Ho Chi Minh City (VNA) – Ho Chi Minh City’s economy showed encouraging signs in the first quarter of 2026, with gross regional domestic product (GRDP) estimated to expand by 8.27% year-on-year – the strongest performance in more than five years.
As it has set a GRDP growth target of over 10% for 2026, growth in the first half must reach at least 10.3%, with the second quarter alone tartgeted at 11.59–12.49% (average 12.04%).
During January–March, the services sector remained the primary engine of growth, rising 8.91% and accounting for 51.9% of GRDP while contributing 56% to overall expansion.
Despite some improvement, industry and construction fell short of expectations. The sector grew by 7.73%, representing 35.2% of GRDP but contributing only 32.6% to growth. Construction activity increased by 8.05%, adding around 2.2%.
Several manufacturing industries have begun to recover; however, rising input costs, particularly due to fuel price volatility, continue to place pressure on enterprises.
A notable bright spot is the sustained attractiveness of the business environment. In the period, more than 13,600 new enterprises were established, up 46.7% year-on-year, with total registered capital nearing 91.4 trillion VND (3.47 billion USD), up 46.6%. The city also attracted nearly 2.9 billion USD in foreign direct investment, surging 219.7%.
Nevertheless, external uncertainties continue to weigh on the economy. A survey of manufacturing firms showed that 77% expect conditions in the second quarter to remain stable or improve, while nearly 23% foresee challenges ahead.
On the domestic front, stimulating consumption, enhancing the price stabilisation programme, promoting large-scale trade and service events, and intensifying promotional campaigns are viewed as key measures. However, slow public investment disbursement remains a major bottleneck. In the first quarter, the city disbursed nearly 13.6 trillion VND out of a planned 147.6 trillion VND – less than 10%.
Dr Truong Minh Huy Vu, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies, said two major institutional levers – the Law on Special Urban Areas and a comprehensive master plan – will enable the city to shift from policy implementation to proactive policymaking. The master plan focuses on five priorities, including a specific development philosophy, multi-centre urban development, transit-oriented infrastructure development, three-dimensional spatial planning, and improved quality of life.
Dr Nguyen Duy Quang of the Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance also underscored the urgency of transitioning from extensive to intensive growth driven by innovation, the digital economy and a knowledge-based model. Stronger decentralisation, coupled with more flexible governance mechanisms, will be essential for the city to full tap potential and sustain its role as the country’s leading economic hub./.
VNA
