The domestic construction steel price has continued to head downwards. After the latest and 13th decline, the price now stands at VND14,640 ($0.62) - VND16,240 ($0.69) per kilo (depending on the brand and type). The reason for the continual decline is the concurrent sharp decline in input material prices and abundant supply and high inventories.

Due to sharp increases in materials and transportation costs, the export turnover of wood and wooden products in July fell 5.5 per cent compared to June and 1.6 per cent year-on-year. According to the Timber Association and Forest Trends report, nearly half of surveyed wood enterprises believe their revenue will fall by 40 per cent this year.

Material price fluctuations, complicated legal procedures, high levels of debt, and overlapping inspections are putting some Vietnamese construction enterprises at risk of closing if feasible solutions aren’t found.