Reproducibility package for The Rise of Viet Nam’s Solar Panel Industry: Inputs, FDI, and Spillovers
Reference ID
RR_ASI_2026_655
Author(s)
Pierre-Louis Vézina, Meng Yu Ngov, Trang Thu Tran, Gaurav Nayyar
Collections
Metadata
Created on
Aug 06, 2026
Last modified
Aug 18, 2026
Page views
11
Downloads
3
Overview
Abstract
We document how foreign firms, inputs, and subsidies have shaped the development of Viet Nam’s solar panel industry. We use firm-to-firm transaction datacfrom Panjiva as well as firm-level data from the Vietnamese Enterprise Surveycto trace solar panel value chains. We uncover three key findings: First, parts and components from subsidizing countries are 30% cheaper than alternatives. Those from China, which provides the majority of solar inputs to Vietnamese producers, are cheapest. Foreign green subsidies may thus spill over across countries via value chains. Second, Chinese FDI firms dominate Viet Nam’s solar industry, accounting for 75% of exports and 50% of jobs, and they export solar panels that are 38% cheaper than those of other producers in Viet Nam. Third, local firms supplying parts and components to these Chinese FDI firms experience positive productivity gains. Our findings show how Viet Nam’s solar boom emerged through deep integration into China’s subsidized supplychains.
Reproducibility Package
Scripts
Reproducibility package for The Rise of Viet Nam’s Solar Panel Industry: Inputs, FDI, and Spillovers
File name
RR_ASI_2026_655
Zip package
RR_ASI_2026_655.zip
Title
Reproducibility package for The Rise of Viet Nam’s Solar Panel Industry: Inputs, FDI, and Spillovers
Date
2026-08
Dependencies
R dependencies are listed in the file renv.lock. Stata dependencies are listed in the ado folder.
Instructions
See README in reproducibility package.
Notes
Computational reproducibility verified by Development Impact (DECDI) Analytics team, World Bank.
Source code repository
| Repository name | URI |
|---|---|
| Reproducible Research Repository (World Bank) | https://reproducibility.worldbank.org |
Reproducibility
Technology environment
Paper exhibits were reproduced on a computer with the following specifications:
• OS: Windows 11 Enterprise
• Processor: INTEL(R) XEON(R) PLATINUM 8562Y+ 2.80 GHz (2 processors)
• Memory available: 128 GB
Technology requirements
Runtime: 16 hours
Reproduction instructions
To reproduce the findings in this paper, a replicator must:
- Secure Access to Data: Some datasets are restricted and require special permissions. Please refer to the README file for detailed instructions on data access.
- Download and Place Data: Once access has been granted, download the datasets and place them in the appropriate folders as specified in the package documentation.
- Run the Package: After placing the data in the appropriate folders, execute the code files as follows:
- Navigate to folder
VES_code, update the working directory in line 11 of the0_main_create_firm_data.doand run it. - Open
Replication.Rproj, navigate to theCodefolder, and runData_Compilation_Main.R - Update the working directory in line 26 of
Regression_SolarVietnam_FDI.doand run it - Open
Replication.Rproj, navigate to theCodefolder, and runFigure_Table_Replication_Code.R
- Navigate to folder
Because some of the data is restricted are not included in the package, the package contains output files generated by the replicators in the folder Descriptive. These files can be used to review the results presented in the paper.
Data
Datasets
Name
Vietnam Enterprise Survey (VES) firm-level panel
Note
Source: General Statistics Office (GSO) of Vietnam
Filenames: gso.dta, import_firms.dta, export_firms.dta
Access policy
Data access was granted directly to the study authors by the data owners. It was obtained with a custom data license that does not allow for redistribution and it is not included in the reproducibility package.
Citation
General Statistics Office of Vietnam. 2022. 'Vietnam Enterprise Survey (VES) firm-level panel' [dataset]. Unpublished data.
