goods reached 10.9 billion USD, grew by 2.8% and accounted for 8.7% (grew by 0.1 percentage points).
The trade balance of goods in August saw a trade surplus of 573 million USD[16]. The trade deficit in September was estimated at 100 million USD, in the first 9 months of 2016, the trade surplus was 2.76 billion USD, of which the domestic economic sector saw a trade deficit of 14.38 billion USD; FDI sector saw a trade surplus of 17.14 billion USD.
Export and import of goods and services
Services exports in the first 9 months of this year were estimated at 9.2 billion USD, grew by 12.8% over the same period last year, of which tourism services exports reached 6.3 billion USD, accounted for 68.2% of the total turnover and increased by 17.9%. Services import in 9 months was estimated at USD 12.6 billion, grew by 3.4% over the same period last year, of which import of transport services reached 6.6 billion USD, accounted for 52.2% of total turnover and increased by 2.2%. The trade deficit for 9 months was 3.4 billion USD.
- Price indexes
Consumer price index
Consumer price index (CPI) in September 2016 increased by 0.54% over the previous month, of which the education group rose the highest with 7.19% (education service increased by 8.36%) because in the month, 53 provinces and cities directly under the Central Government adjusted the tuition fees according to the roadmap of Decree No. 86/2015/ND-CP dated October 2nd, 2015 of the Government (making the overall CPI increase by about 0.42%). Transport group increased by 0.55% due to the increase in petroleum price in August 19th, 2016 and September 5th, 2016 (making fuel price index increase by 1.2%, CPI overall increase by 0.05%). Price index of the remaining groups of goods and services had lower increase than the general increase or decreased: Culture, entertainment and tourism increased by 0.18%; garments, hats and footwear grew by 0.14%; household appliances rose by 0.11%; housing and construction materials; food and catering services increased by 0.09%[17]; beverages and cigarettes rose by 0.04%; medicine and health services increased by 0.02%; Particularly, postal services and telecommunication fell by 0.07%.
CPI in September 2016 increased by 3.14% compared to December 2015, the average monthly increase was 0.34%. Average CPI in 9 months of 2016 increased by 2.07% compared to the same period in 2015, higher than the 0.74% increase of the same period last year, but much lower than the average CPI increase for 9 months of some recent years[18] and still within the 5% target set by the National Assembly. However, from now until the end of 2016, there were many factors that put pressure on CPI: Price of health services, petroleum and consumer spending at the end of the year, the Government should continue to direct the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Industry and Trade and related ministries and agencies to monitor closely the prices and market developments, and to consider time to increase prices of some essential goods to avoid psychological spillover effects on CPI.
Core inflation in September 2016 increased by 0.07% over the previous month and by 1.85% over the same period last year. The average core inflation in 9 months of 2016 increased by 1.81% compared to the same period in 2015.
Gold price index and US dollar price index
Gold price index in September 2016 decreased by 0.36% compared to the previous month; increased by 17.11% compared to December 2015; increased by 13.08% compared to the same period last year. The US dollar price index in September 2016 increased by 0.07% compared to the previous month; decreased by 0.99% compared to December 2015 and decreased by 0.77% compared to the same period in 2015.
Producer price index
The producer price index of agricultural, forestry and fishery products in the third quarter of 2016 increased by 0.43% compared to the previous quarter and increased by 3.31% compared to the same period last year, of which the producer price index of agricultural products increased by 0.91% and 3.6%; forestry products increased by 0.59% and 2.78%; fishery products decreased by 1.23% and increased by 2.4%. Generally for 9 months, the producer price index of agricultural, forestry and fishery products increased by 0.78% compared to the same period of 2015.
The producer price index of industrial products in the third quarter increased by 0.65% compared to the previous quarter and decreased by 0.5% compared to the same period last year, of which the producer price index of mineral products increased by 2.94% and decreased by 7.36%; manufacturing products rose by 0.49% and 0.61%; electricity and electricity distribution increased by 0.20% and decreased by 0.73%; clean water and wastewater and wastewater treatment increased by 0.26% and 1.73%. Generally for 9 months, the producer price index of industrial products decreased by 0.93% compared to the same period of 2015.
Input price index in the third quarter of this year increased by 0.85% compared to the previous quarter and decreased by 0.41% compared to the same period last year, of which the input price index for agricultural, forestry and fishery production increased by 1.06% and decreased by 0.39%; for manufacturing increased by 1% and decreased by 0.27%; for construction decreased by 0.73% and 1.95%. Generally for 9 months, input price index for production decreased by 1.30% compared to the same period in 2015.
