Tết-onomics

When traditions meet financial reality

Good morning! Welcome to the latest edition of the Vietnam Weekly, written by Ho Chi Minh City-based reporter Mike Tatarski. Hopefully, everyone had a great Lunar New Year break - I spent 10 days in Japan, which has emerged as one of my favorite places to visit after two trips there.

A warm welcome to all new readers, and thanks to Semafor Flagship for the shout-out last week.

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On to the news.

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With the biggest holiday of the year in the rear-view mirror, it’s worth looking at how Tết traditions played out economically as Vietnam looks to improve upon 2023’s relatively downbeat performance.

There’s plenty of interest beyond the de rigueur coverage of terrible traffic jams on the outskirts of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, along with the narrow bridges of the Mekong Delta.