Name
Vietnam Price data
Note
Source: General Statistics Office (GSO) of Vietnam
Filenames: Annual average CPI (Previous year = 100).csv, export_price_index_2023.xlsx, import_price_index_2023.xlsx, sector_correspondence.xlsx
Access policy
Data is publicly available and included in the reproducibility package.
Data URL
https://www.gso.gov.vn/en/prices/
Citation
General Statistics Office of Vietnam. 2022. 'Vietnam Enterprise Survey (VES) firm-level panel' [dataset]. https://www.gso.gov.vn/en/prices/
Name
Supply Chain Intelligencel data
Note
Source: Marketplace S&P Global
Access policy
Data access requires purchase or human approval and is not included in the reproducibility package.
Data URL
https://www.marketplace.spglobal.com/en/datasets/panjiva-supply-chain-intelligence-(22)?cq_cmp=9778467255&cq_plac=&cq_net=g&cq_pos=&cq_plt=gp&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Data_and_Research_Marketplace_DMS_Search_Google&utm_term=&utm_content=586436401424&_bt=586436401424&_bk=&_bm=&_bn=g&_bg=133704002389&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=9778467255&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwaaOqZSKlgMVb1JHAR3JZx5eEAAYAiAAEgL8W_D_BwE
Citation
Marketplace S&P Global. 2022. 'Supply Chain Intelligencel data' [dataset]. https://www.marketplace.spglobal.com/en/datasets/panjiva-supply-chain-intelligence-(22)?cq_cmp=9778467255&cq_plac=&cq_net=g&cq_pos=&cq_plt=gp&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Data_and_Research_Marketplace_DMS_Search_Google&utm_term=&utm_content=586436401424&_bt=586436401424&_bk=&_bm=&_bn=g&_bg=133704002389&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=9778467255&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwaaOqZSKlgMVb1JHAR3JZx5eEAAYAiAAEgL8W_D_BwE
Name
HS code classification data
Note
Source: Rosenow, B. & Mealy, P. (2024)
Access policy
Data is publicly available and included in the reproducibility package.
Data URL
https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/41024
Citation
Rosenow, B. & Mealy, P. (2024). 'HS code classification data' [dataset]. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/41024
Name
AI-generated Production Network (AIPNET) Edge List
Note
Source: AI-generated Production Network (AIPNET)
Access policy
Data is publicly available but does not allow redistribution and is not included in the reproducibility package.
License URL
https://aipnet.io/data/
Data URL
https://aipnet.io/
Citation
AI-generated Production Network (AIPNET) (2025). 'AI-generated Production Network (AIPNET) Edge List' [dataset]. https://aipnet.io/
Name
Green Goods Subsidies data
Note
Source: Global Trade Alert (GTA)
Access policy
Data access requires human approval and is not included in the reproducibility package.
License URL
https://globaltradealert.org/terms
Data URL
https://globaltradealert.org/data-center
Citation
Global Trade Alert (GTA) (2024). 'Green Goods Subsidies data' [dataset]. https://globaltradealert.org/data-center
Name
BACI: International Trade Database at the Product-Level
Note
Source: United Nations Statistical Division
Access policy
Data is publicly available and included in the reproducibility package.
License
Etalab Open Licence 2.0
License URL
https://www.etalab.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/open-licence.pdf
Data URL
https://www.cepii.fr/DATA_DOWNLOAD/baci/doc/baci_webpage.html
Citation
Gaulier, G. and Zignago, S. (2010) BACI: International Trade Database at the Product-Level. The 1994-2007 Version. CEPII Working Paper, N°2010-23
Name
Product Concordance data
Note
Source: World Integrated Trade Solution
Access policy
Data is publicly available and included in the reproducibility package.
License URL
https://wits.worldbank.org/faqs.html#Databases
Data URL
https://wits.worldbank.org/
Citation
World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS), World Bank. n.d. "Product Concordance [dataset]". Accessed in April 2025. https://wits.worldbank.org/product_concordance.html
Name
FDI Status for Solar Panel Exporters
Note
Source: Author's compilation
The authors manually verified the FDI status of solar panel exporters and compiled a list.
