“In Vietnam, 30.8% of Japanese industrial businesses reported Chinese peers as their top rival, according to the semi-governmental Japan External Trade Organization 2025 survey. That is up from 24.6% in 2024, with figures rising across the five biggest economies in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.”
“For its latest annual survey, JETRO canvassed 906 Japanese companies in Vietnam out of 3,172 across ASEAN more broadly in August and September.”
“The JETRO survey showed a stiffening in the contest for workers in Vietnam, while other key hurdles include getting paperwork processed, local suppliers and U.S. tariffs pushing businesses to find clients elsewhere.”
“Vietnam’s top source of investment in 2025 was Singapore, followed in order by China and Japan, the statistics office said. Chinese companies like Jinko Solar, fast food chain Mixue, and BYD, which makes cars and Apple devices, have been increasing operations in the country in recent years. With more employers on the ground, 48.2% of JETRO respondents said ‘recruitment is becoming more difficult,’ citing Chinese companies as the leading competitor. Across ASEAN 36.8% of respondents said hiring is tougher.”