The transport and storage price index in the third quarter increased by 0.23% compared to the previous quarter and decreased by 2.23% compared to the same period last year, of which passenger transport price index increased by 0.40% and decreased by 1.27 %; freight transport price index fell by 0.06% and 4.66%; storage and transport supporting service price index increased by 0.82% and 3.73%. The transport price index by kinds of transport in the third quarter was as follows: railway increased by 1.59% compared to the previous quarter and decreased by 6.2% compared to the same period last year; roadway and bus price index increased by 0.25% and decreased by 2.98%; waterways increased by 0.02% and decreased by 5.92%; storage and transport supporting services increased by 0.82% and 3.73%. Generally for 9 months, the transport and storage price index decreased by 2.11% compared to the same period in 2015.
The producer price index of services in the third quarter of 2016 increased by 0.43% compared to the previous quarter and increased by 2.31% compared to the same period last year, of which the producer price index of services of some economic activities was as follows: accommodation and catering services rose by 0.41% and 2.83%; information and communication by 0.03% and by 0.15%; education and training increased by 1.54% and 4.85%; health and social work increased by 2.00% and 28.59%. Generally for 9 months of this year, the service producer price index increased by 2.09% over the same period last year, mainly due to the increase in tuition fees and adjustment of medical service prices in the third quarter step 2 according to the roadmap.
Merchandise export and import price index
The merchandise export price index of the third quarter of this year increased by 1.19% compared to the previous quarter and decreased by 1.72% compared to the same period last year, of which the export price index of agricultural and food products increased by 3.89% and decreased by 2.81%; fuel group increased by 12.31% and decreased by 17.54%; other processed and manufactured goods decreased by 0.08% and increased by 1.19%. Export price index of some items increased/decreased compared to the corresponding periods as follows: vegetables increased by 1.83% and decreased by 6.82%; coffee increased by 10.84% and decreased by 10.78%; crude oil increased by 12.64% and decreased by 18.71%; rubber increased by 10.62% and decreased by 9.29%; iron and steel decreased by 1.79% and declined by 25.39%. For 9 months of 2016, the merchandise export price index decreased by 3.14% compared to the same period last year.
The merchandise import price index of the third quarter increased by 1.15% compared to the previous quarter and decreased by 5.83% over the same period last year, of which the import price index of agricultural and food products increased by 3.4% and decreased by 1.93%; fuel group increased by 14.05% and decreased by 26.33%; other processed and manufactured goods increased by 0.06% and decreased by 4.29%. The import price index of some items increased/decreased compared to the corresponding periods as follows: Liquefied gas decreased by 2.64% and by 10.48%; gasoline increased by 15.64% and decreased by 20.33%; rubber increased by 8.32% and decreased by 1.82%; wood and wood products decreased by 2.68% and by 8.58%; computers, electronic products, phones and components increased by 0.32% and decreased by 2.46%. Generally for 9 months, the merchandise import price index decreased by 7.13% compared to the same period of 2015.
The merchandise term of trade[19] in the third quarter increased by 0.04% compared to the previous quarter and increased by 4.37% over the same period last year, of which the term of trade of petrol of all kinds fell by 1.4% and decreased by 2.47%; rubber increased by 2.12% and decreased by 7.61%; computers, electronic products, phones and components decreased by 0.05% and increased by 2.58%; electric wires and cables decreased by 2.38% and increased by 1.54%. In the first 9 months of the year, the terms of trade increased by 4.29% compared to the same period of 2015. The merchandise term of trade exchange in the third quarter increased compared to the previous quarter and the same period last year, showed comparative advantages of merchandise export prices compared to merchandise import prices.
III. SOME SOCIAL ISSUES
- Population, labor and employment
The average population in 2016 of the whole country was estimated at 92.70 million persons, an increase of 987.8 thousand persons, equivalent to an increase of 1.08% compared to 2015, of which urban population was 32.06 million persons, accounting for 34.6%; rural population was 60.64 million persons, accounting for 65.4%; male population was 45.75 million, accounting for 49.4%; female population was 46.95 million, accounting for 50.6%.
