Industrial production in many southern provinces increased by double digits, but internal strength is still weak and dependent on FDI.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang requested provinces and cities to increase human resources for the industry and trade sector, and arrange at least one official specializing in the industry and trade sector at the commune level.

The conference received 15 contributions from delegates related to the industry and trade sector - Photo: SON LAM

Southern industry and trade accelerate, exports excel

On the afternoon of October 20, the Ministry of Industry and Trade coordinated with the People's Committee of Tay Ninh province to organize the 11th Conference of Industry and Trade of Southern provinces and cities in 2025.

The conference was chaired by Deputy Minister Phan Thi Thang, Vice Chairman of Tay Ninh Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Hong Thanh and Director of the Department of Planning, Finance and Enterprise Management of the Ministry of Industry and Trade Bui Huy Son.

After the administrative reorganization, the Southern region includes 2 centrally-run cities (Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho) and 6 provinces: Dong Nai, Tay Ninh, Vinh Long, An Giang, Dong Thap, Ca Mau. With an area of ​​63,473 km² (19.4% of the country's area) and about 41 million people (40.4% of the country's population), this is the most dynamic economic region.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in the first 9 months of 2025, industrial production in the region recovered strongly and spread widely. Many localities had double-digit growth: An Giang increased by 14.32%, Dong Nai by 14.03%, Tay Ninh by 13.4%, Dong Thap by 12.95%, higher than the national average (9.1%).

Total retail sales and revenue of goods in the whole region is estimated at 2,925,648 billion VND, accounting for 46.83% of the whole country. Ho Chi Minh City alone reached 1,403,600 billion VND, accounting for nearly 48% of the whole region.

Export turnover is estimated at 124.906 billion USD, equivalent to 35.82% of the country; import is about 106.784 billion USD, trade surplus is 18.12 billion USD. Some localities with strong export growth include Vinh Long (18.35%), Dong Nai (17.28%), Can Tho (12.08%), Tay Ninh (10.05%).

At the conference, delegates presented 15 papers, analyzed difficulties, limitations and proposed many solutions for the development of the industry and trade sector.

Mr. Ha Van Ut - Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Ho Chi Minh City - received the flag of the hosting unit of the 12th Conference of Industry and Trade of Southern Provinces and Cities in 2026 from Mr. Huynh Van Quang Hung - Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Tay Ninh province - Photo: SON LAM

Demand for breakthroughs in human resources and technology

Industrial restructuring has been implemented but the results have not been as expected. The regional industry still depends heavily on FDI enterprises, leading industries have not been clearly formed, while many priority areas have not yet achieved their targets.

The supporting industry is developing slowly, lacking enterprises participating deeply in the global value chain. Although environmental pollution in some industrial zones and clusters has been initially overcome, there are still many problems that need to be resolved.

The technological level and innovation capacity of most enterprises are still low. Technological innovation is mainly concentrated in large enterprises, especially FDI enterprises, while the majority of small and medium enterprises do not have the capacity to invest in modern technology.

Concluding the conference, Deputy Minister Phan Thi Thang acknowledged the opinions and solutions from delegates and emphasized that southern provinces and cities need to prioritize investment in infrastructure and logistics to strengthen regional connectivity and improve production efficiency.

She suggested that localities allocate enough human resources for the industry and trade sector, especially at least one specialized officer at the commune level to meet the requirements of wide and complex work.

In addition, Ms. Thang also noted that provinces and cities should focus on training human resources, allocate funds for digital transformation, and soon complete decentralization and clear delegation of authority so that staff can maximize their effectiveness.

Leaders of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Tay Ninh province visit the fair - Photo: AN LONG

On the evening of October 20, the Ministry of Industry and Trade coordinated with the People's Committee of Tay Ninh province to organize the opening ceremony of the Exhibition Fair of Typical Rural Industrial Products in the Southern Region - Tay Ninh 2025.

The event takes place from now until October 26 at Long An Ward Park (Tay Ninh), with more than 350 booths of hundreds of enterprises, cooperatives and typical rural industrial establishments from more than 25 southern provinces and cities.

FOREST

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/san-xuat-cong-nghiep-nhieu-tinh-phia-nam-tang-hai-con-so-nhung-noi-luc-con-yeu-phu-thuoc-fdi-2025102019090237.htm