Access policy
Data is publicly available and included in the reproducibility package.
Data URL
https://masothue.com/
Citation
Authors’ compilation. 2024. “FDI Status for Solar Panel Exporters [dataset].” FDI status manually verified by the authors using information from Masothue.com. Accessed in August 2024. https://masothue.com/
Name
CEO Nationality for Solar Panel Exporters
Note
Source: Author's compilation
The authors manually verified the nationalities of CEOs of solar panel exporters and compiled a list.
Access policy
Data is publicly available and included in the reproducibility package.
Data URL
https://thuvienphapluat.vn/
Citation
Authors’ compilation. 2024. “CEO Nationality for Solar Panel Exporters [dataset].” FDI status manually verified by the authors using information from https://thuvienphapluat.vn. Accessed in August 2024. https://thuvienphapluat.vn
Name
Tax IDs for Local Vietnamese Suppliers
Note
Source: Author's compilation
The authors manually verified the tax IDs for local vietnamese suppliers and compiled a list.
Access policy
Data is publicly available and included in the reproducibility package.
Data URL
https://masothue.com/
Citation
Authors’ compilation. 2024. “Tax IDs for Local Vietnamese Suppliers [dataset].” FDI status manually verified by the authors using information from https://masothue.com/. Accessed in August 2024. https://masothue.com/
Name
Firms Supplying Solar Producers (2018)
Note
Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence
The authors manually verified the tax IDs for local vietnamese suppliers and compiled a list.
Access policy
Data is publicly available and included in the reproducibility package.
Data URL
https://pages.marketintelligence.spglobal.com/Panjiva-Jump-Start-Shipment-Search.html
Citation
Authors’ compilation. 2024. “Firms Supplying Solar Producers (2018) [dataset].” https://pages.marketintelligence.spglobal.com/Panjiva-Jump-Start-Shipment-Search.html. Accessed in August 2024.
Data statement
Some data is restricted and has not been included in the reproducibility package. For more details, please refer to the README file. (Limited-access/Restricted Data)
Description
Output
Type
Working Paper
Title
The Rise of Viet Nam’s Solar Panel Industry: Inputs, FDI, and Spillovers
Description
Policy Research Working Papers (PRWP)
Authors
| Author | Affiliation | |
|---|---|---|
| Pierre-Louis Vézina | King's College London | pierre-louis.vezina@kcl.ac.uk |
| Meng Yu Ngov | WTO | meng_yu.ngov@kcl.ac.uk |
| Trang Thu Tran | World Bank | ttran6@worldbank.org |
| Gaurav Nayyar | World Bank | gnayyar@worldbank.org |
Date of production
2026-08-05
Scope and coverage
Geographic locations
| Location | Code |
|---|---|
| Asia | ASI |
Keywords
Global Value Chains
Green Subsidies
Fdi
Disclaimer
Disclaimer
The materials in the reproducibility packages are distributed as they were prepared by the staff of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this event do not necessarily reflect the views of the World Bank, the Executive Directors of the World Bank, or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the materials included in the reproducibility package.
Access and rights
License
| Name | URI |
|---|---|
| MIT License | https://opensource.org/license/mit |
| World Bank IGO Rider | https://github.com/worldbank/metadata-editor/blob/main/WB-IGO-RIDER.md |
Contacts
Contacts
| Name | Affiliation | |
|---|---|---|
| Pierre-Louis Vézina | King's College London | pierre-louis.vezina@kcl.ac.uk |
| Reproducibility WBG | World Bank | reproducibility@worldbank.org |
Information on metadata
Producers
| Name | Abbreviation | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reproducibility WBG | DECDI | World Bank - Development Impact Department | Verification and preparation of metadata |
Date of Production
2026-08-05
Document version
1