According to the results of the Population Change and Family Planning Survey on April 1, 2016, the total fertility rate was estimated at 2.09 children/woman; crude birth rate was estimated at 15.74‰; the sex ratio at birth was 112.2 boys/100 girls; crude death rate was 6.83‰; the infant mortality rate was 14.52‰; the under-5 children mortality rate was 21.80‰. The death rate continued to be low, reflecting the effectiveness of the maternal and child health care program in particular, the health protection and living standards improvement for people in general over the past time.
The labor force aged 15 and over in the whole country by October 1, 2016 was estimated at 54.44 million persons, up 122.7 thousand persons compared to the same period in 2015, including: male laborers: 28.2 million persons, accounting for 51.5%; female workers: 26.42 million, accounting for 48.5%. By area, the labor force aged 15 and over in urban areas was 17.54 million, accounting for 32.2%; 36.90 million persons were in rural areas, accounting for 67.8%.
The labor force in the working age at that time was estimated at 47.88 million persons, down 233.2 thousand persons compared to the same period last year due to the impact of the marine environmental occurrence in the Central region, of which male workers were 25.82 million persons, accounting for 53.9%; female workers were 22.06 million persons, accounting for 46.1%. The labor force in the working age in urban areas was 16.02 million, accounting for 33.5%; rural areas were 31.86 million persons, accounting for 66.5%.
Workers aged 15 and over working in the first 9 months of this year were estimated at 53.27 million persons, including 22.32 million persons working in agriculture, forestry and fishery, accounting for 41.9% of the total labor of the whole country; industry and construction sector was 13.16 million persons, accounting for 24.7%; service sector was 17.79 million persons, accounting for 33.4%.
The unemployment rate of workers in the first quarter of 2016 was 2.25%; the second quarter was 2.29%; third quarter estimates was 2.34%. Generally for 9 months of this year, the unemployment rate of working age laborers was 2.29%, of which urban area was 3.23%; rural area was 1.82%. Unemployment rate of young people (from 15-24 years old) in the first 9 months was 7.04%, of which urban area was 11.65%; rural area was 5.27%. The underemployment rate of workers in the first quarter was 1.76%; the second quarter was 1.55%; the third quarter was estimated at 1.68%. Generally for 9 months of 2016, the underemployment rate of workers in the working age group was 1.66%, of which urban area was 0.70%; rural area was 2.11%.
Percentage of employment in the informal economy in non-agricultural activities[20] in the second quarter was 56.1%; the third quarter was estimated at 55.8%. Generally for 9 months of 2016, there were 55.9% of workers having informal jobs, of which 47.1% in urban areas; 63.9% in rural areas.
- Living standards and social security
Generally, for 9 months of 2016, the whole country witnessed 251.2 thousand households suffering from food shortage a year on year rise of 15.6%, corresponding to 1040.7 thousand persons suffering from food shortage, increased by 15.4%. The main cause of this problem increased over the same period last year due to the impact of natural disasters, droughts and severe saline intrusion in some areas, especially in the Northern midlands and mountain areas, North Central and Central coastal areas, Central Highlands. In order to overcome food shortage, from the beginning of the year, all administrative levels, sectors and organizations from central to local level supported these households with 16.8 thousand tons of food in September 9 alone supported 775 tons of food. The rate of poverty household in 2016 was estimated at 5.8% -6.0%. According to the multi-dimensional approach to poverty applied for the period 2016-2020[21], in the rate of poverty household was estimated at 10.4%.
Attention was continued to be paid to the social security. According to the preliminary report, the total funding for social security and poverty reduction in the 9 months of 2016 was 4677 billion VND, including: 2964 billion VND of gifts and assistances for policy beneficiaries; 1173 billion VND to support poor households and 540 billion VND for hunger-relief and other social reliefs. Besides, 8.7 million health insurance cards, free health care books/cards were donated to policy beneficiaries in the whole country.
Marine environmental incidents occurred in late April in 04 central provinces as follows Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien – Hueleft unusually death of seafood, causing great socio-economic damage and seriously affecting the livesof the locals. In order to support people affected by the incident, the Prime Minister issued Decision No.772/QD-TTg dated May 9, 2016 on emergency assistance to citizens in the following provinces Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien – Hue were affected by abnormal death of seafood, at the same time directed the branches and levels to urgently overcome the consequences of the incident, to support people in a timely and effective manner. The Government directed ministries, line ministries and localities to urgently calculate damage, set up compensation and support norms so that people in 04 provinces could stabilize production and life soon.
- Education and Training
As of late September 2016, there were 52 out of 63 provinces and cities directly under the Central Government gained universal preschool education for five-year-old children; all 63 provinces and cities directly under the Central Government achieved at least level of the universal primary education of which 12 localities were recognized as level 2 of the universal primary education.
At the beginning of the school year 2016-2017, there were about 4.9 million preschool children (0.7 million children enrolled nursery schools and and 4.2 million children enrolled kindergartens); 15.7 million general school pupils enrolled, of which 7.7 million primary school pupils, 5.5 million pupils at lower secondary school and 2.5 million pupils at upper secondary school.
According to preliminary reports, in the school year 2015 – 2016, the number of registered candidates for the national graduation exam of upper secondary schools was 887.4 thousand candidates, a year on year fall of 11.8%. Remarkably, in this school year there were 286.1 thousand registered candidates taking only the national graduation exam of upper secondary schools results, accounting for 32.2% of the total number of candidates (up 4 percentage points year on year). It was the proof of the effectiveness of the vocational guidance in upper secondary schools, a positive sign that pupils no longer consider university as the only way for their future.
Admission of university and college enrollment in the 2016-2017 school year was improve to better meet the opportunity of selecting the professions that match the candidates’ aspirations and ensure the autonomy right of students enrollment of those establishments. This year, there were nearly 300 establishments having autonomy enrollment projects, an increase of 100 establishments compared to the previous school year. After the first round, 127 universities and academies in the whole country enrolled 277 thousand candidates, reaching 91% of the set target, of which 41 schools fully met recruitment targets.
- Epidemic diseases and food poisoning
Generally, in 9 months, the whole country witnessed 1.5 thousand cases of hand, foot and mouth disease; 47 cases of typhoid; 116 cases of viral encephalitis (06 deaths); 08 cases of meningococcal meningitis. Generally, in 9 months, the whole country witnessed 25.7 thousand cases of hand, foot and mouth disease; 255 cases of typhoid; 686 cases of viral encephalitis (17 deaths); 41 cases of meningococcal meningitis (05 deaths). The hemorrhagic fever outbreak continued to be widespread in the Central Highlands provinces, Central Coast, Southeast and Mekong River Delta due to being in the rainy season, a favorable environment for mosquitoes to spread the epidemic. In the month, 11.9 thousand more cases of hemorrhagic fever were detected (03 deaths), bringing the total number of cases from the beginning of the year to 68.7 thousand persons (21 deaths).
As of 17 September 2016, the total number of alive HIV-infected persons over the country was 229.4 thousand persons and the number of cases turned to AIDS was 86.8 thousand persons. The number of persons died of HIV/AIDS nationwide was 88.4 thousand persons.
In the month, there were 8 food poisoning cases, poisoned 121 persons. From 17 December 2015 to 17 September 2016, there were 100 severe food poisoning cases, poisoned 3025 persons, of which 9 deaths.
- Culture and Sport
Cultural activities in 2016 focused on celebrating major holidays and important events of the country; welcomed the success of the 12th National Party Congress, the XIV term of National Assembly election and People’s Council deputies at all levels for the 2016-2021 term. Cultural activities were organized in many forms, ensuring practicality, efficiency and savings, creating an exciting atmosphere among the people. Besides, cultural activities with the theme of sea and islands continued to be organized in many localities in order to cascade the Party’s guidelines and policies in protecting the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country as well as raising people’s awareness and strengthening the great national unity. Festival management focused on promoting the advantage of folk festivals and in line with cultural traditions; strengthening supervision and determined to address those festivals that violated the regulation and failure in ensuring security and environmental sanitation.
In September 2016, the sports sector continued to maintain and promote the campaign 9 named “All people do physical exercise as the Great Uncle Ho did” with the central task of organizing “a day of Olympic jogging for people’s health”. The sport sector also coordinated with ministries, branches and localities to organize the program of Child Safe Swimming for Drowning Prevention in the period 2016-2020 and the 9th Phu Dong Sport Festival in some areas. Several mass physical training and sports activities were organized to create a joyful atmosphere during holidays and Lunar New Year. At the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, the Vietnamese athletes with disabilities won 01 gold medal; 01 silver medal and 02 bronze medals, ranked 55 out of 83 won medals delegations.
In September, Viet Nam’s high performance sports achieved many outstanding achievements: Viet Nam sports for the first time in history won 01 gold medal and 01 silver medal, ranked 48th out of 206 countries and territories participating in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games; 01 gold medal, 02 silver medals and 05 bronze medals at the Asian Weightlifting Championship; 02 silver medals and 01 bronze medal at the World Gymnastics Cup; 02 gold medals, 03 silver medals and 02 bronze medals at the Young Asian Athletics Championships, reaching 3 standards to attend the World Young Athletics Championship; 01 bronze medal at the World Shooting Cup; 44 gold medals, 21 silver medals and 26 bronze medals at the Southeast Asian Wrestling Championship; 01 gold medal and 02 silver medals at the Asian Chess Championship; 12 gold medals, 06 silver medals and 04 bronze medals at the Asian Pencak Silat Championship; 14 gold medals, 8 silver medals and 11 bronze medals at the Southeast Asian Karatedo Championship; 08 gold medals, 02 silver medals and 02 bronze medals at Southeast Asia Archery.
- Traffic accidents
In this month (from 16 August to 15 September), there were 1867 traffic accidents occurred nationwide, including 827 traffic accidents from less serious to more and 1040 traffic collisions, causing 682 deaths, 504 injuries and 1237 slight injuries. Compared to the same period last year, the number of traffic accidents in this month increased by 1.6% (the number of traffic accidents from less serious to more increased by 0.6% and the number of traffic collisions went down by 3.5%); the number of deaths rose by 2.2%; the number of injuries increased by 5.2% and the number of slight injuries increased by 1.7%.
Generally, for the first 9 months of 2016, there were 15411 traffic accidents occurred nationwide, including 7473 traffic accidents from less serious to more and 7938 traffic collisions, causing 6440 deaths, 4285 injuries and 9188 slight injuries. Compared to the same period last year, the number of traffic accidents in the first 9 months of this year decreased by 7.6% (traffic accidents from less serious to more decreased by 1.8%; the number of traffic collisions decreased by 12.5%); the number of deaths decreased by 2%; the number of injuries dropped 2.7% and the number of slight injuries decreased by 15%. On average 56 traffic accidents occurred a day in 9 months of 2016 nationwide, including 27 traffic accidents from less serious to more and 29 traffic collisions, caused 23 deaths, 16 injuries and 33 slight injuries.
- Damages caused by natural disasters [22]
In the first 9 months of 2016, prolonged bitterly cold, damaging cold together with storms, tropical low pressure and heavy rain, etc affected production and people’s life in many localities across the country. According to preliminary reports, natural disasters left 125 deaths and missing; 266 wounded; over 3.5 thousand houses collapsed, swept away; 95.9 thousand houses were flooded, hit by landslides and roof ripped-off; 227.3 thousand hectares of rice, 59.2 thousand hectares of arable crops and 23.9 thousand hectares of aquaculture damaged; 37.5 thousand cattle, 256.1 thousand poultry heads and more than 862 thousand tons of aquatic products of all kinds killed. Some localities suffered much damage: Lao Cai suffered 29 deaths and missing, 12 wounded, nearly 2 thousand houses collapsed, hit by landslides and roof ripped-off, 12.8 thousand hectares of arable crops damaged; Thai Binh 46 wounded, 3.4 thousand houses collapsed, hit by landslides and roof ripped-off, 42 thousand hectares of arable crops and 9.8 thousand hectares of aquaculture damaged; Nam Dinh 19.2 thousand houses collapsed, hit by landslides and roof ripped-off, 83.3 housand hectares of arable crops and 4.3 thousand hectares of aquaculture damaged. The total value of damage in 9 months was estimated at nearly 10.5 trillion VND, of which: Thai Binh suffered 2.6 trillion VND; Nam Dinh 2.4 trillion VND.
- Environment protection, fire and explosion prevention
In September 2017, 1260 cases of violating regulations of environment protection were found, of which 886 cases were addressed with total fine of 11.3 billion VND. Generally, for the 9 months of 2016, 10995 cases of environmental violations across the country were found, of which 5444 cases were addressed with a total fine of over 428.8 billion VND.
In this month, there were 187 cases of fire and explosion across the country, causing 10 deaths and 7 injuries, with an estimated damage of 32.3 billion VND. Generally, for 9 months, there were 2460 cases of fire and explosion across the country, caused 90 deaths and 216 wounded, with an estimated damage of over 1058 billion VND.
In general, socio-economic situation in the first 9 months of 2016 continued to witness positive change. Macro-economy was stable, inflation was curbed, interest rates, exchange rates were stable; business environment improved remarkably; the number of newly established and re-operated enterprises increased highly; international visitors noted improvement. Labor, employment, social security were paid attention to and achieved certain results. However, in addition to the positive aspects, the economy still faced challenges; the growth rate did not meet the expectation, import and export did not highly improved, the forest fire and deforestation were at large scale. People’s lives in areas hit by natural disasters and environmental polluted area was still difficult.
In order to fulfill the socio-economic development objectives in 2016, create momentum for the successful implementation of the 2016-2020 socio-economic development plan, in the coming time. All levels, branches and localities should continue to implement synchronously and effectively solutions of the Government and the Prime Minister’s directions, focusing on solving difficulties and creating favorable conditions for production development. promote start-up of which focuses on the following main contents:
Firstly, being active and flexible in operating monetary policy, working closely with fiscal policies, control inflation; managing interest rates and exchange rates in line with domestic and international monetary market developments. To enhance and effectively prevent losses, transfer pricing and tax arrears, increase state budget revenue. To speed up the disbursement progress of investment capital sources, especially the state budget and Government bonds. To closely supervise expenditures from the State budget, thoroughly save recurrent expenditures.
Secondly, to focus on restructuring agriculture in association with building a new rural area, changing the structure of plants and animals in accordance with advantages, market demand, adapting to climate change. To accelerate research and use of quality varieties; implement intensive measures, apply advanced science and technology to improve productivity and product quality. Governments, ministries, sectors and localities need medium and long-term solutions to address saline intrusion, drought problems in the Mekong Delta, Central and Central Highlands because this is not just a phenomenon of 2016. Regarding the provinces affected by saline intrusion in the Mekong Delta and the provinces frequently affected by droughts in the Central Highlands and South Central Coast, it is necessary to re-plan the production structure of sectors, especially in agricultural and forestry production, aquaculture in the direction of forming large-scale specialized cultivation areas. At the same time, it is proactive in repairing and dredging the system of canals and irrigation works to prevent saltwater intrusion and build reservoirs to keep fresh water in service of production and people’s life.
Thirdly, to remove difficulties, support businesses to develop, expand domestic and export markets. To focus on financial policies to help Vietnam’s startup community in development. To create favorable conditions for the development of supporting industries and processing and manufacturing industries in association with the advantages of agricultural, forestry and aquatic resources. To continue to accelerate the process of equitization and divestment of state capital in enterprises to ensure publicity, transparency, avoid loss of money and State assets.
Fourthly, to encourage the export of commodity groups and goods which can be competitive and have stable market. To strengthen market forecasting, promoting trade, seeking and expanding export markets. To understand the regulations on the legal framework of the market, especially hygiene, food safety and technical barriers to proactively build timely policies. To actively implement effective international integration commitments, especially within the framework of the ASEAN Community, Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) and signed free trade agreements.
Fifthly, to effectively implement social security policies, social welfare, policies must be well performed. To effectively implement the National Target Program on sustainable poverty reduction in the 2016-2020 period. To continue to support the affected areas due to natural disasters; urgently implement compensation and support for people in the central provinces affected by the marine pollution incidents to restore production soon and stabilize their lives./.
GENERAL STATISTICS OFFICE
[1] In June 2016, the World Bank lowered the forecast of global economic growth in 2016 to 2.4% from the increase of 2.9% as forecasted in January 2016.
[2] The IIP of the mining and quarrying increased by 0.2 % in the first quarter; decreased by 5.3% in the second quarter; and decreased by 6.8% in the third quarter.
[3] The 9-month growth rate of the sector I in years 2011-2015 was 3.95%, 2.75%, 2.38%, 2.94%, and 2.08%, respectively.
[4] The contribution of economic sectors to GDP growth in the 9 months of 2015 was as follows: Sector I contributed 0.40 percentage points; Sector II contributed 3.20 percentage points; Sector III contributed 2.43 percentage points.
[5] Of which conversion area of Hung Yen l was 1269 hectares; Ha Noi was 247 hectares; Hai Dương was 182 hectares; Thanh Hoa was 178 hectares, Hai Phong was 34 hectares.
[6] Conversion area to irrigation works of Bac Ninh was 650 hectares; Ha Noi was 357 hectares; Hai Phong was 239 hectares; Thanh Hoa was 201 hectares.
[7] Production of fishery catching in 9 months compared with that of over the same period last year of Ha Tinh deceased by 3.66 thousand tons ( a decrease of 14.4%); Quang Bình decreased by 6.0 thousand tons (a decrease of 13.4%); Quang Tri decreased by 4,8 thousand tons (a decrease of 27.1%); Thua Thien – Hue decreased by 7.2 thousand tons (a decrease of 23.9%).
[8] In 9 months of 2015, the IIP of the mining and quarrying, the manufacturing, the production and distribution of electricity, the water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities increased by 8.6%, 10.2%, 11.4%, 7.2%, respectively.
[9] The IIP of the manufacturing in the first, second and third quarter increased by 9.4%, 11.1%, 11%, respectively; the IIP in the 6, 7, 8, 9 months correspondingly rose 10.2%, 10.1%, 10.2%, 10.4%.
The IIP of the production and distribution of electricity rose 12.4%, 10.2%, 13.2%, 11.2%, 11.8%, 12.3%, 12.1%, respectively.
The IIP of the water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities grew 8.8, 6.1%, 7%, 6.9%, 6.9%, 6.8%, 6.9%, respectively.
[10] Source: National business registration information system, Ministry of Planning and Investment.
[11] In the first 9 months of 2016, there were 1160.4 trillion VND of additional registered capital of enterprises recorded that upward adjustment of capital, bringing the total additional registered capital in the economy in 9 months reached 1789.5 trillion VND.
[12] Mainly due to the Iron and Steel Complex project and Son Duong Formosa port, the first phase of construction had been completed but due to marine environmental incidents in the central provinces, it had not been officially put into operation.
[13] It was estimated that by September 15, 2016, the balance of central budget revenue reached 57% of the estimate; Local budget revenue reached 77.8%
[14] Rice exports of 9 months of 2016 to two major markets, China and Indonesia, decreased compared to the same period last year, in addition, the Chinese market demanded for higher quality of imported rice from Vietnam. The search for new markets like the US and EU was difficult because rice had not met the quality requirements of these markets and the competitiveness was less than that of some other major rice exporting countries. Export to the African market faced difficulties in transporting, the price was high due to geographical distance.
[15] Trade deficit from China in 9 months of 2016 was 21.3 billion USD, dropped 12.5% year on year.
[16] Estimated trade surplus was 200 million USD.
[17] Of which, food price increased by 0.16% because Vietnam won the bit of 150,000 tons of export rice for Philippine at the end of August; fresh vegetable prices increased strongly by 10% -15% due to the influence of the rainy season; food prices rose by 0.1%.
[18] Average CPI in 9 months compared to the same period of some years was as follows: In 2008, it increased by 22.76%; in 2009 increased by 7.64%; in 2010 increased by 8.64%; in 2011 increased by 18.16%; in 2012 increased by 9.96%; 2013 increased by 6.83%; in 2014 increased by 4.61%.
[19] Merchandise export price index over import price index.
[20] Employment in the informal economy in non-agricultural activities include those who do not work in agriculture, forestry and fisheries and belong to one of the following three groups: (i) wage earners in the formal sector who are not entitled to enter into a labor contract or to be entered into a labor contract with definite term but not paid compulsory social insurance by employers; family labor in establishments in the formal sector and cooperative members who do not have a compulsory social insurance; (ii) owners of establishments, self-employed workers, wage earners and family labor in establishments in the informal sector; (iii) self-employed workers for self-consumption of households and hired labor in households.
[21] Decision No. 59/2015/QD-TTg dated 19 November 2015 of the Prime Minister promulgating multi-dimensional approach to poverty applied for the period 2016-2020 was as follows:
– In rural areas: is the one that satisfies either of the two following norms (1) Having a monthly per capita income of VND 700,000 to lower and (2) Having a monthly per capita income of between over 700,000 VND and 1,000,000 VND and deprived of at least 3 indicators measuring deprivation of access to basic social services;
– In urban areas: is the one that satisfies either of the two following norms: (1)Having a monthly per capita income of VND 900,000 or lower and (2) Having a monthly per capita income of between over 900,000 VND and 1,300,000 VND and deprived of at least 3 indicators measuring deprivation of access to basic social services.
[22] Not including damage caused by severe drought and saline intrusion in te South Central region, Central Highlands, South East areas and Mekong River Delta.